CouCou Cafe Pâtisserie Introduction
The French dessert shop CouCou, located by the railway, sounds like the call of a cuckoo, and in French, it’s a friendly greeting. Just like "Cuckoo Dessert Cafe" aims to convey—neighborly, approachable, and without any sense of distance. The owners, Zhu Kai-an and Lin Cheng-an, have dreamed of opening a shop since childhood, waiting for the day to make it a reality. Zhu Kai-an worked for three years as a second officer for Evergreen Marine, where he grew curious about coffee through brewing with the chief officer. In his monotonous maritime life, coffee became his only solace. He decided to leave his high-paying, stable job, departed from the sea, and resolutely entered the coffee industry, which serendipitously brought him together with Lin Cheng-an. Lin Cheng-an’s interest in making desserts blossomed during her university years. As a student of visual communication design, self-learning dessert-making became her way to relieve stress, which also sparked her desire to study in France. She began to actively plan and prepare: taking French electives, apprenticing in a dessert kitchen, and taking English proficiency tests. After five years of hard work, she finally achieved her goal. Passionate about food and travel, Lin Cheng-an traveled all over Europe during her study in France, and the flavor experiences she encountered during her travels now serve as inspiration for her dessert designs, resulting in mouth-watering creations available at the shop. “For example, 'Lemon Crescent' is designed to look like a crescent moon made of lemon bubbles. I imagined how the guests' eyebrows would change with the tartness of the lemon,” Cheng-an playfully explains. Another dessert named "Dancing Banana" showcases her child-like spirit, combining multi-layered textures with popping candy for a delightful experience with every bite. No great dessert is complete without excellent coffee to pair with it. The coffee beans served in the shop are all chosen and roasted by Kai-an. One of his creations, "Rockin' Yirgacheffe," utilizes sparkling water mixed with an exclusive formula and Yirgacheffe beans to produce a refreshing new taste, making it one of the best sellers in the shop. Searching for professional French desserts and coffee? Come here for a double delight! "Cuckoo Dessert Cafe" also plans to integrate local agriculture from Chiayi and connect with the community, allowing both locals and visitors to savor the unique flavors that belong to Chiayi! Recommended dishes: Lemon Crescent, Rockin' Yirgacheffe.
