[Taipei 台北] Da Dao Cheng / Dihua Street 大稻埕 / 迪化街 (2/5) : Bao An 84 Cafe 保安捌肆 + Dihua Museum 207 迪化二0七博物馆－Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Oct 2017 >

Dihua Street 迪化街 is a destination that pops up every now and then in my head, especially for my Taipei solo trips. Contrary to impression that it's a new year goodies street, its appeal stretches way beyond that. Housing old buildings each with its own history and old generation retailers, interspersed with new brands and shops making their presence in an old precinct, there is always reason to revisit.

Oct 2017's solo exploration was via MRT to Daqiaotou Station 大桥头站 (orange line, O12), followed by a stroll from exit 1. Spent 5 leisurely hours here that day, definitely what the colourful neighbourhood deserves, and first visits to Bao An 84 Cafe 保安捌肆 (顺天外科) and Dihua Musem 207 迪化207博物馆.

Lined among the many Barouque-style shophouses, it may be easy to miss Bao An 84 Cafe 保安捌肆. The exterior bears a signage saying Shun Tian Wai Ke (顺天外科) (loosely translated as Shun Tian Surgical), as the premises originally housed a western hospital. The three-storey unit now accommodates a cafe and exhibition cum retail space - including narrative snippets of how the historical building was preserved.

I was here early and as a first customer on a weekday, though joined by a handful of others soon enough. Studied the menu and made my order first, before the lady boss enthusiastically encouraged me to explore.

This water flask piqued my curiosity, as it probably did to many others, given how the Lady Boss came over to show me how to pour the water. This amazing container merely requires tilting - you don't even have to remove the lid. (Travelling really opens my mind to new things...)

A spunky Lady Boss runs the place, with her equally spunky daughter who turned up later.

Even the coffee machine looks like a nostalgic piece of art.

A modern lift within the old premises for handicapped-accessibility, but not usually opened for public use.

A display wall narrates the history of Bao An 84, and the family tree of its owners.

After an insightful exploration, my brunch of salmon sandwich and iced latte beckoned. (Would have loved to try their hot coffee, if not for the terrible heat outdoors.) Expect simple fare from the menu, enough to fill your tummy.

As comfortable as Bao An 84 was on this hot sunny day, I continued my stroll.

Approaching the other highlight of the day, Dihua Museum 207 迪化207博物馆. Officially opened in April 2017, the building constructed in 1962 was acquired privately in 2016 and revived as a heritage site. I was counting on a free guided tour scheduled to happen twice a day, but upon enquiry with the staff, it seemed that they were shorthanded that day. Nonetheless, I enjoyed a nice visit on my own. The private museum holds changing exhibitions, and currently does not charge any admission fee. (Note: steep stairways aplenty.)

Remember your notebook if you are into commemorative stamps - in fact, bring it everywhere with you in Taiwan as this simple (and free) joy of collecting stamps pops up almost everywhere.

Back on the streets...

One of my favourite brands set up shop (in fact two with a third coming) at Dihua Street - Inblooom 印花乐. Came by to collect pre-ordered merchandise and customised curtains.