🔅Actual takeaway date: 2024/10/17
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Blue Bottle, a must-visit in Japan, has a taste that can't be found in Taiwan. I originally thought since I had already been to the U.S., I wouldn’t make a special trip here, but since my friend hadn’t tried it, we arranged to stop by. There happened to be one near our accommodation, so we got up early that day to take it back to the hotel for breakfast.
▪️ LATTE ICED ¥657
▪️ LEMON POPPYSEED POUNDCAKE ¥510
Not a coffee expert, I was dazzled by the complicated coffee menu and ended up ordering the most familiar latte. It was very smooth and delicious, with a strong coffee aroma. Personally, I love the milk flavor, which I found to be just right for me.
Originally, I saw on Google that they had waffle squares, but that day they only had pound cake, so I chose the lemon flavor, which felt like putting together a set. To my surprise, the pound cake was very moist and tasty! Even my friend, who doesn’t like pound cake, thought it was delicious, perfectly paired with the coffee.
Overall, I really liked this place! It was early in the morning, so there weren't many customers, and the staff patiently explained the coffees. When the weather is nice, the light in the shop is great, and there are little chairs outside for taking pictures. I also bought a very nice mug (?), and if dining in, the experience would likely be even better.
This shop is not easy to spot if you don't look closely. It is hidden in Sanmin Street, Hualien City, covered by an old tree, with an antique building that feels like it's taken you back to a simpler, carefree era.
To find a small cake for a birthday celebration, I came to this café after lunch and just happened to find my favorite chestnut mille-feuille. The chestnut on top pairs perfectly with the overall moist texture, and the flavor is just right—not too sweet.
It's served with a round matcha latte, which complements it well. For the single-origin coffee, I chose the sun-dried style, which is full of fruity aromas and very delicious, paired with elegant porcelain plates that give it a bonus effect.
The owner runs the shop alone, and can only prepare one dish at a time, so patience is needed while you wait.
Braces person’s review: There is a restroom, but I didn't go.
How can you come to Tokyo and not pay a pilgrimage to Blue Bottle Coffee?
I specifically woke up early to buy coffee and cake to bring back to the hotel. The interior space is clean and the environment is comfortable, making it a great place to relax, although there aren’t many seats.
I ordered an iced latte (657 yen) and a piece of seasonal pound cake (510 yen). Unfortunately, they didn’t have pancakes.
The coffee was quite smooth, and the prices are similar to Starbucks, but coming here is about enjoying the atmosphere. Personally, I didn’t find the pound cake particularly impressive; it was just mediocre. There are also some merchandise items in the store, but they are a bit pricey. Fortunately, there weren’t many people early in the morning, so it was easy to take photos, and the staff were very friendly.
Latte $150
I used to like ordering nitrogen coffee, but later realized that it tastes similar to the American coffee from "Lu Sha Sha" (the price difference between the two is huge). Now, I just order lattes, because the taste across different branches is quite consistent, so I don’t have to worry about the quality of the beans.
The matcha series is my alternative during my caffeine withdrawal period; I highly recommend matcha latte and sesame matcha!!
There’s a discount when paired with scones, and I have to be honest, "the scones are really oily." I’m a scone lover, especially the onion flavor; I’m in love with them~~~ (I’ve been eating them for over a year now, and my weight has shot up; I would conservatively estimate I’ve gained about 10 pounds).
At the Lala branch in Taichung, there’s a very nice staff member who always has a warm smile on her face. Every time I go, I check to see if she’s working before deciding whether to make a purchase, haha XD
☕️ A must-visit coffee shop in Fukuoka!
This shop is well-known among coffee lovers. The owner loves coffee so much that they once worked at a coffee farm in Central America. Currently, in addition to running the coffee shop, they also serve as a judge for the COE (Cup of Excellence).
The shop is located in the relatively remote Kurume, but it is said that there are often queues. I have previously visited the branch in Shimokitazawa and the one in Nakasu, Hakata, both of which had a more stylish and glamorous interior, so I was not expecting the Tenjin branch to feel so warm and homey.
The quality of the coffee is equally excellent, and the translucent informational card that comes with tracing paper adds a sense of ritual.
On this day, I ordered the fig tart, which was really not very sweet. For someone who prefers sweeter treats, it might not be to my taste, but it's still quite delicious. Those who enjoy less sweet desserts would probably love it.
Additionally, like many Japanese coffee shops, if you buy a bag of coffee beans, you can get a cup of coffee for free. That day, I visited during a relatively quiet time, so the staff mentioned that the cost of the coffee would be deducted from the drink when I checked out. I’m not sure if this applies during busier times, so if you want to buy coffee beans, it’s advisable to confirm with the staff!
Nepal - EBC Trek, on the way from Lukla to Phakding, you will see this café. The coffee roaster here is from Taiwan!
📍Cappuccino (single) 350 NPR
(about 85 TWD)
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
It was a nice day when I was hiking up. I originally wanted to have an iced Americano, but since there were no ice cubes left (supplies are really scarce up in the mountains, haha), I had to switch to a hot cappuccino instead. It was a bit hot to drink! The small cup had a strong flavor, and the latte art wasn't that great, but the coffee quality was excellent!
📍Mocha 800 NPR
(about 195 TWD)
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
I ordered this cup on my way down. Although the price was a bit high, the chocolate flavor in the mocha was rich! And it wasn't overly sweet, which I liked! However, the coffee flavor was a little light! I quite enjoyed it!
▶️ Environment
🔹 There are seats inside and outside the café. The indoor seating is not large, with only two big tables that can accommodate about 6 to 8 people.
