When people think of Jiufen, the first things that come to mind are taro balls, shaved ice, or those teahouses scattered along the hillside. But you may not know that this small town, once prosperous due to gold mining, is now a popular spot for buying pineapple cakes—not because Jiufen produces them itself, but because tourists have "discovered" them as the most convenient souvenir choice for the journey home.
Market Positioning of Jiufen Pineapple Cakes
Strictly speaking, Jiufen is not a traditional pineapple cake production area—this is similar to the situation with Sun Moon Lake. The true home of pineapple cakes across all of Taiwan remains concentrated around Dajia and Fengyuan in Taichung, where the climate and soil are suitable for pineapple growth, and the cake-making tradition spans over half a century. However, Jiufen's tourism catchment is simply enormous—over three million visitors annually, and any passing tourist will casually pick up a box. This has made Jiufen a battleground for all pineapple cake brands. The dozen or so stalls you see on the old street actually sell products from all over Taiwan.
Interestingly, Jiufen's pineapple cake market presents a kind of "curated compilation" characteristic—shop owners tend to display only one or two flagship brands, rather than the wall-to-wall displays seen in Taipei boutiques. For travellers, this actually reduces the difficulty of choice—you don't need to research the differences between dozens of shops; you can simply pick one and go for it.
Key Highlights: Why Buy in Jiufen?
The first advantage is "convenience." Jiufen Old Street is only just over 300 metres long. Walking from the Coffee Square entrance to the end of Jishan Street takes more than enough time in half an hour. You can finish sightseeing in the evening and sort out your souvenirs at any retail point before heading down the mountain, without needing to make any detours. In contrast, the famous shops in Taichung are often hidden in alleyways, requiring dedicated time to visit.
The second advantage is "saving on delivery costs." Shops in Jiufen generally provide reinforced cardboard boxes and carrier bags. After purchasing, you can carry them directly onto a bus or taxi without worrying about boxes being crushed alongside other souvenirs from your trip. This small detail is particularly friendly to independent travellers dragging suitcases.
The third advantage is "mixed purchasing." Along Jiufen Old Street, there are many other options besides pineapple cakes—taro balls, herbal jelly, tea, and tea ware. You can gather several souvenir items together and have the shop package them as a set, saving the time cost of purchasing separately. I've encountered many cases in Jiufen where travellers asked the same stall owner to pair pineapple cakes with tea for a one-stop shopping experience.
Recommended Shops
A-Mei Teahouse — This is not a shop that focuses on pineapple cakes, but it is Jiufen's most famous teahouse, also operating tea snack gift sets. The pineapple cake is just one item in their range, with the focus being on combination sets with Alishan high-mountain tea. If you were already planning to have tea and meals at Jiufen, A-Mei Teahouse's pineapple cake gift box is a natural souvenir choice. A box of six pieces is approximately NT$250, with refined packaging that is presentable for gifting.
The Nurse's Shop — Located in the middle of Jishan Street, the position is excellent. Its biggest feature is "freshly baked pineapple cakes"—yes, you read that correctly. This shop offers pineapple cakes that have just come out of the oven. The crust is crispier than usual commercially available ones, and the filling moisture level is different. Traditional pineapple cakes have a lower moisture ratio to extend shelf life, but The Nurse's Shop makes and sells on the same day, so you can enjoy the aroma接近剛出爐的香氣。一盒八入NT$280，價格稍微貴一點，但新鮮度和口感確實不同。
Sheng Ping Cake Shop — This is one of the few independent brands on Jiufen Old Street. The shop has been operating in Jiufen for over 20 years. Although their main products are pastries, they have their own formula for developing pineapple cakes. The difference is that many shops sell factory products from Taichung or Yilan, whereas Sheng Ping Cake Shop's pineapple cakes are made from scratch in terms of both filling and pastry. The flavour leans towards the traditional route, with a higher proportion of winter melon and mild sweetness, suitable for customers who want "genuine ingredients" rather than simply pursuing well-known brands. The four-piece set is approximately NT$180, and the price is relatively approachable.
Golden Diamond Souvenirs — A shop near the entrance of Jishan Street. Its advantage is the most comprehensive product range. In addition to pineapple cakes, they also have longan cake, nougat, lemon tea, and other classic Jiufen souvenirs. For the pineapple cake section, they choose three to four brands to display simultaneously, allowing customers to make comparisons. This shop's positioning is more like a "Jiufen souvenir integrated channel," suitable for tourists who want to buy multiple specialities in one go. Prices fall in the mid-range, with a box of six pieces starting at approximately NT$220.
Lin Ji Rice Cake Shop — This shop is actually famous for its rice cake (cao za gui), but they also sell pineapple cakes as a complementary product in their side shop. Lin Ji's pineapple cakes are not self-made; they are sourced from a factory in Dajia, Taichung, but the quality is maintained above a certain standard. Since it is not a specialist shop, the price is反而是最實惠的，一盒六入僅 NT$160。如果預算有限、對包裝不講究，林記是個務實選擇。
Practical Information
【How to Get There】
From Taipei Main Station or Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station, you can take the MRT to "Zhongxiao Fuxing" Station, then transfer to a Keelung Bus on the "Keelung—Jiufen" or "Ruifang—Jiufen" line, with a journey time of approximately 50 minutes. There are also Taiwan Tourist Shuttle buses from "Taipei/City Centre—Jiufen" that allow boarding and alighting at designated stops. For those driving, you can park at the Jiufen Recreation Centre car park (charged per entry), but it is often full on weekends, so it is recommended to arrive early in the morning.
【Recommended Stay Duration】
Daily opening hours are approximately
First, don't place an order at just one shop. The price flexibility of pineapple cakes in Jiufen is greater than that of Taipei's famous shops. Some stalls have a bargaining space of up to 10%, especially when you purchase two or more boxes at once - asking usually won't disappoint. Second, pay attention to the storage period. Traditional pineapple cakes have a storage life of approximately two weeks, and freshly baked varieties have an even shorter period. Don't wait until they're near their expiry date before remembering to give them as gifts. Third, it's recommended to purchase with tea. Jiufen high-mountain oolong tea is a classic combination, and many shops are willing to sell at a set meal price. Fourth, if your return journey departs from Ruifang Railway Station, you can purchase ambient-temperature-stored pineapple cakes at convenience stores such as "Xiao Yang Convenience" in front of the station. The prices can even be cheaper than on the old street, but customers with high quality expectations should still purchase from the old street. Fifth, avoid the off-peak period between 4pm and 6pm. At this time, shops are preparing to close, and both the opportunity and willingness for samples will decrease.
Ultimately, Jiufen's pineapple cakes are not a "direct-from-producer" local delicacy, but rather a vessel for travel memories. Sitting in a teahouse, gazing at the layered mountains and sea, biting into a piece of pineapple cake with oolong tea - this scene itself is the taste of Jiufen that travellers bring home.
Frequently Asked Questions
