When it comes to Kenting, many people's first thought isn't bubble tea but rather bikinis, beaches, and sunshine. But would you believe it? Even in this resort destination with its tropical atmosphere, there are still several hand-shaken tea stalls that locals would recommend.
Many people think that drink shops in tourist areas are "all show and no substance" - they're just out to rip off tourists. This说法 can't be said to be wrong, but it's not entirely correct either. It's true that rents are high and cost pressures are great in tourist areas, but can you imagine there's actually an old tea stall near Eluanbi that's been around for twenty years? So this article won't discuss chain stores; we're here to talk about the hidden gems that "only locals buy."
Lemon is the True King of Kenting
Here's something most outsiders don't know: the average summer temperature on the Hengchun Peninsula starts at 34 degrees, and under the sun it exceeds 38 degrees. Pushing bubble tea in this weather? Customers would think you're joking. So the survival logic of local tea shops is completely different from the north - lemon-based, tangy cooling drinks are the main products.
This is why the bubble tea culture in Pingtung is completely different from Taipei's: it's not about pursuing the chewy QQ texture, but rather emphasising the feeling of being 'refreshed to the bone'.
So when looking for a good tea shop in Kenting, the focus isn't on 'whether the tapioca pearls are cooked well,' but rather on 'whether the tea base is properly handled.' This is also the core logic behind this guide.
Local's Pocket List: 5 Must-Visit Tea Shops
1. Hengchun Grandma's Tea Stall 【30 Years of Local Flavour】
Located next to the Guanshan Temple heritage site in Hengchun, Grandma's Tea Stall is a true "veteran" tea stall in Hengchun Town, Pingtung County. The owner has been selling vermicelli tea from a cart in Hengchun's city centre since 1993—before any of the current chain brands existed. Her signature drink is the "Plum Lemon Ice"—not using ready-made plum sauce, but hand-pickled plums daily combined with locally grown 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 Town, Pingtung County
Opening hours: 10:00-20:00 (Closed Wednesdays)
Local tip: Order "less ice, half sugar" and the lemon's tangy aroma will be even more pronounced.
2. Kenting Main Street "Shimal Tea House" 【Japanese-Style Favourite Among Surfers】
Competition among drink shops on Kenting Main Street is fierce—any shop that survives three years must have something special. The owner of Shimal Tea House is a former surfing instructor, and the shop's style is American camping meets bohemian, with seating set up right on the street. Many surfers grab a drink and rest there after catching waves.
Their "Lu Yuan Oolong Milk Tea" uses Nantou Dongding Oolong tea—the tea flavour is rich but not overwhelmed by the milk. The tapioca pearls are hand-cooked daily, not from a连锁 factory central kitchen. The prices are mid-range for Kenting Main Street, but the quality is absolutely worth it.
Must-try: Lu Yuan Oolong Milk Tea (NT$55), Sea Salt Caramel Milk Tea (NT$50)
Address: No. 231, Kenting Road, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County
Opening hours: 12:00-23:00
Regulars' secret: Go after 9pm and the owner will let you try new flavours from the "hidden menu"—this is an unwritten code among surfing instructors.
3. Houbihu "Lakeside Tea Pavilion" 【Great Tea with Sea Views】
Houbihu isn't just about seafood—the small tea pavilion hidden next to the fish harbour is a favourite among those in the know. The owner himself graduated from the 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, to keep the tea flavour cleaner.
They don't have a set menu—just ask the owner what tea arrived fresh that day. Then order a "single origin tea" or "tea crème"—not the kind with powdered creamer that you get elsewhere, but made with fresh milk. The prices are very reasonable, at NT$45-60 per cup.
Must-try: Seasonal Single Origin Tea (according to daily stock), Handmade Cheese Tea (NT$60)
Address: Next to Houbihu Fishery Building, Hengchun Town, Pingtung County
Opening 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 calls the "twilight tea hour"—his top recommendation.
4. Manzhou "Mountain Tea from the Hills" 【A Refreshing Rural Style】
Manzhou Township is the most mountainous administrative district on the Hengchun Peninsula. No chain stores have set up here, but a young couple took over their grandparents' tea plantation and started a "from our own farm to your cup" tea business. Their "mountain tea" series isn't your typical hand-shaken drink—it's genuinely freshly brewed using tea leaves from their own plantation.
