A Taste of Artistic Coffee at StayReal Café by GABEE, Yizhong Branch

Text and photos / IdeaLife

After years of success running the STAYREAL fashion brand, Mayday’s Ashin and Awei (Ashin’s creative partner) teamed up in 2011 with GABEE founder and world champion barista Lin Tung-Yuan—known as the “Latte Art Prince”—to create a unique fusion between a coffee brand and a fashion brand: StayReal Café by GABEE. By 2013, the aroma of coffee had drifted out from the alleyways of Taipei’s trendy East District—a hotspot for hipsters—and into the vibrant Yizhong commercial area, always buzzing with the scent of fried chicken.

STAYREAL moved the master barista Lin Tung-Yuan with its sincerity, and he imparted his valuable coffee-making techniques to the StayReal Café by GABEE management team. He also meticulously developed and designed each dish on the menu. The café’s team inherited the maestro’s skills, crafting delicate latte art cup after cup. While sipping your coffee, you can admire the little mouse character designed by trend toy designer Awei, nestled inside the display case to soothe your mind and body. You might even hear Mayday’s lead singer Ashin share his insights on life and his perspective on social consciousness, now that he has stepped away from the mic and the spotlight.

I visited the StayReal Café by GABEE Yizhong branch shortly after it opened in May, but wasn’t satisfied with the photos I took, so I didn’t write about it. This time, I came along with Potato Chip Connoisseur and food blogger Refrigerator. Having run a blog for years, I’ve been fortunate enough to meet many fellow netizens who love typing away online. We share happy moments or just shoot the breeze, support and cheer each other on when we’re exhausted from meeting deadlines or burnt out from writing, running low on inspiration. Of course, eating and drinking together is an essential form of entertainment every now and then XD.

StayReal Café by GABEE is located in the bustling foodie haven of Yizhong Commercial Area. If you’re coming from Taichung Railway Station’s front exit, there are many buses available, all within the free ride zone of 8 km when using an EasyCard. Get off at Zhongyou Department Store Station or Taichung University of Science and Technology Station and walk over.

StayReal Café by GABEE Yizhong Branch is offering an exclusive promotion: from August 1 to August 31, pancakes are half price. Show a check-in at StayReal Café by GABEE Yizhong Branch and order any two drinks to enjoy a 50% discount on pancakes. A thoughtful deal for students—you can save at least NT$50 per person.

The first floor houses the STAYREAL clothing store, while StayReal Café by GABEE is on the second floor. After leaving the café, I stopped by the first-floor shop. It had been two months since my last visit, yet the friendly young staff member remembered me even though we’d only met once. Is memory training part of the STAYREAL employee curriculum??

The unpainted concrete walls guide visitors up the stairs. STAYREAL not only delivers the designs of its brand creators, but also gradually builds an artistic exchange and creative platform wherever it has a presence in the world.

Entering the Taipei Dunhua branch feels like stepping into the shoes of a European traveler wasting away the years, amid a mix of lively, sweet rock vibes. The Yizhong branch is long and narrow, with natural light streaming in from both the front and back. The windows face the greenery of Yizhong Street, and the counter is no longer made of chocolate bricks—the wooden counter now has a gentle, soothing charm.

The staff here, no matter how busy, maintain great EQ. When they briefly step away from their hectic tasks to help me resolve an issue, they immediately flash a smile.

The counter designs in Taipei and Taichung differ, but both feature a circular surface—specially designed to resemble a chocolate cookie tray for serving food, adding a playful touch. Prepared dishes are placed here before being transferred to plates and served to customers.

The LA MARZOCCO FB80 coffee machine, same model as in the Taipei Dunhua branch but in a different color, is the same machine used in world barista competitions, selected by Lin Tung-Yuan. It uses top-grade South American coffee beans roasted dark to produce thick, creamy milk foam. Every cup of coffee is crafted with the mindset of preparing for competition.

