[2025 Taichung Restaurant] Travel Guide for MINIMAL (Updated Oct)

#11GoodDestinations2024 Today I share a high-quality ice cream shop MINIMAL in Taichung✨ 📍Address: No. 16, Lane 133, Section 1, Meicun Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403 Although this ice cream shop doesn't have seats to sit down and enjoy the ice cream, their ice cream is definitely worth a try. ✨ I ordered two flavors of ice cream, both of which have unique tastes. Each bite is layered and rich! 🍦 The ice cream 🍦 has a refreshing taste, a firm chewy texture, and is very delicious 😋! #Taiwan Attractions #Taichung Travel #Taichung Food #Ice Cream #usj

#September2025 MINIMAL, with ice as its star, lets you experience the artisans' passion for pushing temperature, texture, and aroma to the limit in just 3-5 minutes. This shop earned a star in the 2024 Michelin Guide Taiwan, becoming the first ice cream shop in the world to receive a Michelin star. Background and Development: Why does a cup of ice earn a star? Owner Arvin Wan, formerly the pastry chef at the one-Michelin-starred restaurant Sur- in Taichung, later transformed his obsession with frozen desserts into a small shop centered around ice, experimenting with everything from sugar ratios and fat structure to base and the placement of wine and tea aromas. In 2024, MINIMAL was upgraded from its 2023 Bib Gourmand designation to a single star. Michelin reviewers described it as "a complete experience layered with ice, temperature, and time."  I actually stood in line and watched the entire team in black aprons weighing ingredients, squeezing balls, and wiping cups at the bar, all done neatly and efficiently. When it was my turn, the waiter briefly guided me through the rhythm of "first smelling, then tasting, and finally observing the aftertaste"—like a mini tasting. ⸻ On-site Recording | The Two Cups I Had This Time 1. Tieguanyin × Caramel × Milk Fragrance The first sip was the roasted aroma of Tieguanyin, and the second, the milky aroma rounded off the edges. The caramel trailed off like a converging light, and the sweetness was completely absorbed. 2. Whiskey × Salted Koji × Citrus Peel The aroma didn't burst forth, but rather was enveloped in a gentle warmth by the ice. The salted koji added depth to the flavor, and the citrus peel suddenly popped out with the chew. Neither cup is overly sweet; the key factors are temperature and melting speed. The most dramatic change occurs 10-20 seconds after sipping, so I recommend standing at the bar and concentrating on eating. ⸻ How to Order, How to Queue, and How to Photograph (Super Practical) • Check the blackboard first: Flavors change frequently, with "tea, wine, and fruit" being the three most common flavors. If you're unsure, opt for "one cup, two scoops, with a consistent, different-level flavor." • Queuing Tips: During peak hours, there's often a line, so it's recommended to arrive as soon as the restaurant opens. For takeout cups, it's recommended to consume them immediately to avoid losing the flavor. • Photography Tips: • Angle the cup logo at a 45° angle, leaving the barista's operation screen in the background for a truly professional feel. • Shoot close up on the surface's gloss and scratches to reveal fine lines of emulsification and melting. • Cross the cups to enhance the color temperature contrast (orange wine vs. milky white tea). • Seating: There are limited seats inside, so if you want to take your time, weekday afternoons are the best time to enjoy. • Payment: Transparent pricing and fast delivery. If you see a special offer (like a limited-edition tea or wine), don't hesitate to order it. ⸻ Why it's worth a special trip (8 recommended reasons) 1. As the only ice cream shop in the world to receive a Michelin star, the experience itself is rare. 2. Exceptional temperature control: The flavor changes noticeably within 10–30 seconds of sipping, like reading a short chapter. 3. The blend of tea, wine, and fruit is mature and refined, without relying on overly sweet or heavy oils. 4. Fast service, and even takeout orders receive brief and clear tasting instructions. 5. Rotating flavors keep return visits fresh (common seasonal fruits, teas, and wine flavors). 6. Easy location: Calligraphy Greenway, Qinmei, and Audit New Village are all connected, perfect for a half-day trip. 7. Photogenic: Minimalist gray walls, woodwork, and uniforms create a perfect atmosphere. 8. Reasonable Prices: Despite the star-studded atmosphere, the cup sizes and portions remain affordable (price determined on-site; limited editions excluded). ⸻ Review (with address!) • MINIMAL Address: No. 16, Lane 133, Section 1, Meicun Road, West District, Taichung City (near Calligraphy Greenway) My Order: Tieguanyin with Caramel and Milk Flavor; Whiskey with Salted Yeast and Citrus Peel. Comments: Not a "delicious as hell" punchline, but a flavorful engineering experience that becomes more tranquil and captivating the more you eat. Delicate, restrained, and lingering. ⸻ Extension Locations (collected together with the same route) • Calligraphy Greenway/Eslite Spectrum Greenway: Relaxing strolls and street photography. • Audit Village: A vibrant hub for desserts and cultural and creative shops. • National Taichung Theater Sky Garden: In the afternoon, if the weather is nice, go to the rooftop to watch the clouds drift by (Phase 7, 10-15 minute drive). ⸻ Tips (Avoiding Pitfalls/Etiquette) 💡 • Respect the queue order and wait until your turn to take photos of the countertop; avoid distracting lighting. • The flavor emphasizes layers and a finish. If you prefer a heavy sweet and creamy flavor, we recommend choosing a tea or fruity flavor. • If you're sensitive to alcohol, ask before ordering if it contains alcohol (some flavors have a low-alcohol aroma). • In the summer, remember to eat immediately after taking photos outdoors, otherwise you'll miss the best flavors. • Any changes to business hours or hours are subject to the restaurant's Instagram/on-site announcements. MINIMAL Taichung | Calligraphy Greenway | Eslite Spectrum Green Park Road | Audit Village #MINIMAL #TaichungFood #IceCream #Gelato #MichelinStar #MichelinStar #Calligrass #Taichung #DessertObsession ✨ ⸻ True Experience I love MINIMAL not because of its stars, but because it allows me to see the dedication in a glass of ice: the rhythm of weighing, the speed of pouring, the insistence on controlling the temperature down to the second. That invitation, "Please forget everything else and focus on this one bite," is its most captivating aspect. Next time you're at Calligraphy Greenway, why not spend twenty minutes and let a small glass of ice reset your palate?

