Celebrity-Owned Shops / Mayday’s Ashin’s “Stayreal Café” Blessed by Masters

By Lai Yan-Ru

Amid the hustle and bustle of the main roads, tired of the crowds, turn into a quiet alleyway; there you’ll find small bookstores, grocery shops, as well as heartwarming cafés and teahouses... The idol drama “Big Red Riding Hood and Little Wolf” produced by Dreamland Culture collaborated with 15 Taipei alleyway shops and used their settings for filming. Each shop has its own charm and character, well worth exploring. First, let’s take a look at the alleyway shops personally decorated by Mayday’s Ashin, A-Mei, Vincent Fang, Wu Jian-Heng, and Yao Yuan-Hao.


▲ Interior view of the café. (Photo provided by Stayreal Café)

One day, Mayday’s Ashin and artist Ikko Tanaka saw a nice-looking storefront for rent in Taipei’s East District. “Let’s rent it!” And then? What next? Ashin opened up the idea to all employees of his fashion brand “Stayreal,” and the most common suggestion was: “I really hope to own a café in my future life!” Thus, the fashion brand’s extension — “Stayreal Café” — was born.

People often achieve more dreams precisely because of “impulse.” Ashin and Ikko loved the relaxed vibe of the back alley so much that they rented the storefront without hesitation. This adorable and straightforward boss learned from a staff poll about the employees’ wishes. “Since that’s the case, why not just make this dream come true for everyone?” Wow, how awesome — while fulfilling their coffee dreams, the team also grew stronger in unity.


▲ Vintage European-style second-hand furniture. (Photo provided by Stayreal Café)


▲ Display wall of personal collections. (Photo provided by Stayreal Café)


                                  ▲ Personal collection items. (Photo provided by Stayreal Café)



▲ Exterior view of the shop. (Photo provided by Stayreal Café)

Perfectionists Ashin and Ikko are meticulous when it comes to selecting beverages. Both are big fans of the coffee at Taipei’s “Gabee” café. They visited the owner — world-renowned coffee master Lin Tung-Yuan — time and again to seek advice, and eventually moved the master with their passion. He then shared his culinary techniques with Stayreal Café, allowing customers to enjoy some of the finest classic coffee.

Ashin and Ikko, who love art and cultural creativity, weren’t content with Stayreal Café being just another coffee shop. Since its opening, it has hosted numerous exhibitions and concerts. Notably, renowned Asian photographer Mika Ninagawa held a photography exhibition here, and she even came to Taiwan personally to scout locations and adjust the lighting for each exhibit.

Stayreal Café continues the spirit of its parent brand, aiming to truly integrate art and design into everyday life. Ashin and Ikko also bring in their own collections and drop by the café from time to time. Fans who are observant enough and visit the coffee shop occasionally are sure to discover new and interesting design pieces now and then.


▲ World Latte Art Champion Lin Tung-Yuan. (Photo provided by Stayreal Café)

【Stayreal Café】
Phone: 02-27318011
Address: No. 21, Lane 177, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City 106