Where to Find the Best Pineapple Cake in Kaohsiung
If there is one treat everyone should try in Taiwan, it is the pineapple cakes (鳳梨酥), or pineapple tart. Taiwanese pineapples are juicy and sweet, well-balanced with tanginess. No wonder why pineapple cakes become one of the most popular souvenirs to bring back home from Taiwan.
Let’s find out where you can find the best pineapple cake in Kaohsiung. While at it, I will also make a few suggestions for alternative gourmet souvenirs only from Kaohsiung, as well as dessert shops that will satisate your sweet tooth.
[UPDATE] Now this article includes new suggestions and updates.
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>> For your Kaohsiung Trip Planning: First, read my Taiwan Travel Tips with everything you need to know plan your perfect Taiwan trip. If you are a foodie, you will appreciate my recommendations for Kaohsiung food and restaurants only locals know and best milk tea shops in Kaohsiung. Also, see how you can add things to do in Kaohsiung into your Kaohsiung Itinerary.
Pineapple Cakes
With the high demand, there is an overwhelming number of pineapple cake brands. Some are good, others are not so good. Sometimes, your palate doesn’t really agree with someone else’s. Therefore, it is advised to do your research and taste it yourself before purchasing boxes of pineapple cakes.
Bottom line: Don’t buy pineapple cakes from convenient stores. Smarter choice: Check out my recomendations below.
Chia Te Kaohsiung [NEW]
People have asked if they can find Chia Te Pineapple Cakes in Kaohsiung. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a storefront in Kaohsiung. You can order online to pick up at Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport (TPE) or Songshan Airport (TSA). Note that Kaohsiung Airport is not a pick-up location.
Are you curious about Chia Te? Read my review & comparison of top three pineapple tarts in Taipei >>
SunnyHills Kaohsiung (微熱山丘)
This is one of the most famous pineapple cake shops in Taiwan. The Kaohsiung store is conveniently located in Sizihwan’s Pier 2 Art District, making it an excellent stop to rest your feet during your visit to the area. The pineapple cakes here are buttery and have a good balance of sweet and tangy flavors. During the weekdays, this cafe offers free sampling. You can sit down in the cafe, enjoy a free sample of an individually-wrapped, full-size pineapple cake with a cup of green tea. SunnyHills pineapple cakes come in a box, packaged in a burlap bag decorated with an ornate orange ribbon.
Location: Google Map
Hours: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Tel: +886(0)7-551-0558
Bu Er Jia (不二家)
Zhong Zheng 4th St. near MRT Formosa Station is home to Kaohsiung’s confectionary gift shops. Although some of them are more catered to wedding favors, anyone with a sweet tooth will have a good time here sampling the variety of cakes. While on this street, be sure to stop by one of Kaohsiung’s oldest establishments, Bu Er Jia. The pineapple cakes here are crusty and tangier. Two flavors are offered — the original and tart.
Location: Google Map
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tel: 07-231-9666
Pineapple Brownies By Tokyo Banana
For non-traditional flavor seekers, Kaohsiung Airport Duty-Free Shop offers pineapple brownies. Created by Tokyo Banana, this pastry is a hybrid of pineapple cake and brownie. Apparently, this is a hot item! Exclusively offered at the airport, these new delicacies sell out quickly.
[UPDATE] Pineapple Brownies by Tokyo Banana is not always available. They sometimes switch flavors. I’ve seen strawberry brownies, and am curious what the next flavor will be.
Location: Everrich Duty-Free Shop at the Kaohsiung International Airport
Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. (departure); 11 a.m. – 12 a.m. (arrival)
Tel: 07-805-7527
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Altertives to Pineapple Cakes
Sugar and Spice Kaohsiung (糖村) [NEW]
This famous brand has been around in Taiwan for a long time, with multiple stores in Kaohsiung. Sugar & Spice gives traditional Taiwanese nougat a French twist to create flavorful nougat candies that everyone loves. All of the diverse flavors – including original, strawberry, coffee, English toffee, matcha, peanuts and black sesame – are excellent that you will have difficulty choosing one flavor. So pick up a few on the way back home. These nougat candies make a unique gift or edible souvenir for yourself.
Location: Multiple locations. One in Hanshin Arena Department Store, B1F. [Open Google Map]
Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11 am – 10 pm | Fri. 11 am – 10:30 pm | Sat. 10:30 am – 10:30 pm | Sun. 10:30 am – 10 pm.
Tel: 07-552-7608
Japazi (呷百二) [NEW]
Japazi in Taiwanese means “eat to live 100 years.” This endearing Kaohsiung confectionary store makes cakes and cookies using local ingredients such as pineapple, honey, red beans, etc. Japazi is best known for its longan cake (桂圓蛋糕). While it’s called a cake, muffin would be a more accurate translation. The longan cake is made with Kaohsiung longans dried in a traditional way and crusted walnuts. It’s not overly sweet, which is another reason why it is popular.
Location: Multiple Locations. One in Hanshin Arena Department Store, B1F. [Open Google Map]
Hours: Mon. – Thurs. 11 am – 10 pm | Fri. 11 am – 10:30 pm | Sat. 10:30 am – 10:30 pm | Sun. 10:30 am – 10 pm.
Tel: 07-553-9310
Nagasaki Castella by Jin Ge (金格)
If the pineapple cake is not for you, I’d recommend checking out Jin Ge. This cute shop is famous for its Nagasaki Castella, a Japanese sponge cake. It is honey-sweet, airy and buttery! Buy a box to bring back home or get an individually-wrapped slice to eat on the spot.
Location: Google Map
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Tel: 07-285-8956
Chestnut Cake by Mary’s Food (瑪莉食品)
While Mary’s Food offers pineapple cakes, this shop’s specialty is the chestnut cake. The chestnut core in a chocolaty shell is well-balanced and not overly sweet. Each chestnut cake is individually wrapped and boxed with a mini plastic knife. You can assemble a gift box of 6 or 10 pastries, or buy individually. Either way, it makes for a great gift. The owner is amiable and generous with sampling. Mary’s Food is located between Yan Cheng Pu and Love River.
Location: Google Map
Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Tel: 07-561-4475
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Shaved Ice
Deer Grassland (鹿仔草冰店)
What is better than a bowl of shaved ice under the Kaohsiung’s blazing sun? Deer Grassland’s ice comes in many different flavors, made fresh with seasonal fruits that other stores do not offer: cantaloupe, watermelon, mango, peach, tomato, banana, pineapple, passion fruit, you name it! Just eating the ice itself without any toppings is a treat. This little shop is a bit out of the way, hidden in the residential neighborhood. But that’s why coming here makes such a great treat.
Location: Google Map
Hours: 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Closed on Wednesdays.
Tel: 07-322-9576
Matcha Desserts
San Xing Yuan (三星園)
Craving for delicious matcha desserts? San Xing Yuan offers everything matcha – matcha Frappe, matcha smoothie, matcha ice cream, matcha roll cake, matcha, etc. What makes it extra special is the ambiance. The little cafe has a Japan-inspired quite and zen environment. It is a great place to hang out with friends or stop by on a date.
Location: Three locations. One near MRT Xin Yi Elementary School station.
Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Tel: 07-226-1616
Mochi
A-Xian (阿線麻糬)
The specialty at A-Xian is seasonal fruit mochi. During the mango season in summer, I get the mango mochi (80 NT) with a huge core chunk of fresh mango within the chewy mochi. It’s heavenly! Another favorite is strawberry matcha. When both are not in season, I usually get the peanut or black sesame mochi.
Location: Google Map ⏰
Hours: 10:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Tel: 07-531-9177
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