Jiufen, this unique place name originated from the early days when there were only nine households, but whenever people in the settlement went down the mountain to purchase supplies, they would purchase “Jiufen” at one time. Jiufen is located in Ruifang District, New Taipei City, surrounded by mountains, at the beginning of the camphor industry ushered in the first prosperity, became a camphor mining and brain-boiling place, and then in 1893, with the discovery of gold mines, Jiufen rose more rapidly, became the dream of gold diggers, in the Japanese occupation, Jiufen’s gold rush reached its peak and was known as “Little Shanghai” and “Asian Gold Capital”, however, with the depletion of gold mines, Jiufen gradually declined in the 1970s, until the 1990 movie “City of Sadness” was filmed here, And some scenes in Jiufen Mountain Castle resemble those of Hayao Miyazaki’s (Studio Ghibli) animated film “The Hidden Girl” released in 2001, attracting many international tourists, making Jiufen a nostalgic and sightseeing spot again.
In addition to the unique history of gold rushing, the scenery of mountains and seas, and the nostalgic atmosphere of Japanese architecture, there are also ancient snacks to try in Jiufen – in addition to the popular Aunt Ah Tang taro balls because of the high view, the daily handmade Alan grass cakes and the story-telling Ah Mei Tea House, there are also many hidden delicacies worth trying. This article will recommend nine must-eat 14 special snacks for you, so that your taste buds and journey will be satisfied at the same time!
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
After artist Hung Zhisheng took over the century-old residence “Weng Shanying’s Former Residence”, which was once the Jiufen Pit Chief Coordination Center and Clinic, he originally only tasted tea and created here with three or five friends, but with the prosperity of teahouses around the world and the rise of the concept of local creation, Mr. Hung decided to open this place to become the first teahouse in Jiufen, hoping to integrate the magnificent scenery of mountains and seas in Jiufen through the fragrance of tea, and promote the development of tourism in the region.
Average low consumption: 600/table
Address: No. 142, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02 2496 9056
Business hours: 11:00-20:00
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Hidden behind the Jiufen Tunnel, Samba Coffee has been remodeled with an old asphalt-roofed building, preserving traces of history but incorporating modern design ingenuity, presenting a sense of beauty that is intertwined with simplicity and fashion. There are landscape seats outside, overlooking the magnificent scenery between the mountains and the sea of Ruifang, all of which make people revel in the canvas of nature. The café is full of art paintings by asphalt painter Qiu Xixun, showing a strong humanistic and artistic atmosphere. Samba Coffee is not only a good place to drink coffee, but also an in-depth experience of humanity and nature.
Average low consumption: 1 drink
Address: No. 352-1, Light Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Business hours:10:00-19:00 (every Thursday and holiday)
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Wugu Tea Grain is located at the commanding heights of Jiufen Old Street, and its unique geographical location allows tourists to look at Ruifang and take a panoramic view of the mountains. The interior of the teahouse is complemented by wooden elements and a minimalist design, creating a warm and stylish atmosphere. Choose from a variety of options, from sweet and delicate desserts, savoury and tempting snacks to full-hearted meals, all of which can satisfy all tastes. In addition, the store provides a special tea making experience activity, allowing travelers to make traditional tea making by appointment and deeply experience the charm of tea culture. Wugu tea grain is not only a good place to taste food, but also an ideal choice for leisurely viewing the magnificent scenery of mountains and seas.
Average low consumption: one drink or one set menu
Address: No. 166, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-77448085
Business hours:11:00-18:00 (Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
When you come to Jiufen, the most suitable way to enjoy it is to find a teahouse to sit down and enjoy the mountain and sea scenery of Jiufen, the scenery is so beautiful that it is intoxicating. One of the most distinctive teahouses in Jiufen is the Shuixinyue Tea House (Old Sky City), located on the slope next to the Shengping Theater, with an antique red brick building with a strong exotic atmosphere. What was originally the private creative space of artist Hong Zhisheng has now become a landscape tea house open to tourists. It is recommended to relax and drink tea here around dusk after the main meal.
Average low consumption: 600/table
Address: No. 308, Light Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24967767
Business hours: 13:30-19:00
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
When participating in the night guide, the teacher specially brought a visit, only to know that Jiufen hides such an antique tea restaurant “Taro Sweet Potato”, located in Jiufen Shengping Theater in front of the Zhuqi Road, located directly above the Ah Mei Tea House, although the façade is low-key, but still attracts many tourists. The interior of the store is rich in antique furnishings, and when viewed from the inside, it looks like a sea restaurant scene from Hayao Miyazaki’s movie “The Hidden Girl”. Meals such as mapo tofu, fried wild boar, five more intestines, etc., are very suitable for tasting food and enjoying the scenery.
Average spend: $200-400
Address: No. 18, Shixia Lane, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24976314
Business hours: 09:30-22:00
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Golden branch red pork balls are nine well-known index dishes, and they are also a classic representative of Taiwan’s traditional meat balls. The meat balls are handmade every day, and the delicate Q-bomb skin is perfectly combined with the mellow wine-flavored meat filling, and every bite exudes a strong ancient taste. Its signature meatballs not only inherit the essence of Taiwan’s cuisine, but also attract countless foodies to come and taste it. The heart of the golden branch also extends to other creative dishes, such as the refreshing springiness of the jade flower branch balls, the rich sour aroma of the golden kimchi balls, the mellow sweetness of the red yeast cod balls, and the unique flavor of the bamboo charcoal ham balls.
