Did you know that when preparing rice balls for Chinese Valentines Day, you press a small dent in the rounded ball, to catch the princess' tears when she cries out of joy? This is something that the Kuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cakes and Pastry will teach you.
Kuo Yuan Ye has grown from what was a local pastry stand 135 years ago to their new, NT$200 million building, refining their craft along the way. In 1867, its founder, Kuo Liang-chen (
Now, in its fourth generation, the company has 34 outlets and two pastry museums in Taiwan. After the success of its first museum, opened last year at the Yangmei factory, a second museum is now doing just as well in Taipei.
"The aim of the museum is not only to preserve the history of Kuo Yuan Ye, but also to let the public realize that pastries are more than just snacks," said Wu Yu-chiao (吳玉嬌), the director of the museum.
Dedicated to teaching students grades one through six, their museum guides children through a complete lesson of Taiwanese and Chinese cultures.
"It's the culture that makes the food, not the food that makes the culture," according to Wu, whose favorite section is the "Festivals," where "vibrant displays celebrate all stages of life."
Nostalgia floats in the minds of many adults when they come across the traditional toys they used to play with, or recognize the various pastries unique to their home town.
The museum is open by appointment only and is currently open only to elementary school students and their parents. After touring the museum, groups can make their own pastries, watch documentary films on pineapple cakes and enjoy a full-course traditional Taiwanese meal prepared in the on-site kitchen. All for the price of NT$100 per person.
The museum will open to the general public when all school appointments are finished. The museum is at 546 Wenlin Rd., Shihlin District, Taipei (
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