One activity my kids keep begging to do again? The pineapple cake class at the Kuo Yuan Ye Museum of Cake (郭元益糕餅博物館). More than just a museum, they also offer a variety of activities for tourists and Taiwanese families. Learn to make iconic Taiwanese treats like mooncakes (月餅) and (蛋黃酥) or bake and decorate holiday sugar cookies and cupcakes.
A Taiwanese Pastry Icon
Founded in 1867 by a Fujianese immigrant in Taipei, Kuo Yuan Ye (郭元益 in Chinese) began as a humble street stall selling Minnan-style pastries like mooncakes, pineapple cakes, and bride cakes. Today, the brand is still family-run, now in its fifth generation, with over 50 stores across Taiwan. What sets Kuo Yuan Ye apart is their willingness to try new flavors such as chocolate and matcha along with more traditional flavors like mung bean and read bean. Their Museum of Cake also promotes a bit of Taiwanese culture, offering hands-on pastry classes that provide an unforgettable brand experience.
How Pineapple Cakes Became a Symbol of Taiwan
When most people think of pineapple, they think of Hawaii, and Dole Plantation, but did you know most pineapples in the U.S. come from Costa Rica, not Hawaii? But honestly, the best ones I’ve ever had are from Taiwan. They’re so sweet and low in acid that you can eat the entire friut, even the core, without feeling like your mouth’s been cut up.
Taiwan used to be a major exporter of canned pineapple, but when global demand dropped in the 1980s, pineapple cakes were a solution to use the extra fruit. Pineapples are a source of national pride in Taiwan. In Taiwanese Hokkien, pineapple is pronounced “Ông-lâi,” which sounds like “prosperity comes.” This auspicous name makes pineapple cakes a popular gift, symbolizing wealth and good fortune. And since gifting is such a big part of Taiwanese culture, it’s no wonder these sweet pastries quickly became a symbol of Taiwanese hospitality.
DIY Pineapple Cake DIY Experience
Instructors lead the class in Mandarin, with translators available in English, Japanese, and Korean. The instructor uses a microphone so everyone can hear clearly throughout the room and it was easy enough for the kids to follow along. The class is open to all ages, and it’s definitely not just for kids. There were plenty of adult groups enjoying the experience just as much.
We were surprised by how delicious our pineapple cakes turned out, especially considering how simple they were to make. The kids had a great time mixing, and wrapping the sweet pineapple filling before pressing each cake into its mold. The trickiest part, the pineapple jam, was prepared in advance. At the end, we got our own box of individually wrapped pineapple cakes to bring home. Such a sweet souvenir and even sweeter memories!
Museum of Cake Tour
The pineapple cake class includes a guided tour of the museum, where you’ll see 100-year-old wooden molds and tools used to shape traditional pastries. The exhibits also feature interactive games from Taiwanese celebrations. We even got to try a digital game that reveals your fortune and predicts your future career. All in good fun, of course!
The best surprise was getting to try on traditional clothing. There are a couple options in each size for children and adults. If your group is large, there’s not much time for this part of the tour and everyone is trying to snag their outfit. My daughter tends to be reserved around unfamiliar people and didn’t want to try on any dresses until the other guests had returned to the classroom. The guide gave us an extra 10 minutes, and she eventually chose a light teal, 1950s-style two-piece qipao and a simple headdress. I quickly snapped a few photos before we rushed back downstairs.
Later, when I had a chance to scroll through my camera roll, I was elated to find this dreamy shot that looked like something straight out of a history book!
How to Book the Kuo Yuan Ye Pineapple Cake Making Class
You can easily book your class on the Kuo Yuan Ye website. The site is simple to navigate and shows which dates are sold out. Use your credit card to complete your reservation. You can also book through Klook or KKDay and help support my blog at no extra cost to you. I really appreciate it!
Duration: about 2 hours
Location: Kuo Yuan Yi offers classes in Shilin and Taoyuan
Tip: If you’re going during summer or winter break, book at least a month in advance or risk missing out because these classes always sell out!
Nearby Attractions
Right next to the class is Huarong Street, home to a small traditional market in the morning and street food at night. On Fridays, there’s a children’s store that sells books—perfect for a quick browse. I love stopping by to pick up basics like leggings and sweaters from their NT$100 pile. If you’re feeling hungry, the market has plenty of small eateries, but my favorite quick bite is 廟口涼麵, in the opposite direction of Huarong Street. They known for cold noodles, but I always order the wontons served in a savory sesame sauce. Just thinking about it makes my mouth water!
For book lovers, there’s a nearby four-story bookstore just across from Huarong Street, packed with stationery and toys. My son was thrilled to discover a Skibbity Toilet brick set there!
If you attend the morning class, youll have the rest of the day to spend at Taipei Children’s Amusement Park. Skip the lines by booking your park pass from Klook for $6.85 USD or KKDay for $6.43 USD plus get a free posicle. Next to the the amusement park is the Taipei Astronomical Museum with their Space Adventure ride and the entire reason we visit! End the night at Shilin Night Market playing games and winning prizes.
If you book the afternoon class, you’ll have about an hour before Shilin Night Market opens. A fun way to pass the time is by visiting a selfie shop like SerendiPic. They have themed booths with props for taking creative photos. Technically, the only charge is if you print photos using their cameras, but shhh, I took a few on my phone!
Pei’s Pineapple Cakes
Your kids will be begging to make pineapple cakes again! To relive the memories, read Pei’s Pineapple Cakes by Chrystal Z. Lee together. It’s a sweet story about a girl’s trip to Taiwan and the adventure she has with her grandmother as they hunt for the mysterious pineapple cake bandit. Order Pei’s Pineapple Cakes on Amazon
