Old Chai Café: A Coffee Journey to the "Starting Point of Stories"

▲ Café counter and Astoria Italian coffee machine.

Text & Photos /Maji Bear

In the old days, this area was a key passageway between Sanchaoyong (now Xinzhuang District’s Sanxia District) and Fengguidian (now Shulin District), thanks to three peach trees growing nearby, it was called "Peach Tree Foot" by locals.

In recent years, with local development, the area has become commonly known as the "Beitou Special District," administratively part of Nanyuan Li in Shulin District, New Taipei City. The name "Peach Tree Foot" has faded from common use. Fortunately, as the area prospered, a new school was established to meet residents' needs. Following local suggestions, the elementary school was named "Peach Tree Foot Elementary School," with nearby "Peach Tree Foot Road" serving as evidence.

Today’s Beitou Special District boasts wide boulevards and towering residential buildings, a thoroughly modern community. Yet Old Chai Café is located here, choosing a quiet alley over busy streets to maintain its tranquil charm.


▲ Old Chai Café slogan: "The story begins here..."

I visited on a pleasant afternoon—not a completely clear sky, but certainly the kind of weather that makes you want to curl up in a café and never leave.


▲ Simply decorated coffee space.

The café’s decor isn’t overly elaborate or minimalist, yet every corner reveals the designer’s thoughtful touches.


▲ Warm-toned wooden tables and chairs paired with cool stainless steel sugar jars.

The café’s interiors feature warm wooden elements, but the tables hold sleek stainless steel sugar jars with a cooler tone. The mirrored stainless steel reflects the surroundings, subtly integrating the environment into the décor—an unassuming yet ingenious design.


▲ Sun-dried Yirgacheffe Amaro Gayo.

I ordered a sun-dried Yirgacheffe from Ethiopia’s Amaro Gayo. At first sip, it offered a sweet, fruity flavor with subtle acidity. The mid-palate was rich, with a slight fermentation note characteristic of sun-dried beans.

The menu doesn’t list fixed single-origin coffees; instead, the staff recommends options based on the latest roasts, ensuring freshness and tailoring choices to customer preferences.


▲ Interior of Old Chai Café.
Beyond single-origin coffees, Italian-style brews are also a highlight. The café uses an Astoria espresso machine, hand-brews single-origin coffee with a beloved Hario grinder. Beyond coffee, the light bites are also highly praised.

While sipping my Amaro Gayo, I couldn’t help but eye the pancakes on the table of a female university student nearby. But after the New Year, I’d been gaining weight, so I had to suppress the urge to blurt out, “I’ll have the same!” Instead, I watched them enjoy their meal, silently lamenting, “Should’ve been stricter with myself during the holidays…”

▲ Tatami seating area at Old Chai Café.

The tatami seating area has a magical transformation—every weekend, it becomes a small stage. Old Chai Café hosts performances here on Saturdays and Sundays, with Saturday themed as a “folk song café.” A folk song café~~~how nostalgic.


▲ Minimalist yet striking business card of Old Chai Café.

The café’s business cards are elegantly simple—the front features the café name and its slogan, “The story begins here...,” while the back has the address and a large map. Nothing more, nothing less.

The coffee bean bags are stamped with “Old Chai,” the drip bag boxes read “Old Chai,” and even the mugs bear the name.


▲ Nearly finished specialty coffee.

The café’s beans are roasted using Bell’s direct-fire method, resulting in a richer flavor compared to other roasting techniques—though no matter how rich the coffee, the cup eventually empties.

Even the best coffee must eventually be finished; even the coziest café can’t keep you forever. In reality, Old Chai Café is now within Longxue Li in Xinzhuang District’s Longxue area, historically known as “Longenpu.” The text still refers to its former Shulin District’s Nanxing Li location, though my personal fondness for the name “Peach Tree Foot” plays a part.


▲ View from the window at Old Chai Café.


[Old Chai Café 'House-Roasted Coffee']

Address:No. 113, Daguan Road, Sanxia District, New Taipei City
Phone:02-3501-2656
Business Hours:8:30 AM to 9:00 PM