Luckily, someone was willing to restore an old family mansion—this retro café in Yilan is full of charm.

Photos & Text / Excerpted from "Yilan: A Wonderful Little Trip – Pocket Eats, Hidden Spots & Stylish Stays" published by Si Kuai Yu

Wooden House is located within the Toucheng Cultural and Creative Park in Toucheng, Yilan. Originally a dormitory for Taiwan Railways employees during the Japanese colonial period, the building was constructed with cypress or cedar wood, featuring an exterior style with a Japanese aesthetic. The Yilan County Government aimed to introduce a creative cultural vibe to the Toucheng area, so it renovated the old railway dormitories, with Wooden House being one of the restored spaces. Initially serving as an exhibition hall for cultural artifacts, it later came under the management of Roger, who moved in his family’s antique treasures, further enhancing the café’s vintage atmosphere.

Roger is the soul of Wooden House. Alongside his wife, he runs this space while often taking visitors on tours of Yilan’s scenic spots. As a local guide and native of the area, he is passionate about sharing the beauty of Yilan with both domestic and international travelers. Just as he took over Wooden House, he believes the old flavors of Yilan should be savored slowly and deeply appreciated.

Vintage dowries, cherished collections, and new-style tea treats
The interior layout of this long dormitory building hasn’t changed much. The wooden-paneled rooms now serve as private nooks where guests can enjoy coffee and chat. The first partition on the right features a set of plastic-covered sofas paired with a long wooden table with a marble top—a favorite spot for guests in their 50s and 60s, as it evokes the feeling of returning to their childhood homes. This set of furniture is both precious and commemorative, as it’s actually Roger’s mother’s dowry. The red lamp on the table is also a vintage find, manufactured by SONY, making it quite rare.



Since it’s an old building, open flames aren’t allowed, so the café only serves cakes, cookies, and various drinks. But don’t underestimate the drinks here—some have unique names and are made with great care. For example, the Honey Lemon Tea may seem like an ordinary beverage, but the honey used is a Yilan specialty, and the lemons are specially selected from Yunlin. The level of thoughtfulness is evident. The desserts are also a highlight of Wooden House. Homemade cookies and brownies are supplied by the well-known Yilan café "Gift Café," while the popular "Handmade Ice Dry" is the owner’s own creative invention. Though pairing cookies with ice cream is common, the quirky name makes it one of the most frequently ordered desserts.

Quirky Teas


On Wooden House’s menu, there’s a drink called "Funny Tea," which, like other intriguingly named beverages, always attracts curious customers who stop by the counter to ask about it. "Funny Tea" is made with tea from Yilan’s Yulan Tea Garden. When selecting the tea, Roger specifically asked the tea farmer to leave the stems on—this was all part of the "quirky" concept, because with stems, it’s funny.

Wooden House

Address: No. 9, Zhan She Xiang, Toucheng Township, Yilan County
Phone: (03) 977-6758
Prices: Italiano Coffee, Funny Tea – NT$100; Handmade Ice Dry – NT$60
Hours: Monday to Friday 11:00–17:30, Saturday to Sunday 10:00–17:30; closed on Wednesdays
Website:www.facebook.com/w.house.cafe