【Sunday Slow Time】Huanjianji Light Bites Café, a countryside grocery store with a cozy charm

In the front yard, along the wooden fence, colorful seasonal flowers hang at varying heights. The left-side outdoor seating area is surrounded by climbing roses, osmanthus, grapevines, and other plants. Stepping inside, you’re greeted by the distinctive scent of a flower shop. Upon closer inspection, the weathered white wooden walls are hung with various dried flowers and plants, such as bladder senna. The owners’ love for flowers is unmistakable.

Huanjianji was almost born alongside the Dahua Winery and has been around for ten years. Initially, it transitioned from a rose farm to a sightseeing-style cut-flower garden. Sunflowers and colored calla lilies were once the main draws, while food and beverage services were introduced later in response to visitors’ needs. Because most nearby eateries served traditional Chinese set meals, they decided to offer Western-style light meals suitable for young couples. Now, Huanjianji focuses mainly on food and drink, and its most praised and return-worthy item is the strawberry milk snowflake ice with generous chunks of strawberries and layers of strawberry jam. In addition to a portion for two, there's also an extra-large “giant” version made for groups of eight — its adorable appearance is enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

Five years ago, Huanjianji had to relocate due to certain circumstances. The owners converted the first floor of their home next to the original site into a cozy countryside grocery-style restaurant. The female owner said she decided to keep the business going because she didn’t want to lose the loyal customers who came back specially each year. The new space was also a dream come true for her, as a graduate in art and design, she had many hand-painted wood pieces and paper clay creations she had always hoped to share with others. Now, these are all displayed on the walls or placed on shelves, along with the various floral decorations she has collected and the roomful of pure white wooden tables and chairs, filling the space with a romantic, soft, and sweet ambiance.