Spanish-style specialties at Beijing Station!“Colorful ‘pan-fried bao’ pizza balls

Text and photos byXiongmao Rudy

Located on the fifth floor of Taipei Transfer Station’s Vieshow Cinema, MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics offers hand-brewed coffee for afternoon tea, TAPAS-inspired dishes, and diverse, colorful platters.

Whether on weekdays or holidays, Xiong and Mao’s schedules are usually packed. When they do find time to rest, it’s mostly either for sports or staying home watching DVDs. But occasionally, when they want a real movie date, they often run into issues — most of which are time-related, like arriving too early or needing to kill time, and not knowing where to dine or wait.

The restaurant Xiong and Mao are introducing this time is located on the super bustling fifth floor of Beijing Station’s Jing Station Fashion Plaza (yes, the same floor as Vieshow), and this newly opened MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics is actually a fantastic multi-purpose restaurant. Stick around as Xiong breaks it down for you.

Basically, if you’re just looking for delicious food, Beijing Station and Taipei Main Station form an important and convenient hub. When friends from all over gather, the best meeting spot is often Taipei Main Station or the transfer plaza (so no one is inconvenienced...). So just in terms of transportation, restaurants here have a clear advantage, though the competition is also quite fierce.

Also, apart from watching movies at Beautiful China in Neihu, Xiong and Mao really enjoy catching films at Vieshow in Beijing Station. After buying tickets, they always look for a place to eat but are too lazy to go elsewhere, so they hope to find good food right after buying tickets at Vieshow. The restaurant they were invited to this time is MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics, located on the fifth floor of Beijing Station next to Vieshow (and it turns out to fit all their criteria perfectly).

The reason it’s called multi-functional is that it can meet a variety of needs... For movie-goers, a perfect restaurant has to cater to three different demands. Xiong and Mao, who are coffee lovers and drink it everywhere (just kidding!), were delighted to find that MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics not only offers regular coffee but also has hand-brewed coffee (at surprisingly reasonable prices). There’s a stylish high stool area that’s great for enjoying coffee, beer, or desserts.

Moreover, not only should the coffee be great, but because waiting for movie tickets often takes time, a comfortable and spacious dining space (preferably with music) and a great atmosphere for conversation are also ideal.

Finally, while sipping coffee, chatting, and enjoying the ambiance, being able to enjoy delicious food is simply the icing on the cake. And MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics has definitely thought of that, offering TAPAS-inspired diverse dishes as one of its highlights.

The space here is actually quite spacious, with softer lighting that gives off a cozy vibe — something Xiong clearly felt upon entering.

Next, a great restaurant shouldn’t only have a comfortable and beautiful environment, but also signature dishes. So let’s take a look at the menu at MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics. First up, Xiong will introduce the set meals.

Simply put, MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics is a restaurant that specializes in Spanish TAPAS cuisine. The name MAGO actually means “magician” in Spanish, and this concept infuses creativity into every dish. So, besides typical TAPAS, even the main courses carry the TAPAS spirit.

In addition, the dishes also incorporate some food safety concepts, such as using fresh fruit to make natural fruit jellies in drinks. Coupled with refined yet affordable pricing, Xiong was genuinely pleased after browsing the menu. Whether you’re a party of two, four, or six, there’s a corresponding set meal for you.

Besides full meals, they also offer afternoon tea sets with sweet treats and drinks, providing more varied options for those not wanting a heavy meal.

The hardest part about choosing dishes here is that everything looks so good, making it tough to decide... (Why not just get one of each?).

Of course, aside from set meals, MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics also has à la carte options. And the dish that best embodies the versatile spirit of TAPAS is the MAGO Ultimate Magic Platter (NT$300, 5 flavors), which looks like colorful pan-fried buns but is actually pizza (just kidding!).

Other highlights include the Cuttlefish Ink Squid Rice (NT$240), Crispy Fried Seafood Platter (NT$180), Tandoori Chicken and Bell Pepper Skewers (NT$150), and Basil White Wine Clams (NT$399) — Xiong will be trying them all today!! (fist pump)

Naturally, unique drinks pair well with the varied TAPAS. That’s why the Tropical Fizz with Fresh Fruit (NT$130) and Seasonal Mango Fizz (NT$130) are such crowd-pleasers.

