The golden hues evoke harvest — an autumn café featuring pumpkins and sweet potatoes in its dishes

▲ A seasonal autumn dish: a warm pumpkin salad.

Reported and photographed by You T-Ru / Taipei

In Japan’s culinary scene, a rigorous “seasonal” principle of “eating only what’s in season” is followed — meaning ingredients are not eaten out of their natural growing period. As Taiwan moves into autumn and the city gets cooler, tucked away in a lane near Taipei’s Da’an District, there is a café offering seasonal ingredients amid a variety of cleverly crafted menu items. It uses sweet potatoes as a coffee embellishment and incorporates pumpkin into a comforting salad, composing a simple autumn tune.


▲%The warmth of autumn is infused in the flavors. /strong>




Nestled in the lane, “Hao Hao Kitchen” is an extension of a young couple’s dream.Lin Ji-Mi and Yu Yao share a simple vision: to share delicious food with more people using natural ingredients and sincere cooking methods.. So the pair rented a roughly 30-ping shop space and developed a range of creative dishes that combine handmade elements with seasonal produce. First-time customers glancing at the menu might be amazed by its dazzling variety, but finding the most delicious option is easy — just go for the seasonal dishes.

“When you think of autumn food, the first things that come to mind are pumpkins and sweet potatoes,” says Yu Yao. The golden hues of orange sweet potatoes and pumpkins carry the natural colors of the season, evoking the feeling of an autumn harvest. Yu Yao recommends the café’s “Sweet Potato Latte” and “Warm Pumpkin Salad.” The sweet potato latte is made by steaming and slicing sweet potatoes, then blending them into a puree with a juicer. In addition to the usual coffee aroma, it offers a rich, thick texture. Sipping it while tasting the sweet puree of sweet potato releases an impression that lingers.


▲%Great for those who prefer a milder coffee flavor. /strong>


As for the hearty “Warm Pumpkin Salad,” it uses roasted pumpkin. The large salad plate is layered with plenty of pumpkin, along with mixed greens, Parma ham, pine nuts, and more, drizzled with balsamic vinegar and lightly seasoned with cinnamon. The skin-on roasted pumpkin is sweet and full-bodied, complemented by the crunch of the greens and the savory depth of the ham. A single serving of this salad not only satisfies hunger but also allows you to enjoy seasonal ingredients in the simplest way possible, kicking off autumn with a golden prelude.


▲%The drink is very aromatic and has a light sweetness, priced at just NT$80. /strong>
 

Hao Hao Kitchen
Address: No. 12, Lane 208, Siwei Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2325-7617 Price: Around NT$300 per person