Taipei Yongkang Street Cafés — You Can Choose Your Favorite Latte Art!

Text & Photos /Xiao Hu’s Dream-Eating Web

Speaking of Yongkang Street, a shopping district that’s seeing more and more tourists, people often ask me where to sit and relax after a stroll or some shopping. The place needs to have a nice atmosphere, reasonable prices, delicious food, and preferably not too tacky decor... I’m often asked this question... Usually, aside from my favorite spot, the place I most frequently recommend is “TOGTHER.” Aside from the usual reasons, the name is also a highlight—catchy and likable, XXD.

Walking along Yongkang Street from the MRT station, once you pass Yongkang Park, you’ve probably been drawn in by this casually stylish restaurant—at least I have, and not just once. Aside from the plants at the entrance, the interior decor shows that the owner has put quite a bit of thought into it.

Whether it’s the wooden tables and chairs with a cute, relaxed vibe just outside the entrance, the teddy bears, or the wall clocks, they all make you want to sit down, even if just for a second or two.

The decor inside and out is just as charming as the original branch in the building next door on the alleyway—I find it so likable and comfortable, almost making me want to linger here for the whole afternoon.

One of my favorite things might be this TV with its whoosh-whoosh little door, which looks almost exactly like the first TV I had at home. It suddenly makes me want to cover it with a little red velvet cover and then place a Tatung baby on top...

It’s just past the afternoon dining hours, and on a regular weekday, there aren’t too many people, which gives the overall dining atmosphere a rare sense of tranquility in addition to its usual leisurely feel.

On the counter beside the tables are the shop’s various signature macarons, a great choice for many regulars to take home as gifts.

There are also some other desserts, not too many but each unique in its own way.

The menu comes in a wooden box, like opening a fairytale storybook full of mystery.

To be honest, the dishes here aren’t anything particularly out of the ordinary—the usual stuff you’d find at any restaurant is here, and the unusual items you won’t find elsewhere are also missing... XD. But the prices are reasonable for Yongkang Street.

Another section is pretty much a drinks menu, which feels like it has almost more options than the food itself, XD.

If you’re a tea lover, you might want to pick up the teapot and smell it before ordering. You can also ask the staff for recommendations.

One standout is the cafe’s well-regarded latte, which comes with a variety of latte art options you can choose from.

The latte art and milk foam here are fairly thick with a hint of caramel flavor. Even without the foam, the coffee itself tastes pretty good—suitable for after meals or as a standalone drink.

The ice cubes in the iced coffee are also quite thoughtfully done, and the cooling effect is much better than your average iced coffee, especially delightful on a summer afternoon.

The peach rose sparkling drink features lighting beneath it, which is a major visual highlight. The slightly rose-scented sparkling water is both thirst-quenching and beautiful.

The passion fruit sorbet is less sour than I expected, with a faint lingering sweetness instead. The sorbet is quite fine and melts in your mouth—I personally really like it.

The pumpkin soup isn’t thick and heavy but is very smooth. The simple sweet flavor of pumpkin carries a faint hint of creamy aroma. The tomato beef soup doesn’t have the metallic taste I dislike in canned products, and though the acidity is slightly on the stronger side, it brings out the umami of the beef. The natural sweetness of the onions blends in nicely without feeling out of place—I love this bowl, and it even comes with a small piece of bread.

The chicken Caesar salad is sprinkled with quite a bit of cheese. Overall, it’s a relatively simple salad with clean flavors and not much sauce to get in the way. The crispy croutons add not only texture but also a pleasant hint of oily fragrance.

The vanilla chicken brick pie is one of TOGTHER’s popular light meals. Along with the two brick pies, there’s also a small portion of tuna salad.

I’ve had brick pies before, but not here—and I was genuinely impressed. Perhaps it’s the sauce in the middle, but the first bite reminded me of Keelung’s charcoal-grilled sandwiches. The outer bread is crispy yet slightly tender without being too hard, even when cooled. The cucumber, cheese, and chicken inside have great flavor and texture layering.

The brick pie is delicious, and the small side of tuna salad is also quite tasty, leaving me wanting more XD.

The seafood lasagna comes out with an overwhelming aroma of melted cheese, and the golden-brown color is also very appealing.

At first I thought it was salmon, but it turned out to be the pink lasagna sheets. Though the flavor wasn’t particularly special, the slightly chewy yet soft lasagna sheets are quite likable. The white sauce has a modest creaminess that adds to its enjoyable taste. The seafood ingredients are also quite generous. This portion is just about right for those with smaller appetites, XD.

The wild mushroom pine nut smoked chicken risotto starts with a milky flavor that’s not as heavy as expected, followed by the aroma of toasted pine nuts. The chew reveals the sweetness of the mushrooms, and I also quite like the texture of the slightly firm rice.

Next up is what’s said to be another of the shop’s signature afternoon teas (savory option), or an American-style snack that also goes well with drinks. When I first heard “fried cheese sticks,” I thought, what’s so special? They’re probably all the same—but when they arrived, I was genuinely surprised. The cheese sticks on a swing are just too cute, XD.

The crispy, flaky crust hides stretchy cheese that's insanely satisfying (laughs). The outer layer has a pleasantly savory hint of salt that's really delicious—even though it's pretty much what you'd expect.

The presentation and garnish of the onion rings are also quite fun. Aside from being hung like on a coat rack, the onion rings come with three dipping sauces: tomato, tartar, and honey mustard. The onion ring coating has a delightful crispness with a seasoning akin to pepper salt. Since they're hung, each ring maintains the same level of crunch when you bite into it, avoiding the sogginess that can happen if left out too long.

Honey toast used to be Taipei’s hottest afternoon tea dessert, but as the trend faded, finding it nowadays isn’t easy. Yet Together’s honey toast isn’t just a signature item—it’s also managed to survive, which is impressive (laughs).

Seriously, this honey toast is huge... even two people would struggle to finish it. The outer toast is fried to a crispy, flaky perfection with a slight sugary crunch, yet it’s not overly greasy. Before you know it, you’ve polished off two or three slices—dipped in strawberry jam, whipped cream, or ice cream. It’s oddly heartwarming to still be able to enjoy this indulgent afternoon tea treat XXD.

Kids dining at the shop might even get a handmade balloon from the owner!!

TOGETHER

Address: No. 31-6, Yongkang Street, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02 2393 3628
Business Hours: 11:00–21:30

"Xiao Hu’s Dream Food Blog
If 'eating' is just about filling your stomach, then 'food' would be far too boring~~~"