A Taiwanese hipster-style restaurant featuring the must-order, super-filling "Flower Roll" set meal

Text & Photos /Gui Xiaosun

I often feel like a “slowpoke” blogger... I’m not as quick to chase food trends or hot spots as others, and I only go out when the mood strikes me. Maybe it’s just my laid-back personality XD

This ‘OFFER OH Yesterday’s Flower Roll Fusion Cuisine’ near Shangxiang Market has been on my radar for a while... Seeing all the Taichung food bloggers rave about it, I waited for the hype to die down before coming to try it myself. I didn’t catch it at its peak, but I experienced genuine warmth instead.

The name ‘OFFER OH Yesterday’s Flower Roll Fusion Cuisine’ is really intriguing—a memorable one at that. What’s the mystery behind “Yesterday”? The flower roll is self-explanatory, but what does “fusion” entail? Especially in the bustling Shangxiang Market of Taichung, it’s hard to imagine finding a café-like, hipster-beloved spot that’s as lively and packed as a brunch café.

At the entrance of ‘OFFER OH Yesterday’s Flower Roll Fusion Cuisine,’ you’ll see introductions to several signature dishes. I instantly knew I had to try the ‘Deep Sea Fire Monster Grilled Rice.’ My two friends opted for the Taiwanese-style noodles and the signature flower roll. Thankfully, we made a reservation for 11:30, arriving well ahead of the rush. Because from 12:00 to 12:30, the place was completely full—groups of friends, families with kids, the place was packed.

On the way into the restaurant, I was drawn to the koi fish on the floor... Black koi were embedded in the concrete flooring, as if they were swimming right beneath your feet. It was so captivating I had to stop and take a photo.

Stepping into ‘OFFER OH Yesterday’s Flower Roll Fusion Cuisine,’ the space was even larger than I expected. I’d assumed the old building in the market area wouldn’t have such an expansive interior, but as soon as I walked in, I felt a sense of relaxation. One side of the wall featured stacked bricks painted in simple white, adorned with red koi... a touch of Chinese aesthetics that enhanced the ambiance.

The space had a few unobtrusive pillars adorned with vintage lampshades that cast soft light... But my favorite part was the full-length window on the left, letting in the most natural light imaginable... It gave the space a storytelling feel.

If you’re planning to bring kids, I think this place is perfect. After visiting that day, I actually thought about gathering a group of friends (with toddlers around one or two years old) for a meal here. It may not be your typical family-friendly restaurant, but as soon as you walk in, you’ll notice the thoughtfully prepared, elegant hand-washing station... Many parents brought their kids over to wash their hands, and it was such a lovely touch. A routine action made so convenient without having to trek all the way to the restroom. I secretly gave them extra points for that.

Another reason I’d recommend this place for families is that the space is divided into two sections... One side is the floor-to-ceiling window seating area up front, and the other is the black sofa area shown in the photos below. It’s perfect for families with young kids to dine in the sofa section—the seats are low and cozy. Toddlers around three or five can move around easily, and there’s even an open space nearby where they can play on the floor XD

The black sofa area has a lounge-bar vibe, perfect for sipping a drink in the evening. The tables are spaced just right, making it ideal for groups of eight or ten. The space is really comfortable and relaxing. Along the wall, there’s an industrial-style four-seater section—great for two people too. It feels like a private, romantic nook where you won’t be disturbed.

Next to the sofa area is a semi-open kitchen, with a bar counter nearby. I had a blast taking photos in this area. Plus, since it was early and not many guests had arrived yet, I felt a bit self-conscious about lingering around after 12:00 XD

The restaurant is full of creativity, just like life itself... Inspiration often hides in the details. You have to observe the little things in life, and you’ll naturally discover things others might miss. Just like photography—cameras and lenses may vary in quality... but if you find your own way of telling a story, that’s when your images truly come alive.

That day, the three of us went for a meal, and we were so excited when we saw the menu. Especially me—I went straight for the seafood and ordered the ‘Deep Sea Fire Monster Grilled Rice’ I’d been eyeing, plus the ‘Garlic Fried Squid’ from the appetizers. Just the names of these two dishes made my mouth water. XD My two friends ordered the ‘Taiwanese-Style Noodles: Vodka Clam Pasta’ and the ‘Colored Salt Pork Flower Roll.’ We all added the 139 NT set meal, which included appetizers, chef’s soup, drinks, and dessert. Honestly, it was super filling after everything. ~~~ XD

The appetizers and soups arrived. They came with wolfberry chrysanthemum tea, chef’s soup, and appetizers. Just the variety of cups and bowls was delightful, with a Japanese-inspired style... The dishes looked so beautiful and photogenic. XD The wolfberry chrysanthemum tea tasted great, with a very mild sweetness... You could even say the sweetness came naturally from the wolfberries and chrysanthemums. It warmed the stomach perfectly before the meal. The soup was refreshing, with hints of spices, vegetable sweetness, and that familiar taste of homemade broth... It was really lovely.

