douhua (or tofu pudding) has been another of this trip’s delicious discoveries. it’s refreshing, super soft, and melts in your mouth like nothing at all. i’ve heard in some provinces of china it is served as a savory dish, but in taiwan it is firmly a dessert, its smooth gelatinous chunks accompanied with ice, sugary water and other toppings like tapioca balls, taro, boiled peanuts or red beans.

sometimes it’s fancy and hipster, and other times it’s just the most basic dessert served on a stall by the side of the road.

it feels heavenly either way, the perfect antidote to the stifling heat!