🔹 The outside space is very large and comfortable! It can accommodate about 15 to 20 people. On nice days, you can enjoy the mountain view and the breeze.
▶️ Friendly Reminders
🔹 When ordering inside, payment is in cash first.
🔹 You can pay by card, but there will be an additional 10% service fee, so it's advisable to pay in cash.
🔹 You can pay with US dollars, but the exchange rate won't be good, so it's better to pay in Nepalese Rupees directly.
▶️ Overall Rating
🔹 The owner is very friendly and has personality! If you're lucky, you might catch them roasting coffee! If you're on an EBC trip, make a stop here for a coffee and take a little break! Relax a bit!
Style: Warm Artsy | Features: Socket-friendly, Indoor and Outdoor Seating
Hidden in the alleys, "May I COFFEE you?" is not just a café; it feels more like a charging station for relaxation. Whether you're a passerby wanting a cup of coffee or a worker looking for a place to sit and work for a while, this spot is perfect for you.
Environmental Features
It's ideal for working or studying, casual dates with friends, solo relaxation, or business meetings.
Food Reviews
☕️ Ethiopian Banchimaji Geisha (Washed) Iced Pour-Over $180
🥛 Brown Sugar Milk (Iced) $120
🍮 Caramel Pudding $70
🥧 Lemon Chicken Savory Pie $140
Overall Review
"May I COFFEE you?" shows genuine care not only for their coffee but also in their dishes and environment. What impressed me the most was their pour-over coffee; it is incredibly smooth and enjoyable, with no moments of frowning, highlighting their dedication to specialty coffee. The desserts and savory dishes maintain a high standard, and combined with a comfortable environment and thoughtful socket design, this place is definitely worth visiting repeatedly, whether you're a coffee lover or simply looking for a cozy place to relax. 👍
Xiao Coffee is a famous café in Tainan, and I was surprised to find that there is a branch in Chiayi, which also has an old house style.
Perhaps it was because it was a weekday; during this visit, I was the only customer. Although I came as a digital nomad, the leisurely atmosphere still allowed me to relax. Each seating area is quite spacious, so even if it gets full, you can have your own space.
My usual order at a café is a latte, and the latte here indeed performs well. Although there's a 10-dollar extra charge for iced coffee, the flavor of the blended beans has great complexity. Additionally, some seats have power outlets, and there's no time restriction when it's not busy, making it quite worth it.
If you happen to visit the Xiao Coffee Chiayi branch, I also recommend taking some nice photos inside. From the old-house-style tiled floor and stairs to the tables and chairs, everything is really beautiful and worth capturing some memorable images.
I saw this coffee shop nearby…
A lot of people recommend the banana pudding here. Thinking about how delicious it must be, I definitely have to try it! After all, this kind of pudding is actually quite rare in Taiwan.
When I arrived at the shop, the seating was available for me to choose freely. The staff only helped with ordering, and if you want to avoid the service charge, you can use the automatic ordering machine next to it! I ordered…
❤️ Latte
The coffee tasted very smooth, with no sourness and not too bitter; it's a great afternoon tea drink. If you can pass by in the morning, having a cup before work would also be nice!
❤️ Banana Pudding
This dessert, the banana pudding, has been praised by everyone, but I think it's mainly local Americans who enjoy it, because the sweetness of the banana pudding is indeed off the charts. The first bite was already very sweet and rich, and being able to keep eating it was truly unbelievable! In the end, I only managed to finish the banana part, as I really couldn't handle the rest!
❤️ Egg Tart
I ended up taking the egg tart home to eat! Surprisingly, not many people recommended the egg tart, but I found it very delicious! Perhaps it’s more in line with our Asian palate, not too sweet, and the crust is crispy! If you’re coming to this café, I would recommend the egg tart more!
Overall, I think I would return for the egg tart and coffee ☕️, but I really couldn't order the banana pudding again~ Maybe next time I will try their scone! And those who are interested can also order other things and share with me!
📍Shilin District, Taipei City (Tianmu Shopping District)
A no-time-limit café with a vintage artistic style 🪴☕️🔅
After discovering this café on Fooday, I decided I had to visit!
I chose a weekday to come here to work 😂
The café is located on the second floor, and as I climbed up the narrow stairs, I immediately loved the decor style💕.
It primarily features white and a vintage homey feel, along with some greenery. Each table and chair arrangement is a bit different, showing thoughtful design. I took so many pictures as soon as I walked in!
One thing to note is that the lighting here mostly relies on natural light and tends to get darker before closing.
🍭
Order Items
🍋 Sicilian ($160):
The foam on top is super delicate 🫧, and the dried lemon slices look great in photos 😻.
The blend of lemon and coffee is very well done—neither flavor overpowers the other, and it’s a stellar combo!
(I’m really afraid of Sicilian coffee being too sour.)
☕️ Cappuccino ($150):
They ask if you want cinnamon powder when ordering, and it has a creamy and delicious texture.
Served in a really cool irregular cup!
🍮 Caramel Pudding ($120):
The daily desserts are written on a small sign on the right side of the counter.
This pudding, from the fresh cream on top to the pudding itself and the caramel sauce, is absolutely delicious! The pudding is light with a rich egg flavor, and it’s quite a generous portion.
🍄
Would I come back? Yes!
I really love this place!
They also have options for full meals and light bites. I’ll definitely come back to dine here next time 🍽️
✏️
Note:
🔸 Cash only 💰
🔸 Pet-friendly! There was a Shiba Inu from the café and a black cat brought by a customer on the day I visited 🐈⬛😍
🔸 No time limit on weekdays; limited to 2 hours on weekends, and all seats have power outlets.