Is it a laundromat or a café? The delightfully quirky WASH COFFE with a creative cultural twist

Text and photos byXiao Hu’s Dream-Eating Web

This is a concept where coffee, desserts, and a laundry room all blur together—I have no idea what kind of creativity this is, but it’s definitely a very unique, highly photogenic shop with an unforgettable name, even if the name is a bit too long.

Actually, I passed by this shop when it first opened, thinking to myself that I’d come check it out someday, but that thought slipped my mind until a good friend from the Tiger Head Gang brought us here.

Only when I arrived did I realize this shop isn’t just creatively weird and uniquely named—it’s also extremely photogenic.

Outside, there’s a cultural and creative setup, using wooden cable spools as tables.

Paired with boxing gloves and a sandbag that I’m not sure are for the shop staff or friends, the place gains a bit more of a pub vibe.

Basically, this is a shop full of creativity and even some contradictions—the door is from a shipping container, but luckily it’s not too heavy to push.

Once inside, you find a setup that blends cultural creativity with industrial style, which is relatively unique among the cafés I’ve visited, and of course, it had me clicking my camera nonstop.

Is this a pinball Ferris wheel?

Water pipe robots are something many industrial-style cafés use, but this one is relatively cute and stylish—I love it.

This bomb is amazing... I mean, I don’t know if that clock was bought somewhere or handmade, but I really like it.

The owner must really love being quirky—even the chandelier isn’t spared, with Spider-Man and American superheroes...

Overall, each dining space and corner is somewhat different, looking a bit chaotic but in a way that has its own charm, while also carrying a warm vibe that I really like—it’s a great shop where you could easily sit for an entire afternoon.

Basically, the tables and chairs here are foldable, so it works for one or two people or even a larger group, but I think this shop is better suited for “quiet” vibes.

The bar counter is great for regulars who know the staff, allowing you to chat with them while you eat.

I know nothing about music—when I saw Jake Bugg and the poster, I thought it was some old singer, but after looking it up, I learned it’s a new-generation artist. There’s an electric guitar in the room, so I’m guessing the owner plays guitar pretty well?

Opening the toilet door suddenly reminded me of a song: “Spin, spin, the rainbow lights...”

Finally, the quirkiest part—“a whole row of washing machines,” but don’t be mistaken, these aren’t just decorative props; you can actually do laundry here, either by yourself or by leaving it to the shop.

Only after coming in did I notice there’s a camera—wait, is that also the owner’s hobby? How many hobbies do you have, boss? And which came first for this shop, the laundromat or the café concept?

If you’re a pet lover, this place might be even more fun—the shop dog is named Golden. At first, he seemed a bit shy, but in the end...

He’s just as obsessed with cream as our family’s Pepper... and after eating two bites, he wouldn’t leave my “harbor”...

Ignore him, and he’ll even attack my “harbor”... just like Pepper, haha XD.

Alright, finally, the food, though I’m not even sure if it’s the main focus—this page shows lattes and teas.

This photo shows single-origin coffees, and there are quite a few varieties. I heard that our “Coffee Uncle” master is also a regular here, which shows the coffee must be pretty good.

Want money, want life, want a wife? Even the coffee cups are quirky—enough already =). This latte has a lighter milk flavor, with a stronger balance of coffee aroma and bitterness—delicious！

My friend’s tea—thankfully, the teapot and teacup are both normal...

As for the cake, it seems to be handmade daily, so you only find out what’s available when you’re there. The lemon pie’s crust is on the crispier side with some texture, the lemon acidity is fairly rich with a hint of vanilla-like fragrance and creamy sweetness—pretty tasty！

The cheesecake has a very rich texture. The outer pie crust is slightly "crisp and hard" for my taste, but the cheese inside is wonderfully smooth—I especially love the aroma released when I break through it. It’s a pity that the whipped cream on top could be even better if it were freshly whipped =). However, the lemon slices and what seems to be a fruit jam topping pair nicely together.

Finally, there's a made-to-order dessert that seems to be called DBP. After checking, it turns out to be a chiffon cake, and you can choose between apple or banana (though I think it’s more like a warm apple cake). The most eye-catching part when it’s served is the long strip of green apple peel spiraled over the cake, along with a strong yet delightful egg aroma mingled with cinnamon.

In terms of texture, it actually feels a bit like a moister warm cake. The softness from the dairy in your mouth is spot on, and the cinnamon aroma that wafts through every bite is the highlight. The egg flavor, diced apple sweetness, and even the faint milky sweetness are all excellent. Eating it with vanilla ice cream adds an exciting contrast of hot and cold, which is another highlight. Overall, I loved this dessert—highly recommended.

A friend mentioned that this place also serves a dish originally meant for the staff called “chicken fillet cheese q baked egg curry,” which is also very delicious. I’ll have to try it next time.

Cross nine thousand kilometers and leave it to WASH COFFEE: No. 16, Lane 19, Alley 160, Section 3, Minquan East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City. Phone: 09-7229-9822. Business hours: Tuesday to Sunday, noon to midnight (closed on Mondays).

"Xiao Hu's Dream-Eating Web
If "eating" is just about filling your stomach, then "food" would be far too boring~~~"