New Taipei Food Hotspot: 5 Popular Restaurants Near Songshan Cultural and Creative Park

Reported by Huang Shiyuan, Taipei

In recent years, the number of exhibitions held at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park has been increasing. Coupled with the opening of Eslite Bookstore in Songshan, more and more people have been visiting the area. Spotting hidden business opportunities, many restaurants have been opening up nearby. In addition to Japanese dessert shop LeTAO and the super popular coffee shop Goodi Coffee, even carbon-grilled toast brand Gao Sanxiao and Kyushu Pancake have now opened their second branches here. It’s believed that even more restaurants will set up shop in the future.


▲Kyushu Pancake's new flavor “Kyushu Matcha Tiramisu Pancake” launched for the opening of its Songshan branch. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Kyushu Pancake Songshan Branch
Using pancake mix made from seven types of grains sourced from Kyushu, and committed to using no emulsifiers or aluminum-containing leavening agents, Kyushu Pancake has opened its second outlet right next to Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. In addition to the original pancake offerings from its Fujin store, the new location also debuts two new matcha-flavored pancakes: “Kyushu Matcha Tiramisu Pancake” and “Kyushu Matcha Mont Blanc Pancake.” There’s also a series of drinks made with Kyoto Uji matcha. Each layer of the Kyushu Matcha Tiramisu Pancake is coated with specially made matcha sauce, topped with a cream made from mascarpone cheese, black honey, and fresh cream, then sprinkled with Uji matcha powder. A small bottle of drizzle sauce is also included. Yoshihira Hirokazu, who leads R&D for Kyushu Pancake, said this is their exclusive recipe—though he would only say it includes matcha.

Address: No. 2, Lane 22, Alley 553, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2769-1889

Gao Sanxiao Songshan Cultural and Creative Store
Located in the back alley behind Nanmen Market, “Gao Sanxiao Carbon-Grilled Toast” is run by two owners who graduated from Class 3-3 of Tamkang High School. They couldn’t come up with a good name for the shop, so they simply named it after their class — “Gao Sanxiao” — which is catchy and easy to remember. The interior is designed to look like a classroom, giving customers a nostalgic campus vibe as they dine. The Gao Sanxiao Carbon-Grilled Toast Songshan Cultural and Creative Store opened in September of last year (2015).

Address: No. 1, Lane 6, Alley 553, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2764-9060

▲Double-layer cheesecake flown in from overseas. (Photo / Reporter Zhou Chen'geng)

LeTAO Songshan Branch
The popular Hokkaido Otaru dessert shop LeTAO has opened its first overseas branch with the same name in Taiwan, launching in April at the entrance of Taipei’s Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. Their signature double-layer cheesecake is available here too. To maintain authenticity, the cheesecake is made in Japan and flown to Taiwan. The original double-layer cheesecake combines Italian mascarpone cheese, Australian cream cheese, and rich Hokkaido fresh cream. One layer is a no-bake chilled cheesecake, and the other is a baked cheesecake — both rich and melt-in-your-mouth. In addition to the original flavor, there are also chocolate and limited-edition matcha flavors, all equally popular.

Address: No. 30, Alley 553, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
TEL: 02-2760-2100

Drip Cafe (Goodi Coffee)
Goodi Coffee has become a popular spot near Songshan Cultural and Creative Park. Even on weekdays, the seating is often fully booked. In addition to offering quality coffee, their signature dessert “Strawberry Conaugh” is especially loved by young women. Aside from conaugh and handmade pies, the cafe also offers savory dishes like sandwiches and pasta, with the beef cheese sandwich being one of their fan favorites.

Address: No. 26, Alley 553, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-27648181

▲Voodoo Doughnut. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Voodoo Doughnut
The American doughnut shop Voodoo Doughnut, once dubbed an international tourist attraction by U.S. media and located on Portland’s Third Street, officially opened on July 18th of last year (2015). Its doughnuts feature quirky, unconventional designs — the human-shaped Voodoo Doughnut is especially popular. All doughnuts are handmade daily, with flavors displayed in a rotating glass display case so customers can easily pick their favorites. Staff are also happy to explain any flavor questions.

Address: No. 28, Alley 553, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2763-5593

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