Wandering through the alleys of Taipei, I discovered the Cuban sandwich I’d been longing for

(The Cuban sandwich at Sunny Cafe)

Text and photos bykuni

I had just planned to kill some time in the morning, but unexpectedly found a satisfying Cubano. Sunny Cafe, one of the most popular hangouts for motorcycle enthusiasts last year—whether that’s directly or indirectly related to the beautiful and charming owner, well, who knows. The place has spacious interiors and comfy sofas, striking a balance between classy and lively—it’s definitely a great spot for guys to gather.

(Sunny Cafe)

(The sofa area)

(Regular tables)

(Large dining table for group meals)

I came in during brunch hours and ordered the new "Golden Sesame Maple Latte" (NT$150). While waiting, I browsed the menu and spotted "Cuban sandwich." Without hesitation, I waved the server over to add one to my order—I’d completely forgotten that I hadn’t planned to eat anything that morning.

Well, since I was already there, I figured I might as well enjoy it. The coffee wasn’t bad—the dark roast had a bitterness that wasn’t overpowering, pairing nicely with the foam and sesame seeds. Soon after, the Cubano arrived. At first glance, I was a bit disappointed—the bread had grill marks on it, but clearly hadn’t been pressed hot. When I asked the server out of curiosity, I learned it was specially ordered bread with pre-made patterns from the bakery; all they had to do was pop it back in the oven to warm it up before serving.

(Good coffee deserves good company—in the form of a good book)

The moment I took a bite, my mouth erupted with a satisfying crunch. My eyes nearly welled up. This was exactly what I wanted—ever since watching Chef, I’d been craving this: crispy on the outside, soft yet not soggy on the inside. The yellow mustard and German-style pickles became best buddies upon biting, their mildly tangy, sweet flavor melding seamlessly with the ham slices and everything else, never to part again… oh wait, where’s the meat?

(The Cuban sandwich at Sunny Cafe)

When I opened it up, I saw ham—but no pork loin. Probably to simplify the kitchen’s plating process. In terms of running a café, that’s definitely plausible. But can you really call it a Cubano without the juicy, slow-roasted pork belly’s rich indulgence? That’s debatable. Still, the bread texture and sauce were honestly the most spot-on I’ve had in a while. I didn’t dwell on it too much—just picked up a newspaper and went back to catching up on the news. I was just here to kill time anyway.

(Before leaving, I ordered another cup of coffee)

Sunny Cafe
Address: No. 23, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2314-5333
Hours: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM

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