Mu Cement Cafe

Located next to Taichung Cultural and Creative Industries Park, this relaxing place offers pasta, risotto and brunch options. For an added NT$80, an entree can become a set meal (or add NT$40 for salad, soup or dessert). Unique specialties integrate Italian fare and traditional Taiwanese foods like scallion pancakes and tofu. Scallion Pancake and Truffle Cheese Beef (NT$320) features pan-fried Australian beef, black truffles, mushrooms and cheese rolled up in a scallion pancake, which can be dipped in or drizzled with provided pomelo vinegar. Another special fusion dish is Stinky Tofu Pasta or Risotto (NT$255), topped with crispy cubes of stinky tofu (which isn’t that stinky) served with a traditional handmade garlic sauce and pickled vegetables. A la carte items include the savory and sweet Deep-Fried Bun (two for NT$55) with cheese and condensed milk, a nice afternoon tea option with some coffee. The richly-flavored medium-roast coffee beans here are from Yunlin County’s Gukeng and other drinks include teas, milk teas, and specialty coffees. –By Betty Huang Translated by Anna Yang

南區愛國街139號 / 139, AiGuo St, South Dist (04) 2229-1899
　10 am-7 pm (最後點餐/last order 6 pm), 週二休/closed Tue
每人低消110元/Minimum NT$110/person purchase.