VIBE

This popular shaved ice vendor in a small lane off of bustling ZhongXiao East Road keeps sugar junkies happy with overflowing bowls of shaved ice adorned with condensed milk and toppings like barley, red bean, passion fruit, gingko, almond, and pineapple. Part of the fun is mixing and matching toppings (a standard bowl comes with three) to create the best sundae possible. The space is pretty basic, but there are a few tables and some counter seating.

CROWD

Taipei locals of all stripes, though the crowd leans younger, especially after school lets out in the afternoon.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Anything goes! We’ve been here in business attire as well as shorts and a tee.

GO HERE WITH

Friends with a sweet tooth; kids; yourself

WHY WE LIKE IT

This is seriously yummy shaved ice. Our personal favorite combo is green (mung) bean, barley, and tapioca.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

There’s always a wait, but the counter staff has an efficient assembly line to keep things moving.

GOOD TO KNOW

The menu is all in Chinese, but you can simply point to select your three toppings which are laid out in front of you, salad bar style. Dong Qu Fen Yuan also offers desserts like mung bean soup, sweet tofu pudding, and glutinous rice balls, but it’s really the shaved ice that’s worth coming for.

CLOSEST COMPS

Yong Kang 15 (Taipei)