Walking along the coastal Highway 11 in Hualien and turning into the narrow alleys of the Nanzhukou village in Changbin, you will come across a low-key and charming little house — Mini Gelato. Using local ingredients and Italian techniques to make ice cream, it has become a well-regarded dessert spot along the Changbin coastline.

This time, I ordered the signature Changbin sea salt brown sugar ice cream and an affogato. From the first bite, I was captivated by the intertwining flavors of sweet and salty: the rich aroma of the brown sugar from Changbin and the subtle saltiness from the sea salt create a perfect balance in the creamy milk flavor. The ice cream is finely textured and rich, with a moderate level of sweetness that makes you want to have one bite after another without getting tired of it. When paired with the strong coffee, the entire experience gains many layers of texture and temperature, which I highly recommend!

The shop's space may not be large, but it is simply and charmingly decorated. There is a small courtyard outside with bamboo chairs, where you can sit down and slowly enjoy the sea breeze and sunshine of the east coast. There are about five ice cream options available, and occasionally they release seasonal flavors, such as pomelo flower red oolong milk tea or wild berry series, each made with seasonal fruits and fresh milk, offering a natural and unpretentious taste.

Overall, the popular flavor at Mini Gelato — Changbin sea salt brown sugar ice cream — truly lives up to its reputation. The store's focus on using seasonal, local ingredients, combined with its simple and cute courtyard space, turns enjoying ice cream into a small ritual. If you're looking to enjoy a breeze by the sea with some ice cream, this place is definitely worth a special detour to grab a cone.