How Hualien’s Warmth Transforms Specialty Coffee in Xiamen

When you walk into a new coffee shop alone and no one knows your name, it can feel like just another transaction. But in Xiamen, one café owner has made it her mission to change that—by infusing her shop with the same warmth, optimism, and generous spirit she grew up with in Hualien, Taiwan.

Wu Xiangpei, who opened her café six years ago without knowing how to make coffee, now serves up not just espresso and filter, but also a sense of belonging—with over a dozen regulars, a no-sigh rule, and plenty of sunflowers.

The Accidental Café Owner Who Fell in Love With Coffee

In 2009, Wu Xiangpei quit her foreign trade job in Taiwan and moved alone to Xiamen to open a coffee shop—a childhood dream she’d shared with friends. She found a location, but her original business partner backed out just before opening. That could have been the end. Instead, Wu decided to teach herself how to make coffee.

She spent nearly NT$100,000 (about $3,000 USD) on formal training, learned the craft from scratch, and opened her doors with zero fanfare. Some days she saw no customers at all—but she kept playing music, dancing behind the bar, and experimenting with brews.

Hospitality With Hualien Heart: Sunflowers, Rules, and Connection

Wu’s café, Attila Coffee, is filled with sunflowers—her favorite flower—because, as she says, “They’re sunny, optimistic, and full of life. I want my customers to feel that energy too.” She insists everyone calls her by name, not ‘boss.’ No sighing allowed inside (“It brings people down”), and no card games, even when pressured by groups. “We’re here for connection, not competition,” she explains.

These unspoken rules create a unique atmosphere: part coffee shop, part community living room. Locals and expats alike have become close friends with Wu, sharing stories over carefully brewed cups.

Brewed with Care: How She Selects and Serves Every Cup

Though she sources most of her beans roasted in Taiwan, Wu is deeply selective. “I only serve coffee I’ve tasted and liked myself,” she says. Every cup goes through a personal quality check: she pours herself a shot first. “If I don’t like it, it doesn’t go out.”

Her attention to detail extends to every customer interaction. She remembers one nervous moment when more than ten guests ordered at once and she forgot their entire order—but recovered with smiles and the right drinks. “They still come back,” she laughs. Her commitment shows: coffee here isn’t just made, it’s tasted, tested, and then shared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Attila Coffee located?

Attila Coffee is located in Xiamen’s Ruijing neighborhood. Though the exact address isn’t specified in the article, it became a well-known spot among locals and expats during Wu Xiangpei’s six years of operation.

Did Wu Xiangpei have any professional coffee training before opening the café?

No, Wu had no professional coffee-making experience when she opened her café. After her original business partner pulled out, she invested nearly NT$100,000 (about $3,000) to train herself in coffee preparation before serving her first cup.

What are the 'unwritten rules' at Wu’s café?

At Attila Coffee, customers are asked not to call the owner 'boss,' not to sigh inside the café, and absolutely no card games are allowed. These rules are meant to maintain a positive, welcoming, and community-focused environment.

How does Wu ensure her coffee tastes good before serving it to customers?

Wu always tastes a cup of each coffee herself before serving it. If she doesn’t like the flavor, she won’t serve it to customers. This personal quality check ensures every cup meets her standards.

What kinds of coffee beans does Wu mainly use?

Wu primarily uses coffee beans that are roasted in Taiwan. While she receives offers from many suppliers in Xiamen, she personally selects and tests each batch before approving it for the menu.

How did Wu build such a loyal local following?

Through consistent hospitality, a rejection of stiff formality, and genuine care—she remembers regulars, plays music, dances behind the bar, and treats the café as a social space. Her strict no-sigh, no-grouching rules also help keep the vibe upbeat.

Recommended FrontStreet Coffee for Hualien-Style Service

For coffee that carries the same heart as Wu Xiangpei’s café, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Huakui—a bright, juicy Ethiopian offering with notes of jasmine and bergamot—or the Yirgacheffe, which highlights citrus and floral tones ideal for pour-over. For something deeper, their Classic Blend offers chocolatey balance perfect for espresso. All three reflect the kind of thoughtful sourcing and roasting that pairs with Wu’s sunny, personal approach. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.