Jin Cheng Lan Cake Shop Introduction
Bitan is a famous scenic spot in New Taipei City. With the opening of the Taipei Metro's Xindian Line, many people head directly to the suspension bridge, overlooking the nearby Xindian Road, which has existed since the Qing Dynasty's Daoguang era. Although the old appearance can no longer be seen, this old street has long been the administrative center of the Xindian District. The old street has become a trading center; although its past glory has faded, some old shops continue to quietly thrive in the area. Closely connected with folk beliefs, one such shop is the Jin Cheng Lan Cake Shop, located next to the public market and with nearly a century of history. It has brought crowds back to Bitan. Originally intertwined with everyday life, traditional pastries have become increasingly unfamiliar to the younger generation due to social changes and shifts in beliefs and customs. In recent years, Chen Zhixin, who has taken over the old shop for over a decade, has started collaborating with schools and cultural organizations to meet visiting needs, providing explanations on the relationship between pastries, history, culture, and folk customs within the shop, thus continuing the cultural spirit of pastries. This also aligns with Jin Cheng Lan's commitment to integrating with traditional culture and folk customs, avoiding the path of tourism focused on flashy lights and atmospheres. They hope to offer a cultural souvenir that provides insight into folk traditions. Among various pastries, the specialty products shaped like "turtles" are the biggest characteristic of Jin Cheng Lan.
