Chou Wan-Jen Cake Shop Introduction
During the prosperous mining era, the Zhou Wanzhen Bakery located on Shifen Street witnessed booming business. Locals relied on Zhou Wanzhen for pastries during weddings, funerals, celebrations, rituals, and everyday consumption. In an era when the average daily wage was only around 70 New Taiwan Dollars, Zhou Wanzhen could earn over a thousand New Taiwan Dollars in a single day. Besides serving local customers, many people also purchased goods in bulk to sell. However, with the introduction of Western pastries to Taiwan, the traditional pastry industry faced significant challenges, and Zhou Wanzhen Bakery encountered greater difficulties as mining declined, leading to a massive out-migration from the Pingxi District. The population during its peak was four to five times that of today. Therefore, in 1986, Zhou Wanzhen Bakery gradually transitioned into a general grocery store. Nevertheless, it still sells Pingxi Cake (traditional mooncake) and Golden Crispy Cake (offerings for deities). With the development of tourism along the Pingxi Branch Line, Zhou Wanzhen Bakery experienced a revival, as young people visiting Pingxi to release sky lanterns also sought to taste traditional pastries at Zhou Wanzhen. Currently, the bakery produces classic pastries, including 1/4 modified big cake, Golden Crispy Dumplings, Curry Cakes, Mung Bean Pastries, and Ping Cakes. The aroma of freshly baked goods is the most enticing moment.
