Fong Da Coffee

Review

Fong Da Coffee, at No. 42 Chengdu Road in Ximending, was founded in 1956 and is one of the district's pioneering cafés, now in its third generation. The German-made roaster at the door has been in use since opening, more than sixty years, and the smell of roasting beans greets passers-by. Supertaste includes it among Ximending's veteran shops, and an online feature notes that the early owner brought in a Hong Kong pastry chef to pass on Cantonese baking techniques, so it is both a café and a pastry shop.

The shop offers more than thirty house-roasted beans from light to dark. The signature Fong Da Blend is a medium roast, smooth and balanced, while the daily-limited cold-drip iced coffee uses dark-roasted beans; it starts bitter and grows smoother as the ice melts. The Hong Kong-style pastries in glass jars by the door are a highlight: walnut cookies, chicken biscuits and abalone-shaped pastries are the top three, alongside mung bean cakes and almond cakes. There is also a ham and egg toast set in the morning, and many regulars treat it as their breakfast spot.

Positive reviews praise the strong nostalgic atmosphere, like stepping into old Taipei, the mellow coffee that is gentle on the stomach, and walnut cookies that are not too sweet and pair well with coffee; tourists also enjoy the displays of vintage coffee equipment. Negative reviews mention cramped seating, frequent full houses and waits, and ordinary breakfast toast. Some also find prices on the high side and the service brisk, so those wanting to linger may not feel at ease.

Online listings show 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily, while Supertaste says until 10 p.m.; sources differ slightly. Prices from an online guide: cold-drip iced coffee NT$100, iced Vienna coffee NT$120, ham and egg toast set NT$130, and pastries about NT$25 each. Dine-in has a one-drink minimum per person, pastries are paid separately at the front counter, it is cash only, and there are no reservations. Note that the signature pastries are mostly made with lard, so they are not suitable for vegetarians. It is about a three-minute walk from MRT Ximen Station.

It suits lovers of old-school cafés looking for a place to rest in Ximending, and anyone buying Hong Kong-style pastries as gifts. First-timers can order a cold-drip iced coffee or the Fong Da Blend with a walnut cookie or two; in the morning, try the ham and egg toast set. If buying beans, ask staff to recommend by roast level: light for fruity notes, dark for body. Pastries also come in ten-piece boxes, handy as gifts.