Sweet tooth? Three Taiwanese desserts to try
A mix of soft, chewy, and chilled treats found across Taipei
Taiwanese desserts draw on Chinese traditions but have developed their own local style, with a focus on texture, toppings, and customization, according to Taiwan's Tourism Administration.
Many combine soft, chewy, and jelly-like elements, with ingredients such as beans, taro, and peanuts.
You’ll find options everywhere, from night markets to small neighborhood shops. Desserts are usually inexpensive, quick to order, and easy to customize. If you’re unsure where to start, these three are widely available and beginner-friendly.
#1: Tofu Pudding
Silky douhua, done the Taiwanese way
Tofu pudding (豆花, dòu huā) can be traced back to ancient China, where production is traditionally believed to have started during the Han Dynasty, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Agriculture.
In Taiwan, it has become a staple dessert, found everywhere from night markets to small neighborhood shops.
It can be served warm or cold and comes with syrup and toppings. The base is made from soybeans, set just enough to hold shape, then scooped into layers. You can then choose toppings to add; for example, peanuts, tapioca balls, mung beans, and taro are often on offer.
At Ron Museum in Zhongshan District, we had the cold version and chose grass jelly and chia seeds as our toppings. The jelly added a chewy contrast, and overall, the dish had a slight soy flavor and wasn't overly sweet.
If you’ve never tried tofu pudding, This Is Taipei suggests that you start simple. Go for a cold version with peanuts or tapioca and light syrup. It gives you a clean sense of the texture without too much going on.
#2: Shaved Ice
The ultimate cool-down dessert
Shaved ice (剉冰, cuò bīng or tshuah-ping) arrived in Taiwan during the era of Japanese rule and remains a popular way to cool down in summer.
It's essentially a mound of finely shaved ice topped with syrup or condensed milk, then layered with extras. Mung beans, tapioca balls, and jellies are common.
We tried two versions at separate spots near Zhongshan MRT Station — Ron Museum and Huoshih — and ordered two different versions of the dessert.
At Huoshih, which bills itself as a Taiwanese dessert restaurant with a modern twist, we sampled the tieguanyin tea shaved ice (NT$210). Tieguanyin, a type of oolong tea, gives the ice a slightly roasted flavor. The dish came topped with mung beans, jelly, and adlay seed (薏仁, yì rén), which in traditional Chinese medicine is believed to support skin health.
Over at Ron Museum, the peanut version was heavier and more indulgent, with crunchy and soft peanuts, small tapioca pearls, and a generous portion of brown sugar syrup.
Both bowls were refreshing and tasty, and although they looked huge when they landed on our table, we managed to get through them.
#3: Peanut Ice Cream Roll
A salty-sweet wrap built for night market wandering
Peanut ice cream rolls (花生捲冰淇淋, huā shēng juǎn bīng qí lín) are a classic Taiwanese night market dessert. Originally from Yilan, they've become more and more popular across the country, with a famous version sold at A-Jou Peanut Ice Cream Roll in Jiufen.
It's a simple snack, a thin, crepe-like skin filled with freshly shaved peanut brittle, two scoops of ice cream, and a sprig of coriander. The peanuts are grated to order using a traditional Taiwanese shaving plane, turning the hard candy into soft, fragrant curls, according to the Michelin Guide.
You'll likely see a stand selling the delicacy at a night market in Taiwan. We tried ours at Ningxia Night Market, skipping the coriander, but we recommend trying it at least once. The herb adds a savory note that cuts through the sweetness.
According to the Michelin Guide, the dessert has even been served at state banquets for visiting politicians.
