A hidden gem of an old-house dessert shop tucked away in an alleyway — featuring new desserts every week

Text & photos byOrange Dog Loves Candy

Recently, a new shopping mall was discovered under construction behind Taichung Railway Station, along with an upcoming Le Méridien hotel. The once bustling central district, once the city’s development hub, has been in decline for a long time but is finally starting to see new signs of commercial revival. Actually, things aren’t too bad right now — though quiet and somewhat desolate, the area still retains many of the old flavors of traditional Taichung, and the people who never left this neighborhood, perhaps continuing their usual pace or simply waiting. But even before the commercial area fully revives, there have already been some quietly delightful shops popping up in the alleys. Last time I introduced [Shun Coffee], and this time while strolling through the central district, I found this charming little spot called 【LADY SASA】 in an alley off Minquan Road near the train station. You’d never notice it unless you walked into Lane 44.

Personally, I have mixed feelings about the overwhelming trend of old-house renovations — sometimes I just want to roll my eyes, but then I’m drawn to beautifully transformed spaces. As for 【LADY SASA】, it’s not entirely an old house — at most, it’s just part of one. But the front entrance creates a very everyday, retro, and naturally lived-in vibe. Its nostalgic feel isn’t forced or artificial. Though at first glance, the entrance made me think it was the doorway to an old hotel, the iron lattice windows and original square bricks all seem authentically preserved.

The interior space is actually quite refined, showing that every bit of space has been used to its fullest. There aren’t many seats, likely to preserve an open, airy feel within the limited area, but the little stools by the window are still charming.

Sitting by the window, enjoying a peaceful and leisurely moment, watching the occasional passerby or cat stroll by through the iron lattice windows.The furniture and decor of the whole shop are primarily warm wood tones, fitting well with the atmosphere of desserts and coffee.

The kitchen where the desserts are made is located inside the counter area, but due to limited space, the equipment is also limited. As a result, they mostly offer simple handmade desserts, with not many items on the menu, but the flavors are still quite good. On the day I visited, it might have been because not many people knew about it and it wasn’t easy to find, so I sat there until almost closing time without seeing anyone else.

There are four types of desserts here — three regular items and one daily special. The prices are fairly reasonable for a café. As for drinks, the prices aren’t expensive either, with both coffee and tea options. For around 150 NT per person, you can enjoy an afternoon tea and kill some time. The dessert portions are small, but there are combo discounts if you order a drink with a dessert, making it suitable for a casual chat or post-meal sit-down. (However, the fan page announces different weekly special desserts — such as chocolate mousse brownies or matcha chiffon cakes.)

【Fresh Apple Pound Cake / 65 NT】
Actually, its appearance is quite ordinary, and the plating style is only modestly delicate, not exactly stunning, but the taste is a bit of a pleasant surprise. I wouldn’t say it’s mind-blowingly delicious, but it’s definitely a tasty handmade dessert.

Although pound cake is usually dense, this one has a touch of smooth creaminess. The caramelized apples are flavorful and fragrant, and the caramel drizzle adds sweetness, while the chew also reveals a hint of mild fruit acidity — a very likable dessert.

【Marble Pound Cake / 65 NT】
It’s sweet chocolate flavor rather than bitter, but the sweetness is moderately controlled. Like the previous one, it’s a pound cake, but the texture of this marble version isn’t as dense as the first one — slightly looser. The chocolate sauce and whipped cream make up for its slightly dry mouthfeel, and overall it’s still pretty good.

【Hot Latte / 70 NT】
Instead of a latte art, the top is decorated with a cat design using cocoa powder — actually quite cute. Just the coffee itself is a bit too hot, with a heavier milk ratio, but the price is reasonable.

The cat design makes me guess the owner must be a cat lover, though I didn’t see any cats wandering around the shop. However, the sign at the entrance clearly states that only customers with cats are welcome — dogs are not allowed T_T

【Iced Black Tea / 50 NT】
A simple basic drink, but the black tea flavor is a bit weak, maybe because there were too many ice cubes that melted.

To sum up, two drinks and two desserts came to a total of 220 NT. The coffee drinks were decent, but the desserts were quite enjoyable. The combo discount prices are not expensive either. Though it’s not as varied as a specialty dessert shop, the offerings are refined and delicious, and today’s apple pound cake had its own appealing charm. However, business hours are short, only until 6 PM. Later I found out their fan page introduces a different special dessert each week, which is a fun way to keep things fresh. Although the central district isn’t as lively as Xitun or Qianmei areas, it has more local character and a relaxed lifestyle vibe. If you have time, take a walk through the nearby alleys — you might discover long-standing old shops or great cafés and desserts.

◎ Featured Shop: [LADY SASA Handmade Desserts, Home-style Light Meals, Minquan Road │ Central District]
◎ Address: No. 1, Lane 44, Minquan Road, Central District, Taichung City
◎ Phone: None
◎ Business Hours: Wed–Fri 2:30 PM–6:00 PM (Weekends until 7:00 PM)
◎ Note: No reservations accepted; for business hours and weekly desserts, please inquire directlyShop Fan Page

Orange Dog Loves Candy Blog　Orange Dog Loves Candy FB Fan Page