Left: Each StayREAL branch has its own exclusive store stamp. When I visited Shanghai last year and went aboard the Ark, I also took my friend to stamp at the Shanghai store—it was just as popular.

World Classic Ultimate Drip Coffee (set of 6) NT$280 (top right)
You can enjoy world-class coffee at home too. Here’s what I wrote before:

Personally selected by coffee master and champion Lin Tung-Yuan, these global blend beans come from Costa Rica, Brazil, Uganda, Colombia, and more... They’re made into hanging filter coffee, capturing taste experiences with the philosophy of “there is gold in books.”

In the bottom right are French handmade chocolates and a few French gummies I haven’t tried before.

The small cakes in the dessert case are the same as those in Taipei, though fewer varieties were available this day.

StayReal Café by GABEE is a creative composite space combining fashion and coffee. The display cases showcase various lifestyle products from STAYREAL. The brand is launching products at an increasingly rapid pace, and I can hardly keep up—I’m particularly fond of the practical lifestyle series. With cute items around, my mood stays bright every day. When will they release a business card holder? Did the designers hear my wish?

In the article “Recording: One Carat of Dreams – The Contemporary Aesthetic Exhibition, Ashin/Awei Chapter,” I wrote:

Awei was the first classmate Ashin met when he joined the art class—an encounter that influenced both their lives. Awei gained attention for his character toy creations at the 54th Venice Biennale. The Venice Biennale, which has been held since 1895—over a hundred years ago—covers film, dance, music, architecture, visual arts, and theater. Though it’s a non-profit foundation, it’s an authoritative and government-supported institution locally, often considered the dream stage for artists. Taiwan has participated officially for many years, and in recent years, Taiwanese artists have been invited as individuals, including Awei—an extremely high honor in the art world.

The mouse character toys are bestsellers for STAYREAL, often appearing in cross-time, cross-role outfits. No matter the role, their big, innocent eyes full of endless curiosity about the world remain unchanged—aren’t they the very spirit of “STAYREAL”? I once discussed with a friend that STAYREAL is a company that never stops dreaming, where nothing seems impossible, and you’ll keep seeing global virtual cartoon characters reimagined with fresh, trendy language by STAYREAL designers.

The Superman mouse on the kids’ dream mug is absolutely hilarious.

STAYREAL’s versatile design style includes childlike wonder, innocence, anti-war themes, and expressions of self-awareness. The graphic designs range from simple geometry to intricate patterns. But the rich color schemes and visual creativity give the products a highly distinctive appeal. In today’s society, especially in Taiwan, political maneuvering often blurs positions—but through design and art, more truth, courage, light, or darkness can be brought to the surface.

Em Riem, a designer and interdisciplinary artist born in turbulent Cambodia, faithfully documents the bloody, tragic history of the Khmer Rouge and perspectives people often avoid facing. But his works also show a bright side, such as eco-friendly daily necessities. Back to STAYREAL itself, its designs are becoming ever more unrestricted, and recently launched many fresh, niche items that are totally my style.

In Taichung, an industrial city evolving into a cultural capital, this sun-drenched city is scattered with unique restaurants, transforming into a more natural, cozy, and leisurely place. Stepping into Taichung’s StayReal Café by GABEE reveals a new Japanese-inspired slow-living style. Slow living has become a global trend, with more and more cities promoting “slow city movements”—not just slowing down the pace of life, but starting with oneself and extending to thoughts about the environment and life.

On a non-summer day, sitting by the window and daydreaming is the most comfortable. This was originally my first choice seat because of the good lighting, but the staff mentioned it gets hotter here, so I switched spots. Those insisting on sitting here are offered a fan—such a nice gesture.

The natural wood-colored tables and chairs faintly emit a subtle woody aroma, complemented by iron-framed wooden chairs that bring a bold, vivid contrast. As the sun sets and the lights come on, the glass-door StayReal Café by GABEE becomes the star people seek under the night sky.

