Simple and delicious goodness—a taste of grandma’s touch: Old Bowl Sweet Soy Sauce Char Siu Rice

Text & Photo /Paperclip · Food Photography Joy

Can’t remember where I saw this uniquely quirky café, but I saved it to my list anyway. Whenever I feel like it, I’ll head there for a cozy afternoon on a weekend.

Usually, for cafés on my list, I don’t research their style in detail beforehand. I just want that unfiltered first impression—or perhaps, a sense of surprise. Realguts (特有种) has an advantage with its playful, unique name, which left a great first impression.

This quirky café is tucked away in an alley near Exit 2 of Zhongxiao Xinsheng Station. There are plenty of coffee shops around, including Mos and Starbucks right outside the MRT exit. A few steps further, you’ll find the famous 4Mano Caffee known for its grid pancakes and a nearby drink shop, with a chain Luisa Café across the street. If it weren’t truly special, most people wouldn’t find their way down this back alley.

As you enter, there’s a spacious courtyard with two sets of tables and chairs on either side. On a cool autumn afternoon or evening, this would be a perfect spot.

But since I was alone, I opted for an indoor seat. The indoor space at Realguts is surprisingly large—wide, deep, and airy—it’s hard to believe such a space exists in Taipei’s city center prime area. The owner removed all interior decorations, leaving only bare concrete walls, fitted with warm yellow lighting to create a nostalgic old-time ambiance.

On the left as you enter are several sections: one for merchandise display and sales, another for books, the restroom, and at the very back, the seating area. At Realguts, it’s impossible not to notice the café’s strong connection to film. It displays props and costumes from award-winning director Wei Te-Sheng’s films, including Seediq Bale and KANO, and also sells KANO movie merchandise. This explains the strong Japanese colonial-era vibe throughout the place.

Wow—even the director’s Golden Horse Award trophy is here displayed here. Truly unique indeed.

On the right as you enter is a spacious seating area. The café has gathered various vintage furniture, so whether you’re here to chat lazily with friends or to work on your laptop, there's a spot for you.

I came here to eat. Browsing their uniquely designed menu, I found it genuinely amusing. So I ordered the “Old Bowl Sweet Soy Sauce Char Siu Rice” (NT$240), and for dessert, a cappuccino (NT$160).

Wow—just looking at this bowl of char siu rice is enough to make your soul swoon. Served in a worn old bowl, it holds plain white rice topped with thick slices of char siu, a sunny-side-up egg, scallions, and a drizzle of soy sauce. It also comes with a refreshing Japanese-style cabbage salad and kelp sprouts. When I uploaded this photo to Instagram and Facebook, it got everyone talking, asking where they could find such a mouthwateringly beautiful bowl of char siu rice.

Looks good—but does it taste as good as it looks? The answer is yes. We all agree that simple food can be incredibly delicious, and this Old Bowl Char Siu Rice is a perfect example. The char siu is thick, tender, and springy. Paired with the sweet-and-salty soy sauce, the hot steamed rice even carries the fragrance of lard that hits your throat straight away, along with a well-fried egg—this is classic old-school home cooking. Add the crisp, refreshing salad on the side, and it’s totally nostalgic.

By comparison, the coffee wasn’t as exciting as the char siu rice for me. It’s not that the coffee isn’t rich or flavorful—it’s just that the rice was that good.

I sat there for the whole afternoon, and they didn’t rush me out. Feeling a bit bad, before leaving I ordered a Halloween-limited tiramisu (NT$120), named “Dirty Pi” (a pun on “zombie”). Honestly, I regretted it a little afterward. First, it was overly sweet, filled with sponge cake, and I couldn’t taste any coffee liqueur in it—it was a bit too heavy.

If I get the chance, I’d still like to try their “Kaobing” (考饼), which I saw mentioned on their Facebook page as being delicious by other customers. Realguts Café isn’t just special in its decor and food—it also often hosts art and cultural events. Once I dropped by unexpectedly only to find an event going on inside. Didn’t want to intrude, so I had to leave. Might need to keep a closer eye on their Facebook updates from now on.

Realguts Café (特有种商行)
Website:https://www.facebook.com/realguts
Address: No. 4-1, Lane 27, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City (临沂街27巷4-1号)
Phone: 02-23411785
Business Hours: 11:30–21:30, Closed on Mondays

Paperclip 'Food Photography Joy
Love should be timely, immediate, and at the right moment
Paperclip 'Food Photography Joy Blog、Fan Page

Deliciousness all day long
Download the “ETtoday News Cloud” app for the latest food updates →
iOS:https://goo.gl/rmIDdx
Android:https://goo.gl/XPe8Uj