CHOCOLATE PARADISE

YU CHOCOLATIER is a must-go on your next trip to Taipei

Do you know where a chocoholic’s paradise is? France? Try a little more east… Switzerland? A little further… Taipei? Bingo.

Of course I’m talking about a specific shop located on a sleepy street in Taipei’s Da’an district, YU CHOCOLATIER. 

Having opened on Valentine’s Day in 2015, YU CHOCOLATIER has officially been in business for over a decade. Since then, the shop has collected numerous accolades that, from my experience, are all well-deserved. The French-educated confectionier behind the operation is none other than Cheng Yu-Hsuan. 

Think about Cheng as Willy Wonka’s artsy, refined Taiwanese cousin. This master chocolatier skillfully blends European cocoa practices with a Taiwanese palette to create something extremely memorable. The truffle flavors are singular and inspired by ingredients specific to East Asia; here are some of my favorites: yellow mustard tangerine, osmanthus sesame oil, and ginger lily passionfruit.  

The shop sells chocolate boxes, pastries, and a short selection of beverages to be enjoyed in the shop. You might notice their wall of whiskey, which is infused into some of the edible merchandise. Typical of Taiwanese cafe’s, YU supplies a small selection of books to browse while enjoying the cozy atmosphere and sweet bites. 

Their forest green-colored boxes are an aesthetic vessel for an edible souvenir or vacation indulgence. Beyond truffles, YU CHOCOLATIER crafts a variety of transportable treats: slices of orange or chocolate pound cake, chocolate-coated orange peels, chocolate-covered almonds, madeleines and more. 

You can taste all this and more at the following location: 

No. 10號, Alley 3, Lane 112, Section 4, Ren'ai Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106

Excluding the one day a week they are closed (Wednesdays), the shop is open from 12 PM - 8 PM everyday.