Crystallized sugar-coated “Belgian waffles” hidden in a department store fashion arcade

▲ What kind of waffles can even a “child as innocent as Cupid” enjoy without worry?

Reported and photographed by Chen Tzu-yin / Taipei

Stepping into this shop feels incredibly relaxing and carefree, as if you’ve unexpectedly earned an afternoon of leisure. After shopping, all you want to do is casually sip a drink and enjoy some light bites. The small storefront of “CUPIDON Bit 'Qiu Café Western Restaurant” is quietly nestled within the fashion floor of a department store. If you don’t happen to pass by, you might never discover this delightful Belgian waffle shop that boldly embraces a “new-style business model.”

“CUPIDON” originates from the French word for Cupid. “We aspire to bring everyone feelings of love, sincerity, nature, joy, and passion, just like an angel,” says the CUPIDON Bit 'Qiu Café Western Restaurant on their fan page—this is their mission. Thus, the shop is designed to resemble a “French bistro” with a cozy, homey vibe.

 
▲ Left and right: The surprisingly compact “CUPIDON Bit 'Qiu Café Western Restaurant” is tucked away on the fashion floor of a department store.

 
▲ Here, you’ll find the joy and relaxation of “stealing a moment of leisure amid a busy life.”

The specialty of this little shop is its “Belgian waffles” assembled plate by plate with butter and ice cream. Shop owner Ryan Huang Chung-wei says, “Most waffles add artificial flavorings to make them taste more fragrant, but ours are made purely from natural ingredients. Just like the inspiration behind our shop’s name, these are waffles that even a child as innocent as Cupid can enjoy without worry.” The fresh cream is imported from a reputable brand, and the costs of waffle mix and rose salt are also relatively high—all to ensure top quality. Those who love desserts will notice that this specially whipped cream is not at all greasy, so customers often finish every bit of it. The pearl-like sugar with granules is actually refined from “beetroot,” which is gentle on the body. Huang Chung-wei also shares that “beetroot,” rich in vitamins, is hailed in Europe as “a gift from Apollo to humanity.”

Take a bite of the shop’s bestseller, the “Belgian waffle,” and your childhood impression of waffles being “very dry” will vanish. Here, the waffles have a slightly crisp exterior, somewhat like a cookie but without the hardness. The inside offers the “silky, melt-in-your-mouth” texture of a waffle. The preparation method follows authentic Belgian techniques, but the flavor and texture have been fine-tuned over and over again to find the perfect balance for Taiwanese palates.

 
▲ Left: For these Belgian waffles, you can choose your favorite flavors for both the cream topping and the waffle drizzle, then top it off with a scoop of ice cream. Right: Unlike ordinary waffles, these have a uniquely delicate texture that’s truly exceptional.

The biggest difference between Belgian waffles and American waffles is that when Belgian waffles cool down, their surface develops a “crystallized sugar coating from caramelized pearl sugar,” adding extra crispness. As a result, they offer different layered textures when eaten warm or cold. In contrast, American or Japanese waffles lose their appeal when cooled.

Huang Chung-wei describes himself as a guy who loves sweets, but many afternoon tea shops have a “dreamy, whimsical” style that makes him feel uncomfortable when dining there. This is one of the reasons why he aimed to create a neutral, relaxed atmosphere in his shop—one without any stiffness.

▲ The combination of “French bistro” and “cozy homey” design elements is immediately apparent upon entering.

As for opening on the fashion floor of a department store, there was initially a lot of opposition. But Huang Chung-wei says, “To be honest, I struggled, but after discussing it with the team, we felt that as long as we put our heart into making delicious food, even if we were tucked away in a back alley, we believe customers would still come.” It’s this confidence in their cooking that has made this small shop a popular spot for office workers to “steal a moment of leisure” about a year after opening.

 
▲ Shop owner Huang Chung-wei and his team have great faith in their cooking, believing that a thoughtfully crafted menu will always attract customers.


▲ Paintings by Renoir also convey feelings of love and innocence.

 
▲ Left and right: The shop’s “flavorful light meals” are also top-notch, such as this Japanese-style beef sukiyaki.

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【Shop Information】
CUPIDON Bit 'Qiu Café Western Restaurant
Address: B1, 12 Songshou Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City (ATT 4 FUN B1)
Phone: (02) 7737-5377
Business Hours: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Pricing: Classic waffle set NT$170, Japanese-style beef sukiyaki NT$200.