Taiwanese are crazy about Hello Kitty. Just a few days after my virgin EVA Air Hello Kitty Flight Experience, I had another brush with this world famous kitty in Taipei city. But this time round, the encounter took the form of a speciality souvenir shop. Located on the busy street of Zhongxiao East Road, Red Sakura Hello Kitty Taiwan Souvenir Store stands out from its neighbours with its distinctive woody interior decor. The store and its products creatively blended together Sanrio’s beloved feline character with traditional Taiwanese (古早味) culinary heritage.
Did you get the hint on the types of popular Taiwanese snacks served in the store?
This Hello Kitty Mould Machine diligently churn out fresh finger snacks on the spot.
Once cooled, they are assembled into these exquisite souvenir gift packs.
Other than touristy souvenirs, the shop also offers the couples the option of Hello Kitty themed nuptial gifts.
Once you are done with your souvenir purchases, Hello Kitty invites you into her little cafe that’s tucked deep in the store.
This themed cafe enjoyed such popularity that even the local television station came by to feature its ambience and
famous Fruit Ice Desserts!
We just relax and rest our bums on these Hello Kitty stools and wait for the tasting to begin.
I like my new ‘intellectual look’ with my glasses. Armed with Transitions Signature lenses, they are more than just an accessory. Traveling under the harsh summer sun in Taiwan would not have been bearable if not for the protection rendered by these lenses. They adapt instantaneously to my surrounding light conditions to give me the optimal level of light for comfortable vision. Totally effortless, I am pretty sure I will soon take this remarkable technology for grant so I better pen it down before I forgot it!
Behold their delicious 台灣紅豆Q餅 (Red Bean Q Biscuit). Fresh from the oven,it tasted so good fresh that everyone brought at least one box! I got a mixture of the red bean and taro flavours.
奶油小酥餅 (Butter Fluffy Biscuit) looked pretty similar to our familiar Tau Sar Piah. Taste-wise, there is a a world of difference. It commanded a strong buttery taste with fuller texture. I would classify it more as a dessert than a biscuit.
To fend off the scorching summer heat, Taiwanese folks turned to refreshing fruit ice to quench their thirst.
There are lots of different variations – peach, mango etc each with their own loyal followers.
Red Bean Milk Ice Dessert gets my vote. Sweet to the max!
While enjoying these delectable icy desserts, check out how my Transitions Signature lenses look when they are used indoors! Away from the sun’s harmful UV, they clear up immediately and I get to fully appreciate the dessert maker’s colourful, artistic touches and view these desserts in their original intended colours. My lenses now evolve around my lifestyle without me having to lift a finger!
To ensure that you are fully immersed into the Hello Kitty theme, these determined folks didn’t spare the washroom. It has to be Hello-Kittified!
The retro flashing light bulbs had nothing much to do with Hello Kitty but how often do you see such a stylo washroom?
If you or any of your loved ones are Hello Kitty fanatics, this unique Hello Kitty themed souvenir store is a must visit when you are in Taipei City! Plan the visit as one of your final shopping stops and stock up adorable Hello Kitty Souvenirs before you board your flight home! Here’s the full information of the store for your convenience:
Red Sakura Hello Kitty Themed Souvenir Store
Address: No. 313, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Daan District, Taipei City
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm Daily
Tel: +886 – 2 – 8771 7887
Fax: +886 – 2 – 8771 9849
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.redsakura.com.tw
Facebook: redsakura.hellokitty
You may also like to check out my posts on other exciting travel destinations here.
