Dishes
Papaya milk
木瓜牛奶
Also called: 木瓜牛乳 · papaya milkshake
Ripe papaya blended with milk into a thick, sweet drink, with a disputed claim to Kaohsiung roots.
What it is
A smooth, rich blend of papaya and milk. Shops generally add sugar, water and a little crushed ice. TVBS reports that Kaohsiung Milk King's version is made without added water.
Where it comes from
Who sold it first is disputed. A widely repeated account says the first papaya milk shop was Kaohsiung Milk King, opened in 1966 at the entrance to Liuhe Night Market, but shops in Changhua (1968) and Taichung (1971) have competing claims. The drink took off in the 1960s, when the government was encouraging people to drink milk for calcium, and ice-and-fruit parlours sold it before fast-food chains arrived.
How it is made
Fresh papaya and milk are blended together, then sugar, water and a little crushed ice are added. Factory-made boxed versions are also sold.
How to eat it
Drink it freshly made. At Kaohsiung Milk King, which opens from breakfast until late, people pair it with French toast.
In Kaohsiung
Kaohsiung Milk King has kept its 'king' title for about 50 years. One article suggests the American military presence in Kaohsiung helped spread the drink to visitors and sailors.
Where to eat it in Kaohsiung
Sources