The retro café inside Lin Department Store — cocorico takes you back to the 1950s

Photos & Text /by

Gui Xiaosun

Walking into this 【cocorico】 gives you a strong sense of being transported back to the 1940s or 50s. Had I not wandered up to the upper floors of 【Lin Department Store】, I wouldn’t have thought of sitting in this shop. The entire fifth floor of 【Lin Department Store】 consists of just two shops. Both the décor and vibe of these two shops match the store itself extremely well. This kind of harmony must be the result of carefully selected aesthetics to fit this five-story building~

I was drawn to this 【cocorico】 just from the outside — the retro windows, tables, and chairs. Even from afar, I could tell it’d be great for photos and for getting lost in thought. So after asking about the minimum spend, the two of us ordered a drink, a small dessert, and an ice cream, then sat here for an hour.

The large windows have no curtains. I love how sunlight streams in from outside. It makes you unconsciously glance out the window, leaning against the wooden frame while spacing out, looking at the bank across the street or the corner of Tainan’s streets.

What caught my eye most inside were the checkered pattern chairs—whether single seats or sofas, each one made me pause and take another look. Or maybe it’s just that everything is so well-matched, including the beautiful floor tiles, those big, generous squares.

Aside from the tables and chairs, the water glasses and kettles on display are all lovely too. I’ve grown more and more fond of the stories behind wood — wooden chairs, wooden tables, wooden cabinets — making every utensil or touch feel warm and full of character~

These timeless pieces that don’t fear the passage of time actually give off a feeling of becoming even more classic and fresh the longer you look at them.

The long counter where you order is another thing I really like. The deep green wooden cabinet paired with its straight vertical grains, plus the slightly yellow-orange lighting, makes the whole counter feel like it’s stepped back forty or fifty years. It’s nothing but retro ambiance.

There’s quite a bit of foot traffic coming in and out, and many people who sit down seem to get as comfy as we did and don’t want to leave either XD

I think people eventually get used to things — used to a certain café, used to a spot for daydreaming or wandering. It’s not necessarily because the food is amazing, the coffee is the best, or the items are particularly interesting. It’s just that the vibe clicks, making it the perfect place to be. I’m used to strolling over to Civic Plaza. When I can’t be bothered with new brunch spots, I’ll go to Tree or Xianmai, or any other usuals. These places feel like they outline my own world, mixing old and new, representing my personality and lifestyle. They’re irreplaceable and inseparable.

The two of us sat on this sofa seat by the window — a space wide enough for four. The first thing that caught my eye was that big, solid wooden table. It must not be light, so it looks very sturdy.

The grain of the table becomes visible when sunlight shines through it, showing the rings and marks of the wood. I love how real the material feels. If I owned a table like this, I’d probably want to curl up here all the time XD

We had a vanilla soft-serve ice cream — the taste was good, though a bit sweet, but still within the range of what I like. Then our dessert arrived, paired with a cute drink. The whole scene started getting saved into our camera and phone memories. On a round wooden plate were three small desserts, resting on lace-like parchment paper. So adorable. To be honest, we played around with this little stack for ages. I guess when you love taking photos, food isn’t just for eating XD

Two classic madeleines, and one scone. In the end, we really fell for the scone. I often eat scones when out, but there aren’t many that truly hit the mark for me. Maybe it’s just personal texture preferences.
I prefer scones that aren’t too soft or moist — a bit hard, a bit crumbly, with a slight biscuit-like chew. Also, I never bother with dips (like blueberry jam or the like).

So the simple original flavor and the grape one were delicious, and that’s all it took to win me over. This 【cocorico】 has totally captured my heart XD. The madeleines were also good, with a very classic texture.

The article took too long to write, so I forgot what this drink was called XD

It seemed to be some kind of mango sparkling drink? But no worries — we both thought it tasted great, the sweetness was just right, and the cups here are all fun and pretty. Topped with a cherry, it really made the drink pop visually.

A simple introduction to this “cocorico.” If you’re heading up to “Lin Department Store” and want a place to rest, make a note of this shop. Great for photos and chilling, it extends the feel of “Lin Department Store.” Come up, sit down, and blend your pace and mood with the atmosphere of “Lin Department Store,” as well as with the stories of Tainan — both past and present.
【cocorico】

Address: 5F, No. 63, Section 2, Zhongyi Rd., West Central District, Tainan CityAuthor of this article: