[Tainan 台南] Cafe WUDAO ♦ 熨斗目花珈琲珈哩 @ Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in May 2017 >

One of the cafes that popped up in my research through Taiwanese blogs is Cafe WUDAO 熨斗目花珈琲珈哩 - a play on the Minnan-ese name of iron 熨斗. While looking for interesting and accessible eateries, I was attracted to the ambience, its proximity to my accommodation at Zheng Xing Street 正兴街 and their special curry menu.

Related reads:
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 [Tainan 台南] Eirakucho Drum Teahouse ♦ 永乐町鼓茶楼
 [Tainan 台南] kokoni kakigori cafe + Xin Mei Street ♦ kokoni 日式刨冰餐厅 + 新美街

The humble household item does a good job appearing at various spots, from a simple yet eyecatching logo, to the interior decor with quirky touches. (And who would have associated an iron with dining?)

I had a prior reservation and was placed in a cosy corner with natural lighting, wasting no time in soaking up the atmosphere of an early brunch crowd. The spaciousness and ceiling height helped ease the noise. The interior is largely industrial in style, with touches of Japanese-zen. The raw wall finishings complemented by lovely ceiling lamps and hanging planters created a relaxing and welcoming ambience - probably why Cafe WUDAO 熨斗目花珈琲珈哩 makes a popular destination for the younger crowd.

The second floor is also opened to the public, and boasts a different feel from the ground floor.

While the decor may look Japanese-zen, the simple two-sided sheet menu specialises in coffee as well as curry - surprisingly Indian, not Japanese. There was also a choice between North Indian (non-spicy) and South Indian (medium spicy). If y0u are not in the mood for curry, opt for one of the other three non-curry Combos (定食). Or check out their pies and cakes to go with a pretty decent beverage menu. I was definitely here for a curry brunch, and opted for a non-spicy soft shell crab set.

▼ Iced Alishan Jinxuan Oolong 阿里山金萱乌龙 tea (refillable water for the teabag) - NT$140 (minus NT$50 if ordered with a set meal). I had to give coffee a miss as I had my dose for breakfast and was going to enjoy a good brew for afternoon tea.

▼ North Indian non-spicy curry on soft shell crab with rice set - NT$300 - which comes with thick mushroom soup, refreshing salad and my favourite 龙须菜! Taiwanese rice can almost do no wrong where I am concerned. The soft shell crab and vegetable tempura was not overly battered or greasy. The curry sauce may have appeared to be not so generous a portion, but ended up being just about right to finish my rice! The flavour is different from the Indian curry I am used to, conveying a thicker and deeper taste, quite enticing my tastebuds. The two portions of greens balanced the deep fried main and thick curry splendidly. Even the common mushroom soup was not sloppy.

The leisurely lunch was surprisingly filling even for my good appetite, but it felt wrong walking away without sampling the cafe's dessert. Each item on the pastry shelf looked good.

I ended up with a grape cheesecake 葡萄生乳酪 - NT$120, which tasted as good as it looked. The cheese was not overwhelmingly dense, just about right for my taste. Fresh grapes, cheesecake and the Oreo cookie base created a delightful (slightly) sour and salty taste.