Average spend: $1-200
Address: No. 112, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-2496 0240
Business hours: 11:00-19:00 (Saturday and Sunday 10:00-20:00)
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Ah Mei Tea House, originally an iron shop during the mining period, was later transformed into a tea house, becoming one of the cultural symbols of Jiufen. The Japanese-style wooden structure and bright red lanterns complement each other, and the nostalgic Japanese style takes people back to the Japanese occupation period in Taiwan. From the commanding heights of the teahouse, you can see the magnificent scenery of mountains and seas. The store offers a wide range of tea options, from fragrant oolong to rich pu’er, paired with delicate snacks to satisfy the taste buds. The design of the tableside kettle also invites customers to brew by hand, allowing customers to enjoy the history from the aroma of tea. Ah Mei Teahouse has been the inspiration for Hayao Miyazaki’s “The Hidden Girl”, further enhancing its status in the hearts of lovers of literature, film and television.
Average low consumption: one meal or one drink
Address: No. 20, Shixia Lane, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24960833
Business hours: 10:00-21:30
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
In addition to the rich flavor (in addition to the common taro balls and sweet potato balls, there are also handmade mung bean balls), the refreshing soup (there are red bean soup and longan soup), and the solid ingredients (you can add red beans, mung beans, and flower beans), the sweet potato balls also provide an internal seating area where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the East China Sea, and it is the first stop for many Jiufen independent tourists!
Average spend: $1-200
Address: No. 5, Zhuqi Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24976505
Business hours: 09:00-20:30 (until 22:00 on Saturdays and Sundays)
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Located at the corner of Jiufen Old Street, the time-honored Alan grass cake can be seen at dawn with white smoke, reflecting the people in the store busy wrapping grass cake and taro cake, showing the handmade characteristics that have not changed for decades. Although Alan Grass Cake has been elevated from a local shop to a must-visit snack, the affordable price of 20 yuan for Grass Cake has remained the same, making it an excellent entry point for international tourists to learn about Jiufen cuisine.
Average spend: $1-200
Address: No. 90, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24967795
Business hours: 09:00-19:00 (Saturday to 20:30)
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Located on the mountainside, Lost is a sophisticated Taiwanese and Japanese general restaurant that serves lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Its interior decoration is full of Japanese ancient charm and modern Taiwanese aesthetics, classic dishes such as peeled chili chicken noodles are also full of Taiwanese flavor, and the overall atmosphere is warm and leisurely, which is very suitable for three or five friends to charter a car to come and talk for an afternoon.
Average spend: $400-600
Address: No. 150, Qitang Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24961008
Business hours: 12:00-18:00
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Located in Jiufen Old Street, Yukuba Bozi is a time-honored food shop in Jiufen, specializing in dried tofu bun dishes, which has gone through the years of inheritance. The dried tofu bun is a handmade freshly wrapped bean curd with fish slurry wrapped in fried tofu, showing a triangular appearance, similar to freshwater Agi, but lacking winter powder. It is full of ground meat filling, full of salty and fragrant, and the meat is juicy. Every bite of the dried tofu bun can feel the traditional taste and handmade care. The store’s handwritten menu, decorated with red paper and wooden panels, exudes a strong nostalgic atmosphere, as if you have stepped back in time. Each dish is a commitment to tradition and quality.
Average low cost: $1-200
Address: No. 17, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24960896
Business hours: 10:00-19:30
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
The “Yi Tea Room” next to the Jiufen Old Street Observation Deck is a new brand under the “Mountain City Escape, Manshan Escape”, a bar and restaurant that combines Taiwan’s original bartending and beautiful scenery. The store is divided into an indoor landscape area and open-air seating on the second floor, if the weather is good, it is recommended to sit in the open-air area, and the recommended meals include red wine beef, curry chicken, etc., so that people can enjoy the magnificent scenery of Jiufen while savoring the food, whether you have a drink or enjoy dinner, Yi Cha Wine Room is a place not to be missed in Jiufen tourism.
Average low cost: $200-600
Address: No. 190, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24061009
Business hours: 14:00-22:00
Website :Point me
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Lai Apo’s nine taro balls, which have been inherited for four generations, have evolved into 5 flavors such as “taro, sweet potato, purple potato, green tea, and sesame”.
Average low cost: $1-200
Address: No. 143, Jishan Street, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Contact number: 02-24975245
Business hours: 08:00-20:00
Image source: Provided by the owner of Snail Manga
Located in the hidden alleys of Jiufen Old Street, Hima Café is a popular café on the Internet featuring healing mountain and sea views. It specializes in pour-over coffee, handmade desserts and special drinks, and attracts many tourists with its invincible sea view and laid-back atmosphere. The café has a simple design with large floor-to-ceiling windows that offer an endless view of Keelung Island and the mountains and seas of Jiufen, and the tatami seating area on the second floor is a popular location that not only overlooks the view, but also creates a relaxed Japanese atmosphere, as if you are in a paradise.
Average Low Cost: $200-400
Address: No. 18, Zhuqi Road, Ruifang District, New Taipei City
Business hours:11:00-18:00 (holidays-17:00 or sold out)
Official website: Click me
Taiwan charter price list │ day trip
| Duration | Chartered car type | Charter price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 5-seater car | $3500 |
| 1 day | FOSS 9-seater car | $4800 |
| 1 day | Mercedes 9-seater car | $5200 |
| 1 day | フFox Crafter 9-seater nanny car | $7000 |
Taiwan charter price list │ two-day tour
| Duration | Chartered car type | Charter price |
|---|---|---|
| 2 days | 5-seater car | $7000 |
| 2 days | FOSS 9-seater car | $9600 |
| 2 days | Mercedes 9-seater car | $10400 |
| 2 days | Fox Crafter 9-seater nanny car | $14000 |
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