Prefer ambiguity or purity? Every cake at HowToTrip’s Xiaogeng Dessert in Taichung is bursting with clever wordplay.

▲ The cakes at Xiaogeng aren’t just varied in shape—their names are uniquely charming too.

Text and photos by 95 Evil Wife

Located behind Taichung’s Guang San Sogo, Xiaogeng Dessert Café not only has the word “gag” in its name, but also serves desserts with hilariously creative titles. Coupled with its chic and adorable ambiance, it’s become a go-to spot for office ladies and female college students to hang out and enjoy afternoon tea.

▲ Inside the café, you’ll spot many dog-themed decorations.

At the entrance of Xiaogeng, you’ll see a wooden doghouse—it was built by the dog-loving owner for the café’s resident Shiba Inus. Thanks to these pups, the place is named “Xiaogeng” (meaning “little stump,” a nod to the breed). Throughout the café, you’ll find Shiba Inu-inspired elements everywhere, radiating the owner’s warmth and love for pets.

The interior is dominated by white tones paired with wooden materials. The first floor features an elevated dining area and a spiral staircase leading to the second floor. Upstairs, you’ll find a semi-open kitchen and a balcony, creating a bright, lively, and relaxed vibe.

▲ Though compact, the dining area exudes a cozy atmosphere.

Xiaogeng offers over ten types of cakes and desserts. Alongside classics like blueberry tarts and caramel pound cakes, what makes them special are their delightfully quirky names.

Take “2F Balcony,” made with pistachio crumbs, white peaches, and kumquats; or “Affected,” crafted from blackcurrant white cheese, chestnut filling, and white wine jelly. There are also names like Ambiguous, Greedy, Pure, and Puzzling—each utterly unexpected. To help customers order, the menu even includes illustrations of each cake along with their ingredients.

▲ A variety of cakes are displayed in the fridge for customers to choose from.

For this review, 95 Evil Wife and a friend tried the Affected cake, a lemon tart, and a weekend-only chestnut cake roll. They found that Xiaogeng skillfully uses high-quality ingredients to create unique flavors in each dessert. You can enjoy the taste of the base ingredients, while the combinations with other elements add layered complexity.

▲ The Affected cake has richly stacked fillings, offering a complex flavor profile.

As for texture, the cakes are finely crafted, with every detail—from whipped cream to cheese to crust—executed with care. The chestnut cake roll, in particular, features halves of real chestnuts paired with vanilla custard whipped cream and honey cake. Moist, smooth, and bursting with chestnut aroma, it’s a perfect autumn dessert that’s hard to stop eating.

▲ The chestnut-filled cake roll (left) is a limited weekend-only item.

According to her friend, besides the weekend-exclusive chestnut cake roll, there are also limited-time mille-feuille and a small batch of soufflé cakes—both worth trying. And if you visit often enough, you might even spot the café’s signature Shiba Inus making an appearance.

Xiaogeng Dessert Café
Address: No. 52, Mingyi St., West District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-2319-8852
Hours: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM, closed on Mondays
Pricing: Minimum spend per person is NT$150; cakes around NT$80–220, drinks around NT$100–180.