Jingimoo Cafe (Yongkang) — Restaurant in Da'an District

A Sweet Retreat with a Side of Reservations at Jingimoo Cafe In Taipei’s charming Yongkang neighborhood, known for its mix of traditional eateries and trendy boutiques, lies a popular dessert spot that often garners a lot of social media attention: Jingimoo Cafe. It’s a beautifully presented cafe with a reputation for visually stunning desserts, and my visit was a chance to see if the substance lived up to the style.

Stepping into Jingimoo, you're greeted by a pleasant atmosphere that feels like a welcome escape from the bustling streets of Yongkang. The space is inviting, with a clean and modern design. The menu, while focused on shaved ice and tea, features a range of interesting creations that are a feast for the eyes.

We opted for the strawberry shaved ice, which arrived as a magnificent, towering dessert. It was truly a sight to behold, a generous portion that is indeed best enjoyed by two people. The flavor was decent, but it didn't quite live up to the spectacular presentation. It was "pretty okay," as my notes suggest, a pleasant, refreshing treat but perhaps not the groundbreaking experience that the cafe's reputation might lead you to believe.

We also ordered a pot of tea, which was a nice accompaniment. The tea itself was enjoyable, but getting a simple hot water refill proved to be a drawn-out affair. It took a long time, leading us to wonder if refills were simply discouraged, a small detail that detracted from the otherwise comfortable service. This sort of minor friction can often be the difference between a good experience and a great one.

A key point to note, especially for matcha lovers, is that this cafe is a haven for the flavor. The portions of the matcha shaved ice are very generous, topped with matcha cream and ice cream, and the owner prides themselves on using high-quality, non-artificial matcha powder. This explains the slightly higher price point, as genuine, high-grade matcha is a costly ingredient. The cafe's commitment to quality over artificial flavoring is a definite plus for enthusiasts.

Overall, Jingimoo Cafe is a visually appealing and comfortable place for a sweet break. Its desserts are beautiful and the portions are large, making them perfect for sharing. However, it feels like the cafe might not fully live up to the immense hype it receives. It is a nice cafe, but perhaps a bit pricey for the overall experience.

Verdict:

I would recommend Jingimoo Cafe to anyone who is a devoted fan of matcha or looking for a very photogenic dessert to share with a friend. While it may not be a life-changing culinary destination, it is a nice cafe to relax in with a good pot of tea and a beautiful, oversized shaved ice creation. Just be prepared for the price tag and perhaps a bit of a wait for that hot...

I had a Strong Matcha as a huge matcha lover. The matcha ice cream on the top was amazing. The matcha cream with the shaved ice also tasted so delicious and sweet. The Dango (Japanese glutinous round dumplings) was chewy and went well with the matcha taste. In the centre of the shaved ice instead was the matcha custard which was the best among all the matcha stuff. In addition, the matcha puddings were actually very pure and of high consistency of tea. I considered the puddings a bit bitter. Eventually, there was filled with matcha soup and some scattered ice on the bottom and I had always been eager for a sufficient amount of matcha ice with soup.

In conclusion, the price was high but definitely worth it. This dessert just added some spice to my life. Overall, it’s absolutely a 10 out of 10!

FYI, you scan to order and back to the counter for payment before your meal. When finishing your food, you take the tray to the return area. There was no restroom in the restaurant (the nearest one was in...

I think the desert was good. Matcha shaved ice was decent and the how chocolate was ok. However, I think the shop restriction about to order one for each person while each dessert is huge didn’t make much sense. If afraid of people sitting too long/ order too little there are several other ways to set the rule. And when we wanted to order dorayaki, it can be bought individual pieces to take away but ordering for dine-in need to come in set.

The attitude of the staff who answering all these questions can also be nicer/softer as well. I mean all the answers were already no no no for every request so the way you handle it would help

Above is my opinion and others may...