Popular café in Yilan: the soft and layered "cheese soufflé"

Text and photos byXiao Hu’s Dream-Eating Web

Soufflés are one of my personal favorite desserts, but sometimes I feel like they all taste pretty similar—aside from slight variations in flavor, of course, and I mean the good ones. That is, until I discovered the "cheese soufflé" at Café No. 50.

Café No. 50 is located about a ten-minute walk from both Jiaoxi Station and the bus transfer station. It’s situated on a fairly busy road but away from heavy traffic. However, it’s said to be packed on weekends, with people sometimes even unable to get a seat...

If I remember correctly, I rarely write about brunches, desserts, or afternoon teas in Yilan. But as soon as I stepped into this café, I realized that such cafés have gradually become popular in Yilan—and the atmosphere is quite nice too.

Even the corner by the door is decorated with great care.

Café No. 50 is a popular stopover and resting spot for many cycling enthusiasts in Yilan. Judging by the many bicycle-related decorations and hanging ornaments on the walls, I’m guessing the owner is also a cycling fan.

What’s this cat’s name? I forgot as soon as I heard it... It stood still facing the camera, super cooperative—but after taking the photo, I realized it kind of looked like a fake cat XXD.

The second floor has a small mezzanine also decorated in a cycling theme. It’s said to be a great spot for cyclists to gather and chat. Friends who like to chat can sit here too—it’s less likely to disturb others or be disturbed.

The menu includes not only chalk drawings on the blackboard but also a list featuring brunch, light meals, desserts, coffee, and drinks.

In terms of pricing, aside from one or two combo sets, almost everything is under NT$150, and many drinks and desserts are even under NT$100.

On a gradually warming summer day, a pot of cool and slightly tangy fruit tea is perfect—and it’s said to be a favorite among many customers, especially women. The iced fruit tea at Café No. 50 isn’t overly strong in tea flavor, which also means there’s less of an astringent aftertaste. The fruit acidity isn’t sickly sweet, but rather pleasantly tangy and smooth. There’s a generous amount of fresh fruit in the pot, all freshly cut.

This peach iced tea was originally something the owner brewed for herself, but it turned out customers liked it too—so it became a permanent menu item. This peach tea has a bit more tea aroma, mixed with the subtle sweetness of peaches, making it very refreshing.

One thing that makes the hot latte here a bit different is that you pour the milk yourself, and there’s quite a lot of it. The benefit is that you can adjust it to your preference to make the best-tasting latte. I personally prefer lattes with more milk, but I’m often too shy to ask cafés for extra milk since it’s more expensive. Seriously, for those of us who love a milky latte, this method is especially great.

I usually want to try matcha lattes whenever I see them, and this one has a rather mild matcha aroma—no bitterness, with a richer milk flavor. It’s incredibly smooth and delicious.

For baked goods, there are three options: beef, chicken, and vegetable. All are priced under NT$10. The crust is crispy with a slight crunch, and there’s a hint of the aroma of flatbread as you chew, followed by another distinct flavor.

As for the fillings, there’s quite a lot of cheese—very smooth and melty when you bite into it. The sweetness of the chicken, the acidity of the tomatoes, and the aroma of the cheese create a rich and varied taste and texture, much tastier than expected. If you find it not acidic or refreshing enough, you can pour the accompanying diced tomatoes on top—I love eating it that way.

The American-style sour cucumber tuna sandwich comes with a side of freshly fried, crispy, and soft French fries. The portion is quite generous for just NT$100.

The toast itself has an extra layer of aroma from toasting, and the bread slices are relatively thick and hearty, adding to the feeling of fullness. The tuna mash is flavorful, and the sourness of the pickles is just right. Paired with plenty of lettuce and tomatoes, it adds juiciness to each bite. It’s hearty and filling, making it a great light meal option for brunch or afternoon tea.

For desserts, aside from the signature pancakes, the chocolate brownie is also a very popular treat at Café No. 50. It’s topped with a few slices of apple and whipped cream, which serve both as decoration and as a way to balance the richness and stickiness of the chocolate brownie.

This brownie has a very dense texture, even a bit chewy. The chocolate aroma is rich with a pleasant hint of bitterness, and the sweetness isn’t as high as I expected. With the hidden walnut flavor in the middle and the occasional satisfying bite, the texture and taste are quite layered.

Finally, the cheese soufflé I was so looking forward to. Normally, the more famous soufflés in Taipei cost over NT$150, but at Café No. 50, it’s only NT$95. Even though it does look a bit smaller, I actually think that makes it just the right size for one person—before the taste and texture get too rich.

The reason I love this soufflé is mainly because of the clever touch of the cheese on top. It adds a bit of stickiness or even emulsification to the initial texture, unlike regular soufflés that just melt all the way through. The cheese aroma also adds another layer of flavor to the egginess, while reducing the potential aftertaste of plain egg flavor. Aside from the cheese, the soufflé itself is also quite excellent—light, fluffy, melts in your mouth, and is absolutely delicious. A must-try and highly recommended.

Get a 10% discount for checking in and liking on social media at checkout—though I’m not sure if there’s a limit. Otherwise, does that mean the more you eat, the more you save?

Café No. 50
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Address: 3F, No. 50, Health Road, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County
Phone: (03) 988 8808
Business hours: Monday to Friday 12:00–20:00, Saturday 09:00–21:00, Sunday 09:00–18:00

"Xiao Hu's Dream-Eating Web
If "eating" is just about filling your stomach, then "food" would be far too boring～～