A Garden Café in Banqiao Serves Italian-Inspired Light Meals & Sweet, Chewy Molten Marshmallow Pancakes

Text & Photos byXiongmao Rudy

Chatting (惬庭洋厨) across from Banqiao’s Big City Mall offers a cozy garden and a relaxed all-day dining atmosphere, serving hearty Italian pasta, risotto, meat mains, and satisfying desserts.

Eating is actually a very emotional experience. Of course, many would say taste and price are the most important—but for Xiong and Mao (the writers), the overall vibe from the moment you step in to when you leave plays a huge role in how much you enjoy a meal. Since we mostly live and work in Taipei, we’ve dined at countless restaurants around the city. Each has its own style and concept, but sadly, due to high real estate costs, spaciousness is often hard to come by.

For me, the ideal restaurant has a comfortable outdoor space—not too big, but well-maintained—offering a laid-back feel. Even though Taiwan’s weather is generally hot, sitting outside once in a while, amid the city’s hustle and bustle but in a quiet spot, with a coffee or glass of wine, can make you feel like you’re abroad... (Not that abroad is better than Taiwan, but locals here just don’t always know how to treat themselves well.) Also, if a place stays open late and serves more than just drinks and desserts—from breakfast through dinner—that’s just amazing.

The restaurant I visited this time? At first glance, you’d think it must be tucked away in some hidden alley to have such a space. But actually, Chatting (惬庭) is right across from Big City Mall in Xinzhuang Special District—on a main road, no less... (It’s really not easy to create such a courtyard in such a location.)

Finding a café with a garden is already tough enough, but Chatting not only has one, it’s this expansive—and when I was outside taking photos, there weren’t even many bugs around.

Aside from the breezy, well-ventilated garden, there’s also an adorable bear decoration—kids melt when they see it (and everyone wants to take selfies with it).

Now, let’s head inside the café. The space is bright and comfy, and surprisingly roomy. Though Chatting just opened recently, it already has a loyal following. As for hours, aside from a two-hour limit on weekends, weekdays are totally flexible—very considerate.

Given its location in Xinzhuang Special District—a premium real estate area—this kind of space is still quite rare.

Walking further in, the seating isn’t super crowded, and tables are well-spaced so diners won’t disturb each other. The owner mentioned that Chatting is pet-friendly, so bring your furry friends along.

Now, let’s look at the menu. The chef emphasizes that Chatting is a wholesome, healthy yet delicious all-day eatery—not just brunch, but also various Italian pastas, risottos, meat mains, desserts, and drinks. The best part? No artificial sweeteners, no pre-made ingredients, no instant mixes—everything is freshly made in-house daily, so no MSG or common additives here.

Most pancakes are made from pancake mix, but Chatting uses a blend of high- and low-gluten flour with eggs, milk powder, and white sugar. It’s more labor-intensive, but it helps avoid unnecessary additives. Also, as a “Western kitchen,” Chatting naturally offers a variety of international dishes. Many assume it’s just a brunch spot like other famous Banqiao cafés—but you can actually dine here from morning till night.

So, what are the highlights at Chatting? This time, I visited with two friends, so we got to try a wider range of dishes—including the popular, filling “Chatting Wellness Brunch” (NT$250, 10 AM–1 PM), plus “Truffle Mushroom Risotto” (NT$250, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–8:30 PM).

Of course, there’s also “White Wine Clam Pasta” (NT$200, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–8:30 PM). Want a more filling meal? For just NT$80 more, you can upgrade to a set that includes tea and soup of the day.

Since lunch and dinner are served, formal meat mains are a must—including “Pan-Seared Salmon with Mustard Sauce” (NT$380) and “French Lamb Shoulder Chop” (NT$550).

There’s also “German Pork Knuckle” (NT$300)—a classic dish (available 11 AM–2 PM, 5–8:30 PM). For sets, add NT$120 to enjoy a chef’s salad, soup, and tea.

