森山舎 morning mountain

The brunch place renovated from an old house in Hualien is actually one I visited a few years ago. I really liked their environment, which uses a lot of wood to create a cozy atmosphere. The indoor and outdoor spaces have a little patch of grass, perfect for taking photos.

When you arrive, you first go to the counter to get the menu, then choose a seat and order and pay at the counter. There's no service charge, and the minimum order is one meal per person. I think they have quite a lot of options on their menu. In addition to the bread platter, they also offer curry rice, set meals, sandwiches, and French toast. This time, I ordered the hot-pressed toast with wild mushroom and chicken. I thought it tasted good but was a little dry. Fortunately, almost all their meals come with a refreshing honey red tea, and you can pay extra to change your drink item. I opted for fresh milk red tea, which I found quite nice. My friend ordered kiwi juice, which seemed super healthy; it would probably taste much better if you don't order it without sugar. The portion sizes look small, but they are actually quite filling.

Just inside the entrance, there’s a section selling selected items, which is quite cute. Next to the checkout counter, there are magazines to browse, so you're not bored while waiting for your food. If you have the chance to visit Hualien, it’s worth a try.