The caramel shell of the Canelé at the Morning Dew Dessert Shop is enchanting in color, but the filling is quite heavy. In contrast, the Valrhona chocolate chip chiffon cake surprises with a soft cake body and a slightly bitter chocolate, offering a distinct texture contrast that is sweet yet not cloying.
The Morning Dew Dessert Shop may not have a glamorous facade, but its desserts are like a quiet morning latte, softly present and offering a unique ritual in the alleys of Taipei.
In the "Morning Dew" dessert shop around Nanjing Sanmin, the place has no extravagant facade and no seating, only takeout available.
Original Flavor Canelé
At the moment I held the canelé, the caramel shell's color was quite enchanting. However, upon taking a bite, while the outer layer had some crispness, the filling felt somewhat "doughy"—lacking that elastic airiness. The air bubbles were not distinct enough, resulting in an overall dense and slightly heavy texture. The aroma still carried the base notes of vanilla and caramel, but it missed that moment of surprise where "the shell cracks and the aroma of caramel fills the air."
Valrhona Chocolate Crisp Chiffon Cake
The cake body is exceptionally soft, with an even texture that melts in your mouth; the fresh cream has a light and delicate texture, without greasy or heavy dairy notes. When the slightly bitter Valrhona chocolate intertwines with the fresh milky flavor, the overall layers immediately come to life—it feels like taking a sip of bittersweet hot cocoa in the morning mist.
What surprised me most were the thin, crispy layers. The instant "crunch" they create in the mouth not only adds contrast but also makes the overall sweetness cleaner. It's a sweetness that is "just right," leaving you wanting another bite after finishing.
The desserts at Morning Dew are not extravagant or artificial. They resemble a cup of latte by the window on a morning—quiet yet with a presence. The canelé seems a bit rustic, but the delicacy and balance of the chiffon cake are enough to make up for the overall impression. If you pass by Nanjing Sanmin and are willing to pause and take away a box of "Morning Dew," it’s a gentle ritual belonging to the alleys of Taipei.