Hong Kong man “runs” to Tainan to open a healthy eatery—Devil Meal or Angel Meal, which will you choose?

Text and photos by /Sean

Previously, when passing by Minquan Road, I noticed a shop undergoing renovation on the roadside. My first instinct was that it would be a coffee shop. I passed by several more times but didn’t see any signs of it opening, so I gradually forgot about it. Then one day, I saw the owner of Rongyu Ice Room come in for breakfast. I quickly asked him for details, and the very next day, I rushed over to try this place—“Hej nordic 北欧日常.”

The first time I came in, the sight that greeted me upon pushing open the door immediately won me over—there were some really humorous decorations.

Warm lighting and a low-set counter

The fact that you have to take off your shoes inside is also a nice touch. Because guests remove their shoes upon entry, they keep the floors spotless. Even though there are slippers available, I didn’t really feel like wearing them. Walking barefoot felt just like being at home—very comfortable.

There are more seats inside than I expected.

At the very back is the home of the shop cats, Fu Fu and Ji Ji. It’s separated from the dining area by glass, so there’s no cat hair floating around on the floor.

The shop cat Fu Fu is still quite shy for now, so he basically hides in places where he feels safe and secretly observes the customers. Trying to play with him… well, it’s basically impossible. Also, they only understand Cantonese. This photo was taken when I snuck a shot in the morning when there were no customers—it was super heartwarming~

The area in front of the high stools is the owner’s jogging memorabilia display.

It all started as a way to lose weight through running. Three years later, not only has the owner lost weight, but he’s also run all the way from Hong Kong to Taiwan.

I’ve always believed that many things depend on drive and determination. Of course, there are people with naturally faster metabolisms, but that doesn’t mean you can’t maintain a physique you’re happy with (my view is that physique matters more than weight). No one but yourself can tell you that you can’t do it. Sometimes, it’s just a simple YES/NO question—whether you want to or not.

The area around the table is filled with trophies he’s won.

Now, let’s look at the food. Since the shop is called “Nordic Daily,” it must serve Nordic cuisine, right? Well… yes and no. Hej nordic doesn’t actually serve the kind of Nordic food we commonly hear about. Instead, it incorporates the spirit of Nordic cuisine into its menu design—offering dishes that are land-friendly, natural, local, and in season, so customers can enjoy relatively healthy meals (their philosophy is somewhat similar to my love for artisanal rice-based dishes).

They’ve also put thought into fiber content and calories. After all, the owner is a competitive runner who pays close attention to what runners should eat. Whether you’re in training or have questions about what to eat before or after a run, you can come chat with the owner—he’s very talkative and loves sharing his knowledge.

For the menu, there was originally only the Angel Meal on the left. Later, at the suggestion of the owner’s wife and other customers, the Devil Meal was added. Despite the name, it’s not actually very high in calories or unhealthy—it’s basically a case of looks deceiving~

Tempeh and chickpea salad wrap set

A regular Angel set comes with either Bulgarian yogurt or carrot soup—one or the other—but I wanted to try both, so I ordered them separately.

Most commercial yogurts add sugar or honey to tone down the natural tartness because they’re afraid consumers won’t like it. But Hej nordic goes straight for the unflavored, additive-free original taste. The owner will also patiently explain beforehand—if you’re not used to it, most people here, apart from Sandra, can get used to the flavor. Honestly, sometimes I just grab yogurt from BAI GANYU to take home.

Also, the bowl of carrot soup really blew me away. Before the owner told me it was carrot, I kept thinking it was pumpkin because it had no strong carrot taste, and the color was yellow. The flavor is delicate and layered, and it’s served at a great temperature—I loved it. The salad and tempeh chickpea wraps also keep things fresh and light. The portion might not look huge, but it actually fills you up, which surprised me.

Onion cheese pork belly croissant

The pork belly croissant is baked to golden crispiness, and the pork inside is tender and flavorful. I spotted a sous vide machine, and judging by the texture, I think Hej nordic probably uses the sous vide method to cook their meats. I even brought some for my colleagues to try—they took one bite and said, “This tastes like Hong Kong food!” (Well, duh—the owner and his wife are both from Hong Kong.)

Banana crunch… a surprisingly great combo. Frozen banana paired with chocolate is just perfect—it melts in your mouth, not in your hands.

Golden croissant

This one is actually a bit more “naughty”—it’s higher in calories. But high calories and great taste often go hand-in-hand, so the smooth texture is definitely there. As a breakfast or lunch option, it’s totally fine—your body knows how to metabolize.

My whole family loves the food at Hej nordic, and we also love the homestay-like vibe they give off. If they weren’t only open until 5 PM, I’d probably add them to our regular dinner rotation. This is one of my favorite spots I’ve discovered recently. I think Hej nordic is a truly unique and wonderful place. Sharing it with everyone here.

Hej nordic 北欧日常 Facebook
Business hours: Mon–Sun 9:00–17:00 (closed Wed & Thu)
Phone: 0979-911122
Address: No. 279, Section 1, Minquan Road, Tainan City

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