There’s no need to be seated by staff, nor will anyone keep asking if you’re ready to order. The ordering process is self-service: choose your meal after sitting down, then proceed to the counter to pay. This is a space that offers complete autonomy, with individual corners available for solo moments or gatherings with friends. Seating ranges from single to multiple-person options.

The dining area features up to six types of tables and chairs, from industrial-style metal chairs to retro sofas and benches, arranged in different zones. The space is much larger than the Dunhua branch. The shop also provides baskets for customers to place their personal belongings.

I originally saw this style of table and chairs at the Taipei Dunhua branch, but they were gone when I visited last week. I wonder if they were moved here? Also, the music playing is the same as at the Taipei Dunhua branch—personally selected by the owner to share their favorite tunes with visitors.

The hanging lamps, which the staff say are shaped like top hats for gentlemen and ladies, increasingly remind me of Chopper’s hat from One Piece. A color change would make it even more similar, haha~

Currently, only the second floor is open for seating, while the third floor remains closed. In the future, it may host exhibitions similar to those at the Taipei Dunhua branch, featuring works by artists like Takashi Murakami, Hong Kong’s Molly by Kenny, and Japanese contemporary photographer Mika Ninagawa, inviting emerging domestic and international artists to showcase their work. (How about a blogger version of the "One Carat Dream" exhibition?)

The painting in the upper left of the photo is personally signed by Mayday’s Ashin, the owner. The two upper right paintings were hand-drawn pieces specially sourced by the cafe manager in Kyoto. From hand-drawing to design and shaping, this space showcases various forms of art.

On the shelf, I spotted a copy of STAYREAL X PUSH COMIC Super Bario 2010 Classic Reprint Edition with the line: “The rules of society are set by the bad guys and played by the good guys.”

This quote is the preface written by owner Ashin for the STAYREAL X PUSH COMIC Super Bario 2010 Classic Reprint Edition, encapsulating the survival rules of society’s jungle. In light of recent news events, it’s an extremely ironic yet unchangeable truth. Has the government heard the people’s cries?

More and more shops are serving as hubs for social movement awareness. Many use their businesses to realize dreams and spread ideas, distributing printed materials and publications on topics ranging from anti-nuclear movements to supporting vulnerable groups and preserving old trees and buildings.

The fridge handed me this protest sticker. The orange sticker matches perfectly with the orange-framed Toxic Mouse, so I took this photo. Like the previous one, it highlights the most frustrating social issues for the public. Running a blog brings a sense of accomplishment—knowing there’s a fixed group of people willing to listen to us, with new listeners always joining in.

The menu at the Taipei Dunhua branch when it first opened resembled a storybook, gaining a lot of character over time but also high wear and tear. Every visit felt like the pages were about to fall apart (or maybe I visited too often?). Now, both the Taipei Dunhua and Yizhong branches use the page-flip menu shown in the photo, allowing you to browse all items in just one or two flips. Each table has a copy, and it’s recommended to install a menu holder to keep them secure.

The menu includes drinks such as coffee, lattes, teas, chocolate beverages, sparkling juices, and sodas, priced between NT$100–250. Light meals like pancakes and sandwiches range from NT$160–240, while desserts and cakes are priced between NT$80–200. There’s a minimum order of one drink or one light meal per person. For two people, ordering one drink and one light meal each is usually enough. Solo diners can also opt for a single dessert cake without a service charge.

The full menu can be found in the World-Class Coffee STAYREAL CAFE MENU introduction.　

That cute little reminder made me laugh—do the two owners actually follow it? XD.

The order number tags used during my early May visit were laminated, but now they’re wooden stands with cut-out numbers. They’re adorable, and peeking through the number holes at the scenery is quite amusing.

From left to right: Good Banana Latte NT$190, Grapefruit Natural Sparkling Juice NT$120, Soy Milk Latte Frost Star NT$180, Iced Melon Latte NT$190.

