This restaurant only serves ice cream and has just been named the first in the world with a Michelin star

“The meticulous flavours, delicacy and mature, skilful techniques all impressed us and reached a higher level, warranting a Michelin star.”

 

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Tucked away near Taichung’s scenic Calligraphy Greenway, Minimal’s understated, sleek grey façade hints at a Nordic design aesthetic. The minimalist architecture and muted tones of its exterior reflect the establishment’s name and concept: simplicity and precision. Inside, the venue offers two distinct experiences: a ground-floor takeaway counter showcasing inventive ice cream flavours and a second-floor dining room with a seven-course tasting menu that plays with temperatures and textures to elevate ice cream to a new level of sophistication.

Know all about the seven-course tasting menu

Minimal’s tasting menu defies expectations. It offers a seven-course exploration of sub-zero dishes, each carefully crafted to showcase the artistry of temperature and flavour. Each course is named after the specific temperature at which it is served, creating an unconventional sensory journey for diners. The menu changes seasonally, highlighting Taiwan’s rich produce and the delicate interplay of flavours found in locally sourced ingredients.

The tasting experience begins with the 0°C Loquat/Pear course, a semi-frozen starter, followed by the only hot dish, a rice dumpling paired with crispy pancakes, titled 180°C Rice/Edamame. The following dishes then explore an array of sub-zero temperatures, including the -40°C Wild Ginger Flowers/Sake ice lollipop, the -5°C Whisky/Pineapple/Magnolia shaved ice, the -12°C Snakeweed/Perilla/Anise ice cream, and the frigid -196°C Strawberry/Roselle/Cream, a liquid nitrogen creation.

To finish, Minimal offers a warm dessert, the 40°C Pastry with Longan/Osmanthus Gelato, a comforting end to an imaginative and multi-layered experience.