Chou Wan-Chen Bakery Introduction
During the prosperous era of mining, the Chou Wan-Chen Pastry Shop located on Shifen Street experienced booming business. Locals would purchase cakes and pastries from Chou Wan-Chen for various events, including weddings, funerals, festivals, and everyday consumption. In a time when the average daily wage was only around 70 NT dollars, Chou Wan-Chen could generate over a thousand NT dollars in sales each day, with many people buying in bulk to resell. However, with the introduction of Western-style pastries to Taiwan, the traditional pastry industry faced significant challenges, and Chou Wan-Chen was no exception. As the mining industry declined, the population of Pingxi District saw a massive outflow, dropping to one-fifth of its peak numbers. Consequently, after 1986, Chou Wan-Chen had to gradually transform into a general grocery store. Nevertheless, the shop still sells Pingxi cakes (traditional mooncakes) and golden flaky pastries (offerings for deities). With the development of tourism along the Pingxi Line, Chou Wan-Chen has experienced a resurgence, as young people visiting Pingxi to release sky lanterns also remember to stop by and savor the taste of traditional pastries. Currently, the shop produces traditional pastries along with improved versions, including large cakes, golden flaky dumplings, curry pastries, mung bean cakes, and flat cakes. The aroma of freshly baked goods straight from the oven is the most enticing moment.
