Authentic Singaporean cuisine at “Black Dog Café” — the owner used to be a sailor on ships!

Text & Photos /Shadow

I still remember the summer of 2011, when there was a vibrant orange food truck tucked away in an alley on Kunming Street in Qianzhen. That was where Black Dog Café first began, and its striking appearance became a defining trait of the shop. At the time, the dining setup was outdoors. We came across a news report by chance, visited the place for a meal, and got to know the owner. The boss had a little mustache, so we nicknamed him the “eccentric boss.” Many a night, under the stars and moon, we would enjoy Southeast Asian dishes cooked by his hands — truly beautiful memories. However, due to weather-related challenges at that location, business hours were shortened, so by the end of 2012, the café relocated to HeXi Road in Yancheng District, significantly expanding in size. The orange truck remained, still parked at the front entrance to attract customers.

Even after moving to HeXi Road, the menu didn’t change much. It still featured Southeast Asian dishes like bak kut teh and oden, along with our favorite fried instant noodles. Additionally, new Singaporean dishes were introduced. Speaking of Singaporean food, I have to mention our connection with the boss. In the early days, he worked as a sailor and traveled frequently by ship, which gave him the opportunity to explore local cuisines. After returning to Taiwan, he brought Singaporean flavors to his friends in Kaohsiung. We all still remember the boss’s signature chili sauce, which was originally served as a dip for oden — a sweet yet spicy flavor we called “comfortably spicy.”

In July 2014, the shop moved again, this time to Gushan District. Actually, we stumbled upon it by chance and found out Black Dog Café had relocated once more. The space was now several times larger than before. The location used to be a warehouse, with minimal renovations. Most of the decor from the HeXi Road branch was carried over to the new spot. With the increased space, there was more room for creativity. Though it serves Singaporean cuisine, the design leans more toward a retro vibe.

Back in the day, TVs with big, clunky exteriors were something only the wealthy could afford. As technology evolved and TVs became slimmer, these old models with sliding doors and frames have become quite precious. Paired with a vintage Vespa motorcycle, it really feels like stepping back into the 1950s.

I recall that the origin of Black Dog Café is tied to Taiwan’s native dogs. So how did the “black dog” from the original shop turn into a Labrador? The dog is actually well-behaved. At least when we were waiting for our table, it didn’t bark even as we walked around it. However, during the meal, perhaps upset by other guests, we did hear it bark a few times.

The photo only captured half of the dining area. When we first walked in, we were startled by the bustling atmosphere — it was several times bigger than the previous location. Who would’ve thought business was so good even on weekdays? We’re really happy for the boss. There’s no air conditioning inside, but there are plenty of electric fans and exhaust fans. With the cooler weather and good ventilation, it didn’t feel hot at all. The only downside is that it gets quite noisy, so you really have to raise your voice to talk.

They’ve added a new ordering menu, and the dishes are also different from before. The bak kut teh oden is gone, replaced by some Southeast Asian staples and drinks. Prices for the dishes are around 100 NT dollars, making them affordable for students. It’s a self-service ordering system — pick what you want, then head to the counter to order and pay.

That day we ordered three items. In addition to revisiting the fried instant noodles, we also had stir-fried radish cake and curry laksa pasta. The total came to 310 NT dollars.

Stir-fried radish cake – 70 NT

The fragrant radish cake, mixed with egg and preserved radish, has a popular flavor that many love.

What was once an unassuming radish cake shines even brighter when stir-fried with other ingredients and spices — this dish comes highly recommended.

Fried instant noodles – 70 NT

The first time I tasted the boss’s fried noodles, I was drawn in by the delicious sauce. The unique flavor combined with the noodles was incredibly appetizing. Back then, this dish was somewhat of a hidden gem, but now it’s become a fan favorite. Compared to when the shop first opened, the current version has a bit more sauce, making the noodles moister rather than the dry, flavorful style of before.

Laksa pasta in a pot – 130 NT

We had originally wanted to order Hainanese chicken rice, but it was sold out, so we opted for the laksa pasta in a pot instead. When it arrived, we were surprised — especially by the thick, wide pasta, which felt like it could serve two people.

Laksa is a common dish in Malaysia and Singapore, often used as a soup base for noodles. It’s made by simmering various ingredients and spices. Here, you can choose between spicy and non-spicy — we went with mild spice.

The pasta has a texture similar to tofu skin — coarse yet able to soak up the broth. But the portion was just too big; we couldn’t finish it. The broth had a coconut milk flavor, which took us a while to get used to in this unique style of laksa pasta.

We’ve witnessed the evolution of Black Dog Café. Although the small shop where we used to chat with the boss is no longer around, it’s been replaced by a place where more people can enjoy Singaporean cuisine — and that’s something truly heartwarming. The image of the eccentric boss cooking away in his tiny kitchen will forever remain etched in our memories. In the lively Gushan District, aside from enjoying giant bowls of shaved ice, there’s now another must-visit eatery. Friends visiting from out of town, if you get the chance, don’t miss this spot — come see the Black Dog Café, personally founded by the eccentric boss, and recommend it to your friends too.

[Food Review] Black Dog Café – Celebrating Its New Home

Address: No. 23, Binhai 1st Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City

Phone: 07-5316531

Business Hours: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Reservation Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Closed on Mondays

Notes: Minimum spend of 100 NT per person, pets allowed

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