Food is such an integral part of Taiwanese culture and many people around the world unknowingly enjoy some traditional specialties invented on the beautiful island of Formosa. Beverages like pearl milk tea and sweet treats like shaved ice and tofu pudding are a few of the local specialties Taiwan is known for.
Pearl Milk Tea
Often called boba or bubble tea in many other countries, this popular drink originated in Taiwan in the 1980's. It is the most popular drink in Taiwan and milk tea stalls can be found on practically every corner.
Pearl milk tea was developed in Taichung, a city in the central part of the island. Traditionally, it is sweetened black tea mixed with milk powder. The pearls are large sweetened tapioca balls that sink to the bottom of the cup and are slurped up with a large straw, specially designed to fit the large "pearls".
Since its inception, pearl milk tea's popularity has taken off and now a number of variations are available now. Some common variations include green, oolong, or jasmine teas, or the addition of other items like fruit, mung beans and barley, and jelly pieces. Like many of the special orders that Starbucks is known for, pearl milk tea can be ordered with or without milk, half milk, half sugar, etc.
Many countries like the United States, Australia, Japan, and Australia offer pearl milk tea shops now. Lollicup is a popular United States chain that operates stores in 11 states, offering over 170 different concoctions of teas, juices, and smoothies.
Shaved Ice
One of the best dessert items in Taiwan is shaved ice. Quite different than a snow cone or shaved ice desserts from other countries, Taiwan shaved ice consists of large amount of finely shaved ice topped with a variety of sweet toppings. Traditionally, four toppings are added to the shaved ice, along with condensed milk or brown sugar.
With the opening of Ice Monster in Taipei, a new breed of shaved ice was born that included copious amounts of fresh mango, condensed milk, and ice cream atop a giant mound of finely shaved ice. Ice Monster saw lines every day of the week for years and was mentioned in nearly every guide book and tourism guide to Taiwan.
Surprisingly, Ice Monster closed its doors in January 2010 after an alimony dispute, leaving many shaved ice fans devastated. Fortunately, the new Yong Kang 15 opened last month in the old Ice Monster location and with the previous owner serving as the technical adviser.
Other Asian cities have shaved ice desserts, but they often differ from Taiwan's style. Taiwanese shaved ice can often be found in cities with large Chinese populations and Chinatown districts.
Tofu Pudding
Known as douhua, this soybean dessert is another popular treat in Taiwan. Donhua means bean flower, but its silky white texture resembles tofu, which is why it is often called tofu pudding.
Douhua is commonly served warm in a sweet soup, topped with boiled peanut chunks. One variation to try is to add ginger or almond syrup. The ginger syrup adds a sweet unique taste and Taiwanese believe ginger can ward off the common cold or flu as well.
During the summer months, many locals still consume douhua warm, but many places will serve it over a bed of shaved ice as well. This popular dessert is often served in other Asian countries, especially mainland China. In Taiwan, douhua can be found in some Chinese food restaurants, department store food courts or small Taiwan food shops.
Erin De Santiago - Erin is a freelance travel, food/wine, & Disney writer in Taipei, Taiwan, who has traveled within 40+ different countries to date.
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