Step into a time tunnel and savor nostalgic vintage coffee

By TRAVELER Luxe Traveler’s Journal & Scenic Spots Home Editorial Team

In Japan, whether it's the Taisho Romantic style or the Showa Modern style, they have always possessed an incredibly captivating charm. And those cafes and coffee shops that preserve such vibes are even more enchanting, making you feel as if you've fallen into a time tunnel—sitting down with a cup of coffee offers a moment of mental tranquility and rest. This retro trend continues to thrive in Taiwan. In addition to long-established old cafes, cafes created from renovated historic buildings that evoke the olden days have also become a popular trend. IORI TEA HOUSE in Tainan is one such cafe that leaves a lasting impression.

Following the renovation of Xie Mansion at Tainan West Market and Xie Mansion on Bao’an Road, Xie Wenkan, who spearheaded the old house renovation trend, launched his third Xie Mansion in 2011. Unlike the previous charming homestays, Iori Tea House offers travelers strolling through Tainan a place to sit, relax, and contemplate where to head next.

Having experienced that golden era, Xie Wenkan hopes to revitalize the entire community street through the rebirth of old houses. Across from Iori is Tai Cheng Fruit Shop, a 70-year-old store; a little further down is Rainbow Came; at the intersection of Zhengxing Street and Guohua Street is Zhengxing Coffee; and near Ximen Road are Jiajia West Market and Xie Mansion at West Market. These new lives breathed into old houses by renovation have made more and more people appreciate the value of heritage architecture.

Presented in the style of a Showa-era tea salon, Iori features walls and tea cabinets crafted with meticulous woodworking, with no detail overlooked. Xie Wenkan points to the walls inside and explains that every piece of wood here has been beveled, giving the edges an angle and creating neat grooves. The second-floor facade has three large arched windows—the curved sections were carefully cut by craftsmen so the wood could bend and turn without breaking, slowly pieced together to form the arches. The 26 wooden chairs inside are made of Vietnamese teak, each intricately carved with patterns. Even the ceiling mural in the first-floor restroom was hand-painted by a friend, rather than taking the easy route with wallpaper.

True to the commitment of a Tainan native, Xie Wenkan strives to present the authentic look of a Showa-era tea salon. The food is no exception. The small creamer that comes with the fruit pancakes, for example, was collected by Xie Wenkan from antique shops and old restaurants all over Taiwan—only 12 were found in total. The white porcelain teapot used for serving hot tea had 10 previous ones broken by staff and customers, and no identical replacements could be found. “Recently during the 228 holiday, with too many customers, we even had to make them wait for a teapot.”