For the main course, Xiong chose the Garlic Pork Drumstick (NT$320), which allows you to pick your own sides. And, of course, the afternoon tea set wasn’t forgotten — Xiong went for the Golden Pineapple Soufflé Pancake (NT$240) paired with Guatemalan Laminita Flower God Spring Hand-Brewed Coffee (NT$150). Whether you're in the mood for a full meal or just coffee, this place has you covered!!

The first dish to arrive was the incredibly colorful and delicate Tandoori Chicken and Bell Pepper Skewers (NT$150).

Honestly, this dish perfectly embodies MAGO Gourmet Magic Aesthetics’ TAPAS concept. It’s exquisitely prepared, unlike typical skewers that might feel a bit unrefined to eat. But when enjoyed in small, bite-sized portions like this, both texture and presentation are elevated beautifully.

With colorful yellow, red, and green bell peppers paired with grilled chicken, dipped in a sauce that looks rich but is actually refreshingly tangy, it’s a truly distinctive and excellent appetizer.

Next up isthe Crispy Fried Seafood Platter (NT$180).

Though it looks elegant, it boldly combines five types of seafood: crystal fish, squid, octopus, shrimp, and pomfret — a very generous offering (and all at such a reasonable price, which is seriously impressive!).

Each ingredient is fresh and juicy, and stays tender even after frying. The natural flavor pairs wonderfully with tartar sauce.

On the left isSeasonal Mango Sparkling Drink (130 RMB, per cup), and on the right isTropical Sparkling Drink (130 RMB, per cup)

Both drinks feature handmade natural fruit jelly, with every sip delivering natural sweetness — a world apart from artificial flavors. Personally, Xiong especially loves the Tropical Sparkling Drink for its varied fruity flavors and rich taste.

Next up is a dish that Xiong has always loved.Basil White Wine Braised Mussels (399 RMB, per serving)With simple seasoning and fresh, plump New Zealand mussels of top quality, it’s the kind of dish that gets more addictive the more you eat.

The slightly chewy yet fluffy potato cubes, dipped in the rich and aromatic broth, are also a fantastic way to enjoy it.

The Italian garlic white wine sauce completely captivated Xiong — it’s not overly heavy in flavor. For Xiong, the best seasoning is just right, as it best highlights the freshness of the mussels.

Combined with the lemon juice and the seasoning itself, every bite of mussel is bursting with juicy goodness. For Xiong, the simplest flavors are the best. Alternating between a mussel and the underlying broth beneath, plus the soft texture of the potatoes, creates a delicious trio in this dish.

Don’t think the MAGO wonder journey ends here — the best dishes are actually still to come... (and once again, there was too much food to finish, so some had to be packed up).

Cuttlefish Ink Squid Rice (240 RMB, per serving)

At first glance, the color scheme is clever. Black risotto is usually very visually challenging, so many restaurants avoid presenting it this way. But at MAGO’s culinary magic and aesthetics, they face it head-on, letting everyone appreciate the texture of the risotto. Topped with diced tomatoes and whole squids, it also reinvents the traditional Spanish paella.

It’s truly beautiful. The combination of whole squid and black risotto can only be described as bold elegance in black and red.

In terms of flavor, the rice mixed with cuttlefish ink has a medium-firm texture, with plenty of aroma and richness. The mouthfeel is delicate yet not too hard. Though not 100% al dente, it’s more approachable for most. The squid is chewy and springy, offering a solid seafood flavor without being too tough to chew — even those with average teeth can enjoy it with ease. With considerations for texture, refinement, and portion size, this dish becomes an excellent choice with high overall balance.

Next, the most luxurious dishes continue to arrive — it’s really the grand finale concept...

Garlic Pork Drumsticks (320 RMB, per serving)

Essentially, this is one of the key meat main courses here. Of course, aside from great taste, MAGO’s culinary magic and aesthetics even infuses the concept of tapas into this main dish. So besides braised pork drumsticks, it’s paired with two different side dishes — including pasta that can also serve as an accompaniment.

But this time, Xiong opted for a classic Italian dish, polenta, which is soft and fragrant in texture. On its own it’s light and elegant, but it also changes with different sauces.

Also, Xiong’s favorite olives make an appearance, adding a relaxed European vibe to the combination (perfect with a glass of white wine or beer).

Finally, it’s time to taste the main attraction — the pork drumsticks that are incredibly tender, flavorful, and juicy. Salty, rich, and not easily greasy, you’ll want to finish every bit of the sauce.

Tender and juicy — that’s Xiong’s first impression. Honestly, this dish is already captivating to look at. Plus, the texture is approachable, the flavor not heavy, and the tenderness just right, making it a great main course suitable for all age groups.

