Store Introduction
In recent years, issues such as food safety crises and food shortages have garnered increasing attention. The chef at Sleepy Coffee hopes to improve the environment with their small efforts. Therefore, they started as an apprentice who didn't even know how to hold a kitchen knife, learning and continuously improving themselves at various renowned restaurants. After gaining expertise, they chose to return to their hometown – Taoyuan – to open a store. At Sleepy Coffee, we meticulously select a variety of fresh and safe ingredients, hoping to create a secure dining environment for everyone! After reading this, I feel like I have to support this place! It’s a child- and pet-friendly environment that is very comfortable and relaxing. I originally wanted to order the Eggs Benedict, but it was sold out. Instead, I ordered the smoked salmon and a meat and egg roll. The hash browns were delicious and made with real ingredients, reflecting the owner’s dedication. I even made friends with the blueberries, haha! So much care put into this!
I often pass by this place and finally mustered the courage to give it a try.
This time, I ordered the ham and cheese burger and the brown sugar fresh milk tea.
First of all, the brown sugar fresh milk tea is extremely disappointing; I couldn't taste any brown sugar at all. Overall, it felt very much like drinking water, which was quite disappointing. As for the ham and cheese burger, it was just average—not too bad, but nothing special.
Overall, the drink was really hard to accept. I am a bit suspicious that the shop forgot to add brown sugar because there was literally no sweetness at all.
The price is $150.
The latte is... latte, and since almost every store makes it similarly, I usually drink this.
These days, there’s a buy-one-get-one-free promotion, and it isn’t limited to Gold Star members, so as soon as it hits 11 o’clock, the once-quiet counter instantly becomes bustling. When ordering, the staff will directly inform you that you have to wait at least 15 minutes or more.
The Starbucks on Taiping Zhongxing East Road provides power outlets, and on weekdays, the second floor feels like a “shared workspace,” with many people coming to discuss business. By evening, it starts to have the atmosphere of a library, but it only stays open until 8 o’clock; after that, the second floor will begin cleaning.
At 7 o’clock in the evening, there is a “special food event,” where some bread and pastries are offered at a 30% discount.
I previously saw someone recommend this place on IG and decided to follow their account. Looking at the photos, their curry rice looked really delicious... Considering the savory dishes at coffee shops, it wasn't too expensive, so I chose to come here for dinner. The interior decor has an old house style, but it doesn’t feel cluttered due to the decorations; overall, it’s warm, comfortable, and quiet.
The minimum order is one drink; savory food or desserts cannot be used to offset this. After eating, I settled the bill.
🌻 Tomato Cream Spice Curry $230
I thought it was really tasty, and I personally recommend it! The spice flavor is not too strong but definitely noticeable, pairing well with the slightly sour tomato taste and the gentle creaminess, as well as the minced meat and potatoes in the curry. Overall, I think it's very balanced and delicious~
🌻 Mixed Berry Sparkling Drink $170
It's a standard sparkling drink, with quite a few berry bits. However, the price is on the higher side for a sparkling drink, so the value for money is lower.
🌻 Small Round Caramel Pudding $130
It’s delicious! The caramel is slightly bitter and not overly sweet, the pudding's sweetness is moderate, and the texture is great with a strong egg flavor... I don’t often eat pudding at coffee shops, but I found this one really good, though the price is still on the expensive side.
Overall, it's a nice place, but the prices are a bit high for students... I would want to revisit when I have some extra budget!
🔅Actual visit date: 2024/11/03
*Please do not reprint & commercialize without permission.
My friend found this place on Google; it's a gluten-free rice pancake shop, quite special. The shop has a few simple indoor seating options, and the owner operates it alone. The Google landmark also mentions "bunny-friendly," which is pretty cute, haha.
▪️Signature Chocolate + Peanut $65
▪️Matcha Whipped Cream $75
The pancake comes in three types: Signature, Chocolate, and Matcha. I chose the Signature and Matcha. I took it to go, and when I got home, the pancake didn't have a crispness; it was dense. The chocolate peanut butter is toasted in the oven after spreading, and the flavor is quite common, feeling very indulgent but not overly sweet or rich.
