Take a sip of coffee and see a star shining on the streets of Taipei at the Story Star Cafe.

Professional barista communication, please pay attention to coffee workshop (Weixin Official Accounts cafe_style)

I came to ASTORIA Star Cafe with a pilgrimage mood and walked up the stairs. I couldn't wait to see what the cafe "a little western flavor, but not overly decorated" in Bai Xianyong's book looked like. After 68 years, Star Cafe carries the elegant and comfortable youth of the older generation, leaving a deep and beautiful mark of the times. Until today, it is still a bright star in Taipei streets.

"These Russians can't live without me." Speaking of the origin of the star, the 86-year-old boss Jian Jincong smiled, as if returning to the 18 years of the year, met with the Russian royal family who had reached the age of knowing his life, and then became a friend of the year. In the era of shouting "anti-Communist and anti-Russian", a Taiwanese boy and six Russians moved the Russian hometown flavor of No. 7 Xiafei Road in Shanghai to No. 7, Section 1, Wuchang Street, Taipei. In 1949,"Star Cafe" officially opened.

Rich in Russian cultural origins

Taking a bite of Russian soft candy with the appearance of cotton candy, slightly sweet soft candy and a little salty walnut brought great satisfaction to the taste buds, and this taste gave the greatest spiritual comfort to the Russians who could not return to the North at that time.

"Every year on January 13th, it is Russia's New Year's party. All Russians dress up and dance to the music..." Jian Jinzhui projected his eyes into the restaurant and recounted this past. Jiang Jingguo, who had not yet served as Premier of the Executive Yuan, and his Russian wife Jiang Fangliang were frequent visitors to the Star Cafe. Jiang Jingguo, who had studied in the Soviet Union, was called "Nikolai" in Russian and Jiang Fangliang was "Fenna". He smiled like a child because of the familiar taste. And on the occasion of drinking, to a Russian dance, when the New Year bell rings at 0:00, and the crowd together toast shouted "Nada"(cheers).

Jian Jinzhui sat in the Star Cafe and recalled the good times when celebrities gathered together.

Forever Landmark of Modern Taiwanese Literature

After the Russians left, the poet Chou Meng-die set up a bookstall downstairs at the Star Cafe, which gave rise to a strong literary atmosphere. Many scholars gathered here. Bai Hsien-yung, Huang Chun-ming, Luo Men, Po Yang, Chi Chi, Lin Huai-min and other famous people once occupied a corner here, ordered a cup of coffee and sat all day, creating a glorious era of Taiwan literature. The Star Cafe gradually gained the title of "Forever Landmark of Modern Taiwan Literature."

In 1989, the star turned off the lights in the midst of everyone's regret because of the stock family gathering. This rest lasted for 15 years. Later, due to a fire, everyone's expectations were re-ignited. Finally, in 2004, the lights resumed again. It was still the tables, chairs and furnishings of that year. The writers came back, and the Russians in Taiwan also came. Only the young man of that year had become a white-haired old gentleman.

Travelling through the decorated restaurant, it is as if you passed by Russian aristocrats and literati in those days. The unique Russian cuisine is deeply touched by the historical traces of the star cafe. The Star Cafe, which once wrote pages of legend, will continue to shine in Taipei after relighting.

Delicious Russian fish jelly.