The shop owner is a “cat”! This cozy wooden-themed teahouse in Neihu is super Instagrammable

Text and photos byFoodCraving, LensHunter

I came to Neihu for work that day and had a few extra hours to spare. I originally wanted to find a café to sit in, but couldn’t find one I liked. Then I discovered this hidden gem tucked away in the alleys of Neihu. “Spring has arrived!” — the name caught my eye, so I decided to go check it out.

Bird’s Mud (Niao Ni) is about a 10-minute walk from Neihu MRT Station. Its exterior, featuring a wooden and white color scheme, looked very cozy and soft. I especially loved the intentionally triangular wooden shelves above the counter, giving off the vibe of a little wooden cabin. Paired with stylish lighting and dried flower arrangements, the space felt not only retro but also full of charm. Such a small place, yet so beautifully designed in a style I really love — it gave me the feeling of stumbling upon a quaint little shop on a street in Japan.

It turns out that Bird’s Mud isn’t a bird — it’s a cat. Apparently, he’s the shop owner of the teahouse, though you’ll need some luck to actually spot him. I wasn’t so lucky that day. The shop’s logo features this cat, who is referred to as the shop owner, and every drink comes with a cute Bird’s Mud sticker. It’s quite adorable and has become a popular photo spot.

On the side wall, there were a few magazines placed quietly, even though no one was reading them. Still, they added to the lovely ambiance.

Then I noticed the floral tiles on the cement floor, which gave off a slightly rustic and nostalgic vibe. Though not as refined as those found in European-style cafés, they had a warmer feel.

The owner, Bird’s Mud, had a vision for guests to enjoy the purest, most original taste of tea. They use teas sourced from various parts of Taiwan, brewing them into single-origin pure teas. The goal is to help modern coffee lovers become more familiar with local tea aromas and to encourage them to try unsweetened tea beverages. The menu offers a fairly rich selection: hot single-origin pure teas, refreshing fresh fruit iced teas, summery fizzy drinks, and sweet creamy milk teas. That day, I went for the fizzy and milk tea series. (After leaving, I kept thinking I should’ve slapped myself for not ordering their signature single-origin pure tea — “Di Zhen Cha.”)

I was actually first drawn in by the Bird’s Mud sticker on the cup — it’s just so adorably designed. Using their own cat as the shop logo is such a heartwarming idea.

Pink Cranberry $50 TWD(Ice cannot be adjusted / slightly sweet)
All the fizzy drinks are freshly carbonated upon ordering to ensure a fresh bubbly taste. This cranberry fizzy drink had plenty of fruit bits, and you could suck up a good amount of pulp and seeds while drinking. I quite enjoyed the texture. However, perhaps because I opted for the slightly sweet version, I found the flavor a bit mild — just a faint fruity sweetness and carbonated water. Worth noting, their sugar is homemade cane sugar.

Black Sugar Fresh Milk $55 TWD(Ice can be adjusted / available hot / fixed sweetness level)
Made with pure fresh milk and black sugar, it has a rich sweetness. The taste is similar to the famous “Frog Hits Milk” from Gongguan, except without the tapioca pearls. I personally found the black sugar flavor a bit strong, slightly overpowering the milk aroma. A slightly lower sweetness level might make it smoother. But after having two drinks, I could tell that Bird’s Mud’s beverages lean toward being more natural and pure. Take the cranberry fizzy drink, for example — perhaps due to the ingredients and homemade cane sugar, it didn’t have that artificial medicinal taste I usually associate with fizzy drinks.

Only after ordering did I realize I hadn’t tried Bird’s Mud’s flagship pure tea. I’m someone who usually prefers unsweetened tea, so I still don’t understand why I suddenly opted for milk tea and fizzy drinks (still puzzled). Also, aside from drinks, Bird’s Mud also offers sweets, in collaboration with “I Think 0? Jie Le.” It pairs nicely and helps round out the meal experience. I wasn’t too hungry, but I must say, both the atmosphere and design of the shop are really charming. The overall mood and temperature of the place are things I really like.

Bird’s Mud 0??? NiaoNi In The House
Address: Lane 323, Section 1, Neihu Rd., Neihu District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27996306
Business Hours: 11:00–20:00 (Saturdays until 15:00, closed on Sundays)
Facebook:NiaoNi In The House
Currently, some areas offer delivery service (please check their official Facebook page for details)

FoodCraving, LensHunter
Navigating through the fast-paced yet laid-back lives of Taipei residents.
Enjoys uncovering hidden culinary gems tucked away in the city, alleys, and right by one's doorstep, and loves exploring corners full of stories.
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