One of Taiwan’s top street food delicacy

Ice cream + peanuts + cilantro = a pure dose of happiness

Taiwan is a paradise for street food lovers. Among the traditional specialties, one stands apart in my heart (and stomach): the peanut ice-cream. Some call it the ice-cream burrito, but its real name is 花生冰淇淋 (which reads like Huāshēng bīngqílín according to Google Translate, Huāshēng being peanut and bīngqílín ice cream).

This consists of a spring roll sheet in which you’ll find two or three ice cream scoops (usually taro and vanilla), some shaved peanut nougat, and some cilantro). It is absolutely delicious… with or without the cilantro. I prefer with, since the cilantro adds some contrast and a lot of texture to the sweet flavour, but some simply say no when the vendor asks “with or without”.

The best place to find some is in the night markets. I have not been to every night market in Taiwan but I’ve never seen one without peanut ice cream…