New Taiwan Bakery Introduction
In 2014, the film KANO achieved a remarkable box office success of NT$340 million. In the same year, Lu Ya-Ling, who worked as a Japanese translator at a光電 (Optoelectronic) company in Zhubei, ended her more than ten-year career abroad and returned to Chiayi City to help her elderly father run the family shop. The New Taiwan Cake Shop can be traced back to 1901 during the Japanese colonial period when it was operated by Yoshida Shūtaro under the name "Hinata-ya." At that time, it was the designated snack shop for the Japanese Crown Prince during his visit to Taiwan, and Hinata-ya’s image was recreated in the film KANO. After the end of the colonial period, Lu Fu took over and officially renamed the shop to "New Taiwan Cake Shop," also inviting Japanese wagashi master Shinmi Koichi to provide guidance in the shop. The aim was to recreate Hinata-ya’s snacks, including Shimbo yokan, Japanese buns, and floating snow cakes, each showcasing the dedication and craftsmanship of Japanese artisans and carrying the historical stories of Hinata-ya. Now, the New Taiwan Cake Shop is managed by Lu Fu's second generation, his son Lu Kun-Chang, who continues to uphold his father's spirit of "loyal to original flavor and following nature." They offer traditional mochi filled with rich fillings without preservatives, allowing customers to enjoy red bean, peanut, and sesame fillings all at once. Additionally, they have refined traditional large cakes into elegant gifts that cater to modern dietary habits and consumption patterns. Now, there’s no need to wait for specific festive occasions; everyone can take home a piece of cake rich in historical flavor from the New Taiwan Cake Shop. Since its establishment in 1946, the New Taiwan Cake Shop has witnessed 71 years of Taiwan's historical changes. Regardless of the changing external environment, the unchanging aspect of the New Taiwan Cake Shop is the spirit of mutual support and teamwork among family members. This unwavering affection for flour, family, and Chiayi City is also passed down from Lu Kun-Chang to his daughter Lu Ya-Ling, continuing to warm the area near the Fountain Circle. Recommended dishes: Traditional mochi, floating snow cake.