What surprised me was the Matcha pancake. It has very little sweetness and a strong tea flavor, giving a slight astringent sensation in the mouth. It pairs quite well with the whipped cream, which is packaged separately. I originally thought the whipped cream would melt quickly if packed with the warm pancakes, but I found that the whipped cream seemed to be frozen, so it was just right next to the pancakes. That detail was very thoughtful.
Overall, while I seem to prefer the original pancake's softer, chewy texture, this one provides a strong sense of fullness. The pancake has a subtle rice aroma, making it quite unique.
Hello.
I'm super hungry today! It's Harapeko-chan!
———— Store Details ————————————
Store Name: Tsuru-Chan
Nearest Station: 9 minutes walk from Chuo-bashi Station
Address: 2-27 Aburayamachi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture 850-0832, Riverside Crane Building
Business Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Closed: Wednesdays
Budget: ¥1000 - ¥2000
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This time, I visited "Tsuru-Chan," the oldest coffee shop in Kyushu, founded in 1925, just a 9-minute walk from Chuo-bashi Station!
At "Tsuru-Chan," you can enjoy various retro dishes featuring Turkish rice and curry rice. They have around 10 kinds of Turkish dishes, including Velit Turkish, which is an arrangement of the Turkish dish döner kebab, and Frikandel Turkish, inspired by the Dutch dish frikandel that is said to be the root of hamburgers. There are also seafood turkeys using shrimp fritters, as well as classic dishes like Napolitan and omurice. For dessert, they offer the original Nagasaki-style milkshake and pudding, making it a cozy café experience.
Menu items I ordered:
【Original Nagasaki-style Milkshake】
The red cherry on top is so cute! As I scooped it up with a spoon and brought it to my mouth, the cool, gentle sweetness melted pleasantly in my mouth.
【Custard Pudding】
The moment I put it in my mouth, the sweetness of the caramel spreads. The pudding was soft and went down easily!
【Taisho Ice Cream】
It was like a slightly soft sherbet ice cream and very easy to eat. Sweet and cold, it was perfect!
The interior is a modern, spacious salon-style space wrapped in the romance of the Taisho era, making it quite relaxing.
Once again, Harapeko-chan is fully satisfied!
Thank you for the meal!
【Foodholic Niko @ Taipei】
Ueshima Coffee Shop is a place I really enjoy going to for breakfast on weekends. They offer breakfast sets (Morning Set) before 11 AM, with options like sandwiches and thick-cut butter toast. You can pair it with a drink, and most of the time, you can enjoy it for under $200. I think it's a great value and perfect for bringing a book to enjoy a leisurely breakfast time on holiday while reading.
The "Ueshima Coffee Shop - Station Front Branch" is located on B1 of Taipei Main Station. The nearest exit is M4. It's not very easy to find, but every time I pass by, I catch a whiff of strong coffee aroma. Following the scent makes it easier to locate, hahaha.
The Egg Cheese Coleslaw Sandwich Set is $180. The set includes one sandwich and a drink. Drink options include black coffee, milk coffee, black tea, milk tea, orange juice, and more.
The sandwich is super big! As a girl with an average appetite, I almost can't finish it every time. I usually finish it by a little after 10 AM, so I can skip lunch.
"Coleslaw" means cold shredded cabbage. The thick toast is stuffed full of egg salad and coleslaw, along with some bacon. The taste is quite refreshing, but because there is a good amount of mayonnaise and the sandwich is large, it can get a bit rich towards the end. Still, I find it really delicious; I miss it a bit when I haven't had it for a while.
It's especially worth mentioning that the thick toast is really tasty. It's super soft, topped with lots of black sesame, which adds a nice aroma occasionally—very delightful!
For my drink, I chose a hot unsweetened milk coffee, which comes with a cup of hot milk and a small cup of black coffee for you to mix in yourself. I feel like the milk ratio is quite high, making it very aromatic, just the kind of coffee milk I like—enjoyed it a lot!
Perhaps because it’s located inside the main station, this branch is usually about 90% full or completely packed each time I visit, making it feel a bit cramped, but the food definitely adds to the experience.
Reviewer of the Pancake: This time it's takeout.