The fruit aroma in the Iced Melon Latte and Good Banana Latte comes from fruit syrup, which I’ve tried at the Taipei Dunhua branch. It strikes a near-even balance between bitter and sweet, with the melon fragrance being rich. When mixed with the cream on top, it becomes smooth and fragrant. Try to enjoy it before the cream settles at the bottom to experience the pure melon syrup aroma and the creamy richness blending into the coffee. Staff will inform you if a drink contains cream.

If the Melon Latte is fragrant, the Good Banana Latte stands out for its bolder sweetness and aroma. One can’t help but admire how accurately the name captures its essence. With latte art in mind, the baristas precisely control the steaming temperature and density to create beautiful relief patterns.

I’ve had Grapefruit Natural Sparkling Juice at another Italian restaurant—check out my friend Fridge’s food review for more thoughts.

The Soy Milk Latte Frost Star is a celebration drink for the Yizhong branch’s opening, created by coffee master Lin Tung-Yuan. It combines STAYREAL’s unrestricted creative design with Lin’s years of expertise. He rationally calculates the closest yet most contrasting ratio of coffee to milk (here replaced with soy milk) and, with artistic sensibility, embellishes and colors it like a makeup artist. It’s Ashin’s favorite coffee, and with the owner’s endorsement, it’s sure to rank among this year’s top-selling drinks.

Crushed nuts are scattered among the swirling cream patterns, and the drink comes with two types of salad biscuits—the green one is Caesar salad, and the brown one is apple custard with fruity notes. Both can be eaten alone, but the recommended method is to dip the salad biscuits into the coffee granita first to enjoy the gradual release of aroma, then stir to release the rich, slightly sweet soy milk flavor, paired with nutty caramel that adds a touch of luxury to the rustic base. It’s a beautiful yet nostalgic creative coffee, striking in appearance but subtle in taste. This was my favorite drink of the day.

Fresh Fruit Paradise Pancake NT$220

I’ve had the StayReal Café by GABEE pancake more than ten times—probably more than anywhere else in my life. Unfortunately, my favorite tuna pancake is no longer available. These pancakes aren’t dense or flour-heavy; instead, they’re slightly crispy on the outside and softly hollow inside, served with fresh seasonal fruit and drizzled with honey. The oranges I had the first time still had their peels, but now they’re diced, with tougher fibers removed for easier eating, complementing summer’s refreshing vibe.

Out of all the times I’ve ordered it, only once did the quality dip slightly due to a large order and overcooking. Overall, the food quality here is very consistent.

Chocolate Paradise Pancake NT$220
The ice cream used on the pancakes is of good quality—smooth with no crystals. The richest part of the plate is the chocolate sauce, which has a different sweetness level from the ice cream. The sauce flows beautifully along the cream patterns like an attractive flower. When the ice cream fully melts and soaks into the pancake, Oreo cookies can be added for contrast. Of course, eating it immediately offers the best flavor.

Smoked Chicken Italian Sandwich NT$220

The sandwich is cut into four pieces—I’m full after just two. I really like this sandwich, which comes with generous vegetable fillings and a homemade Thai-style sweet and sour sauce that’s surprisingly mild. Unless told, you wouldn’t guess it’s Thai. The smoked chicken uses Taiwan-raised, electrically slaughtered poultry, with a firmness that’s above average, and the smoky flavor isn’t overly harsh or salty. It’s a hearty yet health-conscious option.

German Sausage Sandwich NT$200
During a previous visit, Fridge raved about this dish, and I’d also tried it at the Taipei Dunhua branch a week earlier. I came back for another taste. Unlike the smoked chicken sandwich, this one features crispy German sausages (obviously), plus sauerkraut and honey mustard, offering a bolder kick but remaining as refreshing as the smoked chicken version. It’s lightly seasoned without being overpowering. All sandwiches use focaccia bread, a thousand-year-old recipe unlike buttery, oily bread. This Italian herb bread is infused with Mediterranean herbs and olive oil, making it enjoyable even in hot summer weather.

