With faces all aglow, the popular egg pancakes at Chen Gen’s Tea Spot near World Trade Station waft tempting, crispy aromas.

Photos and text byXiao Hu’s Dream-Eating Blog

I used to really dislike searching for food around Zhuangjing Road and Wuxing Street because, as someone who relies on the MRT, having to transfer to a bus was such a hassle. But ever since the Xinyi Line opened, it feels like all the great eats in that area have finally come to light. Isn’t that right?

I can’t remember who first told me about Chen Gen’s Tea Spot, but at least seven or eight people have mentioned it to me—especially when the topic turns to egg pancakes. That day, I went with the mindset that I might have to wait a long time or even not get any at all. Sure enough, there was a crowd packed at the entrance, unable to get in. After asking around, luckily, the wait was only about ten minutes.


From the moment we walked in until we left, I never saw fewer than three egg pancakes on the griddle. Counting them up, this tiny shop actually employs five or six staff members—that’s just what you can see from the outside. You can tell how popular it is; business is booming big time.


Yeah, yeah—the place was packed with diners. Actually, the turnover rate at this breakfast spot is pretty fast, but no matter how quick it is, it can’t keep up with the constant stream of customers pouring in.

There’s a nice fabric painting on the wall. I used the boredom after ordering to kill some time admiring it.


After checking the menu, I decided to get one egg pancake and one French toast. Some say the prices are steep, but I thought they were okay—just a little more expensive than your average breakfast joint. But hey, the most important thing is that the food tastes good.


The egg pancake arrived looking like it had a “red, red, red” (crispy, golden) complexion. And indeed, it was dry and crispy, with a really nice smoky aroma and the flavor of the pancake itself. There was almost no grease, which I think is a key reason for its popularity—nowadays, people are trying to eat less oil.

There was a layer of egg inside that was also cooked a bit dry and with very little oil, plus a slice of ham that finally had some oil on it (lol). Was it tasty? To be honest, it was pretty good, but for someone like me who loves oily food, it was honestly a bit too dry. Even though it was really refreshing, even You—afraid of greasy food—admitted it was a bit dry.

The French toast was really Taiwan-ized. The bread was dipped in egg mixture, which added more egg flavor and made it more moist. The fried egg skin on top had a slightly tangy, fragrant crispness that was pretty good on its own—but it was a far cry from the soft and tender texture of real French toast...


In the middle, there was pork floss and mayonnaise, very reminiscent of the sandwiches my family used to make when I was a kid. The taste was very similar too. It’s not about whether it’s good or bad—it just brings back memories.


Also, this French toast had a somewhat dry texture as well. Without a drink, I don’t think I could have finished it...


For drinks, we ordered an almond milk tea and a sesame milk tea.


Each costs 40 NT. If you’re comparing it to a regular burger joint breakfast, it’s definitely a bit more expensive. But to be honest, their drinks are way better than those mystery-ingredient milk teas (though I do drink those mystery ones often too...).


The sesame milk tea was good—the sesame flavor was present and smooth, and you could taste the sesame bits right down to the last sip. But compared to the one I had at “Yuanli Hao Ka YoursCafe” in Yuanli, there was still quite a gap. Though the price difference between the two is more than double.


The almond milk tea had a light, floating almond aroma. The tea’s fragrance stood out more than the sesame one did, and it had a smooth, warm taste—pretty nice. Overall, whether it’s the egg pancakes, French toast, or the drinks, they’re all pretty tasty. At the very least, they feel healthier (compared to something like Mei-X-Mei breakfasts). As for the price, I guess that depends on everyone’s values.



[Chen Gen’s Tea Spot]

Address:No. 7, Lane 391, Zhuangjing Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Contact Number:02 2725 3696
Business Hours:Monday to Friday 6:00–12:30; Saturday to Sunday 6:30–13:00
Xiao Hu’s Dream-Eating Blog
If “eating” is just about filling your stomach, then “food” is just way too boring~~~