This place is Milan Pancakes, a gluten-free pancake shop located in Yilan, renowned for its pancake skin made from rice husk flour. Besides the signature pancakes, there are various dishes to choose from. The shop is run by just the owner, so it's recommended for customers in a hurry to make a phone reservation in advance. The pancake skins are available in three flavors: original, cocoa, and matcha. We chose the matcha pancake skin paired with fresh cream (75 TWD) and the original pancake skin paired with chocolate and peanut butter (65 TWD).
The pancakes are handmade on-site and require a short wait, but the aroma that wafts during baking is mouthwatering. The matcha pancake skin is rich in tea aroma, and the fresh cream is smooth and non-greasy, making for a very refreshing combination; the original pancake skin has a faint rice fragrance, a chewy texture, and slightly crispy edges, paired with chocolate and peanut butter that is rich but not overly sweet, offering a rather nice overall flavor.
Additionally, the shop is a rabbit-friendly restaurant, housing cute rabbits in a warm environment. As the location may be slightly inconvenient for customers driving, it's suggested to come by bike. The overall experience was satisfying, and I would like to try other flavors next time. I recommend it to friends who enjoy unique-flavored pancakes.
Hello.
I’m still hungry today! It’s Harapeko-chan!
————Store Details————————————
Store Name: THE LOCAL COFFEE STAND
Nearest Station: 9 minutes walk from Hakata Station
Address: 〒812-0013
Fukuoka, Hakata Ward, Hakataekihigashi 2-14-1 THE BASICS FUKUOKA 1F
Business Hours: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Regular Holidays: None
Budget: ¥1,000 - ¥2,000
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This time, I went to "THE LOCAL COFFEE STAND", which is a 9-minute walk from Hakata Station! They offer a variety of coffee beans from coffee roasters nationwide, changing monthly, allowing you to enjoy authentic coffee without getting bored!
"The LOCAL COFFEE STAND" opened on the 1st floor of the Fukuoka hotel "THE BASICS FUKUOKA" in March 2020, operated by "Good Coffee", one of Japan's largest online coffee media specializing in coffee.
They switch out coffee beans monthly from various coffee roasters across the nation, so you can enjoy something new every time you visit. You’re sure to find your favorite cup as you keep going! It’s a new style where you can enjoy high-quality coffee roasted by popular roasters from both Japan and abroad, making it an experience hard to find elsewhere.
Moreover, there are plenty of foods and sweets that pair well with coffee! I was mesmerized by the adorable cakes displayed in the showcase.
Here's the menu I ordered this time:
【Oreo Cheesecake】
A must-see for Oreo lovers! The moist cheesecake combined with the crunchy texture of Oreo was irresistible. The cheesecake wasn't too sweet; the chocolate flavor of the Oreo added a nice accent, and the bottom of the cake was Oreo as well! It was deliciously packed with Oreo!
The interior has a spacious table and tables by the window. The decor, with wooden tables and chairs, has a warm and inviting atmosphere that seems very comfortable.
Once again, Harapeko-chan is completely satisfied! Thank you for the meal.
Near the Carrefour in Nanzi, FANs CAFÉ is a coffee shop with a simple and elegant white-themed decor. Although the space inside is not large and there aren't many seats, the overall atmosphere is very relaxed and comfortable. Despite the small size of the shop, its exquisite desserts and warm environment make it very enjoyable.
The desserts here are the highlight, with daily options that are not fixed, providing a different surprise each visit. The quality of the desserts is exceptional; they are not only visually appealing but also have a delicate texture that keeps customers coming back. Especially, the desserts here have become the top choice for many when selecting wedding pastries, showing how popular their quality is.
As for coffee, FANs CAFÉ offers very affordable coffee drinks, allowing me to enjoy delicious desserts while also savoring a cup of outstanding coffee that isn’t overly expensive. The coffee here can quench your thirst and pairs well with various desserts, enhancing the overall dining experience.
In summary, FANs CAFÉ is a great place for a relaxed date, solo unwinding, or gatherings with friends. Whether it's the desserts or the coffee, you can feel the care that this little shop puts into its offerings. If you are near Nanzi, this café is definitely worth a visit.
If you want to see more video introductions, feel free to search for IG: ooo.eat.
