It’s as if time has been frozen in place—brew a pot of rose tea and enjoy an afternoon steeped in literary charm.

Text & photos /Gui Xiaosun

At the beginning of the month, we came to Kaohsiung because of Mayday—it was our first time bringing our little one here, and also her first concert ever~ ^^ We really liked the hotel we stayed at this time: ‘Jia’s Inn’. A cozy space that’s pleasant from the inside out. The room had a great texture, and the lobby restaurant was even more charming. I always plan ahead, and since it was my first time chasing a Mayday concert, I genuinely thought there’d be no food available on-site. So we found this place, ‘Ban Jiushi’. The name alone caught my attention when I searched it. Actually, Google Maps is super convenient these days—you can zoom in and out to check out nearby food, drinks, and entertainment before searching online.

‘Ban Jiushi Tea House’ is located right between our hotel and Formosa Boulevard Station. It’s a 6-minute walk from our hotel and just a 3-minute walk to Formosa Boulevard Station. Traveling with a friend much older than me has a huge advantage—she volunteers to carry our luggage for us. Could it be because I’ve always told her since she was little that ‘you’re the youngest’? XD She’s a Sagittarius, actually quite energetic and never one to sit still. She dislikes a boring life, and since she doesn’t have any siblings, she’s always excited no matter where we go. This kind of personality really suits us—we’re pretty similar, living life like the wind, enriching it through travel.

We walked to ‘Ban Jiushi Tea House’ and really enjoyed those urban strolling moments... It lets you get to know a city better and deepens the memories in your travels. Those little fragments might actually be the true essence of the city. The entrance of ‘Ban Jiushi Tea House’ is understated but draws you in... I initially wondered if it was a chain teahouse like Chun Shui Tang?! But the atmosphere and food inside make it a place you’d want to revisit again and again.

The lighting in the place isn’t bright—the glow seems to come from those old desk lamps and hanging lamps. The marble tabletops seem to have a long history, and even the menu looks like it’s weathered many seasons. The red cloth cover has pages that are slightly loose from flipping—but I actually quite like this sense of aged charm.

The main meals weren’t available yet because we arrived too early—so we could only order some ‘small bites’ to tide us over for now.

There aren’t many tables in the place, but every corner makes you want to stay a while... Maybe it’s the lighting that makes it especially comfortable, making you want to chat, to open up, to say more without holding back.

There are lots of treasures in the place—teapots and teas, some recognizable, some not, that make you pause. It feels like if you stay a moment longer, the aroma of tea will drift into your nose, leaving a subtle lingering attachment to the place.

Eat well, sleep well—every day is a good day. The older I get, the stronger this belief becomes. In the end, all we really want is just a life like this.

‘Ban Jiushi Tea House’ has a bit more of a literary vibe... It freezes time, transporting you to another world. Between the lines of text, a single sentence can shift your perspective, lifting you out of your usual world. Ponder these words more, and you might find a form of fulfillment beyond material things—priceless and truly eternal.

I absolutely love this food preparation counter—the bowls, dishes, and teapots are all here... And that old desk lamp is like a beacon, illuminating every corner of the cooking station. Even before you smell or see the food, you just know it’s going to be delicious.

We ordered two bowls of Taiwanese vermicelli, and the fragrance of sesame oil wafted over... The flavors were simple, the noodles Q and springy, fresh and tasty. Though the portions were small, they made for great ‘small bites’.

The crystal dumplings and shumai were a hit with the little one. Actually, after ordering these ‘small bites’, I kind of regretted not trying the ‘main meals’. But I’ll also say the prices here aren’t cheap. The cost comes mostly from the teapots of tea, so you can share them to save.

The black sugar cake was a big hit with the girls too. Served hot, it earned even more praise from me. After all, even though it’s not cold in Kaohsiung, this kind of weather still makes you crave something warm.

A cup of rose tea, a pot of Sun Moon Lake black tea—the teaware and cups came with a thermos flask. This was the first time I’d encountered free hot water being provided. How fun. XD My longtime friend loved the homemade cookies, and once she got a plate, she just kept munching away. They seemed nice and flaky.

The tea is really lovely... The beautiful color and the fragrant aftertaste. It’s almost like proof that I’m getting older. XD One afternoon before we set off, I spent some time at this ‘Ban Jiushi Tea House’... It felt very happy. Because of the food, the atmosphere, and the family around me. Happiness is so simple.

★ Ban Jiushi Tea House: No. 71, Zhongzheng 4th Rd., Xinxing District, Kaohsiung  /  07 281 5195
 

[Enjoy life without boredom. By Gui Xiaosun]