Let’s delve into the rich and diverse world of Taiwanese desserts, from traditional favorites to modern twists, and how they reflect Taiwan’s culinary heritage. Taiwanese food has gained international fame, and the diversity of options cater to a wide audiences.
Fascinated about Taiwanese food? Try our 2023 Taiwan Food Tours & Activities or 2023 Taiwan Classes / Workshops Tours & Activities! We offer the best Taiwan tour package for you.
Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶)
No doubt the No. 1 most famous Taiwanese desserts that you can drink! Bubble tea comes in a wide range of flavors, and the chewy tapioca pearls can combine with milk, coffee, tea, fruit flavors, or even cheese. A newer trend where a layer of creamy cheese foam is added on top of the tea for a salty-sweet contrast. (Read more: 【About Taiwan】The Prequel of Bubble Tea Fever－Foam Black Tea)
In addition, boba tea can also include other add-ins such as fruit chunks, jelly, taro balls, aloe, and pudding. If you are looking for bubble tea Taipei, read more about Top 10 Most Popular Drinks in Taiwan.
Shaved Ice (刨冰)
It’s a refreshing and customizable treat that’s especially popular during the hot and humid summer months. Starting with a foundation of finely shaved ice, and then topped with a variety of sweet and flavorful toppings. (Read more: 4 Hours to Savor Taipei | 5 Stores to Beat Summer Heat)
The toppings for shaved ice are incredibly diverse and can range from fresh fruits, syrups, and sauces to a variety of chewy, jellied, or starchy add-ins. Some common toppings include fresh mango slices, strawberries, taro balls, grass jelly, red beans, sweetened condensed milk, tapioca pearls (boba), and colorful jellies. Of course flavors can change with season, for example, you might find Taiwan mango shaved ice during summer. For more information about mango: How Much Do You Know About the Mango in Taiwan.
Pineapple Cake (鳳梨酥)
Taiwanese pineapple cake is a beloved pastry that features a buttery, shortbread-like crust filled with sweet pineapple filling. The filling is cooked down to a jam-like consistency, creating a balanced sweet-tart flavor. Additionally, pineapple cakes often given as gifts and souvenirs because they’re seen as a gesture of goodwill, luck, and prosperity. Wanna learn how to make pineapple cakes? See our tour of:
- Taiwanese Traditional Dessert: Pineapple Cake DIY
- Taipei Must Try: Pineapple Cakes DIY & National Palace Museum Private Tour
Douhua (豆花)
Douhua, also known as tofu pudding or tofu custard, is a popular Taiwanese dessert that has a delicate texture and a subtly sweet flavor. It’s made from soybeans and you can enjoy in both hot and cold versions. Douhua is loved by us for its smooth and silky consistency and its ability to be paired with a variety of toppings and syrups. Are you curious about tofu? Read more: Discover Tofu and Its Variation at Shiding Old Street Around Taipei.
Douhua is often served as a dessert and you can enjoy with toppings like sweet syrup, peanuts, red bean paste, taro balls, grass jelly, pearls, and fresh fruits. Popular syrups include brown sugar syrup, ginger syrup, and sweet fruit syrups. Overall, Taiwanese douhua is a beloved culinary treasure that you can have every seasons and enjoyed by people of all ages.
Suncakes (太陽餅)
Suncakes are a traditional Taiwanese pastry, and they’re round, flaky pastries filled with sweet fillings like maltose, mung bean paste, and sesame. My favorite is the black sesame paste fillings! The outer crust of a suncake is delicate and crumbly, providing a satisfying contrast to the sweet and slightly chewy filling.
Furthermore, Suncakes have a history that dates back to the early Qing Dynasty. The pastry’s round shape and golden hue are said to symbolize the sun, hence the name “suncake.” We often give suncakes to friends and family as gifts during Mid-Autumn Festival and other traditional festivals. While suncakes are commonly associated with festivals, they’re available year-round in Taiwan. You can find them in bakeries, specialty shops, and souvenir stores across the country.
Taro Ball Dessert (芋圓)
There are 2 versions of taro ball desserts, which are made from taro or sweet potato. You can enjoy the chewy taro balls served in a sweet syrup along with a variety of toppings, like red beans, mung beans, grass jelly, and boba. Additionally, taro is a starchy root vegetable with a distinctive purple hue, is a beloved ingredient in Asia. (Read more: Jiufen Travel Guide | 3 Must-try Foods in Jiufen Old Street)
Taro ball dessert is a popular item in dessert shops, night markets, and specialized stalls throughout Taiwan. On top of that, Jiufen is most famous for its handmade fresh taro and sweet potato ball desserts! You can also have this desserts by join one of our Jiufen Old Street tour:
- Classic Jiufen & Pingxi Old Streets Private Day Tour
- Jiufen & Pingxi Nostalgic Railway Private Day Tour
- Eco- Friendly Jiufen & Shifen Old Streets Private Day Tour
Other traditional Taiwanese desserts including mooncake, read bean soup, almond tofu, sesame ball, black sugar rice cake, grass jelly, osmanthus jelly and more! By the way, osmanthus Jelly (桂花糕, Gui Hua Gao) is a translucent and fragrant jelly made from osmanthus flowers and agar-agar, often served chilled and garnished with goji berries. Overall, Taiwanese desserts offer a cool and flavorful adventure for your taste buds!
Do you have a craving for Taiwanese desserts now?
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