A Danish Royal Feast at the Royal Copenhagen Café in Taiwan

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network, reported and compiled by Zhang Yingying

 

With a history of 238 years, Royal Copenhagen hand-painted fine porcelain — "noble" as it was founded by the Queen Dowager, "noble" as it is used by the royal family, and "noble" as it is a national treasure of Denmark... everything about Royal Copenhagen hand-painted fine porcelain that seems unattainably luxurious has now opened its first approachable café in Taiwan, allowing Taiwanese to enjoy tea and meals using tableware fit for Danish royalty.

 

In recent years, as Royal Copenhagen has continuously launched a variety of highly practical “home-use” tableware, the range has become more comprehensive and diverse — including the playful yet functional Contrast Thermos series, or the colorful Scroll design series incorporating various classic elements of Royal Copenhagen, and even the Palm Family series designed specifically for Eastern cuisine and dining habits. These have made Taiwanese consumers increasingly fond of elevating their quality of life by purchasing practical “home-use” tableware. This shift reflects the “Everyday Luxury” lifestyle concept actively promoted by Royal Copenhagen, and the launch of the “Royal Copenhagen Café and Light Meals” is the ultimate embodiment of this concept.

In terms of store design, the tables and chairs at the “Royal Copenhagen Café and Light Meals” use a mix of three different colors and materials, including fabric-covered lounge sofas and circular tables and chairs in black, white, and natural wood tones. Royal Copenhagen’s Creative Director Niels Bastrup aimed to present the most authentic Danish lifestyle aesthetics in a relaxed, comfortable, and high-quality way. In terms of color scheme, the signature color of Royal Copenhagen hand-painted fine porcelain — Danish Blue — is boldly used on the inner side of the door arch to highlight the brand’s classic characteristics. This is complemented by an abundance of white, natural wood tones, glass display windows, and open shelving designs, showcasing a simple, sleek, and light-filled Nordic fashion style.

To satisfy the palates of every food lover, the “Royal Copenhagen Café and Light Meals” has introduced 28 dishes (including afternoon tea sets) and 24 beverages at once, among which the “Danish Classic Open-Faced Sandwich,” “Cauliflower with Baked Salmon and Dill Soup,” and “The Little Mermaid Afternoon Tea” are the most unique and authentic Danish dishes.

Danish cuisine may appear simple, but it places great emphasis on balanced nutrition and sensory enjoyment. Take the “Danish Classic Open-Faced Sandwich” for example — the so-called “open-faced sandwich” is an “Open sandwich,” consisting of “Butter and Bread.” However, Danes avoid excessive starch intake while emphasizing a substantial feeling of fullness. Therefore, the single slice of whole wheat/rye bread in the “Danish Classic Open-Faced Sandwich” is not the fluffy, chewy-textured whole wheat/rye bread sold at typical Taiwanese bakeries, but rather the dense, thick-cut whole wheat/rye bread commonly consumed by Danes in their daily lives. It is paired with refreshing and non-greasy sweet shrimp or melt-in-your-mouth smoked salmon as the main filling, transforming the otherwise plain whole wheat/rye bread. Layers of red and white fish, shrimp, ham, or chicken toppings are added, accented with fresh green dill leaves, instantly making the “Danish Classic Open-Faced Sandwich” vibrant and delicious. The dish is served on 25–27cm round plates featuring Plain Scroll and Blue Colorful Scroll designs, highlighting the generosity and distinctive features of the main course.