This appetizer was quite interesting. It used the skin of a tofu roll, filled with lettuce, tomato, and Thousand Island dressing. One bite and it was refreshingly light. Just this appetizer, the soup, and the wolfberry chrysanthemum tea gave us a clever blend of Japanese and Taiwanese fusion. So creative. XD

The ‘Garlic Fried Squid’ that I immediately ordered was a total win for me. (Shoutout to my friend’s new skill: jotting down dish names XD) The squid was lightly coated in flour and fried, then tossed with garlic and spices. It was exactly my kind of “Taiwanese flavor.” Plus, the special dipping sauce on the side was amazing—whether you dipped it or not. I didn’t dip mine because I loved the original garlicky aroma. Ha ha. Most importantly, the squid was incredibly tender and juicy, not dry at all. Absolutely delicious. I could’ve finished this plate all by myself XD

My friend’s ‘Taiwanese-Style Noodles: Vodka Clam Pasta’ arrived. The whole table was instantly drawn in by the wine aroma. That’s when we realized why vodka was used instead of white wine—it really brought out the sweet brininess of the clams. So good. XD That day, I also figured out why the place was so crowded. Aside from the great value, the portions were super generous.

The dish looked like Italian pasta, but the noodles were our Taiwanese wide noodles, and they paired surprisingly well. The texture was chewy with a unique noodle fragrance. Loved the light stir-fried flavor—just enough chili, garlic, and white wine to create an unforgettable taste. From that day on, we realized Taiwanese noodles could totally have the soul of Italian pasta. So impressive!! ^_________^ /

My much-anticipated ‘Deep Sea Fire Monster Grilled Rice’ arrived. It came in a paper-wrapped concept. That steaming hot package was so exciting. When opening the paper wrap, be careful—it lets out a lot of steam. XD Once opened, a mountain of seafood greeted you. It was truly awe-inspiring. There were three prawns, two large scallops, mussels, clams, and squid, of course. I’d say the ratio of seafood to rice was almost 1:1. The top was practically covered in seafood. XD

The rice was in a tomato-based red sauce, but the acidity wasn’t overpowering. In fact, they deliberately didn’t emphasize the tomato flavor—the highlight was the sweet umami from the seafood. That irresistible sweetness made the grains so smooth. The prawns were shelled for convenience. The scallops were sweet and delicious. Enjoying such wonderful food is truly a happy moment in life. ^~^

My friend’s ‘Colored Salt Pork Flower Roll’—here, the flower roll is, of course, the signature. I also noticed other tables, where many people had ordered it. Glad I went with friends—the more the merrier, so we could sample a wider variety. Otherwise, wanting to try everything would’ve been way too much to finish XD

I never imagined what a flower roll would look like—maybe just some rolled wrapper. But this one was so generously stuffed it left us amazed. It was basically a brunch-level feast.

Besides the unique flower roll wrapping, my friend’s order also included a plate of pork belly, purple rice, mashed potatoes, fried rice cakes, lettuce, and more. Inside the flower roll wrapper, there were crispy crackers, and the wooden spoon came with special peanut butter. There was also a custom spicy sauce.

The server said you can mix and match any ingredients you want inside the flower roll wrapper—you can combine different elements or eat them separately. If you run out of wrappers, you can always ask for more. My friend immediately started plating—lettuce, mashed potatoes, crackers, and pork belly. Just the presentation looked amazing. XD

I have to admit the pork belly was super chewy. While my friend was plating, I sneaked a piece. It had that perfect Q-chewy texture, the distinct bite of pork belly. Even on its own, it was delicious.

My friend said finishing this whole thing would make you really full. One flower roll roll is about the size of a spring roll. XD Plus, you can eat the purple rice, mashed potatoes, lettuce, and fried rice cakes separately. So many options, endless creativity. It’s perfect for girls who love chatting and playing while eating. And girls do love novelty—this dish is both tasty and fun.

For drinks, we simply ordered Yellow Flower Black Tea and Chrysanthemum Wolfberry Old Chrysanthemum Tea. The black tea here has an old-school flavor—it’s just like the classic black tea we used to drink as kids... so good. On top floated different flowers—yellow flowers, chrysanthemums... After our meal, we chatted while gently stirring the straws among the petals... What a relaxing weekend!

For dessert, we all agreed on the ‘Baked Crème Brûlée.’ The caramelized surface was beautifully done. The custard layer underneath was smooth but not overly sweet, and the crisp sugar topping that cracked with the tap of a spoon was just delightful. It wasn’t only delicious but also very pretty. Another dessert, a cheese one, was a bit too sweet for me personally because there seemed to be a bit too much caramelized sugar on top. But my friend didn’t mind and finished it all. XD Honestly, women always have room for sweets, no matter what. Hahaha~

We three sat for a while chatting... By the time we left, it was already past one. We passed through the crowd, and in a blink, our friends at the gathering were leaving. I took these two photos myself—scenes of people coming and going... New things keep emerging, but do we really know which ones we truly like?

Today was a joyful day sharing ‘OFFER OH Yesterday's Flower Roll Fusion Cuisine’ with friends. Who knew pasta could be made with Taiwanese noodles, or that deep-fried squid could be stir-fried with garlic to create such a local, full-flavored dish? And that grilled rice could have just as much seafood as rice XD

Turns out a flower roll isn’t just a flower roll—it’s a dish full of endless variations. When you feel life has become monotonous, why not try shifting your perspective... Creativity is a spark, and it can come in an instant!

OFFER OH Yesterday's Flower Roll Fusion Cuisine
Address: No. 91, Zhongcheng Street, West District, Taichung City
Phone: 04－2326－6984
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［Enjoy life without boredom. Regulated by Xiao Sun］、FB

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