The Cafe Astoria () is the first Western-style bakery in Taiwan. It is located in the
Zhongzheng District
Zhongzheng District (also Jhongjheng District) is a District (Taiwan), district in Taipei, Taiwan. Taipei Main Station is located in the district. It is home to most of the national government buildings of Taiwan.
Overview
The district is n ...
of
Taipei
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,
Taiwan
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...
, on Wuchang Street across from the City God Temple.
History
In October 1949, 18-year-old Archibald Chien became business partners with six Russian immigrants who fled
Shanghai
Shanghai, Shanghainese: , Standard Chinese pronunciation: is a direct-administered municipality and the most populous urban area in China. The city is located on the Chinese shoreline on the southern estuary of the Yangtze River, with the ...
to Taiwan. Together they opened Taipei's first Western style pastry shop on Wuchang Street in downtown
Taipei
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. They offered pastries on the first floor and a cafe on the second floor. One month after the Astoria opened for business,
Chiang Kai-shek resumed presidency of the
Republic of China
Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), is a country in East Asia. The main geography of Taiwan, island of Taiwan, also known as ''Formosa'', lies between the East China Sea, East and South China Seas in the northwestern Pacific Ocea ...
and relocated his government to Taiwan. After the
Korean War
The Korean War (25 June 1950 – 27 July 1953) was an armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula fought between North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea; DPRK) and South Korea (Republic of Korea; ROK) and their allies. North Korea was s ...
broke out in 1950, the United States maintained a significant troop presence on Taiwan. During this time, the Astoria hosted many important guests from abroad, including
Jane Fonda
Jane Seymour Fonda (born December 21, 1937) is an American actress and activist. Recognized as a film icon, Jane Fonda filmography, Fonda's work spans several genres and over six decades of film and television. She is the recipient of List of a ...
. The cafe was also frequently visited by
Chiang Ching-Kuo – who had studied in
Moscow
Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...
for many years – and his
Belarus
Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus spans an a ...
ian wife
Chiang Fang-liang. In 1950, Astoria hosted a Russian New Year Celebration which was attended by
Chiang Ching-Kuo and his family. Chiang Kai-shek's last birthday cake was also prepared by chefs from the Astoria. After World War II, the Cafe Astoria became a popular spot for many socialites and government officials. It was also a spot where many struggling writers and intellectuals met and composed their works. Famous writers, poets and artists known to have frequented the Astoria include
Pai Hsien-yung,
Chou Meng-tieh,
Yu Guangzhong, and choreographer
Lin Hwai-min.
In 2011, the
Taipei City Government designated the Cafe Astoria as a historic building.
Transportation
The cafe is accessible within walking distance north east of
Ximen Station of
Taipei Metro.
See also
*
List of Taiwanese writers
*
History of Taiwan
References
External links
{{Commons category, Cafe Astoria, Taipei
Cafe Astoria
1949 establishments in Taiwan
Buildings and structures in Taipei
Coffeehouses and cafés
History of Taipei
Russian diaspora in China