When people think of Jiufen, most first imagine the ancient stone-stepped old street, traditional snacks like taro ball and grass jelly rice cake, and the scene of Sen's bathhouse from Spirited Away that inspired Hayao Miyazaki. However, this small mountain town that was once a prosperous gold mining settlement has recently seen a bubble tea trend emerge, becoming a unique destination where travelers can experience the intersection of traditional tea culture and modern hand-shaken drinks.
Jiufen's bubble tea offers a distinctly different atmosphere from chain stores in the city. Here, most tea shops combine local characteristics, using locally grown tea leaves from Jiufen or tea soup made following traditional methods, paired with chewy pearls or other toppings. Some shops have gotten creative, incorporating Jiufen's famous taro balls, osmanthus syrup, and other elements into drinks, creating limited-edition flavors that can only be found here. Additionally, many shops' seating areas overlook the mountain town scenery and the healing view of the sea blending into the sky, making drinking bubble tea a dual sensory experience combining taste and vision.
When it comes to the most famous bubble tea in Jiufen, the "Jiufen Old Street Bubble Tea" shop located at the entrance of the old street is the iconic establishment. The owner insists on using quality tea leaves from Nantou, freshly brewed daily, and the pearls are hand-made rather than using factory mass-produced semi-finished products, so the particularly chewy and bouncy texture is their biggest feature. Their signature "Classic Bubble Tea" has a rich but not bitter tea flavor, with the milk and tea flavors achieving an excellent balance, and sweetness can be adjusted according to personal preference. This shop's biggest advantage is its convenient location at the entrance of the old street, which every tourist must pass by—perfect for grabbing a cup to recharge when tired from shopping.
For those looking for a place to sit down and slowly enjoy their drinks, "A-Mei Tea House" is the top choice for many cultural and artistic travelers. This tea house preserves the traditional Fujian architectural style, with interior decor full of nostalgic atmosphere, and the outdoor terrace offers views of Jiufen's famous night scenery. Their bubble tea uses a reduced-sugar formula and offers free pearl additions, which is quite economical for consumers who like more toppings. Another highlight of A-Mei Tea House is their tea snack platter, paired with bubble tea, giving people an illusion of traveling through time, as if returning to the prosperous era of old Jiufen.
"Nurse Chief's Shop" is a rising internet-famous check-in spot in recent years, known for its dreamy store decor and gradient-colored specialty drinks. Their "Bubble Tea Frappe" is the best choice for summer cooling, blending traditional bubble tea into a smooth frappe texture, topped with fresh cream and cocoa powder for a visually impressive presentation. This shop's pearls are larger than average stores, providing extra satisfaction when biting into them, which is very popular among young people. The shop also offers bubble water drinks and fruit teas in various flavors, suitable for travelers who want to try diverse tastes.
The final recommendation is "Wooden Retirement Fund Tofu Pudding", a shop that creatively combines Jiufen's specialty taro balls with bubble tea. Their "Taro Ball Bubble Tea" uses hand-made purple sweet potato taro balls, yellow sweet potato taro balls, and sweet potato taro balls instead of traditional pearls, making it not only colorful but also softer and more layered in texture. For travelers who are tired of traditional pearls, this is a refreshing choice. This shop also offers tofu pudding, snowflake ice, and other desserts—on hot days, ordering a cold taro ball bubble tea with a bowl of tofu pudding makes for the perfect Jiufen afternoon tea combination.
For travelers wanting to visit Jiufen for bubble tea, the most convenient way is to take the Taiwan Railway from Taipei Main Station to Ruifang Station, then transfer to Keelung Bus or a taxi to Jiufen Old Street, with a journey of about 15 to 20 minutes. For a deeper experience, you can also take a bus directly from MRT Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station to the Jiufen Visitor Center.
Bubble tea prices in Jiufen Old Street are slightly higher than in central Taipei, with a cup of classic bubble tea ranging from NT$70 to NT$120, depending on toppings and size. It is recommended to avoid peak hours on weekends and national holidays—not only will there be fewer crowds, but it will also be easier to find seating for dine-in. Most tea shops are open from 10 AM to 9 PM, with some shops like A-Mei Tea House extending hours until around 11 PM due to their night view offerings.
Travel tips: Jiufen is located in a mountainous area, with temperatures 3 to 5 degrees lower than the city. Remember to bring a jacket when visiting in winter. Additionally, since Jiufen Old Street has a stairway terrain, wearing comfortable shoes will make your visit more enjoyable. If you want to buy souvenirs, many tea shops also sell packaged bubble tea tea bags, allowing travelers to bring the taste of Jiufen home.
