How about Shanghai O.P.S. Coffee Shop? 10 square meters has become the strength of Shanghai Internet Cafe

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I biked by a tiny cafe on Taiyuan Road the other day on my way out of yoga class, its coffee aroma so alluring that I slowed down to do a double take…Ah ha, another new coffee shop in town.

One sunny afternoon, I finished yoga class,(self-feeling) a light bike ride through Taiyuan Road, was a strong coffee aroma to attract. Can't help but slow down and turn around... Yo? Another new Shanghai cafe.

That in itself isn’t really exciting news, for coffee shops have been popping up non-stop in Shanghai during the past three years, with few leaving a memorable mark in my mind. So I didn’t think much of this new cafe at the time, and biked away without even finding out its name.

In recent years, more and more coffee shops have opened in Shanghai, but few can make an impression. Not that there are no good new stores, but because there are already a few familiar stores that can be easily enjoyed without thinking. So when I saw this new store, I thought,"Oh, here comes another one." I didn't even see the name of the store clearly, and I left quickly (partly because I was hungry and rushed to dinner.)

But for some reason, the coffee aroma I’d taken in on this particular afternoon kept wafting in my head, so I finally decided to go back to look for it. On this visit, I found out its name – “O.P.S., a spoonful of curiosity”。

But I don't know why, that tempting coffee fragrance has been floating in my mind. So one (same) sunny afternoon, I made an appointment with a friend and returned to Taiyuan intersection of Jianguo West Road, along the road to find this coffee shop. This time I got the name right. It's O.P.S., It is a spoonful of curiosity."

Upon entering, it’s easy to see the 10 sqm shop in its entirety. The palette is composed of white, grey, and a soft pinkish orange, pleasant, with no crazy designs or decorations screaming for attention. The barista workstation takes up about half the tiny space, with the rest occupied by a slender bar and two seats by the wall.

Push the door into, 10 square meters of small shop at a glance. White, gray, and light pink orange-based tone space is very soft, no deliberately exaggerated design to attract attention. Half of the space is occupied by coffee counters, leaving a slender bar and two seats against the wall. Well, it feels good, so stay for a drink. Besides, it's so small and the baristas smile so warmly at us. It's embarrassing to go out at this time (laughs).

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The two baristas here are Ahguang （the 2015 Chinese representative for World Barista Championship） and Siwei （ex-Cafe del Volcan）。The soft, mellow vibe of the shop fits right in on the quiet Taiyuan Road. Though located more or less near the city center, OPS is not on a particularly busy strip. The pace is just right, said Ahguang and Siwei, it’s not too fast, allowing them plenty of time to take good care of each customer.

The two baristas here are A Guang, who represented China at the World Coffee Brewing Competition (WBrC) in 2015, and Siwei, who worked at Cafe del Volcan for three years before. Both of them spoke softly, and the atmosphere in the shop was very much in tune with the quiet Taiyuan Road. Although the OPS location is in the city center, it is not a particularly convenient place, so most of the customers in the store come to admire it, and A Guang and Siwei say this rhythm just gives them enough time to understand and take care of everyone. For coffee drinkers, it feels safe.

A very cute Dalla Corte Mina.

Mina, Dalla Corte's cute little single-headed espresso machine.

On the menu, coffee is divided into a few categories: “Curiosity” signatures, cold brew, nitro coffee, drop coffee, and espresso-based coffee. The coffee beans are all 90+, divided into O, P, and S according to their unique characteristics. If you are interested in the details, just pop in and ask – Ahguang and Siwei would be more than happy to share their passion.

The OPS menu is succinctly divided into several series: Curiosity signature coffee, cold coffee, Nespresso coffee, hand-brewed coffee, and espresso coffee. Coffee beans all use 90+, divided into O, P, S, three series, corresponding to different styles and uses, in different seasons according to the characteristics of each coffee to do their own mix or single coffee presentation. For more information about coffee beans, you can go to the store and talk to A Guang and Siwei yourself. They will be happy to share with you.

There are three choices in the Curiosity series: Rose Bouquet, Lemon Engine, and Cold Fashion. I tried the Rose Bouquet, which is cold brew coffee paired with rose water, brown sugar syrup, and a whiff of rose essence at the end. Elegant and balanced, not too sweet. The Lemon Engine which the customer next to me ordered also looked very refreshing, must make time for it before summer ends.

Curiosity has three coffee options: Rose Bouquet, Lemon Engine, and Cold Fashion. This time I tasted Rose Bouquet, a sun-treated coffee that was extracted at a low temperature for up to 8 hours, mixed with rose water and brown sugar water, and finally sprayed with a touch of rose aroma. The overall balance is elegant, not too sweet nor too heavy. The Lemon Engine ordered by the guest next door also looks quite refreshing. It is filled with OPS homemade honey lemon slices and San Pelo sparkling water. I want to go back and try it before summer is over.

If you are into drip coffee, it might be of interest to come and try a brew from Ahguang, the Chinese representative for the 2015 WBrC. Another fun detail: customers can use this hand grinder to ground the beans themselves, a la minute.

Those who like to make coffee by hand can come here to try A Guang's craft_he is the representative of China in the 2015 World Coffee Brewing Competition. Coffee beans are freshly ground with this hand grinder, and you can play with them if you're interested.

Of course, you can also get a cup of glorious latte （with beautiful latte art） at OPS.

Of course, if you want a soft latte, OPS also has espresso coffee. Piccolo, cortado, flat white, latte... pull flowers are also beautiful.

Other than excellent coffee, OPS also offers a unique space for socializing. The cafe is so tiny that you can’t possibly not overhear your neighbors, and it’s got such a chill, convivial vibe that you will likely find it very easy to join in on conversations.

In addition to providing excellent coffee, OPS is a mini social space full of possibilities. Because of the small size of the shop, it was easy to hear (or had to hear) what other people were talking about with the barista, and before you knew it, everyone was talking. Drinking coffee here, because of the connection between people, especially warm, gives me the feeling that it is a small paradise full of coffee fragrance.

So what does OPS stand for anyway? Openminded, Possibility, Space. To create an openminded space with endless possibilities, this is what Ahguang and Siwei are hoping to do through coffee.

So what exactly does OPS stand for? Openminded, Possibility, Space -This is a concept of A Guang and Siwei: to be an open-minded, unbiased space or place that can continuously explore and accept possibilities.

"We want to create a place where baristas are willing to continue to create and learn, and consumers can feel the way raw materials are applied, packaging design, hand-made through the cup of coffee in their hands, thus creating more emotional connections to coffee."

O.P.S., a spoonful of curiosity.

Go this weekend with a spoonful of curiosity.

Shanghai Internet Cafe O.P.S.

Address: Taiyuan Road, Lane 177, No. 1 Pro

Tel: +86-15618060636

Time: 10am-6pm

Price: Coffee 25-48 yuan

Visit: September 2017