For drinks, I had a “Hot Latte” (NT$130) and an “Iced Mocha” (NT$140).

Plus a “Matcha Frost” (NT$160) that’s sweet but not cloying, with a hint of saltiness, and a “Coffee Foam” (NT$160). And you absolutely can’t miss the uniquely textured “Molten Marshmallow Pancakes” (NT$200). But describing the food doesn’t do it justice—you have to taste it to understand the magic. So while snapping photos of the ambiance, I waited for my food and soaked in all the little details that make Chatting special.

Oh, and Chatting also offers business lunches, so it’s great for a midday meal too.

I didn’t get to try them this time (photos provided by Chatting for reference only), but the owner explained their business lunch currently features Three-Cup Chicken and Red Braised Beef Brisket (rotating periodically), paired with daily freshly made sides—so you’ll never get bored even if you come every day. The stir-fried Three-Cup Chicken has a lighter, fresher flavor compared to other places. I’ll definitely come back to try it.

After ordering and taking in the surroundings, if you just sit quietly, you can gradually sense Chatting’s homely vibe. Some restaurants, with their meticulously designed spaces, can feel a bit forced—but not here. With its wooden-toned interior and sunlight streaming in, even just sitting and doing nothing feels like complete happiness.

Alright, now for the meal. First up is the upgraded set with the meat main—for just NT$120 extra, you get a chef’s salad, soup, and tea. Honestly, it’s quite a generous deal.

The vegetable soup has a light, tangy broth—perfect with richer meat dishes.

The bread is a well-known brand’s focaccia, with good texture and chew.

Finally, the main course arrives: a generous portion of “White Wine Clam Pasta” (NT$200, 11:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–8:30 PM).

Also, just a quick note: upgrading sides for meat mains is NT$120, while for pasta and risotto, it’s NT$80—including soup and tea. A solid choice.

Now, time to really savor the White Wine Clam Pasta. Flavor-wise, it’s a refreshing seafood style—the briny taste of the clams is brought out by the white wine, creating a salty-savory oceanic profile that gives this dish a distinct personality.

Next, the pasta itself isn’t overcooked to the point of being too soft. While it doesn’t retain the core of the noodle like some authentic Italian methods abroad, it still has a satisfying chew. The sweet and briny clam broth gives the pasta a mature flavor with a rich umami taste, making this one of Xiong’s pleasant surprises.

Also, there’s the truffle wild mushroom risotto (NT$250, per serving) (available from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM). At first glance, the portion may not seem very large, but after tasting, you’ll still feel quite satisfied.

Including fresh vegetables and the thinly sliced, crispy fried king oyster mushrooms on top, it also showcases QieTing Western Kitchen’s creativity and playful flair. Overall, the risotto has a medium-cooked rice core—not too soft, not too hard. The rich aroma and flavor of truffle create a very layered taste experience.

Next, the owner also recommends that these Italian pasta and risotto dishes pair best with their matcha foam (NT$160, per cup) and aromatic coffee cappuccino (NT$160, per cup). To be fair, foam and cappuccino drinks can easily be ruined by overly sweet and greasy cream, making them enjoyable for just the first couple of sips before turning too sweet. Fortunately, QieTing Western Kitchen’s beverages don’t have that issue. Instead, a hint of subtle saltiness adds variety to the flavor and makes them much smoother to drink.

After finishing the drinks and taking a short break, the next highlight of QieTing Western Kitchen arrives—the various steak dishes are served one after another.

First up is the French-style lamb shoulder steak (NT$550, per serving) (available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM). The presentation is simple yet stylish, giving the impression of a hearty portion. Four large lamb shoulder steaks display a bold and generous vibe. Although the price isn’t cheap, the cost-performance ratio is actually quite good.

In terms of texture, the meat is springy yet still delivers the vitality and juiciness of lamb. The flavor is on the rich side, and for those who enjoy lamb chops, the chewy, bone-in texture is likely to be very appealing.

