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COMPASS MAGAZINE, May 2002

Hogashaga 13, Lane 164, SanMin Rd., section 3 Tel: (04) 2229-1980 Hours: 11:30 am-12 midnight

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Yi Jung Street is a favorite shopping and eating destination for students attending nearby schools. However, many students describe this area as being like "a noisy night market", "crowded", or downright "dirty and disorganized". I tended to agree with these opinions, until I overheard a group of young people discussing their plans to meet at Hogashaga. The strange name piqued my curiosity. According to the owner, "Hogashaga" just popped into his brain after he spent an entire day trying to come up with a name for the cafe. Old-fashioned red brick can still be seen in the newly-renovated rooms.

Hogashaga offers a variety of "bubble teas" and there is also the special namesake Hogashaga black and green teas (NT$45). Food items include Chinese onion pancake (NT$60) and chicken drumstick and mushrooms with rice (NT$100). What stands out most is the decor, as the interior is a fusion of East and West. The Chinese-style room is filled with decorative pieces reminiscent of past eras: a large black-and-white wedding picture, hand-held fans, suitcases and vintage raincoats. Pieces collected from the owner's adventures abroad fill the American-style room. Another unique feature of Hogashaga is its outdoor barbecue area. As night sets in, young men and women talk by candlelight. Even though this may not be the most refined place, it has a certain rustic charm and unique style that keeps drawing customers.