Taichung’s Old City Centre
Taichung, like many cities, was built around the railway station, and its most famous bakeries and shops opened nearby.
By the railway station, a tiny block of Dazhi Rd is famous for being 90% bubble tea shops. Stroll to nearby Zhongshan Rd for fashionable cafés nestled among decades-old bakeries and camera shops. Or visit Taichung Second Market for humble food wholesalers beside chic snack stalls.
Attractions
Old Taichung Railway Station • 臺中火車站 舊站
1, Taiwan Blvd Sec 1 • 台中市中區台灣大道一段1號This Japanese colonial-era train station was built in 1917. As a kid I would walk to Taichung Station to take the train to nearby neighbourhoods. The lack of elevators left the old station ill-equipped for today’s needs, and in 2016 a new accessible station was opened beside the original. Still, you can visit the original to take photos on an old platform with a heritage train.
Shops
Central Books • 中央書局
235, Taiwan Blvd Sec 1 • 台中市中區台灣大道一段235號Historically Taichung’s largest bookstore, the building was slated for demolition before being saved by the community members. It now has a small event space and a spacious café, as well as popular books in Chinese. You can find retro postcards and other Taichung souvenirs on the first floor.
Hung Rui Chen • 洪瑞珍
125, Zhongshan Rd • 台中市中區中山路125號The flagship location of Hung Rui Chen; only this location sells traditional pastries. I love their sachima; they also have xibing and mung bean gao. Among Hong Kong tourists they’re best known for their simple sandwiches.
Miyahara • 宮原眼科
20, Zhongshan Road • 台中市中區中山路20號During the Japanese colonial era, this building was an optometry clinic. Today it hosts Dawn Cake’s flagship store. Here you can find pineapple cakes and other traditional pastries. The retro designs on their packaging make for perfect gifts.
New Tai Yang Bakery • 新太陽堂餅店
51, Ziyou Rd Sec 2 • 台中市中區自由路二段51號A bit of history: the original Tai Yang Bakery is one of Taichung’s most famous stores, but never trademarked its name. Thus, you can find many, many stores claiming to be the original “Tai Yang Bakery” in Taichung. There are a handful of stores with decent claim to the original name, including this revival, which sits in the original location and retains one of the original’s pastry chefs.
At New Tai Yang Bakery you can find the namesake taiyang bing, of course, but also many other traditional pastries. My favourite is their preorder-only peanut mochi.
Snacks
Fourth Credit Union • 第四信用合作社
72, Zhongshan Rd • 台中市中區中山路72號Formerly a bank and now a location to sit down and enjoy some dessert by Dawn Cake. Assemble your own ice cream sundae — make sure you add a pineapple cake!
Meijian Tea • 小庭找茶
81, Sanmin Rd Sec 2 • 台中市中區三民路二段81號Located at the edge of Taichung Second Market, this stall sells ice cream in bread, fengyuan in almond soup, and traditional plum tea.
Restaurants
Adobiki • 後引日本料理
8, Lane 81, Taiwan Blvd Sec 1 • 台中市中區台灣大道一段81巷8號One of Taichung’s original upscale restaurants, serving Taiwanese-style Japanese cuisine like old-style pork cutlet rice.
If you want to eat here, I recommend calling to make a reservation the morning of.
Chun Shui Tang • 春水堂
30, Siwei St • 台中市西區四維街30號One of two chains claiming to be the first bubble tea store with locations everywhere. They have a wide selection of drinks, Taiwanese street food, and other eats.
Qin Yuan Chun • 沁園春
129, Taiwan Blvd Sec 1 • 台中市中區台灣大道一段129號Another one of Taichung’s old upscale restaurants, this serves Jiangsu & Zhejiang dishes and dim sum. A collection of calligraphy and old Taichung photos line its walls.
If you want to eat here, I recommend calling to make a reservation the morning of.
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