The old street branch's cats have their own "cat recliners"   A 5kg belly has become a new highlight in Pinglin

▲ Sun Wukong (left) and A-Chou, the mother-daughter duo. (Photo provided by owner Li Jiancheng, same below)

Reported by Chen Ruizhong / Taipei

The tea egg shop located on Pinglin Old Street has recently become an alternative popular attraction on the old street, thanks to the adorable and chubby sleeping postures of its resident mother-daughter cats, “A-Chou” and “Sun Wukong.”

▲ The owner specially made genuine leather recliners for the two shop cats.

A-Chou, who is two years old this year, is a tortoiseshell stray that was taken in by Pinglin Tea Egg Shop owner Li Jiancheng. She was named “A-Chou” because she was quite ugly when she first arrived at the shop, and now weighs about 3.5kg. Her daughter, “Sun Wukong,” is the only one among her six siblings who resembles her mother and also the only one who stayed by her side. Now one year old, she has a plump 5.2kg figure and is a pampered little princess.

▲ Sun Wukong’s bold sleeping posture and round belly have now become a signature feature of the shop.

Not only do they share a similar color, but the mother and daughter both love to sleep. Owner Li said the pair often sleeps for over ten hours a day, so he specially made exclusive “cat recliners” for them to rest comfortably. Li mentioned that he originally only made one recliner, but whenever A-Chou would lie on it, Sun Wukong would bonk her head, so he made another one. To prevent fabric from snagging on fur, he even specifically chose sofa-quality cowhide for the seat surface—very thoughtful. Some people have even asked the owner, “Would you take orders?”

▲ Sun Wukong.

It’s precisely because the mother and daughter look so adorable together while lying on the recliners to sleep, coupled with their round bellies, that photos of the shop cats have gone viral after being taken by customers, and the cat duo has become the tea egg shop’s popular mascots. Not only do students from nearby elementary schools come after school to pet the cats, but many tourists also make special trips to see the surprising sleeping postures of A-Chou and Sun Wukong. Owner Li revealed that to prevent fleas, he regularly gives the mother and daughter baths. Moreover, Sun Wukong has a better temperament and allows people to pet her, while A-Chou doesn’t like strangers touching her belly—she’s quite the character.

In fact, besides A-Chou and Sun Wukong, the shop also sells tea eggs that are stewed for 72 hours and tea-flavored ice cream from Pinglin. If you’re passing by, you can try some local specialties and enjoy the bold sleeping poses of A-Chou and Sun Wukong.

Pinglin Old Street Tea Eggs
Address: 100, Pinglin Street, Pinglin District, New Taipei City 232