Dreamy polka-dot afternoon tea at a limited-time "Yayoi Kusama" café

Text & Photos /Viviyu

Yayoi Kusama CAFE
Limited Time Only: April 30 – September 30, 2015
Address: 1F-4, Hall B4, Huashan 1914 Creative Park, 1 Section 1, Bade Rd., Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM

The red and yellow pumpkins designed by Yayoi Kusama are so iconic that visitors to Japan’s Naoshima Island won’t want to miss seeing this massive artwork. Now you can enjoy a related exhibition in Taiwan, and even better — there’s also a limited-time Yayoi Kusama café. Though small in size, the café is thoughtfully decorated, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a world of dots. Fans of Yayoi Kusama shouldn’t miss out on Up.

Located within the Huashan Arts and Cultural District, if you’re taking the MRT, you can get off at Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station and walk about 5 minutes to reach the café. Public transportation is very convenient, and the surrounding area is great for photos — we even saw several couples coming here to shoot their wedding photos.

Upon entering the café, you’re immediately greeted by the classic polka-dot style — white backgrounds with red dots that colorfully and cutely decorate the counter. The café operates on an order-first, self-service basis.

One advantage of arriving right when they open is that there are few people and the most variety of food available, though it seems the desserts change slightly every day. What remains consistent is the polka-dot style throughout.

For example, the cake we had on our visit was a bit different from what my friend had previously. It featured dot-shaped designs and followed a specific plating SOP.

The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts also has a Yayoi Kusama exhibition. Those who are interested can check it out as well.

Of course, there’s no shortage of merchandise. The range of products here is even greater than what I saw in Naoshima, and some items are even imported directly from Japan for sale in Taiwan — though the prices are not exactly budget-friendly.

The cake popsicles are something kids would definitely love — colorful and fun.

The entire space isn’t very big, just about the size shown in the photos. You find your seat first, then place your order. The display area for goods is roughly the same size as the dining area.

The red-and-white polka-dot world really isn’t somewhere you can stay for too long — your eyes might not handle it…

When we arrived, there was no one else, so we could choose any seat we liked. There are both four-person and two-person seating options.

Honestly, if it weren’t for my friend Xiaomi, who had just returned from Japan and suggested we come, I probably wouldn’t have made a special trip since I’d already visited Naoshima. Still, it’s a little different here, and the merchandise selection isn’t the same either.

Keychains are also a hot item at the Naoshima shop, but I’d probably be too hesitant to use one if I bought it.

As for postcards, I’d previously bought two colors but couldn’t bring myself to write on them. Interestingly, I didn’t see the classic yellow pumpkin paperweight in Taipei.

If you dine in the café, you can use the limited-edition cups — but you’ll have to be extra careful with them, as any damage requires full compensation.

We randomly ordered a few items. The prices are mid-range, about the same as Starbucks.

The drink options are mainly coffee-based.

There’s a minimum spend of NT$80 per person, and a 90-minute dining time limit.

Just grab your fast-food-style order from the counter — the only items available are cakes and drinks, with no savory options.

I had the iced rose latte, and the limited-edition glass cup was really pretty. The transparent base even shows a reflection of the dotted flowers. The hot Americano latte comes in a mug.

Lemon Tart – NT$180
This is probably my favorite flavor — the sweetness and sourness are perfectly balanced, and the crust is delicious too.

Frozen Cheesecake – NT$100
The taste of this one was a bit different from what I had imagined. It also had a slightly tangy flavor, but the lemon tart had a more pronounced acidity.

Sundae in-store $80 / takeaway $45
Takeaway cups are cheaper, but you don’t get to use the limited-edition cups. If you dine in, you can see the Yayoi Kusama portrait cups, though I probably wouldn’t dare to use them at home... Q?...

We ordered three cakes to share in total, and each of us had a drink. But as soon as we got them, no one wanted to eat right away—we couldn’t help but take photos from every angle, clicking the shutter non-stop...

Pure Natural Pumpkin Cup $200

This is also the most expensive cake on the menu. The base is a cupcake, and the top layer is pumpkin puree molded into the shape of a pumpkin. Of course, there are some decorative elements too, with chocolate accents, and the plate is decorated with pumpkin-dot-patterned chocolate powder.

If you’re a big fan of Yayoi Kusama’s work but don’t have time to visit Taichung for the exhibition, then come to Taipei Huashan 1914 Creative Park for this limited-time afternoon tea.
 

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