Lemon Tea Shop, located on the first floor of the Ximen Super Commercial Building on Zhonghua Road Section 1 in Wanhua District, can be directly accessed from the side of Emei Street and is about a three-minute walk from Exit 6 of the Ximen MRT station, making it a convenient location.
Today, I enjoyed cilantro lemon tea and coconut lemon tea, totaling 200 TWD.
Cilantro Lemon Tea:
The unique aroma of cilantro hits you as soon as you take a sip, complemented by a rich lemon scent. The refreshing tartness of the lemon tea follows closely behind the mild bitterness and distinctive fragrance of the cilantro, resulting in an unexpectedly balanced flavor without any strange clashes. If you are a cilantro lover, this drink will definitely thrill you; however, if you normally keep your distance from cilantro, it’s best not to try it lightly. I also added some Aiyu jelly, which has a chewy texture that reminds me of the now-closed Tea Forest Anju store; that konjac noodle has become a distant echo 😭.
Coconut Lemon Tea:
In comparison, this drink is much milder. The natural sweetness of the coconut pairs nicely with the tanginess of the lemon, bringing a refreshing taste reminiscent of tropical flavors. It’s smooth and not astringent, with just the right sweetness that isn’t cloying.
The shop kindly reminds customers about the relationship between sweetness and bitterness, suggesting a sweetness level of at least half sugar to avoid an overly pronounced bitterness from the lemon. Additionally, you can choose whether to keep the lemon slice in the cup; if you choose to keep it, it may develop a slight bitterness over time, while not keeping it means your drink will be slightly less in volume due to the absence of the lemon slice.
Overall, it’s a hand-shaken drink filled with unique lemon flavors. After placing your order, the staff will violently mash the lemons on-site using a combination of machines and manual methods. The prices are moderately high for Ximending, but considering it’s freshly made hand-pressed drinks, it's still acceptable. The shop is small but has simple seating available, making it a nice option to relax for a moment after purchasing before continuing your shopping. If you love cilantro, you definitely have to try this ultimate cilantro challenge!
The shop's loyalty card is a unique physical small Mahjong set, and you can exchange eight pieces for a drink. If you collect a full set, can you start a game?
Highly recommended!