I miss the HARBS fruit mille-feuille in Japan so much and so glad to find a similar taste at the Nine Sky Café located within the Xuantian Shangdi Temple in Sanxia. The café, nestled in a container house inside the temple, has been popular among locals and visitors for five years, offering simple meals and French mille-feuille that are sweet but not cloying. It’s a pleasant surprise for those who come to worship or enjoy the natural surroundings to also indulge in such delightful treats
As a resident of Sanxia, it’s only fitting to take advantage of the local charm and introduce the popular Nine Sky Goddess ( 九天玄女 Jiutian Xuannü )Temple along with its unique desserts.
Walking there takes about an hour, but driving is quicker. The café perches on a small hill along Yuanshan Road, providing a panoramic view of the entire Sanxia district and its dam landscape. Google Map
We arrived at the store at 11:00, and there aren’t many people yet. There’s an outdoor seating area conveniently located next to the temple.
The NineSky Café is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday. On weekdays, it operates from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on weekends, it stays open until 8:00 PM. After ordering, customers queue up, and once each group has placed their orders, the staff will guide you to your preferred seating area.
We arrived at the store at 11:00, and there aren’t many people yet. There’s an outdoor seating area conveniently located next to the temple.
Due to limited staff, both food and drinks are prepared fresh upon order. After being seated, changing seats arbitrarily could cause confusion for the staff during meal delivery.
On this scorching day, we decided to order three refreshing cold drinks. The one on the left is a fresh fruit juice blend, combining pineapple, dragon fruit, and orange. In the middle, there’s an iced latte for my husband, and Hao opted for a Four Seasons Fruit Iced Tea.
The owners, a brother and sister duo, insist on using high-quality ingredients such as Hokkaido fresh cream, Kyoto matcha powder, and locally produced Sanxia Bi Luo Chun Tea and Honey Black Tea to create the pastry fillings. The mille-feuille flavors are diverse, with over ten varieties to choose from.
If you want to purchase a whole mille-feuille pie, you’d better place an order three days in advance. This lemon cheesecake mille-feuille was our pre-ordered for Mother’s Day.
Our favorite spot is on the second floor of the Rainbow Container House.
The outdoor seating on the second floor is nice, and it’s blessed by the Jiutian Xuannü.
When it comes to this Jiutian Xuannü , the ‘main temple’ is undoubtedly the ‘NineSky Mysterious Lady Wuji Seven Profound Palace’ in the Sanxia area. Its spacious grounds absorb positive energy, and it’s bathed in sunlight throughout the day.
Jiutian Xuannü, also known as the Ninth Maiden of the Dark Heavens, is a revered Taoist goddess. She holds a significant place in ancient texts and her status rivals that of the Queen Mother of the West. Devotees flock to the Wuji Seven Profound Palace, where they offer incense to her. According to legend, she possessed a bird-like body and formidable magical abilities. Notably, she aided the Yellow Emperor in defeating the warrior Chi You
I wanted something with a sour and spicy flavor. So, I ordered a plate of Thai-style spicy chicken penne, which, for someone who doesn’t usually eat spicy food like me, had a distinctly delightful sweet and tangy taste. Overall, it was delicious!
We also ordered a plate of stir-fried penne. It’s prepared with olive oil, basil leaves, and chicken breast, and you’ll find a hint of broccoli in there too. Not just desserts, the meal was quite satisfying!
Mille Crêpe, also known as Gâteau de Crêpes, has a fascinating history that intertwines French, Dutch, and Indonesian influences.
This Mille Crêpe Cake, made with imported Hokkaido cream, becomes thinner with each layer, boasting at least 40 delicate layers.
Layer upon layer of smoothness, sweet yet not overwhelming. It’s surprising that such excellent desserts are hidden in a small temple on the hillside.
Fruit Mille Crêpe Cake is truly exceptional! Imagine fruit pulp blended with fruit liqueur, creating a delightful filling. The slightly tipsy, sweet and tangy flavors infuse into each layer of the ultra-thin crêpe skin.
This year, due to the pandemic, we couldn’t dine out for Mother’s Day. So, my husband made a special trip to buy this delicious Mille Crêpe Cake to celebrate at home. Each of us chose our favorite flavors, and of course, the main goal was to satisfy Mom’s desire for a photo-worthy treat.
Living in Sanxia fills me with true happiness. With a heart full of kindness, I visit NineSky Temple to savor their delightful desserts. These sweet treats make me feel doubly fortunate and courageous.
