Jiangmen’s First Coffee Bank Opens With Taiwanese Barista Expertise

Jiangmen is about to get its first taste of a very different kind of bank—where you can sip coffee while handling your finances. Slated to open tomorrow, the city’s pioneering coffee bank merges the atmosphere of a relaxed café with traditional banking services, thanks to a collaboration between local lender Jiangmen Ronghe Rural Commercial Bank and Taiwan’s BankCake coffee chain.

The coffee bank opens tomorrow in Jiangmen, featuring a café-style interior designed with Taiwanese coffee expertise, a signature drink called (Orange Aged Tangerine), and guidance from renowned barista Lin Dongyuan, known as Taiwan’s 'Coffee Prince'.

What Is a Coffee Bank?

A coffee bank reimagines the traditional branch experience. Instead of sterile counters and teller lines, customers walk into a space with the ambiance of a modern café—think leather seating, glass walls, and stainless steel accents. Jiangmen’s version, a partnership between a local rural commercial bank and Taiwan’s BankCake, introduces this hybrid model to mainland China, aiming to make financial interactions more approachable through a café-like environment.

Why This Model Matters in Jiangmen

The coffee bank concept isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a strategic move to reshape customer experience. By integrating the casual, inviting vibe of a coffee shop with banking services, the branch hopes to attract a broader demographic, including younger customers and overseas Chinese returning home who appreciate both financial services and high-quality coffee. The location, on the right side of the main entrance to Yikang Huating in Bai Shi Avenue, Pengjiang District, is designed to be as much a community hub as a place to do business.

Who Is Taiwan’s ‘Coffee Prince’?

Taiwanese coffee veteran Lin Dongyuan, nicknamed the 'Coffee Prince,' personally advised the BankCake team during the setup. With over 20 years in the coffee industry, Lin has competed in national and international barista competitions, opened GABEE. Coffee in Taipei in 2004, and led his team to multiple championships in Taiwan’s Coffee Master competitions. His passion for coffee began in his youth and evolved into a career that includes publishing two influential books on latte art and creative coffee, as well as teaching globally.

Lin’s involvement ensures the coffee served at the new bank branch meets high standards. He has worked on coffee projects across Taiwan, Shanghai, and Hangzhou, and continues to promote coffee culture through hands-on mentorship and professional insights.

The Signature Drink: (Orange Aged Tangerine)

One of the bank café’s standout offerings is the , a specialty coffee that blends coffee with dried tangerine peel—a nod to the local New Year tangerine tradition in Jiangmen. Both coffee and tangerine peel are fruit-derived, and according to Lin, their flavors complement each other well. Served over ice, the drink delivers a sweet and tangy profile, resembling a refreshing tea or fruit beverage rather than a typical cup of coffee. It’s an example of Lin’s philosophy that coffee should reflect local ingredients and cultural elements, not just mimic Western styles.

Coffee Roasting and Flavor Preferences

Lin also shared insights on coffee roasting and taste preferences. He noted that lighter roasts are increasingly favored because they highlight the inherent flavors of the coffee fruit, avoiding the bitterness associated with darker roasts. He travels to origin countries, including a recent trip to Mexican coffee farms, to select beans directly from growers—offering customers a choice akin to picking a fine wine. According to Lin, the best coffee is simply one that feels good to drink, but achieving that requires quality ingredients, proper brewing tools, and skilled technique.

At BankCake, the water is filtered through a professional purification system, the espresso machines are the same models used at Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel, and the beans are imported directly from growing estates—all under the guidance of Taiwan’s professional coffee team to ensure a high-quality cup.

Lin Dongyuan’s Coffee Artistry

Beyond his work with beans and roasts, Lin is celebrated for his latte art. He has created dozens of original latte art patterns, documented in his book The Infinite Possibilities of Coffee Latte Art. Beyond the classic heart and leaf, his repertoire includes butterflies, swans, and seashells. At BankCake, he demonstrates precise, rapid latte art techniques, pouring steamed milk into espresso with controlled movements to produce intricate designs. For Lin, each pattern reflects a form of beauty and offers a way for drinkers to connect emotionally with their coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Jiangmen’s coffee bank open?

Jiangmen’s first coffee bank opens tomorrow at the address on the right side of the main entrance to Yikang Huating, Bai Shi Avenue, Pengjiang District.

Who is the 'Coffee Prince' mentioned in the article?

The 'Coffee Prince' is Lin Dongyuan, a Taiwanese coffee expert with over 20 years in the industry, known for winning multiple coffee competitions, founding GABEE. Coffee, and advising on the coffee program at BankCake in Jiangmen.

What is the special coffee drink at the coffee bank?

The signature drink is called (Orange Aged Tangerine), which combines coffee with dried tangerine peel for a sweet, tangy, refreshing flavor served over ice.

What kind of coffee equipment does BankCake use?

BankCake uses espresso machines of the same model as those at Dubai’s Burj Al Arab hotel, sources beans directly from growing estates, and employs a professional water filtration system to ensure high-quality coffee.

Does Lin Dongyuan teach or share coffee knowledge?

Yes, Lin Dongyuan has published books on latte art and creative coffee, taught classes globally, and is known for promoting professional coffee culture through hands-on instruction and competition experience.

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