San Chuan Ice Cream: Kaohsiung's 85-Year-Old Retro Ice Shop Open Since the Japanese Era

"San Chuan Ice Cream Factory" is a nostalgic Kaohsiung ice cream shop founded in 1941, operating since the Japanese colonial era. It serves retro ice cream, "burger" ice cream, red tea ice cream, red tea slushies, popsicles and banana shaved ice — plus the shell-shaped ice cream wafer that went viral on Facebook and TikTok. Cheap and delicious, it is a beloved childhood memory for many Kaohsiung locals.

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Where Is San Chuan Ice Cream?

San Chuan Ice Cream is at No. 141, Linsen 1st Rd, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung — about a 7-minute walk from Formosa Boulevard MRT station. The current site is a renovated Japanese-era house, originally run by Japanese owners before being taken over by Taiwanese operators. You can see photos of the old house on the menu.

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Opening Hours

It opens from 10am to 9pm daily. Weekends tend to be crowded, so visit on a weekday to skip the queue.

Menu, Prices and Signature Flavours

There is a wide range of retro ice cream flavours — milk, red bean, taro, longan, peanut, pineapple, plum, strawberry, passion fruit and chocolate. Popsicle flavours include banana, milk, red bean, taro, mung bean, longan, peanut, pineapple and plum. The red tea slushie and red tea ice cream are also popular, and nearly everything is a safe bet. You can choose to have your ice cream served in a cone, paper cup or shell-shaped wafer.

Must-Try: Burger Ice Cream and Popsicles

The "burger" ice cream is a classic dessert at southern Taiwanese banquets — for many, it's all about nostalgia. You can choose one or two scoops; banana and taro are the most popular flavours. Banana ice cream is rare in northern Taiwan, so many southerners make a special trip back to Kaohsiung for it. Popsicles are also bargain-priced, with 10 flavours; red bean and plum are the favourites — the plum is sweet and tangy without being cloying, made with real ingredients.

San Chuan Ice Cream Factory Information

Address: No. 141, Linsen 1st Rd, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung

Tel: 07-2319621

Hours: 10:00-21:00

Getting there: About a 7-minute walk from Formosa Boulevard MRT station