Lately, all the craze is around cinnamon rolls. But for a while a few years back, it was all about scones. Taiwan’s millennials have always had an infatuation for pastries imported from the west, combined with the cravings of expats to create enough of a demand for menu additions and eventually, specialty shops to pop up. Ciao Ciao is one such establishment, a local bakery specializing in scones, cultivating the product to local taste buds while maintaining the integrity of the classic pastry.

Ciao Ciao makes some of the best scones in Taiwan, decadent yet light, tall and layered, baked fresh in small batches and piled up by the counter, just enough flavors to overwhelm. The format may be traditional enough but the ingredients might make the British appalled. Like many international food trends, scones were given the Asian cosmopolitan treatment (as in, nothing is sacred and tradition is thrown out the window). Alongside classic cream scones and raisin scones, they have everything from lemon to earl grey to taro to mango cream cheese scones, with flavors evolving seasonally. Over the years, they’ve expanded to offer other baked goods including bagels and cinnamon rolls, as well as a well-rounded menu of coffee and tea drinks to go with your scone. While Taiwanese people are admittedly obsessed with the concept of a sit-down afternoon meal, Ciao Ciao offers a more casual scone experience: perfect for takeaway or a midday treat.