Newly Opened Rustic-Style Restaurant in Kaohsiung: Pasta with a Whole Squid!

Text and photos byShadow

We’ve visited so many restaurants, but none with such an abundance of quirky goods. With over 20 years of experience as a hands-on craft teacher, every detail in this shop has been personally arranged, creating a one-of-a-kind, rustic-chic space filled with charming home-style elements.

When we dined here, the shop had only been open for about two weeks. The owner told us that they previously operated in an art gallery before relocating and reopening here. The boss is a craft teacher who loves making small DIY items—under her skillful hands, every object gets a new lease on life. She never originally planned to work in the food industry; she learned to cook under a mentor and even helped out at other restaurants. But combining her craft classes with cuisine has always been her dream.

Aside from being a restaurant, this is also a hands-on crafting classroom run by the teacher. Every piece on the walls is handmade by her and absolutely captivating.

With such extensive crafting experience, some people have fallen in love with DIY rustic goods just by seeing her finished pieces—and have even gone on to take lessons with her.

Although the dining space isn’t very large, it’s cozy and inviting, thanks in no small part to the many handcrafted elements. Nearly everything in the shop is handmade, including some of the tables, whose crafted textures carry a warmth you just can’t get from mass-produced furniture.

Currently, besides the teacher who doubles as head chef, there’s only one staff member. All dishes are made to order, so please be patient during busy times.

On the left side of the entrance is a private room with a wooden door that’s been specially treated to give it a handcrafted feel. Many visitors might find it familiar—this space was previously a multi-concept restaurant, retaining the same layout but with a completely different interior style.

The small private room can seat up to eight people, making it perfect for small group gatherings without too many distractions.

On the counter, there’s complimentary lemonade for guests to help themselves to. The pitcher it comes in is so adorable, you might wish you had one at home too.

Nearby utensils are self-serve, and if you look around, you’ll discover plenty of charming little handmade items.

Even the menu is handwritten, featuring slow-food dishes like pancakes, salads, and sandwiches. You can order individual items or upgrade to a combo meal for an additional charge.

Drinks include tea, juices, and coffee. There’s a minimum spend of NT$100 per person, and outside food is not allowed.

Chef’s Soup – NT$50

Soups may be common in many restaurants, but distinctive ones are rare. This is probably the mushroom-richest soup we’ve ever had.

Shadow often watches international cooking shows and knows how much foreign cuisines love using mushrooms. Different varieties offer unique aromas—not only enhancing fragrance but also adding texture.

Shrimp & Mushroom Grilled Rice – NT$250

The generous amount of shrimp looks absolutely appetizing, but the star isn’t the shrimp—it’s the grilled rice!

Packed with a variety of mushrooms, the grilled rice delivers layers of aroma that stimulate the taste buds. The flavor is incredibly mild yet delicious—the first bite alone tells you why it’s a customer favorite.

Creamy Mushroom & Squid Pasta – NT$250

This dish was originally a risotto, but we asked the chef to make it as pasta instead. At first, I thought the creamy flavor might be too heavy, but it wasn’t—thanks to the generous portion of mushrooms.

A whole squid is generously served, while the pasta is loaded with assorted mushrooms and vegetables, adding wonderful texture.

Shadow rarely eats creamy sauces due to their heavy creaminess, but this one wasn’t as rich as expected. Instead, it retained a delicate aroma that really suited our palate.

Mixed Caramel Fresh Fruit Pancake – NT$180

The teacher emphasizes natural ingredients and minimal seasoning in her cooking. Even when baking, she avoids using chemical leaveners, relying solely on basic ingredients like eggs and flour to create unique pancakes you won’t find elsewhere.

The texture of these pancakes is unlike any we’ve seen or tasted elsewhere. They look like baked eggs on the outside but have the softness of cake inside. Though the method may not be refined, it’s the most natural and original flavor, paired with seasonal fruits.

Fresh Fruit Tea – NT$160

It was a huge pot of fruit tea. The shop owner was worried it might not be sweet enough, so they also added their homemade syrup separately.

There were many kinds of fruits in it, giving the fruit tea a rich flavor and significantly higher sweetness. Later, we asked the shop owner to adjust the sweetness. If you’re trying this drink, you might want to have a sip first — if it’s too sweet, you can ask them to adjust it.

Limited edition cold drip coffee: 180 NTD

They served the cold drip coffee in a generous portion, and there was even a whole bottle of Gaotai Ranch fresh milk that could be mixed into a latte. The sweetness could be adjusted with their homemade syrup. The coffee had a strong flavor — I’m not sure if it was made with dark-roasted beans. As someone who isn’t deeply knowledgeable about coffee, I can only say you’ll have to try it yourself to see if you like it.

The commitment to using natural ingredients in their cooking comes from having sick family members. Only when you’ve gone through it yourself do you truly understand the importance of food safety. We rarely come across unique little shops with such a general store vibe. Plus, the owner is both a chef and a hands-on craft teacher, using her most familiar creations to enhance the restaurant’s charm. The food is delicious, making it well worth adding to your must-visit list — sharing it with everyone.

Homely Café Slow Food Handmade Class
Address: No. 112, Xinsou Street, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City
Map:https://goo.gl/maps/pwfsdzS7cin
Phone: 07-2221578
Business hours: 11:00–21:00
Closed on Mondays

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