When people think of Kenting, their first thought isn't bubble tea—it's bikinis, beaches, and sunshine. But would you believe it? Even in this South Pacific-style resort destination, there are still 몇 hand-shaken tea shops that locals would recommend.
Many people think that beverage shops in tourist areas are "nice to look at but not good to drink"—designed to rip off tourists. This saying can't be said to be wrong, but it's not entirely accurate either. High rents and cost pressures in tourist areas are real, but can you imagine there's a twenty-year-old tea stall near Eluanbi? So this article won't discuss chain stores—we're going to talk about the hidden gems that "only locals buy."
Lemon-Based Drinks Are the True Kings of Kenting
Let me share something locals know but outsiders might not: the average summer temperature on the Hengchun Peninsula starts at 34°C, and under the sun it can exceed 38°C. Promoting bubble tea in this weather? Customers would think you're joking. That's why the survival logic of local tea shops is completely different from the north — lemon-based and sour drinks that cool you down are the main offerings.
This is why the bubble tea culture in Pingtung is completely different from Taipei's: instead of pursuing the chewy "QQ" texture, it emphasizes the feeling of being "refreshingly cool."
So when looking for a good tea shop in Kenting, the key isn't "whether the pearls are cooked well" but rather "whether the tea base is properly prepared." This is the core logic behind our recommendations.
Local's Secret List: 5 Must-Visit Tea Shops
1. Hengchun Grandma's Tea Stall 【Thirty Years of Local Flavor】
Located next to the Guan Shan Folk Temple, a historic site in Hengchun, Grandma's Tea Stall is a true "veteran-level" tea stand in Hengchun Township, Pingtung County. The owner started selling vermicelli tea from a cart in the Hengchun downtown area in 1993—long before any chain brands existed. Her signature drink is the "Plum Lemon Ice"—not using ready-made plum sauce, but manually pickled plums daily combined with local Pingtung lemons, at just NT$35 per cup.
Must-try: Plum Lemon Ice (NT$35), Honey Fragrance Black Milk Tea (NT$40)
Address: No. 128, Zhongshan Road, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County
Hours: 10:00-20:00 (Closed Wednesdays)
Local's tip: Order "less ice, half sugar"—the lemon's tangy aroma will be more pronounced.
2. Kenting Road "Shimalou Tea House" 【Japanese Style Favorite Among Surfers】
Competition among beverage shops on Kenting Street is fierce, and any shop that survives three years has got something special. The owner of Shimalou Tea House was originally a surfing instructor, and the shop features American camping-style décor with seating directly on the sidewalk—many surfers come straight from the waves to sit and sip.
Their "Deer Garden Oolong Milk" uses Nantou frozen-peak oolong—the tea flavor is rich but not overpowered by milk, and the tapioca pearls are hand-cooked daily, not from a centralized factory like chain stores. The prices are mid-range for Kenting Street, but the quality is definitely worth it.
Must-try: Deer Garden Oolong Milk (NT$55), Sea Salt Caramel Milk Tea (NT$50)
Address: No. 231, Kenting Road, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County
Hours: 12:00-23:00
Regulars' secret: Go after 9 PM, and the owner will let you try new flavors from the "hidden menu"—this is an unspoken rule among surfing instructor colleagues.
3. Houbihu "Lakeside Tea Pavilion" 【Great Tea with Ocean Views】
Houbihu isn't just for seafood—this small tea pavilion hidden next to the fish harbor is a favorite among those in the know. The owner graduated from National Taiwan Ocean University and is particularly particular about "what water" is used—he insists on using soft water that has been reverse-osmosis filtered and then adjusted with activated carbon, all to make the tea taste cleaner.
They don't have a menu—just ask the owner what tea arrived that day. Then order "single-origin tea" or "tea au lait"—not the kind with powdered creamer you'll find elsewhere, but made with fresh milk. The prices are very reasonable, at NT$45-60 per cup.
Must-try: Seasonal Single-Origin Tea (based on daily delivery), Handmade Cheese Tea (NT$60)
Address: Next to Houbihu Fishery Building, Hengchun Township, Pingtung County
Hours: 08:00-17:00 (Closed Tuesdays)
Insider knowledge: After watching the sunset at Houbihu, a five-minute walk brings you to what the owner recommends as the "golden hour tea time."
4. Manzhou "Mountain Tea from the Mountains" 【A Refreshing Rural Style】
Manzhou Township is the most mountainous administrative district on the Hengchun Peninsula. While no chain stores have set up here, a young couple took over their grandparents' tea farm and started a "self-produced, self-sold" tea business. Their "mountain tea" series isn't the typical grab-and-go beverage—it's actually freshly brewed using tea leaves from their own farm.
