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Owner A-que fell head-over-heels into coffee while still at college: he was not only a founding member of the CCU coffee club but also served as its second president. After graduation he spent “217 days on the road,” peddling coffee from a street-stall to build a reputation and raise start-up capital. When he finally secured the current spot on Guangcai Street he opened under the name “xiaokoupin s.” On the glass door he wrote, “Few seats, damn fine coffee”—simple words that go straight to the heart. A-que speaks little, but every word is steady and sincere; the philosophy of the shop, he says, is “Taste the life.” Many of the hand-drawn details and interior touches come from co-owner Guang-guang, whose voice carries a healing charm. The two complement each other perfectly, dividing duties and moving in effortless sync. Chiayi’s café scene is full of hidden masters; though low-key, A-que’s craft is legendary, drawing a loyal band who followed him from his stall days and now treat their daily visit to xiaokoupin s as a personal ritual. If you’re lucky enough to taste his “Chiayi Special – Nan Nan Li,” you’ll experience the blazing southern sun distilled into flavor, and “the murmured soliloquy inside the cup,” a delight for palate, eye, and ear alike. No. 453, Guangcai St., West Dist., Chiayi City 0983 811 465 Tue–Sat 13:15–18:00 https://www.facebook.com/xiaokoupin/