Tamkang's Top Eats

Bolo King is another shop in Danshui that draws long lines of queuing customers who come to sample the pastry de resistance, the "ice-fire bolo".

Bolo pastries generally have a crispy golden outer layer and a soft, fairy-floss-style inside. They possess a rich, buttery flavor and melt soon after entering your mouth.

So why, you may be thinking, is it called the "ice-fire bolo"?

Simple. 'Fire' refers to the warm, freshly baked bolo bun, while 'ice' refers to the cold slice of butter that's wedged inside. The glorious contrast between hot and cold, sweet (bun) and salty (butter) is what makes this kilojoule-loaded sensation so good. Customers literally come from all across Taipei for a sample of the buttery bolo bun.

But remember: if you want the full "ice-fire" effect, eat the bolo straight away to prevent the 'ice' from melting.