Chinese, Western, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean—exotic fusion cuisines that attract food enthusiasts

Text & Photos /Mika’s Foodie Travel Journal

This SHOW ME J Playful Kitchen is truly unique. First, it’s located in a quiet residential alley in Dazhi, not easy to find. Second, most of the ingredients are imported from Japan, and they taste just as good as they would in Japan. Plus, the owner’s cooking skills are outstanding, so all these factors together make SHOW ME J Playful Kitchen a magnet for food lovers, even in a residential area—especially repeat customers.

The name “Playful Kitchen” is quite clever. Food itself is a form of art, and the ingredients used in the creative process determine the dish. Ordinary ingredients can be transformed into delicious creations by the chef’s skilled hands—it’s almost like magic, haha！

The owner is described as a cheerful and confident young woman.
  

The minimalist black-and-white interior is stylish, accented by colorful chairs that add vibrancy. Upon entering, you’re warmly welcomed, making it feel as cozy as a friend’s home.
 

I really love their design—casual, natural, yet fashionable.

SHOW ME J Playful Kitchen doesn’t cut corners with ingredients—they even use peaches from Wakayama, Japan, for their cakes. That’s pretty high-end.

(Source: Xiaohu’s Dream Food Blog)

The prices are actually not cheap, though. Because the ingredients are premium, the costs naturally stay high, making it suitable for those who appreciate fine dining and are willing to splurge.
 

Wakayama Peach Cake
We approached this high-end Wakayama peach cake with almost a pilgrimage mindset. The sweet aroma, juicy texture, and slight crispness of the peaches were truly impressive, and the butter is also imported from Japan. As you probably know, Japanese butter is incredibly delicious—soft, smooth, melts in your mouth, and has a sweet richness without being cloying. The combination is simply perfect.
 

Kyoto Matcha Chestnut
This soft and smooth cake roll is sweet but not overwhelming, and the sweetness is at a level I can enjoy. It’s topped with a single chestnut. The pure matcha aroma is unmistakably Japanese. Matcha lovers will definitely adore this.
 

Taro Paste Cake
Taro paste cake isn’t rare, but theirs is mixed with imported Japanese butter, which significantly enhances the aroma and flavor. The rich taro scent blends beautifully with the smooth, light butter—how could someone like me, a taro fanatic, resist?

Chocolate Tequila
With nearly 72% cocoa purity, this chocolate is intensely rich, bittersweet, and carries a hint of alcohol. I’m not usually a chocolate fan, but this one is so bold it’s intoxicating.

Yuzu Chiffon Cake
This chiffon cake has a strong yuzu fragrance. The taste seems to come from Korea’s pickled yuzu, with a similar aroma—soft, fluffy, and fragrant, with a light and refreshing texture.

French Chocolate & Sesame Biscuits
These handmade biscuits aren’t perfectly shaped, but their slightly imperfect look feels honest. The chocolate is moist and rich, hitting your palate with an intense burst. The sesame is equally bold—once you take a bite, your whole mouth and even your head will be filled with sesame flavor. It’s probably close to 100% purity. These biscuits are incredibly memorable, moist, and smooth.

Earl Grey Tea
This tea has a stronger milk flavor than tea, super creamy and aromatic.

Mixed Fruit Juice
This is all freshly squeezed juice—super fresh.

This uniquely styled SHOW ME J Playful Kitchen serves a variety of fusion dishes from China, the West, Italy, France, Japan, and Korea. For the owner, “playful” knows no limits or borders—she experiments with everything, sells everything, and nothing feels out of place. As long as the combination is delicious and visually appealing, it’s a successful playful dish. Fans of refined cuisine will likely love this place ^^

SHOW ME J Playful Kitchen
Address: 1F, No. 19, Lane 475, Mingshui Road, Taipei City

Phone: 02-85093667
Hours: Closed on Mondays
Tuesday–Friday 10:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM
Closed on the first Thursday of every month (Volunteer Day)

Traveling is to return to where you came from with deeper insight.
MIKA’s Travel Food Diary