If I had to name just ONE reason to go to Taipei for, it’d have to be the patisserie Sadaharu Aoki. I first tasted, and fell in love with, the exquisite pastries of Sadaharu Aoki in Paris three years ago. The French capital, where the flagship and branch outlet are, is the city where Sadaharu Aoki first set up shop. A subsequent branch was opened in Tokyo and now its presence graces Taipei. Of course I was privvy to this information before I left for Taipei, so I knew I had to find the Taipei outlet by hook or by crook.


Sadaharu Aoki’s outlets are characterised by their Zen, white and grey displays and interiors that serve as stylishly muted backdrops to the colourful pastries.


You can choose to dine in but that will incur an additional 10% service charge. The dine-in menu also includes food items like soups, sandwiches and pastas. I say just skip all that and dive straight into the pastries!


Macaron fans, eat your heart out!


Breads, croissants, danishes, cookies and tea cakes are also sold here.


I’d eat them all if I could.


The millefeuille macha is possibly one of the best millefeuilles in the world – to me anyway. I’ve been dreaming of it ever since I last ate it in Paris. It’s what I came in search for.


Push your fork down on the layers of buttery golden brown pastry, and you’ll hear the brittle cracking of it into scattered flakes as well as see the jade-green macha-flavoured custard oozing onto your plate. Slide a piece into your mouth and savour the smooth custard and note how it contrasts with the crunchy bits of pastry. Aaahhhh…..culinary bliss.
There’s a whole array of pastries but if you could only choose one, I’d say go for this first as Sadaharu Aoki made its name from its macha pastries. While you’re there, just throw out that diet and don’t pay tttooooo much attention to that price tag either!
Sadaharu Aoki Taipei
Address: B2, Bellavita, 28 Songren Road, 信義區松仁路28號 Bellavita B2
Nearest train station: Taipei City Hall MRT station