If you’re planning a trip to Taichung, Taiwan, be sure to add 一福堂 to your list of places to go. This bakery has been operating since 1928 and is known for its delicious and traditional pastries.
Explore Multiple Branches of 一福堂
There are actually two establishments of 一福堂 in Taichung – 一福堂老店 (Yi Fu Tang Old Shop) and 一福堂 (Yi Fu Tang). Interestingly, both businesses are run by relatives of the same clan, who are now in their 4th generation of ownership. They have multiple branches located throughout Taichung. To find out more about their locations, you can check out their websites below:
一福堂老店 https://www.ifhouse.com.tw/
一福堂 https://iffood.com.tw/
We have tasted the same pastries from both 一福堂老店 and 一福堂, and we found no discernible difference between the two. Thus, it doesn’t really matter which one you choose to visit.
Experience Traditional Pastries at 一福堂
一福堂, also known as Yi Fu Tang or Ichihuku, is a well-known bakery situated in Taichung, Taiwan. It gained its popularity due to its specialty pastry called “sun cake” (太陽餅), which is a classic Taiwanese treat. The sun cake is a circular pastry with a flaky and buttery crust, filled with sweet maltose paste, and is named after its golden-brown appearance that resembles the sun. Aside from the sun cake, the bakery also offers a wide range of baked goods, including pineapple cakes, lemon cakes, and mung bean cakes. Using high-quality ingredients and traditional baking methods, 一福堂 produces delectable treats that are deeply rooted in Taiwanese culture.
Here’s what we bought:
Sun Cakes – Assorted Flavours 太陽餅
We got an assortment of individually wrapped Sun Cakes, which are labelled by flavour. The options include Classic, Original, Honey, and Milk. The crust is light and flaky, while the filling is sweet and tender. The Classic flavour has a traditional lard taste and malt aroma, the Original has a soft custardy flavour, the Honey flavour is noticeably sweet, and the Milk flavour has a distinct fragrance of milk powder. We recommend trying the assorted box to taste all the flavours and decide which one you prefer. 
Lemon Cakes 檸檬餅
I first learned about 一福堂’s lemon cakes from our tour guide during a day trip to Gaomei Wetlands. Thanks to his recommendation, I discovered one of the best lemon cakes I’ve ever tasted.
The cute-looking lemon cakes are shaped like lemons and topped with lemon frosting. They have a soft and spongy texture and a refreshing, not-too-sweet flavour that’s very comforting to eat.
Mung Bean Cakes 綠豆糕
These mung bean cakes have a traditional, nostalgic flavour. Made from fragrant mung bean flour, they have a dense yet soft and smooth texture with a subtle nutty taste. They are not overly sweet too.
In addition to the pastries mentioned above, you can also find other treats such as:
- Pineapple Cakes 鳳梨酥
- Long Xiang Cake 龍香餅
- Egg Yolk Pastry 菠蘿蛋黃酥
- Taro Cake 芋頭酥
- Meat Floss Q Cake 肉鬆Q餅
- Matcha Cake 抹茶糕
- Wife Cake 老婆餅
- Chestnut Roast 栗子燒 and more
Conclusion
In conclusion, 一福堂 is more than just a bakery. It’s a cultural landmark that has been serving up delicious pastries for almost a century. Their dedication to quality ingredients and traditional recipes has earned them a loyal following and a reputation as one of Taichung’s must-visit destinations. From the sweet and flaky sun cakes to the tangy and refreshing lemon cakes, each pastry has a unique flavour and story to tell. So, if you’re ever in Taichung, be sure to stop by 一福堂 and take a bite of tradition.