Most ice cream shops in Hong Kong play it safe with chocolate, vanilla, and matcha. Chestnut King’s in Tai Po takes a different approach entirely. This small dried fruit and nut shop turned ice cream destination makes its frozen treats from scratch using real, whole nuts that are roasted and ground on site. The pistachio ice cream is packed with visible chunks of crushed pistachio. The chestnut is made from actual chestnuts, not flavouring. And the hazelnut tastes like biting into a freshly cracked nut.
Why the Ice Cream Stands Out
Chestnut King’s (çš‡ç”˜æ —é®®ç‚’ä¹¾æžœå°ˆé–€åº—) started as a dried nut shop, and that origin shows in every scoop. The owner roasts the nuts fresh, grinds them, and folds the pieces directly into the ice cream base. The result is a texture and intensity of flavour you simply do not get from commercial ice cream.
The pistachio is the bestseller, and for good reason. Each spoonful contains visible fragments of green pistachio nut, and the flavour is rich and savoury rather than artificially sweet. The chestnut is similarly impressive, with a smooth, earthy sweetness and actual bits of chestnut mixed throughout. For something more unusual, try the preserved plum (話梅) or tangerine peel (陳皮) flavours, both unique to this shop.
From Tai Po Favourite to Mong Kok Branch
The shop’s popularity exploded after food bloggers and social media discovered it, leading to a second branch opening in Mong Kok. But the Tai Po original remains the better experience. It is quieter, the owner is often behind the counter, and there is something satisfying about eating artisanal ice cream in the neighbourhood where it all started.
A single scoop costs around HK$30 to HK$40, and double or triple scoops are available. The shop offers 26 rotating flavours, so there is always something new to try alongside the staples.
Getting There
Chestnut King’s Tai Po branch is on Po Heung Street, about a 10-minute walk from MTR Tai Po Market station (Exit A1). If you are doing a Tai Po food crawl, this makes the perfect final stop, a sweet ending after the neighbourhood’s savoury street food.
Quick Info
| Location | Shop B, G/F, Wah Lok House, 51 Po Heung Street, Tai Po |
| Opening Hours | Daily 9:30am to 8:30pm |
| Price Range | HK$30-50 per serving |
| Getting There | MTR Tai Po Market (Exit A1), 10-min walk |
| Also at | Mong Kok branch now open |
