Chaozhou cold-hot ice is a Taiwanese dessert that originated in Chaozhou Township, Pingtung, in 1965, combining hot sweet soup and shaved ice in the same bowl — the signature specialty of Chaozhou Old Street, and one that actually postdates the end of Japanese colonial rule by about two decades.
Chaozhou cold-hot ice originated in 1965 (the 54th year of the Republic of China calendar). The shop that created it originally sold only hot rice-ball soup and shaved ice separately; after customers began mixing the two together and found the combination surprisingly good, the fixed 'cold-hot ice' format gradually took hold and has continued for nearly six decades. This culinary innovation dates from about twenty years after the end of Japanese colonial rule in 1945 — a different era from the Japanese-period shophouses that still line the surrounding old street, and not, as sometimes assumed, a Japanese-era tradition itself.
What to see at Chaozhou Cold-Hot Ice Old Street
Chaozhou Township is located in the southern part of Pingtung Plain and was an important commercial hub in the Qing era. Road improvements during the Japanese colonial period established the current old-street layout. The area around Guangchun Road retains arcade-fronted shophouse facades; the red brick and washed-stone exterior walls have a strong Showa-era character. Cold-hot ice vendors are concentrated in this zone, and some of the older shops have been open for more than half a century.
The cold-hot ice method is straightforward: hot sweet soup — peanut soup, red bean soup, and similar bases — is ladled into the bowl first, then topped with finely shaved ice. The combination of hot and cold creates a layered texture. Toppings and sweetness levels vary between shops, and comparing a few is worthwhile. Beyond cold-hot ice, the old street also has local snacks such as meatball pudding (rouwan) and glutinous rice cake (migao).
How to make the most of your visit
Practical information
Getting there and time needed
- Chaozhou Taiwan Railways station is about a 10-minute walk from the old street; trains are frequent, making Chaozhou one of the main stops heading south from Pingtung.
- By car, enter Chaozhou Township from Provincial Highway 1; street parking is available around Guangchun Road.
- Cold-hot ice vendors typically open in the afternoon; some shops are closed on Mondays. Confirm hours in advance.
Nearby connections
- Chaozhou is about 15 minutes from the Liudui Hakka Cultural Park (Neipu Township); a cultural theme half-day can be arranged.
- About 20 minutes south is Linbian Township, where you can combine wax apple shopping or birdwatching at the estuary wetland.
Source: Pingtung County Government tourism information, context-provided facts. Photos pending replacement with Dio's own shots.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Chaozhou cold-hot ice originate during the Japanese colonial period?
No — it originated in 1965, about twenty years after Japanese rule ended in 1945.
How is cold-hot ice served?
Hot sweet soup, such as peanut or red bean soup, is ladled into the bowl first, then topped with shaved ice, creating a layered hot-and-cold texture.
How did the hot-and-cold combination come about?
The shop originally sold hot desserts and shaved ice separately; when customers began mixing the two, the combination proved unexpectedly popular and became the standard.
Are there other local snacks to try on Chaozhou Old Street?
Yes — besides cold-hot ice, local snacks like meatball pudding (rouwan) and glutinous rice cake (migao) are also available.
Sources
- 正老牌潮州冷熱冰 | 屏東潮州特色燒冷冰 — 冷熱冰創始於民國54年（1965年）、由熱湯圓刨冰意外演變
- 正老牌潮州冷熱冰 — 潮州冷熱冰歷史沿革