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The idea of running a three-in-one venue that combines a restaurant, café, and art gallery comes from the founder of “R5 Bistro,” Hsiao-Tse Chung. Once a software engineer, he had always dreamed of opening his own place; after careful evaluation, he quit his job to chase that dream, using R5 Bistro to present his personal food aesthetic to every guest who walks through the door. During a working-holiday trip as a student, Chung tasted an utterly unadorned American burger—no extra sauces, just beef as the soul of the sandwich. “It was simple yet refreshingly delicious,” he recalls wistfully. “But after returning to Taiwan I never found that same flavor again.” That longing became the catalyst for his goal: to open a new kind of Western-style restaurant. Chung prides himself on using only natural ingredients, refusing MSG, chicken powder, or any heavy seasonings. The result is healthier dishes that let guests enjoy the pure taste of the food itself—a re-creation of the simplicity he experienced years ago. “Our drinks and desserts are professional-grade too—specialty coffee and house-made pastries,” he adds. Beyond Western fare, he insists on top-quality beverages and sweets. “I want visitors to feel this isn’t just a restaurant but also a coffee shop and dessert bar.” This perfectionist constantly trades knowledge with like-minded peers, sharpening his skills. And R5 is more than a bistro: by turning its walls into a rotating gallery, the cozy space becomes a cultural hub where art lovers can meet and mingle. Love pristine ingredients? Crave specialty coffee? Enjoy art? Get all three at “R5 Bistro.” Recommended: American Burger, Matcha-Milk Bubble Tea