Chou Wan Chen Bakery Introduction
During the heyday of the mining industry, the Zhou Wanzhen Cake Shop located on Shifen Street enjoyed booming business. Local residents relied on Zhou Wanzhen for cakes and pastries for all occasions, whether it's weddings, funerals, celebrations, religious offerings, or everyday consumption. In an era where the average daily wage was only around 70 NTD, Zhou Wanzhen could generate thousands of NTD in revenue per day, with many people purchasing bulk goods to resell. However, with the introduction of Western pastries into Taiwan, the traditional pastry industry faced significant challenges, and Zhou Wanzhen's situation became even more difficult. The decline of the mining industry led to a mass outflow of residents from Pingxi District, which once had a population four to five times larger than it does today. As a result, after 1986, Zhou Wanzhen had to slowly transform into a general grocery store. Nevertheless, it continues to sell Pingxi Cakes (traditional mooncakes) and Golden Crispy Pastries (offerings for deities). With the development of tourism along the Pingxi Branch Line, Zhou Wanzhen has experienced a revival. Young people visiting Pingxi to release sky lanterns don’t forget to stop by Zhou Wanzhen to savor the taste of traditional pastries. Currently, the shop produces a variety of old-fashioned cakes, including a quarter of which are improved versions of large cakes, Golden Crispy Dumplings, Curry Cakes, Mung Bean Pastries, and Peng Cakes. The aroma of freshly baked goods straight from the oven is the most enticing moment.
