No need to go abroad—cotton candy pancakes are available right here in Taoyuan, plus a limited-time "Old Mee Drunk Berry Bits"

Text & photos by /viviyu

In the past, getting your hands on cotton candy pancakes might have required traveling abroad or heading to Taipei, but unexpectedly, the newly opened Old Mee Coffee in Taoyuan now serves these beautiful cotton candy pancakes that truly catch the eye.

Old Mee is located in an alleyway next to the post office on Daye Road. Parking nearby is quite difficult, so it's best to look for a parking space—don’t be like me and park on a red line only to have my car towed. The price of indulging in a pancake was way too high that time.

As you step into the shop, you’ll see the female owner’s memory wall, and from her childhood photos, it’s clear she’s been a beauty.

Each menu in the shop is unique—every one is a personal creation by the owner, truly one of a kind.

The shop’s decorations are even made using refrigerators, which is actually quite a highlight. Apparently, this was a refrigerator used by the owner in the past and repurposed nicely.

The compartments inside the fridge are perfect for use as bookshelves—it’s really quite convenient.

The shop has a warm and cozy vibe, preserving many memories from the owner’s childhood, such as the little bib she wore when she was young. It may not be extravagant, but it carries a lot of personal charm.

Some of the items on the shelves are also for sale, like cute car-shaped mugs and building block tableware.

I also spotted lots of fresh apples in the cabinet, and the owner even painted little faces on them. Aren’t they just adorable?

There’s a small cotton candy machine on the shelf. At first, I thought the cotton candy on the pancakes was made with this one, but actually, the owner uses a much larger machine instead.

The signature dish at the shop is arguably the pancake series, with strawberries being a seasonal special—a taste of winter happiness. But my friend felt the price was almost up there with those of famous Taipei shops.

The homemade desserts are all made by the owner. My friend originally wanted to try the blueberry pie, but didn’t want to eat too much during the afternoon tea time, fearing they wouldn’t have room for dinner later.

The shop currently offers a wider selection of beverages, with coffee available in various flavored syrup options.

There are also caffeine-free options like chocolate milk and matcha milk.

One of the owner’s top recommendations is the range of self-made herbal teas, made using organic flowers and tea leaves and can be re-brewed.

Apple Blossom Tea $160

The tiny cup used is as beautiful as a flower. When the tea is poured in, you can see a sparkling effect, adding a nice visual touch.

Old Mee Drunk Berry Bits $220

I came here just for this. It’s a strawberry-season-limited product. Anyone who knows me knows I can’t resist strawberries—that’s why I braved the rain to come out. The color of the cotton candy changes every day; mine had yellow cotton candy. When it was served, the visual impact was real—anyone’s inner child would melt, right? Doesn’t it make you want to dig in right away?

The owner started out selling crispy egg waffles, and the pancake batter here is very well made. The heart-shaped pancakes are super dreamy. Compared to regular pancakes, the ones here have a slightly crispier texture.

I have to mention how cute the utensils are—they’re shaped like LEGO blocks. I’ve used similar ones before at Taipei’s BRICK Works. I found it convenient because you can place them without them touching the table, keeping things cleaner.

While I was taking photos, the owner brought over some fruit. I really love fruit, but I’m not a fan of papaya or durian. I could only have a little. I never expected they’d also serve a fruit I actually love—

It turned out to be my favorite licorice-flavored guava. It was so good I almost asked the owner if she sold it.

Lifting the cotton candy reveals bright red strawberries underneath, drizzled with the shop’s homemade strawberry sauce for extra flavor, along with a layer of custard sauce at the bottom for dipping.

Latte $110

The owner said the coffee here doesn’t come with standard latte art, but the foam is dense and smooth. It’s served in cute cups that reminded me of mushroom tops—so adorable. The coffee tastes smooth and pairs perfectly with the pancakes.

The strawberries may not be very big, but each one is sweet. Most importantly, the owner washes them thoroughly before serving. I love strawberries, but I’m also worried about pesticide residue if they’re not washed properly...

There's also a two-scoop Meiji chocolate ice cream under the marshmallow. Honestly, I think vanilla and strawberry go better together, but it's still pretty good.

Combining the custard sauce, chocolate ice cream, and strawberries is truly a delightful experience. The waffles are a bit crispier but thinner, and the portion is just right for two to share.

It’s really great that Taoyuan now has so many more cafes and afternoon tea restaurants—you don’t have to head north to enjoy marshmallow waffles. Just be aware that parking nearby isn’t easy; you can park at the Daye Market parking lot and walk over. Otherwise, getting your car towed like I did would be heartbreaking…

Old Mee. Coffee Waffle Restaurant
Address: No. 81, Kuncheng Street, Taoyuan District, Taoyuan City (in the alley of Daye Post Office)
Phone: 03-3151588
Business Hours: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Closed every Monday)
FB Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/laomiemie/timeline

Join the Viviyu Little World fan page to stay updated with real-time info
‘VIVIYU Little World’ – Travel across Taiwan, gaze upon the world