And the final grand finale isthe MAGO Magic Supreme Platter (300 RMB, five flavors),which is actually MAGO’s version of a mixed pizza.

To let everyone experience different flavors, MAGO’s culinary magic and aesthetics definitely doesn’t serve ordinary-looking pizzas. Instead, using a tapas-inspired approach, they create five spherical pizzas with different crusts and fillings, showcasing a colorful and creative new trend.

First, on the left is the fennel chicken pizza ball with a red curry base, packed with fragrant curry and juicy chicken. The first bite brings a refreshing yet bold flavor... Then on the right is a refreshing combo of green pesto, shrimp, and cheddar cheese sauce — perfect for cheese and seafood lovers, and also a dish Xiong finds uniquely textured.

Next, this dark-colored pizza ball is actually made with cuttlefish ink and squid — the springy squid combined with the ink-flavored dough offers a mix of freshness and aroma, another great option full of variety and character.

This next one is the Makgeolli Bacon — local spices paired with smoky bacon surprisingly create a refreshing taste. At first, you might wonder how this combo will turn out, but it turns out to be not only unique but also very approachable.

Finally, this one is what Xiong considers the most distinctive and favorite dish — the tomato cheese. Its tangy, bold flavor perfectly showcases the sweetness of vegetables and sun-dried tomatoes. Each bite feels refreshingly revitalizing.

After the main meal, MAGO Culinary Magic & Aesthetics certainly doesn’t stop there. As Yūya mentioned earlier, before watching a movie, you might not only want a great meal but also a good cup of coffee or an afternoon tea. Now, let’s take a look at the coffee here. So, next up isGuatemala Laminita Fleur de Sel Hand Drip Coffee (NT$150 per serving),There are three types of hand drip coffee here, and Yūya chose the moderately flavored Guatemala Laminita Fleur de Sel to test the barista’s skills.

In Yūya’s opinion, MAGO Culinary Magic & Aesthetics really goes the extra mile. Hand drip coffee involves a lot of technique and is highly dependent on the individual’s skill—restaurants really don’t have to offer this. But after asking the staff, we learned that MAGO specifically wanted to provide a reasonably priced option so everyone could enjoy a good cup of coffee before the movie...

The equipment is all set up.

The three types of beans are also clearly displayed, which is a very nice touch.

After grinding, the coffee beans are first passed around for everyone to smell.

Next comes the hand drip process. Each person’s technique, water flow angle, and strength will bring out different flavors in the coffee.

One sip and you’ll find this Guatemalan coffee has hints of dark chocolate—a smooth, not overly acidic flavor that’s both approachable and distinctive. Plus, the price is really reasonable, and they don’t just serve you a single cup—they nearly fill half a pot. That’s real dedication!!! (Highly recommended!!!)

Of course, with a great cup of coffee, you’ll also want to enjoy a lovely dessert. So, MAGO has also introducedGolden Pineapple Soufflé Pancake (NT$240 per serving),The top layer is loaded with fresh fruits, while the bottom is a soft, fluffy soufflé-style double-layer hot cake...

Overall, the fresh fruits are very healthy and the color scheme is vibrant, making for a great first visual impression. The sweet pineapple paired with the soft, fluffy soufflé pancake is irresistible—you just can’t stop eating. Honestly, as you can see, even though Yūya had already enjoyed many special dishes, it was still hard to resist.

So whether it’s the variety of tapas-style appetizers and mains, the colorful and diverse pizza balls, or the excellent hand drip coffee and soufflé pancake desserts, this all-around approach is truly impressive. Not sure what to eat during a movie break at Taipei Main Station? Rudy the Bear-Cat recommends MAGO Culinary Magic & Aesthetics—for meals or snacks, even hand drip coffee and afternoon tea, it’s all a great choice.

MAGO Culinary Magic & Aesthetics
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Address: 5F, No. 209, Section 1, Civic Blvd, Taipei City (Taipei Main Station Plaza)
Phone: (02) 2558-2968
Business Hours: Sunday to Thursday 11:00 AM–10:00 PM, Friday to Saturday 11:00 AM–11:00 PM

Author: Rudy the Bear-Cat, a food-loving couple who occasionally go wild spending on food and fun, but generally stick to the principle of “limited money, endless appetite.” Their blog《Rudy the Bear-Cat Eats the World》is updated simultaneously; follow their fan page. Rudy the Bear-Cat. Food Sharing.