We recommend the "Cold-Brew Mountain Tea"—made by steeping in cold water for 12 hours in a slow process. The tea has no bitterness at all, but rather a natural sweetness. This way of drinking tea is almost unheard of in cities, but has become a specialty in the mountainous areas of Hengchun. Prices range from NT$40-80.
Must-try: Cold-Brew Mountain Tea (NT$40), Yuzu Oolong (NT$50)
Address: No. 89, Section 1, Zhongshan Road, Manzhou Village, Manzhou Township, Pingtung County
Hours: 09:00-18:00
Unique selling point: This is a true "farm to cup" one-stop experience.
5. Checheng "Seaside Tea Stall" 【Preserving Old-Fashioned Flavor】
Located near Fu'an Temple in Checheng, this small, unassuming stall is now in its third generation of family ownership. Their "old-fashioned milk tea" isn't the overly sweet kind you'll find at chain stores—it's made the traditional way, simmered with cane sugar and brown sugar syrup. Few tea beverage shops dare to use this traditional method anymore because of the high cost and complicated process. But this stall's owner insists on using no fructose syrup or powdered creamer.
A cup of old-fashioned milk tea at NT$30 will make you reminisce about childhood flavors.
Must-try: Old-Fashioned Milk Tea (NT$30), Osmanthus Oolong (NT$25)
Address: No. 52, Houwan Road, Checheng Township, Pingtung County (Next to Fu'an Temple)
Hours: 07:00-16:00
Regular's review: "The old flavor hasn't changed at all—the sugar level is just right, never too cloying."
Practical Information: How to Get There? How Much? When to Go?
【Transportation Guide】
When departing from Kaohsiung, the main concern for most people is transportation options.
- Kaohsiung Railway Station → Hengchun: Take the 【9189】 Kenting Express Line, direct to Hengchun Bus Station, about 2 hours, fare NT$198
- Chartered car/Rental car: For four people, chartering a taxi for a day costs approximately NT$2500-3500, which works out cheaper than renting a car on average
- Rent a scooter: Renting in Hengchun city for a day costs NT$400-600, and may be higher during peak season
If traveling south from Pingtung Railway Station: You can also transfer at the 【Pingtung】 Bus Station, but bus frequencies are limited. It's best to check the schedule in advance.
【Price Range】
In the Hengchun/Kenting area, tea beverage prices are slightly NT$5-15 lower than in the north. The general ranges are as follows:
- Regular teas (lemon tea, green tea, etc.): NT$25-40
- Milk tea series: NT$35-60
- Single-origin tea/Specialty tea: NT$40-80
- Specialty mixed drinks: Depending on toppings, generally won't exceed NT$100
【Business Hours】
- Traditional old shops have quite irregular business hours, and closing on weekends is common. It's best to call ahead to confirm
- Chain convenience store beverage shops are open year-round, but for quality, independent shops are more reliable
- Peak season (summer vacation, holidays) sees large crowds, and wait times may be longer. To save time, it's recommended to go after evening
【Best Season】
In fact, while Kenting has the most visitors in summer, the hot weather also means the highest demand for tea beverages, making it easier to get freshly made batches.
- Peak season: July-August (high temperatures, strong demand for refreshing tea drinks, but crowded)
- Shoulder season: April-June, September-November (moderate weather, fewer crowds, more suitable for leisurely tea tasting)
- Off-season: December-March (cool weather, relatively fewer customers at tea shops, you can actually enjoy "private venue" treatment)
Travel Tips: The Do's and Don'ts of Getting Tea in Kenting
1. The "Golden Rule" for finding good drink shops in tourist areas: Shops that display their menus outside for everyone to see are usually not the best. The truly old-school establishments have their menus written on a small piece of paper or simply recited to you verbally.
2. Shops with menus featuring 10 items or less are usually confident "boutique" shops—fewer options, but each one is something the owner stands behind.
3. Visiting beverage shops on Kenting Street during peak season will have you questioning your life choices with the queue lines. We recommend calling ahead for takeout orders, or simply going to shops off the main street.
4. If you're traveling with kids, places like Checheng and Manzhou are actually more suitable—less crowding, and kids won't get as bored.
5. If you say "I want bubble tea" in Hengchun, you might get some eye rolls. It's not that they don't have it—it's just that locals believe "hot weather isn't suitable for hot bubble tea." Try ordering "lemon tea" or "iced [whatever]" instead to better suit local tastes.
Final takeaway: Don't assume that just because you're in a tourist area, you can't find good tea. The key is finding those longstanding local shops "that have been around forever and never changed owners." A tea stall grandmother's flavor that has remained consistent for 30 years can't be replicated by paying influencers to advertise. Wishing everyone in Kenting finds their perfect cup of tea!
