IC engineers develop 3D latte art  Rotashi’s 22 ultra-cute designs can even give a peace sign

▲Located in Hsinchu, Rotashi Coffee has garnered much attention for its diverse and changeable 3D latte art designs. (Photo／Cropped from Rotashi Coffee’s official Facebook page, the same below)

Reporter Wei Jinyun／Reported

“Wow！This 3D latte art is so adorable！” Whenever coffee is served, bursts of exclamations can always be heard from various corners of the café. Located in Hsinchu, Rotashi Coffee has been in business for over four years and has won the hearts of many customers with its variety of cute 3D latte art. Its well-known reputation has even attracted many out-of-towners who come specifically to see these super-healing latte designs.

▲At Rotashi, whether or not you order coffee, any drink with fresh milk will come with the owner’s carefully crafted design latte art. Remember to inform them in advance if you don’t want latte art.

“It was kind of an accidental turn in life！” When asked how he came to open this café, owner Cheng Chien-hung shared the story of opening the shop with a smile. Originally an IC engineer, the owner left his job due to the economic downturn. In the two to three years after leaving, he worked in multimedia and the food and beverage industry. Later, his brother happened to have a vacant storefront (the current location), “I thought, why not start a small business,” which gave birth to Rotashi Café.

The small Rotashi may not have many seats, but it has a strong homely feel, and the most touching part isthe diverse 3D animal latte art. Whether it’s common designs like cats and bears, or even octopuses, rabbits, and elephants, there are as many as 22 latte art designs for customers to choose from.Cheng Chien-hung said that they have actually developed nearly 40 latte art designs, but only some are offered to customers because some are more difficult and take longer to make.

▲Cheng Chien-hung mentioned that among the many latte art designs, the elephant takes the least time to make, while the octopus and rabbit take longer.

Cheng Chien-hung, who is not from a related academic background, revealed that he and the barista started by learning flat latte art. Until one day, he saw 3D cat-shaped latte art from Japan, “I thought it was so cute, so I started researching on my own,” and unexpectedly developed his own skills and created many different 3D latte art designs. Don’t underestimate these tiny latte art designs that can be finished in one sip—he averages five minutes to make one, and on regular days with fewer customers, he still makes 50 to 60 cups a day. On weekends, it goes without saying, and sometimes he doesn’t even have time to rest.

Even though the work makes life busy,Cheng Chien-hung still says emotionally, “Customers often say my latte art designs melt their hearts, but I feel more like the customers have melted mine.” Although he’s always focused on making latte art with his head down at the counter and doesn’t see the customers’ expressions, he can still feel the feedback from the customers through their exclamations. Because of this, no matter how tired the work gets, the encouragement from customers always keeps him going.

▲%The popular drinks here are not only great in flavor but also very photogenic. And for those who love desserts, it’s also a great choice.