The best coffee in Kaohsiung!! A pour-over coffee with subtle fruity and honey notes

Text & Photos /Happy Cloud

During this holiday trip back home, I suddenly realized that Kaohsiung has gotten even better!! Aside from the great weather, I’ve noticed new developments in the city every year I return. In recent years, I’ve also stumbled upon some truly great coffee shops. On this holiday, while wandering around and with the help of Google, I unexpectedly discovered an old-house-turned-café serving excellent coffee and delicious desserts. Located in Kaohsiung’s once-bustling Yancheng District, which is home to many nostalgic local eats, I never expected to find such a charming coffee shop here.

I’m not sure why Yuanfei Donkey Pie (PIEFFEE) is located here—there doesn’t seem to be a bustling commercial area nearby. Perhaps that’s exactly why I chose to come. It takes over ten minutes to walk here from the MRT station, and there are no particularly notable attractions nearby. I thought I might avoid some of the holiday crowds and tourists, but surprisingly, the place was almost completely "full." That afternoon, I got lucky and secured the last two available seats—it must be fate that brought me here!!

I love the atmosphere of this space, and the second floor offers a great view of the changing light—it’s a wonderful coincidence. We sat in a corner by a wall made of old glass windows. Looking at the stacked old glass windows, I felt a retro design with a strong hipster vibe. Inside the wooden-floored space, there were two tables—one occupied by young people, and the other a "reserved" empty seat waiting for upcoming guests.

On this trip, I discovered something interesting about Kaohsiung’s cafés—they seem to have an unwritten rule where you pretty much need to "make a reservation." It’s not just a casual question from the staff; if you don’t reserve ahead, the place is usually full. It’s quite different from the more casual coffee culture in Taipei and other cities. It’s a lesson and a reminder that life requires planning. It’s different from my usual routine, but it’s probably a local custom—and I should embrace it!! Once, I went to a café that opened at 11 AM, and when we arrived at 11:08, they said they were already full... Next time friends plan to visit any café in Kaohsiung, remember to call and book ahead!!

The exterior of Yuanfei Donkey Pie (PIEFFEE) bears traces of urban renewal—like the remnants left after certain road expansions and demolitions, later adorned with graffiti by artists, giving the wall a playful, childlike charm!!

Pushing open the wooden door, the counter immediately catches your eye—it’s the heart of the café. This is where you order and pay, where the famous savory pies and dessert display case sits, and where the coffee is brewed one cup at a time.

The staff at the counter told us only two seats were left on the second floor, so we headed toward the stairs. The old house is deeper than it seems from the outside—there’s definitely more to it than meets the eye. Along the way, we passed a cozy lounge area and a coffee bean roasting room.

Two large, eye-catching paintings adorn the walls—the expressions of the girls in them are dreamy and innocent. At the stairway corner, there are also some books and small decorations, and in some corners, you can spot burlap sacks.

Walking up the stairs, the narrow hallway leads to what seems to be the area where savory pies and pastries are made. In a corner of the wall, there’s a small bookshelf. Moving forward, you’re greeted by a delightful surprise—a tree!! Hahaha, what a charming design. No wonder the staff told the customers behind us: "Your reserved seat is under the ‘tree’..." Now I get it!!

The ceiling, flooded with natural light and high-ceilinged, gives a familiar, comforting feeling. The old house has great height, making it feel spacious and free of any sense of oppression. You can look up at the sky, and the lights blend in seamlessly without feeling out of place. Some natural light also streams in through the glass in the roof.

The large wall made of old windows and frames quickly caught our attention, and we easily found our seats. Hahaha, it’s not my favorite spot, but I still feel lucky—we didn’t come up empty-handed.

After settling in, I wondered what to order. This place roasts its own beans, and I read online that it serves the best coffee in Kaohsiung. Hahaha, of course, I had to go for coffee!! Someone also mentioned their savory pies are amazing, but since we were already full, we just ordered a dessert to go with the coffee. The savory pie will have to wait for next time!!

I ordered a latte and the barista-recommended pour-over beans of the day. I think I chose Guatemalan beans—maybe because I’ve visited coffee farms in Central America, I always tend to go for Guatemalan beans, perhaps Santa Ana or Huehuetenango... etc.

For dessert, I picked a rare "fig tart"—a sweet treat made with fresh figs, which is already uncommon in Taiwan. When I see one, I absolutely have to order it!!

The latte’s latte art was unexpectedly cute and fitting for the Year of the Monkey and 2016, which instantly brightened our mood—it was just adorable!! The staff also kindly reminded us to take photos first before the milk foam dissipated!! Hahaha, such thoughtful advice really made us smile.

The pour-over coffee came in a vintage-style cup, along with an extra small cup. The staff explained that it’s meant for sharing between two people—hahaha, what a lovely concept. It felt warm and welcoming!! The Guatemalan beans from Central America were lightly roasted, perfect for someone like me who doesn’t like overly acidic or bitter coffee. It was smooth, with subtle fruity and honey notes—I really liked it. Maybe it’s not an intense coffee, but it’s the kind of well-balanced cup I enjoy. Online reviews say the owner is very picky about beans, so I trust it’s good.

The dessert was decent too. Thanks to the internet age, after checking in on Facebook, a friend mentioned this café is run by a friend of a friend. Another said the dessert is a collaboration with another shop. Someone else said this place didn’t used to be here—it moved recently. And another mentioned that last time they came, not everything was set up yet.

Yet another friend said their home is nearby, but they’re currently in Japan... Hahaha, I love how the internet breaks boundaries, connecting friends in such tangible and intangible ways. Through these little exchanges, I learned a bit more about this café. It seems to be a well-known spot in Kaohsiung—why else would so many friends have been here??

During the holiday season, there were quite a few customers coming and going, and the staff seemed pretty busy. Unfortunately, I didn’t get much chance to chat with them or the owner. Yuanfei Donkey Pie (PIEFFEE) is great in both atmosphere and taste—I’ll definitely come back when it’s less crowded, try the savory pie, and chat a bit more, hoping to learn more about the story behind the shop.

Yuanfei Donkey Pie (Donkey Pie)
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/donkeypie
Address: No. 276, Jianguo 4th Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City 803
Phone: 07-533-0944
Business Hours: 10:00-22:00 (Closed on Wednesdays)
No service charge; FREE WIFI

*For more information, please see-->Happy Cloud's Travel Blog*Fan Page*