Koshi Cafe

Taipei Neihu - Nestled near AIT, this "stunning" standalone café features an indoor dining area on the first floor and a gallery on the basement level. All dishes are crafted by pastry chefs from Vancouver's BLVD fine dining. Originally, this location housed the first Montessori preschool, which was transformed into a café and gallery space. Its design is filled with Zen-like Japanese landscaping and concrete gray tones, with plenty of design details that make it a great place for photography!

Upon entering, the staff will guide you to your seat and provide the menu. They will also pour you some drinking water infused with lemon. The menu's paper has a unique feel, with a rough texture that has a thick, plastic quality. There is a minimum purchase of one drink per person, so we each ordered a drink and a dish.

📍 Yogurt Avocado Sourdough Plate NT$350
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Pan-seared sourdough bread spread with Greek yogurt, honey, and sun-dried tomatoes, topped with plenty of avocado slices, a sprinkle of roasted walnuts, and finished with a sunny-side-up egg alongside a bit of brewed vinegar.
The bread is a bit hard and crunchy, while the avocado slices provide a well-balanced texture. The sun-dried tomatoes, brewed vinegar, and yogurt sauce bring a predominant sourness, and when you cut the sunny-side-up egg, the runny yolk flows out, making it a feast for both the eyes and the palate.

📍 Crab Meat Poached Egg Sourdough Plate NT$420
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Pan-seared sourdough bread spread with crab meat cream cheese, hollandaise sauce, and lemon vinaigrette, topped with a whole poached egg and finished with a sprinkle of dried chili strands.
I found this dish disappointing because I couldn't really taste the crab meat, even though it is the main theme of the dish. Instead, the flavors of cheese and the acidity of the vinaigrette predominated. The poached egg was also overcooked, resembling a soft-boiled egg when cut open. As the highest-priced item on the sourdough plate menu, this was truly below par.

📍 Dirty (Coffee) NT$140
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The Dirty coffee doesn't come with ice, aiming to allow the upper layer of espresso and the lower layer of milk to mix gradually, creating a layered effect. Unfortunately, I took too long to photograph it, and it ended up blending together, haha. I originally hoped to savor the upper espresso first, then enjoy it combined as an iced latte. Sadly, I found this cup unremarkable, possibly because the aroma of the espresso blend was not well presented.

📍 Cold Brew Coffee NT$170
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I asked the barista about this coffee, and he said it was "Malawi" Geisha, featuring flavors of peach, orange, and floral notes. The cold brew was handled excellently; it had no bitterness from the coffee, only a rich essence of peach and floral flavors. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for something refreshing in the summer with a preference for floral notes!

▶️ Environment
🔹 The indoor space can accommodate about 20-25 people, with around 7-8 two-person tables and 2-3 four-person tables.
🔹 The décor style invites natural light and is filled with Japanese Zen aesthetics and natural plants. White and gray concrete are the main tones, accented with stainless steel.
🔹 Drinking water is provided (staff will assist with pouring).
🔹 Tableware is included with the meals.

▶️ Helpful Reminders
🔹 It's recommended to book online in advance or call to make a reservation.
🔹 Credit cards and mobile payments are accepted.
🔹 There is a minimum purchase of one drink.
🔹 A 10% service fee will be added.

▶️ Overall Rating
🔹 My overall rating for the food and drinks is 3.5 stars, as the prices are on the higher side. The overall ambiance is rated 5 stars; the space design is full of details, especially when you step into the restroom, where you can feel the consistent style the owners intended. This café is a perfect spot for dates and conversations, though it is a 12-minute walk from the nearest Neihu MRT station, which is a bit far. I heard their most famous dessert is "Sesame Island," which I didn't try this time but will want to check out on my next visit!