The Starbucks Wind Lion God Mug in Kinmen is super popular — you might not be able to get one even if you want to.

Text and photos by /Orange Dog Loves Candy

I’ve never quite understood why Taiwanese people have such a passionate obsession with Starbucks over the years, but I can only admire how Uni-President Enterprises has truly built up its brand value, keeping that enthusiasm alive. Whether it’s the long queues during every buy-one-get-one-free promotion or the cheers whenever someone offers to treat others to Starbucks, the STRBUCKS brand is practically an evergreen fashion trend in Taiwan. People even go as far as queuing up overseas to grab city-themed souvenir cups for friends. Recently, I had the chance to visit Alibaba in Hangzhou, and even there, the Starbucks was packed.

During this two-day, one-night trip to Kinmen, the scorching heat was unbearable. As we passed by the Kinmen Wind Lion God Duty-Free Shopping Mall, we heard there was a newly opened Starbucks branch, so we stopped by to cool off and grab some air conditioning—and to find a city cup for a friend, of course.

Speaking of Jinhu Township, at the address 【No. 1 Zhongxing Road, Jinhu Township】, there’s a colorful building that looks like something out of Copenhagen. It’s a bit of a detour, but you can check out the row of colorful houses along the riverbank first before heading to Starbucks for a break.

But I’d never been inside the Wind Lion God Duty-Free Shopping Mall either. The Starbucks is located in a pretty visible spot though. This branch is probably the only one among Taiwan’s outlying islands. I heard there was quite a line when it first opened. But sitting on those two rows of chairs under the blazing sun doesn’t exactly inspire anyone to enjoy a leisurely coffee while sweating.

Plus, we visited on a weekday. Even though Kinmen is now a popular tourist destination, the area around the shopping mall was pretty empty. However, I’ve heard this development project is planned to become a fairly large theme park, so its future looks promising. Inside, the space is designed with very high ceilings. There are large floor-to-ceiling windows and a wooden exterior that create a bright, relaxing vibe.

The air conditioning inside is super strong, forming a stark contrast with the scorching heat outside, instantly killing any desire to venture back outdoors.

But almost all the space outside the store is given to this, the first Starbucks on the outlying island, so there’s plenty of room and seating.

However, the interior feels a bit cramped, but it still has the familiar layout, with shelves displaying coffee beans and mugs.

My friend came specifically for the Wind Lion God mug, but predictably, they were all sold out—even the postcards were gone.

According to the news, someone spent NT$20,000 in one go to buy 56 sets of mugs. No wonder we could only sigh at the empty shelves. There were still some Wind Lion God-themed tumblers on the shelves, though, but they didn’t seem to attract much attention.

And what’s most unique about this branch is probably the backdrop behind the counter—it features a painting style using oil brushwork on the original cedar wood wall.

It depicts unique local life imagery from Kinmen, adding a touch of retro charm. As for pricing, it’s neither particularly cheap nor expensive here—staying true to Starbucks’ usual premium branding.

That day, we just casually ordered a few drinks. I was just there for the atmosphere, really, so I borrowed a moment to take some photos. I think Starbucks has pretty much become a kind of 7-Eleven-style landmark symbol in Taiwan—even though it’s an American brand.

======================================================
I’m not particularly a fan of their coffee, but Frappuccinos are occasionally a good choice for cooling off—when there’s a buy-one-get-one-free deal or someone else is paying, haha.
Otherwise, with their prices going up year after year, I’d rather spend the money at a regular café for better coffee.
This little piece is probably just a random insert in my Kinmen travelogue—a casual note about a landmark shop. If you’re traveling to Kinmen and looking for a place to cool off, you might as well swing by Starbucks. Of course, if you want a light bite or a coffee, it’s at least a familiar and solid choice. But the place is so quiet and comfy, it’s easy to sit down and never want to leave—or fall asleep, haha. As for scoring a city cup? All I can say is, you’ll need the luck of a lifetime. Oh, and the mall also has a cinema, so you could easily spend the whole day here shopping and relaxing.
◎ Shop Introduction: [Starbucks / STARBUCKS Kinmen Wind Lion God Branch, Zhongshan Road │ Jinhu Township]

======================================================

◎ Address: No. 8-8, Zhongshan Road, Jinhu Township, Kinmen County