Do you know the owner of HSQ Coffee? When you hear the name "Huang Shao-Chi," you probably think back to his breakout role as Huang Feihu in the drama Flying Dragon, followed by a string of hits — Liu Bowen's Amazing Schemes, Family Ties, Sweet Life, A Good Daughter-In-Law, and Zheng Zi Sheng, right up through his most recent drama, Heaven's Favorite Daughter. His masterful acting in every role has captured the hearts of countless fans, cementing his status as a leading man in Taiwan's primetime dramas.

On March 15, Huang Shao-Chi officially opened his brand-new British-style Instagram-worthy café on Section 6 of Minquan East Road in Neihu!!! While seating is limited, the shop mainly focuses on takeaway. We visited on a weekday afternoon, thinking the crowds wouldn't be too bad — but by the time we arrived, every seat was already taken. It must be completely packed on weekends — the star's appeal is truly powerful! Staff suggested coming right at opening time to get a seat and have plenty of time to take photos and check in. Next time, I'll definitely show up right at 7:00am — who knows, maybe I'll even run into the man himself!

Walking inside gives off a genuinely relaxing feeling — the overall color palette of black, white, gold, and blue creates a first impression that's understated, elegant, and refined. The coffee machine features gold lettering on a white background, giving it a real sense of quality, along with a large "H" logo, making it easy to picture the ambition of becoming a luxury name in coffee — a bit like the Hermès of the coffee world.

The shop offers more than just coffee — fresh milk drinks, cream-topped drinks, single-origin teas, and a caffeine-free flower tea series are all on the menu, along with light bites like salads, croissants, and baguettes — perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea! Grab a coffee with a light bite and enjoy a peaceful moment tucked away in the bustling Neihu district.

HSQ COFFEE MENU

Honestly, seeing the menu prices caught me a bit off guard at first! I assumed cafés in Neihu would all be pricey, often seeing coffee starting at NT$200 or more — but HSQ Coffee's prices actually felt reasonable! If you're into pour-over coffee, you'll know that NT$120 gets you a pour-over Yirgacheffe, which usually runs about NT$180-220 elsewhere — genuinely great value. I think that's exactly the vibe HSQ Coffee is going for: a tasteful, well-designed space with great food that feels premium without the premium price tag.

HSQ Coffee is genuinely such a great spot for photos — everywhere you point the camera looks amazing, and it instantly makes you feel a little more sophisticated. Today, we ordered the featured SOE Americano and a latte — "SOE" stands for "Single Origin Espresso," meaning the espresso beans used come from a single specific region, or in even simpler terms, from a particular estate in a particular growing region. The SOE Americano we tried had fruity, slightly acidic notes, but drank smoothly overall without any overwhelming sourness.

HSQ is named after "Huang Shao-Chi," but the brand's name also stands for "Happiness, Style & Quality." These days, it's no surprise to see a coffee in nearly everyone's hand — drinking coffee has genuinely become a lifestyle statement, a mark of personal taste, and sipping a well-crafted cup naturally lifts your mood. We didn't get the chance to dine in this time, but next time, I'll definitely line up right when the shop opens, to properly soak in the relaxed atmosphere inside — and, of course, hoping to run into our leading man himself! (Fingers crossed)

HSQ COFFEE shop info

Further reading:
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