We recommend the "Cold Brew Mountain Tea"—a slow process using cold water steeped for 12 hours. The tea flavour is完全不苦澀—not bitter at all, with a natural sweetness instead. This way of drinking tea is almost unheard of in the city, but has become a specialty in Hengchun's mountainous areas. 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
Opening hours: 09:00-18:00
Unique selling point: This is a genuine "farm to cup" one-stop experience.
5. Checheng "Seaside Tea Stall" 【Preserving Old-Fashioned Flavours】
Checheng is near Fu'an Temple—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 get from chains these days, but uses traditional sweetness boiled from cane sugar and brown sugar syrup. Very few tea shops dare to use these old methods anymore because the costs are high and the process is tedious. But this stall's owner insists on using no fructose syrup and no powdered creamer.
A cup of old-fashioned milk tea at NT$30 will make you reminisce about childhood flavours.
Must-try: Old-Fashioned Milk Tea (NT$30), Osmanthus Oolong (NT$25)
Address: No. 52, Houwan Road, Checheng Township (next to Fu'an Temple)
Opening hours: 07:00-16:00
Regulars say: "The old flavours haven't changed at all, the sweetness is just right—never cloying."
Practical Information: How to Get There? How Much? When to Go?
【Transport Guide】
When departing from Kaohsiung, the most concerning matter is transport options.
- Kaohsiung Railway Station → Hengchun: Take the 【9189】Kenting Express Line, directly to Hengchun Transit Station, about 2 hours, fare NT$198
- Charter car/rental car: For four people, chartering a taxi for a day costs about NT$2500-3500, which averages out to be more economical than renting a car
- Rental scooter: Renting in Hengchun town for a day costs NT$400-600, which may be higher during peak season
If heading south from Pingtung Railway Station: The 【Pingtung】 bus station also offers transfers, but there aren't many buses, so it's best to check the schedule in advance.
【Price Range】
In the Hengchun/Kenting area, tea shop prices are slightly lower than in the north by NT$5-15, with the general range as follows:
- Standard teas (lemon tea, green tea, etc.): NT$25-40
- Milk tea series: NT$35-60
- Single-origin tea/specialty tea: NT$40-80
- Specialty drinks: Depending on toppings, generally not exceeding NT$100
【Opening Hours】
- Traditional old shops have quite irregular opening hours, and closing on weekends is common; it's best to call ahead to confirm
- Chain convenience store tea shops are open year-round, but for quality, independent shops are more reliable
- Peak season (summer holidays, consecutive holidays) sees large crowds, and wait times may be longer; to save time, it's recommended to visit after evening
【Best Season】
Actually, while Kenting has the most visitors in summer, the hot weather also means the highest demand for tea drinks, making it反而容易買到新鮮批次 (actually easier to get fresh batches).
- Peak season: July-August (high temperatures, strong demand for cooling 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 even enjoy "private venue" treatment)
Travel Tips: The Ins and Outs of Tea in Kenting
1. The "golden rule" for finding good drink shops in tourist areas: Shops that have their menu displayed outside for you to see are usually not the best. Genuine old-established shops have their menus written on a small piece of paper or told to you verbally.
2. Shops with menus containing ten items or fewer are usually confident "boutiques" — they have few items, but each one is something the owner is confident about.
3. During peak season, the queues at drink shops on Kenting Main Street will make you question your existence. We recommend calling ahead for a takeaway order, or simply going to a shop off the main street.
4. If you're taking the little ones, Checheng and Manzhou are actually more suitable — they won't be as crowded, and the kids won't get as bored.
5. If you say "I'd like a bubble tea" in Hengchun, you might get some eye-rolls. It's not that they don't exist; it's just that locals think "hot weather isn't suitable for hot bubble tea." We'd recommend swapping to "lemon tea" or "iced [whatever]" to suit local tastes better.
Final summary: Don't assume you can't get a good cup of tea just because you're in a tourist area. The key is finding those longstanding local shops that have never changed hands. An old lady's tea shop that's been serving the same taste for thirty years can't be replicated by paying influencers to advertise. We hope all of you find your perfect cup of tea in Kenting!
