Curry & Coffee Shop in Ximending – The Irresistibly Addictive "Destroyer Chicken Curry"

Text and photos by /Zhou Huahua

There’s a group of friends who always joke that Ximending is a food desert — they never know what to eat when meeting up here. Thankfully, someone did their homework and found this place. Both curry and coffee are incredibly appealing words to me, so even if the shop is in Ximending, it’s totally fine.

Provider-Dry Goods & Coffee
Recommendation Rating: ★★★☆☆ 3 stars
Brief Review: Ximending food recommendation, unlimited-time café with Wi-Fi and free power outlets

The store is located on Hankou Street, near Huannan South Road, which is considered the outer area of Ximending. It’s a bit of a walk from the MRT station — about a 10-minute stroll. The first floor is a café, and the second floor is a trendy fashion boutique. These days, hybrid cafés like this are becoming more common, probably because the barrier to entry for food and beverage is relatively low.

There aren’t many seats inside, and maybe because it was evening, the place wasn’t fully occupied. On holidays, there’s a two-hour dining time limit, but on weekdays, it’s unlimited. Free Wi-Fi and power outlets are provided, making it great for a long stay.

The industrial-style design has a hint of old-school charm, offering different vibes during the day and night. In one corner, today’s single-origin coffee beans and brand merchandise are displayed, giving off a rather professional impression that got me a little excited.

The menu at Provider-Dry Goods & Coffee is as follows

There’s a minimum order of one drink per person. The selection is very simple, with just a few drinks and food items. For drinks, you’ve got coffee, milk coffee, and single-origin — so those who don’t drink coffee have fewer options. There are only two types of curry rice: chicken and beef. You can choose a set meal with a 100-dollar drink and pay the difference if it goes over.

Ethiopia — 200 dollars

I wanted something purer tonight, so I asked the staff what beans they were using. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, washed, light roast — this is perfect for an evening single-origin. The menu price was 150 dollars, but when I checked out, it seemed to be 200 dollars. I’m not sure if it’s because I chose the iced version, so remember to double-check when ordering.

The barista said that their iced drinks use more coffee grounds, so the flavor doesn’t get diluted. The citrus note is very apparent upon the first sip. Compared to the bright and bold fruit acidity, I felt the aroma could be stronger. The finish had a slightly bitter, tea-like astringency — the balance could be improved.

Espresso + Tonic Water + Seasonal Fruit — 150 dollars

I’ll admit I was the one who convinced my friend to order this drink. I still love coffee sodas. The seasonal fruit was, unsurprisingly, lemon. But this is different from the Sicilian coffee concept, and you can’t shake it again — remember to “slowly” stir before drinking, or the bubbles will uncontrollably overflow and soak your table.

It seems they used a medium-to-dark roasted blend. Even with just a shot of espresso, the flavor is still quite strong. Maybe they didn’t use fresh lemon, so while the acidity is there, the fragrance is lacking — again, an issue with balance.

Destroyer Chicken Curry — 280 dollars

I thought it would come with a sunny-side-up egg, but instead, it had an onsen egg. The curry rice was more impressive than the coffee. The mild spice level is appetizing and makes you want to keep eating. The chicken was also excellent — pan-fried with the skin on, giving it a crispy, oily aroma. If I had to point out a flaw, it’s the portion size — not a lot, but just enough to leave a girl feeling full.

Provider-Dry Goods & Coffee offers a comfortable environment. If you’re in Ximending and want a place to sit, have a simple coffee, and grab a bite, this is a good choice. The curry rice is pretty tasty, but the coffee didn’t quite meet my standards. Then again, maybe I shouldn’t judge too harshly — after all, it’s not marketed as a specialty coffee shop, and it’s actually quite solid.

Provider Dry Goods & Coffee
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Address: No. 105, Section 2, Hankou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Phone: 02 2375 1585
Business Hours: Monday–Sunday 12:00–21:00

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