This is so cool—would you dare to eat salad with stinky tofu in it?

Text and photos byAh-mon

A while back, I came to Zhongcheng Street to meet a friend and spotted this restaurant that looked fairly new. It had a modern exterior and seemed to have an abundance of books. When I got home and tried looking it up online, I couldn’t find much info, so I was sure it was newly opened. But a lot of recently opened places in Taichung aren’t that great, which made me a bit wary. Still, curiosity got the better of me, and a few days later I arranged to go with some friends. There’s quite a bit of space in front of the store to park scooters, so you won’t have to stress over finding a parking spot.

Right next to the entrance is a high-top bar counter. If you’re coming alone, you can choose to sit here and enjoy your own time while watching the bustling passersby outside the window.

Aside from the window-side bar stools, there aren’t many tables inside—the venue can probably accommodate around 30 people. The lighting is slightly yellow-toned but still bright. Perhaps because it had just opened, there weren’t many customers—pretty much a private party that day.

I originally thought the book-lined wall was filled with actual books, but it turned out to be a pattern—there weren’t any real books. That design choice isn’t bad at all; it gives diners the illusion of being in a cozy reading nook. In the evening, they also offer wine pairings, and you can choose to sip wine while nibbling on snacks. The wine cabinet requires a password to access, though.

All the ingredients used in the restaurant are displayed, so you can see what you're going to eat. This transparency makes it easier for diners to feel assured, and the selection of dishes is not bad either.

There’s also a large expanse of bright glass that perfectly reflects the bookshelf pattern on the opposite wall—I really love this vibe.

The afternoon tea set is only available between 2–4 PM. Many of the black walls inside the café are actually blackboards adorned with cute drawings and slogans, adding a bit of an American diner feel.

Menu
This is the regular version of the menu, which doesn’t include pictures—just dish names and prices. The categories include mixed salads, desserts, traveler’s private collection, and Chinese flatbread. After choosing, you mark your order and take it to the counter to pay first. In addition to the regular menu, there’s also a super-sized one with beautiful images. Because it’s so big, I had to take several photos in sections—you’ll see as you go.

It seems there’s also a hidden menu—for instance, this limited-time cake of the day was something I only noticed afterward. If I hadn’t already ordered too much, I definitely would’ve added it.

The daily specials change and are posted on the small blackboard at the counter.

Salads
This is the restaurant’s signature dish. Its flavor is very different from typical salads, and it uses a wide variety of greens, plus a specially made dressing. I’m guessing female customers will especially enjoy it.

Chinese Flatbread
These are traditional Chinese flatbreads stuffed with specially prepared fillings and fresh greens—it feels quite unique.

Traveler’s Private Collection
Includes savory pies, baked eggs, and soups. The baked eggs are available in limited quantities and sell out quickly.

Desserts
The most eye-catching item on the far right is the ballet pavlova—I immediately decided to order one to try.

Drinks and Sets
There are two types of sets, A and B. Set A is an additional $80, which includes a $50 drink + today’s soup. Set B is an additional $150, which lets you choose your drink + dessert + soup—so obviously Set B is the better deal. There’s also an afternoon tea set, which includes a small salad + cheesecake + a specialty drink or coffee.

For private room usage, please inquire with the staff if needed.

There’s iced lemon water on the counter that you can help yourself to.

There’s a cardboard box either between tables or in the corners for customers to place their bags—no need to worry about dusty floors dirtying your belongings.

Food is made to order. Except for the baked eggs, which take longer to prepare, the rest come out pretty quickly.

In a corner of the wall, there’s a small table with some seasonings, plates, and napkins for customers to use as needed. There’s also a large plate of crispy toasted bread croutons, which are unlimited.

Today's Soup
My friend only ordered a salad, but since I didn’t have lunch, I went for the flatbread and upgraded to Set B, which came with an extra bowl of Today’s Soup. The soup costs $50 if ordered separately. Today’s was creamy mushroom soup—it was okay, though I’d prefer a stronger mushroom flavor. If you feel the soup is a bit plain, just add some croutons for more texture.

We hadn’t even finished the soup when the table was quickly piled high with food. Let’s take a look at what delicious dishes we ordered today.

Spiced Chicken Flatbread – $160
Flatbreads are common in Chinese breakfast spots, usually wrapped around youtiao (fried dough sticks) or scallion omelets. But here, it’s given a Western twist—like a burger, stuffed with fresh lettuce and tender chicken, drizzled with a sweet-and-sour sauce. It looked amazing. After a few bites, I discovered surprises like beetroot and onions inside—crunchy and tender, adding great layers of texture. The chicken seemed to be pre-fried, as the skin was crispy while the meat stayed juicy. There was plenty of it, with every bite packed with chicken. No exaggeration—it made me rethink flatbreads entirely. This alone would bring me back a second time.

Special Drink
With Set B, you can choose any drink, so naturally, I went for the priciest special drink. Today’s was a mix of orange and pomegranate juice—bright golden with a vivid red hue, a stunning drink. Give it a stir before drinking; it’s sweet, tangy, and delicious. The combination might change daily, but if you see something similar, it’s a must-try.

Taitung Salad – $140
My friend said I eat too much meat and needed something balanced, so I picked this Taitung Salad. The ingredients were surprisingly unique—butterfly pasta, stinky tofu, century egg, avocado, and topped with Parmesan. It reminded me of that famous Taitung spot known for its stinky tofu and pig’s blood soup. Stinky tofu in a salad? Genius. The dressing was a vinegar-based sauce with a hint of spice, probably from the stinky tofu marinade. The pickled radish added a crisp, tangy crunch.

Before eating, mix everything together with a fork—from the bottom up—so the dressing coats the greens evenly. It tastes even better that way. This salad was surprisingly good, exceeding my expectations.

Spanish Baked Eggs – $120
Limited to 10 servings daily, these are made to order. Even before it arrived, the aroma of baking filled the air—absolutely mouthwatering. A thick, golden slice, sprinkled with Italian herbs. It’s about a two-person portion, but it’s surprisingly filling, especially after the flatbread and salad, so we had leftovers that day. When I cut into it, I found melted cheese (I assume) and plenty of potato cubes and mushroom slices. The texture was smooth and layered, with rich egg flavor that made it impossible to stop eating. Must be eaten hot—definitely a recommended dish.

Ballet Pavlova – $90
Another signature dish. It looks like an oversized cream puff, topped with sliced strawberries. Layers of meringue and whipped cream—simple yet elegant. But the surprise comes when you cut into it: a flowing berry sauce bursts out. Such a delight. It’s sweet with a touch of tartness, similar to macarons but softer and denser, with much less sugar. If you can’t finish the other dishes, this one is worth it—and the price is under $100.

Overall
It was a pretty filling meal, and every dish felt unique and delicious. Since I’m not a big fan of raw greens, I’d especially recommend the flatbread, dessert, and baked eggs. But if you love salads, this one will definitely satisfy you. I recommend this place—just my personal take, for what it’s worth.
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Restaurant Name: Passenger 随食旅人
Phone: 04-23103336
Address: No. 109, Zhongcheng St., West District, Taichung City
Price: Minimum spend $100/person, no service charge
Dining Date: August 2014

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阿mon台湾趴趴走~Food, Travel, Photography, Outdoor Shooting
Walking with a camera—casual snaps—unexpected moments.