Malulian Grass Jelly

About Malulian Grass Jelly

Malulian is a long-running Taichung dessert shop founded in 1971 and now run by the second and third generations of the Lian family. It is known for its own soft grass jelly, along with three-topping shaved ice, handmade taro balls and other toppings. Many locals grew up with it, and visitors often put it on their list of things to eat in Taichung.

The soft grass jelly is made by simmering grass jelly leaves, then adding sugar and water. No coloring or flavoring is added, so it keeps the natural taste of the herb. It is served as one whole block rather than chopped, so it is very smooth, and with fresh cream on top it gains a creamy aroma while staying lightly sweet.

The three-topping shaved ice lets you choose any three toppings, an idea taken from the old night market deal of three items for NT$10. The ice is fine and cold without being heavy. Grass jelly ice is the classic, with or without extras such as taro balls, sweet potato balls, red beans, mung beans, tapioca pearls and nata de coco. All toppings are made fresh.

The handmade taro balls are square, unlike the round ones sold elsewhere. They are very chewy, with a strong taro aroma and light sweetness. They are made from fresh taro and sweet potato with no preservatives or additives, and are made fresh every day. You can order them on their own or add them to grass jelly ice or hot drinks.

Besides soft grass jelly and three-topping ice, the menu has other drinks and desserts made with grass jelly, such as bubble milk tea, grass jelly milk tea, grass jelly cubes, grass jelly pudding and grass jelly apple cups. Hot drinks include grass jelly tea, grass jelly with fresh milk and grass jelly with soy milk, all made from simmered grass jelly leaves and good for cold days.

Malulian offers takeout and home delivery, so you can enjoy the desserts at home or at the office. It also sells gift boxes and tubs of soft grass jelly, for gifts or for yourself.

Malulian has been making grass jelly for more than fifty years and is a childhood memory for many locals. Its soft grass jelly, three-topping ice and handmade taro balls are refreshing in summer, and the hot drinks suit winter. Everything is made from natural ingredients without artificial coloring or flavoring, keeping the natural taste of the herb. It is worth a stop.