This coffee tastes like alcohol? A 7th grader returns from the U.S. to open a shop in Yangmingshan

▲ Owner Ji of Frontier Café believes coffee is an art. (Photo provided by Frontier Café)

Reported by Hua Shaofu / Taipei

Near Zhuzihhu in Yangmingshan, there’s a very hidden café called “Frontier Café.” Though it boasts views of Taipei’s night skyline, it’s been open for over a year and still remains relatively unknown—truly a “super-private spot.” The owner, Ji Yingke, after graduating from a university in the U.S., ventured into the world of coffee, advocating a philosophy of slowness. “I believe coffee is an exquisite art form,” he says, hoping that every visitor can enjoy the finest cup of coffee.

“Everyone has their own idea of what the perfect cup of coffee is, and many are on a quest to find it,” Ji says. “Here, I have my own way of expressing that—through brewing techniques or roasting skills.” Speaking about his motivation for opening the café, he shares, “In Taiwan, we’re taught from a young age that getting a good education is the path to success. But after going abroad, I realized not everyone thinks that way. That’s when I truly began searching for something I truly wanted to do.” He aims to find fulfillment beyond money and materialism, and ultimately decided to open his shop.

▲ In addition to coffee, Frontier Café also offers meals. (Photo by reporter Hua Shaofu)

Running a café requires some real skills. When talking about some of the more unique coffee beans in the shop, he says: “For example, Yirgacheffe—it’s sun-dried, and sun-drying tends to bring out a fermented flavor. Fermented flavors often evoke notes of tropical fruits, like pineapple and strawberry. This particular coffee, due to its variety, also has some citrus notes. It’s very much a fruity-flavored coffee.”

Additionally, he discusses the coffee beans from New Guinea: “These beans have an Asian characteristic—they carry a bit of an earthy taste, and while drinking them you’ll still detect a slight acidity, similar to grapefruit. There’s also a hint of chocolate in the aftertaste. Overall, it’s a coffee most people can appreciate, and compared to Yirgacheffe, it has a richer, fuller body.”

▲ In addition to coffee, Frontier Café also offers meals. (Photo by reporter Hua Shaofu)

As for the Honduran coffee beans, Ji also highlights their uniqueness: “These beans won awards at the COE competition. Their fermentation flavor is incredibly intense—it tastes just like alcohol.” He explains that these beans offer explosive fruitiness, but unlike Yirgacheffe, their taste is bolder and more unrestrained. “It’s like candied fruit, tropical fruit flavors.”

Frontier Café

Address: No. 3-17, Zhuzihhu Road, Beitou District, Taipei City
Phone: 02 2861 5766
Business hours: Closed on Tuesdays, Open Wednesday–Monday 12:00–18:00