A whimsical alligator-themed dessert shop — try the savory chicken pie "pop-up book"

Text and photos by /Kuma

On a drizzly day, I found a dessert shop to brighten my mood despite the gloomy weather. What caught my eye about Lady Crocodile wasn’t just its playful name, but also the charming illustrations. Tucked away in an alleyway, this dessert shop offers both sweet tarts and savory pies — perfect for a filling meal or a light bite, whether you’re here for afternoon tea or brunch.

Hidden away in Lane 9, Lin Sen 2nd Road, Lady Crocodile is truly tucked out of sight, though it’s close to the bustling San Duo Shopping District. Its simple exterior gives way to warm, amber-hued lighting inside that creates a cozy atmosphere. With limited seating, it’s best to make a phone reservation in advance if you want to avoid waiting.

The menu also features cute illustrations, and the dish names are creatively playful. Savory pies and sweet tarts can be ordered individually or as part of combo sets, making them suitable not only for afternoon tea but also for brunch.

For the savory pies, the shop thoughtfully provides a photo gallery and text descriptions, so you can clearly understand each dish.

That day, we ordered a green pesto cheese mushroom chicken savory pie and chose black tea as our accompanying drink. The curved plate resembles an open book, and with the food artfully arranged on top, it looks just like a three-dimensional pop-up book about desserts — delicious, visually delightful, and full of reading-like fun.

Next, let’s explore the hidden flavors within this “plate book.” The thin, crispy crust encircles a generous filling, where aromatic green pesto meets stretchy cheese, leaving you wanting another slice.

The side salad is sprinkled with chunky nuts and drizzled with a honey vinaigrette, offering a refreshing and textured contrast.

The sweet potato fries were so good they made me want to order another portion. Cut into thin strips, the crispy edges after frying paired perfectly with the savory sauce — truly addictive.

There was also a small serving of potato salad mixed with bacon.

By the way, the shop’s portioning plates are also adorable.

The variety of sweet tart flavors is a thoughtful touch by the shop. In one go, you can sample four different kinds, satisfying your sweet-tooth indecisiveness. Lady Crocodile’s combo includes one each of a 6cm lemon tart, matcha white jade chocolate tart, banana chocolate tart, and wild berry cheese tart. They’re slightly smaller than the 8cm single-order size, but you get to enjoy four flavors in one go.

On the plate, aside from the delicious sweet tarts, the most eye-catching and adorable element is the alligator design created with matcha powder and chocolate powder.

The wild berry cheese tart is packed tightly with berries. Since the shop’s sweet tarts are mostly served chilled, you can enjoy them with an ice cream-like texture right when they’re served, or let them sit and soften slightly before eating.

The matcha white jade chocolate tart. From the crust to the filling, all are infused with matcha powder, delivering a bittersweet taste with a distinct matcha aroma. In the middle is a chewy white jade pearl, topped with Oreo crumbs. The Q-texture of the pearls clings perfectly to the dual bitterness and sweetness of the matcha and Oreo chocolate, allowing you to enjoy both flavors along with the chewy texture in one bite — truly captivating.

The lemon tart has a mildly tangy flavor that I, who loves sourness, really enjoyed.

The banana chocolate tart features a rich chocolate filling with sliced bananas, sweet yet not overly heavy.

The utensils for the desserts are also adorable — shovels and rakes. With these themed tools, what you’re “digging” for today isn’t treasure or gold, but the deliciousness hidden within the desserts.

The black tea served with the savory pie combo isn’t overly sweet; the water cups provided by the shop have super cute designs.

Now, if you visit on Saturdays or Sundays and order the Lady Crocodile Party set, you’ll get a complimentary First Love Green Tea, with its sweet and tangy flavor reminiscent of puppy love. There are also two pieces of handmade bitter-sweet chocolate cookies, which are delicious.

The interior of the shop is long and narrow, with simple decor and limited seating space. A little disappointing was the lack of extensive alligator-themed decorations, which I had expected to see around the shop.

That day, there weren’t many desserts in the refrigerated display case.

Self-service area for utensils and drinks.

Lady Crocodile also offers group-order delivery and takeaway services, so friends outside the city can enjoy their treats, and locals can order delivery too.

Just a quick peek inside.

Featuring an alligator as the main theme is quite rare, but the cute design aligns well with the shop’s style — I really love it. I wonder if they’ll launch related merchandise in the future? I’m definitely looking forward to it… ^^

On a rainy afternoon, I savored a pop-up book of a savory chicken pie at Lady Crocodile’s shop, and dug into the deliciousness of the sweet tarts with my fork and shovel — it was a truly happy and satisfying experience.

Looking forward to my next visit.

Lady Crocodile
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Address: No. 40, Lane 9, LinSen 2nd Rd., Lingya District, Kaohsiung City
Phone: (07)338-8881
Business Hours: 10:00 – 18:00 (Closed on Mondays)

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