Address: No. 16, Lane 133, Section 1, Meicun Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403 Atmosphere/Facilities: Takeout only, cash only, queues on site Features: Italian gelato with Taiwanese flair, smooth texture without ice chips Price per person: NT$180 Rating: After lunch on Green Park Road, I happened to see a long line of people, including quite a few foreigners, at 3 p.m. in the summer. It's quite unique for Taichung. And the highlight is, it's in an alley. I got closer and saw the 2024 Michelin star sign. Upon closer inspection, I realized it was an ice cream shop. Seeing many foreigners lining up nearby, I decided to join in the fun and buy some. While I waited, other foreigners continued to join the line. While waiting, I was surprised to hear from a local resident that the shop received a Michelin recommendation because it offered dine-in set meals in 2024. This year, dine-in is no longer available, and takeout is the only option. Because it couldn't be compared, it didn't receive a Michelin star. After enjoying gelato for several days in Rome, every time I try Italian gelato in Taiwan, I always feel like something's missing. I don't know if it's the lack of a dampener or the slow cooling process, but I often get a shattered ice texture that makes me crave sorbet. This time, I was also prepared for a disappointment. We ordered the much-discussed Biluochun and Vanilla ice creams while waiting in line. Both cost NT$180 a cup. Biluochun Ice Cream Although it's a Taiwanese tea-flavored ice cream, I was prepared for some shattered ice. I was surprised to find it actually gelato. Despite the scorching heat, it melted quickly, yet its texture was surprisingly smooth. The aftertaste was a refreshing, delicate tea aroma. The freshness and smoothness of the flavor are perfect for Taiwan's climate. Vanilla Ice Cream The vanilla ice cream, with a light milky flavor, was equally smooth. This flavor, even with the best ingredients and technique, can easily become unpalatable. But the creaminess of this vanilla ice cream was surprisingly non-cloying. That's a real bonus. The combination of these two flavors makes for a delicious milk tea! This was the last laugh we had at the end of our meal. As someone who hates waiting in lines, we were willing to wait again in the scorching heat. Although the cash-only option was a bit of a hassle for us, who are used to paying on the go, the delicious food outweighed everything else.

I specifically went to this ice cream shop in Taichung this time. I saw a long line as soon as I arrived in the alley. I waited for about half an hour, and I was definitely not disappointed! Each flavor is unique. I recommend checking their Instagram to see what flavors are available that day.

Located in an alley on Meicun Road in Taichung, Minimal's wabi-sabi-style decoration is very low-key and you may miss it if you are not careful. There are usually long queues, so we recommend that you queue up before the store opens. Minimal with different flavors every day, it is recommended to scan the QR code on site 🌟Cup ice cream $180 (choose from two flavors) There are six flavors for your reference on that day. Gelato Miso｜Almond｜Soybean Gelato Whisky｜Barley｜Brown Rice Gelato Honey Fragrance Black Tea｜Longan Flower｜Cassia Seed sorbet wine | citrus | earl grey tea sorbet lactic acid｜perilla｜apple sorbet Biluochun｜Sugarcane｜Mountain Angelica 🌟Recommend miso and honey black tea After being selected as a Bib Gourmand in 2023, Minimal successfully broke the world Michelin record and became the first store in the world to win a star for ice cream. Address: No. 16, Lane 133, Section 1, Meicun Road, West District, Taichung City Tel: 04 2321 9080 Opening hours: Friday to Monday 13:00 - 18:30 #Taichung #Taichung Ice Shop #Taichung Food #Michelin One Star

I saw this Michelin-rated ice cream shop in Taichung on social media a while ago, and I happened to be in Taichung last week so I decided to pay it a visit. The store space is not large, and only 2-3 groups of customers are allowed in at a time. Outside the store, you can browse the flavors offered that day in advance. I waited in line outside the store for about 15-20 minutes. The decoration inside the store was simple but quite design-oriented. The flavors I ordered this time are 1. (vanilla/magnolia/caramel) and 2. (pine needle/camellia oil/grass). Both are gelato because the flavors of other sorbets are not my preference. After eating it, I felt that it was a bit too sweet. For Italian gelato, I felt that the texture was not very dense. I personally like the kind of gelato that is stickier and denser. I didn't find the taste particularly amazing. The first taste had a very light floral scent, almost overshadowed by the vanilla and caramel; the second taste had a herbal aroma. In summary, although it is Michelin, I really don’t understand the taste 🥹 #勤美 #米其林 #意式冰淇淋

If you go to Taichung, you must not miss this place. The best dessert in Taichung, MINIMAL ice cream #Taichung It's so delicious