Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Mar 2018 | Mar 2015 | Nov 2014 | Jul 2014 > 

From the late 1940s, Kuomintang, defeated by the communists, started relocating soldiers from Mainland China to the then-province of Taiwan. For higher-ranking officers or lucky ones, families were brought along. For the less privileged, what was imagined by these soldiers to be a temporary separation from families back home, harbouring hopes of returning, history unfortunately had them stuck in Taiwan for the rest of their lives. Many years later when tension eased and cross-border visit was finally permitted, some made it back home to see their long-separated kin. Tragically, many returned only to pay respects to deceased parents or spouses; some never made it back at all and yearned for their homeland till they passed on in Taiwan.

The large numbers of migrant soldiers to Taiwan resulted in military villages (or 眷村) sprouting in many locations all over the island. When hope of returning home turned bleak, many of them (re)married local women and set up (second) homes here. These military villages created a unique culture (眷村文化) with their own architecture, lifestyle, cuisine, etc. While most of these military villages have been removed to make way for modernisation, the few that remain have few or no residents, and are converted into public parks for appreciation by the younger generation. Military Families Community Park 四四南村, literally translated as Four Four South Village, is one such zone in the prime Xinyi district, near Taipei 101 and surrounded by modern skyscrapers and malls. Built in 1948, this has been conserved and spared from demolition, making it an awkward but strangely beautiful area. 

I admire Taiwan's conscious and conscientious effort in conserving and integrating heritage with modern use, and availing past chapters of local history for the new generation to connect with. Some examples include Geo76 青田76, Eighty-Eightea Rinbansyo 八拾捌茶轮番所, Marshal Zen Garden 少帅禅园 and Starbucks Reserve (Bao An Store) 星巴克 保安门市, just to name a few in Taipei. 

The Military Families Community Park 四四南村 we see now has an exhibition hall narrating the village's history, a community centre of sorts and key tenant Good Cho's (pun on 'good choice') 好，丘 - a thematic cafe specialising in bagels that come in very creative flavours, and a retail shop selling local products and wares. A popular haunt with locals for brunch and hanging out on weekends (there is a regular weekend bazaar), this is one of my favourite places in Taipei to spend a good couple of hours. What makes it even more convenient is its proximity to Taipei 101/World Trade Center MRT Station 台北101/世贸站, from exit 2, spot the basketball/sports court to your left and walk around this - the park is right behind the basketball/sports court.     

 
<Above> Longan tree (first time seeing one in the flesh)

 
< The arched roofs mark the spot of the main "village" area >   

 
< The public loo is in one of these "alleys", there is no washroom within Good Cho's >

 
< A residential estate right behind the park >

 
<Above> The history museum, right opposite Good Cho's 

 
< Photography is not permitted within the exhibition hall >

 
<Above> Good Cho's 好，丘 right opposite the museum, the space here also hosts weekend bazaars.

 
< Upon entering Good Cho's, the retail shop greets you >

< Love the assortment of tea and coffee sachets which I buy as gifts and for self-consumption >

< The cafe is tucked inside, past the retail zone. >

<Above> Love this nostalgic table lamp, a common ornament in TW cafes

 < Love the old school furniture too > 

And now for the menu...  

<Above> Dedicated military village cuisine menu 

<Above> There are seasonal specials...

 < First visit for brunch in Jul 2014 >

 < My main course came with homemade soup which I like, without sparing the ingredients >

< Main course named 每日一盘 / Daily Platter NTD280 >  

 < Iced brown sugar tapioca au lait NTD100 >  

 < Real tapioca bits at the bottom fit for consumption > 

< Their signature pudding made from Taiwan rice NTD100 >

< Second visit in Nov 2014 for afternoon tea >

< Iced rose milk tea NTD90 >

 < Braised platter done the military village way NTD100 - for sharing >

 < Bagel afternoon tea set NTD300 - for sharing >

< Third visit in Mar 2015 for breakfast > 

< Citrus grilled pork bagel burger NTD190 >

< Topped up NTD200 for a salad >

< Longan soybean milk > 

< ...and the Taiwan rice pudding I like > 

Introducing their signature bagels that come in a dizzying array of flavours! You can eat in or takeaway. Baked fresh daily, it is recommended to finish it within 2 days or if you have to keep it for a few days, keep refrigerated and toast when ready to eat. Their bagels are chewy-hard when consumed fresh and crunchy when toasted. And look out for seasonal flavours (such as Aiwen Mango)!

 
< Fourth visit in Mar 2018 - brunch for two >    

The menu continues to serve their regular favourites, complemented by (pictured below) seasonal items. 

<Below> Hot osmanthus kumquat tea (a rather rich concoction, nothing bland at all)

<Below> Iced rose latte

<Below> Soup that came with the mains, tasting like home

<Below> Breakfast platter with generous greens - typical of Taiwanese servings

<Below> Ordered this off the seasonal menu - minced pork sauce noodles, with braised side dish & (VERY freshly sweet) spring bamboo shoot

Bagels to go, right beside the cashier

There were even toasters for customers to use - definitely recommended if you prefer hot, softer, chewy bagels on the go.

Till the next visit ~

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檢視較大的地圖

Good Cho's | 好，丘
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* Check out their bagel variety here - home delivery & bulk order available.
** They also have random pop-up stores in malls (like Jul's in Taichung and Kaohsiung) so check out their FB for updates.
Address --- No. 54, Songqin Street, Xinyi District  信義區松勤街54號，信義公民會館 C 館
Nearest MRT Station --- Taipei 101 / World Trade Center 台北世贸 (R03) /red line， exit 2 & walk 5 mins

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