Next, the staff also brings out a specialty brunch from QieTing Western Kitchen... (Brunch always comes with a cup of black tea.)

This dish, called the QieTing Wellness Brunch (NT$250, per serving), is actually quite substantial. It includes chicken thigh steak, focaccia bread, scrambled eggs, seasonal vegetables, and a special sauce that offers a nice variety.

In terms of flavor, the wellness brunch is on the lighter side, but the portion is reasonable. Overall, for men, it’s about 70% full. It’s recommended to pair it with a cup of coffee for even more satisfaction.

Next to arrive is the pan-seared salmon with mustard seed sauce (NT$380, per serving) (available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM).

The fish fillet has a crispy exterior and a rich, tender interior. Because some of the oil has been rendered out, it’s not too greasy. Paired with the mustard seed sauce, it becomes even more refreshing and delicious. This dish is especially suitable for kids or elders.

And for those with a bigger appetite, Xiong would recommend going straight for the German pork knuckle (NT$300, per serving) (available from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM).

Honestly, the skin has a crispy and crunchy texture that’s really satisfying to chew. The meat is flavorful and well-marinated. When dipped in mustard sauce, it feels hearty and refreshing. Upon asking the staff, they mentioned that in the future, it might also be sold with alcohol during evening hours—to add variety and create a more relaxed dining atmosphere.

After finishing the steak dishes, both Xiong and the two friends were already very full. This was the perfect time for a cup of coffee to round off the meal.

The iced mocha (NT$140, per cup) offers a rich and varied chocolatey flavor.

The hot latte (NT$130, per cup) has a solid flavor but is also quite playful. Upon asking the owner, it turns out that QieTing Western Kitchen’s hot lattes usually come with latte art (though you can’t choose the design). The taste is rich and fragrant, and seeing the cute latte art pattern is also quite delightful (this will probably be especially loved by kids!).

Just when we thought it was all over—and we were indeed very full—a special dessert was unexpectedly brought out. Actually, at first glance, Xiong thought this dessert looked a bit ordinary... Nowadays, desserts are often vibrant and playful, sometimes even using colorful styles with elaborate plating. But QieTing Western Kitchen goes against the trend.

After asking, we learned that this is actually what’s called a lava marshmallow pancake (NT$200, per serving). Most people would assume that “lava” refers to chocolate sauce, right? But here, they break that expectation... The first bite of what looks like a simple pancake gave Xiong a complex feeling. The pancake is soft and springy without being too hard—its texture is somewhere between a pancake and a Chinese rice cake, completely different from the usual powdered versions.

Without any extra seasoning, it’s simply dusted with powdered sugar and lightly toasted marshmallows. To be honest, it’s not eye-catching at all, but the flavor is quite unique. The sweetness and softness of the marshmallows, paired with the crispiness and chewiness of the pancake, along with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce, create a dynamic mix of hot, cold, fragrant, and sweet elements. This is a must-try dessert at QieTing Western Kitchen that Xiong highly recommends.

Overall, based on this meal, QieTing Western Kitchen is a no-frills but solid all-day café and restaurant. It showcases coffee and light meals, while also offering steak, pasta, and risotto, plus a variety of drinks. Coupled with its spacious courtyard and comfortable indoor environment, it’s quite distinctive in the Xinzhuang Special District. Whether you want to chat, enjoy good food, or take the kids out for a walk, QieTing Western Kitchen is a great choice.

QieTing Western Kitchen
Address: No. 115, Hansheng East Road, Banqiao District, New Taipei City
Phone: (02) 8951 3337
Business Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Open every day)
Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/chatting2015

Article Author: BearMeow Rudy — A couple passionate about food, occasionally indulging in extravagant eating and drinking sprees, but generally guided by the principle of “limited money, endless appetite.” Same-name blog《BearMeow Eats the World》Updated simultaneously.

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