Ugh... don't laugh at us for treating the cafe like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Our motivation to take photos outweighed our desire to eat. Of these four desserts, I've tried three at the Taipei Dunhua branch already—one was new because it's a recently launched product. (Seriously!)

Top left: Rich Truffle Chocolate Cake $200. The chocolate sauce drawn as limbs on the cake is honestly adorable. It was created by Japan’s TV Champion "Shiratori Yuichi," a master skilled in French patisserie. The cake features chocolate sauce, cocoa cream between layers, along with orange brandy, orange, and hazelnuts. The cake is moist, with a thick layer of cocoa cream that’s incredibly smooth and sticky, and the hazelnuts remain crisp even though they’re refrigerated.

Maybe we spent too long taking photos—if we’d eaten it right when it was taken out of the display case, the aroma of the alcohol would’ve been more pronounced. In terms of portion size and sweetness, unless you're a dessert fanatic, it’s a bit much for one person to finish alone; sharing between two is just right.

Top right: Angel Cheese Cake $120. The white, undulating waves of cheese melt instantly upon entering your mouth. Cut into it, and the inside is raspberry jam (not pictured well, so not shown), while the bottom layer is a moist pistachio base—like a cake but with a softer texture. The three main ingredients are distinct yet not heavy, and the flavor is as light and gentle as its name.

Summer Limited Mango Tart $120
A very fresh mango tart—the mango flesh is sweet, soft, and juicy. The base beneath is fine and firm, softened and made more palatable by being infused with mango juice and pulp. The crust includes almonds as part of the filling, offering both a crispy crunch and a refreshing feel.

Vanilla Milk Éclair $80
Pairs well with coffee or chocolate drinks. The outer shell is sponge cake, while the middle is filled with vanilla milk cream. From the outside in, it transitions smoothly—crispy first, then soft. The vanilla milk filling has a naturally sweet aftertaste and aroma, but it’s not injected into the pastry from the outside; instead, it’s sandwiched between layers. When you bite or cut into it, the filling tends to shift sideways, so you have to be careful when eating it.

The staff at StayReal Café by GABEE all seem quite young, but their skills in food preparation are solid. They also listen carefully to customer concerns and take detailed notes to confirm everything. Whether it’s staff from the clothing store or the café, everyone is polite and friendly. Aside from the tasty food, there’s always something new to discover or a new display every visit—I never lose my sense of exploration here. But I do worry that if I come too often and try everything, I won’t know what to order anymore? Haha~

Trend culture doesn’t belong to any specific group—it can change with time and place, adapt to people’s lifestyles, and evolve into a way of respecting local culture and customs. StayReal Café by GABEE once again brings trend art into daily life. In the world of StayReal Café by GABEE, the focus isn’t on individual items like figurines or clothes, but rather on the food on the table. The art in the dishes doesn’t require constant chasing like trends, nor do you need to consider whether it suits you. Walk into StayReal Café by GABEE, free yourself from worrying about your role, and you’ll find something meaningful within just an hour and a half.

StayReal Café by GABEE Yizhong Branch
Address: 2F, No. 103-1, Yizhong St., North District, Taichung City
Phone: 04-2221-1055 (Wait onsite, reservations not accepted)
Business Hours: Holidays 12pm–11pm / 12pm–10pm
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/StayRealCafe

※ Sources:Wretch

"Records" – The One-Carat Dream Contemporary Aesthetics Exhibition, Ashin / Irvine Chapter

STAYREAL Fruit/Strawberry Chocolate Paradise Ceramic Coasters—Coasters or muffin liners, who can tell?

"West District, Taichung City" – Cheng Yee Travel, Taichung Birdy Days: Returning-home-like Comfort and Leisure

"New Taipei City, Tamsui District" – Cheng Yee Travel, Tamsui Breeze: Reading the Town’s Story Within the Space