【Monday Foodie Fix】Studio 28, Unique Flavors Nestled in the Wulai Mountains

Studio 28 doesn’t look like a restaurant at all. The two dining areas have just two tables in total—the larger one is clearly an old living room space, with a big round table right in the center that looks just like the family reunion table used during Lunar New Year. As for the smaller private room, its original purpose wasn’t obvious until the owner’s wife explained that it used to be Mr. Xu’s tea workshop.

Mr. Xu, who previously ran a tea business, had always had a passion for cooking. Friends and family often gathered at his home to enjoy meals and his signature dishes. But as manufacturing moved to mainland China, his decades-old tea shop gradually declined. A light bulb went off—he decided to open his doors and turn his home into a restaurant.

 

Going from a cooking hobbyist to a full-time culinary expert, Mr. Xu and his wife faced many challenges along the way: sourcing ingredients, creating menus, taking reservations—all tasks that were entirely new to them. They started small, modifying the flavors of traditional home-style dishes. Later, they revamped the entire dining concept. First, they turned the second floor study into a more comfortable dining space, improving both the ambiance and furnishings. Then, they began redesigning their menu based on customer feedback. Compared to the heavier “grandma’s home cooking” style, the wife leaned toward lighter, more refined flavors—like using pickled mustard greens as a base, or highlighting the aroma of mountain herbs. While her husband focused on plating, presentation, and textures, making each dish not only delicious but also visually appealing. In contrast to the heavier flavors found in many traditional eateries, Studio 28’s food also brings a touch of artistic flair.

 

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