Rooster Café’s Nostalgic Vibes & Healthy Brunch

Reported and photographed by Intern Reporter Qiu Yunrong / Taipei

Step into “Rooster Café” on a beautiful morning, find a cozy corner, and enjoy a simple, healthy brunch. Owner Ah Chen says this place feels just like home—relaxed dining with zero pressure.

Owner Ah Chen loves the atmosphere of Zhongshan District—it’s not overly commercialized and has a unique charm. A longtime collector of vintage items, he personally handled the décor of Rooster Café, with its black-and-white tile accents, retro tables and chairs. As soon as you step into this small shop, you’re greeted by a nostalgic, heartwarming vibe.


▲Multigrain bread topped with thick organic peanut butter, where pure, rich peanut flavor bursts in your mouth.

Brunch is the main focus at Rooster Café. Ah Chen mentions that many brunch spots serve fried items, but their dishes stand out for being health-oriented. One popular item is the “Great Peanut Beef Burger”—multigrain bread layered with thick organic peanut butter, where the pure, intense peanut flavor spreads in your mouth, smooth and flavorful, paired with hearty beef. The combination of meaty beef and peanut butter is so delicious you’ll keep coming back for more. Besides mains, there are also fresh fruit and vegetable salads. Ah Chen says they personally go to the market every morning at six to pick the ingredients. Topped with their homemade salad dressing, the flavor is slightly tangy with a hint of spice.


▲The “Smoked Salmon Salad Plate” with deeply infused smoky flavor.

Additionally, Rooster Café offers the surprising “Smoked Salmon Salad Plate.” Ms. Yu, visiting for the first time, said unlike some smoked salmon that only smells smoky, here the salmon’s smokiness is deeply infused—you can taste it with every bite. The salmon’s freshness and smoky texture blend perfectly, completely satisfying even the most discerning palates.

Open for just 10 months, Rooster Café often sees weekend lines. Ah Chen recommends making a reservation in advance, or you might have to wait quite a while. He says there are currently no plans to expand to new locations, but in the future, he’d like to develop more dessert options.


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