Taipei is home to numerous themed establishments, including Hello Kitty and (until recently) Barbie cafes, and Modern Toilet, a restaurant where your meals are served in toilets and urinals. Fun, right? I’d always heard that the Hello Kitty and Barbie cafes are overpriced and have bad food, and frankly, I have no desire to eat out of a toilet. But, on my last Saturday in Taipei, a friend and I decided to have lunch at the Hello Kitty cafe. We reasoned that this would be a one-time thing for both of us, and we would be able to say we’d done it.
It did not disappoint. Everything was as advertised.
The food and drinks are expensive ($200-500NT for meals and cakes, which is about $6-18 USD. This is exorbitant by my Taipei standards). Our food was not awful, but not wonderful. It was pretty much what you’d expect from a burger with a bun that looks like a cartoon cat head. You’re mainly paying for Hello Kitty’s face, which is stamped, powdered, embossed in chocolate, and fried onto everything you eat.
Also, if you couldn’t already tell, everything is pink, including the food and drinks.
Overall, it was ridiculous. I’m still glad I went, absurdity and expense aside. It’s a popular part of Taiwanese culture, and now I can say I’ve been there and eaten that.
Going Out Your Door 