Spanish restaurant style meets interactive art — a Taichung café that will make you “smile”

Reported by You T-Ru / Taichung

A blend of Spanish cooking techniques and local Taiwanese flavors creates a brand-new vibe in Taichung. Near the Museum of Contemporary Art Taichung (MCAT), there’s a small eatery designed with a Spanish aesthetic, offering a style distinct from traditional Taiwanese-Western fusion cuisine. “Openness” is one of its defining features. Here, you can also enjoy excellent authentic Spanish dishes.


▲ Coffee-making appearance.

“Making Coffee”Since it’s called “Making,” handmade food is a must. The reporter stepped into Making Coffee in the evening, where the single-floor café on the second level was already packed. As the sky darkened, more people began to pour in. The spacious balcony combined with the indoor area featuring floor-to-ceiling windows made the slightly hot summer nights in Taichung feel just right, as laughter and conversation mingled with the clinking of glasses, dissipating the heat.

The café’s name in Spanish is “Hecho,” which sounds like the Taiwanese phrase “will smile.” This smile-inducing café was created by Chang Kai-Hsun, who returned from studying in Spain. He gave a simple makeover to his relative’s old house, choosing not to open on the first floor like most restaurants but instead inviting guests to climb one floor up for a meal. “At first, people weren’t optimistic, but I had my own vision for the style,” he said. On the second floor, floor-to-ceiling glass separates the indoor and outdoor spaces, with a large open balcony outside. “This is the Spanish atmosphere — eating happily without worrying about noise levels.” A relaxed, comfortable space that encourages laughter is exactly why “Making Coffee” makes you smile.


▲ Spacious balcony combined with an indoor area featuring floor-to-ceiling windows.

Signature drinks“Making Juice”The bartender, once employed at various well-known chain tea drink shops, uses fresh seasonal fruits with milk as the base, adjusting flavors according to the season. It’s the café’s famous signature drink. As for the Spanish paella, after testing, they chose long-grain Thai rice, cooking it to retain a firm center — soft yet slightly chewy, with fully infused flavors that deliver a satisfying seafood richness, making it truly memorable and suited to Taiwanese palates.

Another key feature of Making Coffee is its decision to skip long pasta altogether, using only penne. Chang Kai-Hsun believes penne best captures the aroma of pasta perfectly blended with sauce and allows for easy sharing with friends. “Many customers who didn’t used to eat penne eventually came around to trying it.” The simple desire to bring joy and encourage sharing is easy — just a little change from other cafés can do the trick.


▲%The illustration shows a bold and eye-catching design.


It’s worth mentioning that a bull can be seen on the staircase between the first and second floors, while the second floor features a matador waving a red cloth to provoke the bull. This is part of a special installation by Chang Kai-Hsun in collaboration with the Summer Green Circle Art Festival. The bright red scarves fluttering in the wind exude a unique festive vibe and Spanish flair, making people can’t help but smile.

%Feature: The café collaborates with artists and is highly artistic.
 

Making Coffee
Address: 2F, No. 22, Lane 133, Section 1, Meicun Rd., West District, Taichung City (inside the alley next to Chaoju Boulevard)
Phone: 04 2326 0423
Website:https://www.facebook.com/hecho2013?fref=photo
Business Hours: Monday 10:30 – 22:30; Wednesday – Sunday 10:30 – 22:30