A hidden café where Keelung harbor culture meets Taiwan’s indigenous mountain flavors.
Most travelers take the 45-minute train ride from Taipei to Keelung for one reason: to snap a photo of the Zhengbin Port Color Houses (正濱漁港彩色屋).
And yes — the colorful harbor is beautiful.
But if you only stop for photos and leave, you are missing the soul of this historic harbor.
Just a short walk from the photo crowds is Eureka Café (找到幸福咖啡店), a cozy cafe that blends Keelung seafood, indigenous spices, local culture, and harbor atmosphere into something you probably won’t find anywhere else in Taiwan.
Run by an Atayal (indigenous) owner, the café combines fresh harbor seafood with traditional mountain spices, creating dishes that feel like a meeting point between the mountains and the ocean.
One of the best parts is the atmosphere itself. Sitting inside the café, you can quietly watch fishing boats pass through Zhengbin Harbor while enjoying coffee beside the waterfront. While many visitors come to Zhengbin for photos, Eureka Café feels more like a place to slow down and stay awhile.
If you are looking for a café that feels genuinely local rather than touristy, this place is absolutely worth adding to your Keelung itinerary.
Why Eureka Café Feels Different
Taiwan has no shortage of beautiful cafés.
But many of them could exist almost anywhere.
Eureka Café feels deeply connected to Keelung itself. Run by Wu Hsin-Min (Yapun Watan), an Atayal indigenous woman born in Keelung, the café blends harbor ingredients, indigenous flavors, and local culture into a dining experience that feels genuinely personal.
The café is actually one of the colorful harbor buildings along Zhengbin Fishing Port — the blue one facing the waterfront. Unlike some of the more Instagram-focused cafés nearby, Eureka Café keeps a simple, cozy atmosphere without excessive decoration.
What makes the space feel especially personal is that many of the paintings and handmade decorations inside were created by the owner herself.
Inside, you’ll also find indigenous crafts, local products, travel brochures, and occasional cultural workshops.
One of my favorite parts was how friendly the owner was — she happily introduced the dishes, explained the ingredients, and even shared recommendations for lesser-known places around Keelung. If you’re looking for local tips beyond the usual tourist attractions, don’t be afraid to start a conversation.
The Flavors Behind Eureka Café: Where the Mountains Meet the Ocean
One of the most interesting things about Eureka Café is how it combines coastal Keelung ingredients with indigenous mountain flavors.
Many dishes on the menu are inspired by ingredients traditionally eaten in Keelung’s harbor communities, while others incorporate spices and cooking traditions from Taiwan’s indigenous tribes.
Local Keelung Ingredients
The owner spent time talking with local market vendors and learning about ingredients commonly eaten by Keelung residents for generations.
Several local ingredients now appear throughout the menu, including:
Seaweed (海菜)
People living near Heping Island have harvested edible seaweed from the coast for generations.
At Eureka Cafe, seaweed appears in several dishes and drinks, adding a subtle ocean flavor that feels distinctly tied to Keelung’s coastline.
Fresh Squid (透抽)
Because Keelung is a fishing harbor, fresh squid has long been one of the city’s most common seafood ingredients.
The café uses locally sourced squid in its signature pancake dish, and the freshness is immediately noticeable.
Jiglura (吉古拉)
One of Keelung’s most beloved local snacks, Jiglura is made by wrapping fish paste around a stick and grilling it over charcoal.
It resembles Japanese chikuwa, but locals consider it one of Keelung’s classic harbor foods.
Indigenous Mountain Flavors
Makauy (馬告)
Makauy — also called mountain pepper or mountain litsea — is a traditional spice commonly used by Taiwan’s Atayal indigenous people.
The flavor is hard to describe exactly, but imagine something between:
- lemongrass
- ginger
- lemon pepper
It grows in Taiwan’s mountain regions and has a citrusy aroma with a gentle peppery finish that feels surprisingly soft rather than spicy or overpowering.
Traditionally, Makauy is used in soups, grilled meat, and preserved foods. At Eureka Cafe, the owner gives it a modern twist by incorporating it into coffee, desserts, drinks, and snacks.
For many visitors, this café becomes their first introduction to Taiwan’s indigenous flavors.
Millet (小米)
Millet has long been an important traditional crop for many indigenous communities in Taiwan.
Before rice became widespread, millet was a daily staple in mountain tribes and was often used in celebrations, rituals, and homemade brewing traditions.
Although millet appears more subtly on the menu here, its presence reflects the café’s deeper connection to indigenous food culture and heritage.
Must-Try Dishes at Eureka Cafe
I tried several dishes during my visit, but these were the items I would genuinely recommend ordering if it’s your first time here.
Fresh Squid Rice Pancake (透抽米煎餅)
This was the only savory pancake on the menu, and it ended up being one of my favorite dishes.
The squid was incredibly fresh because the café works directly with local fishermen in Keelung Harbor. Underneath was a gluten-free rice pancake mixed with fresh seaweed, giving it a crispy outside, a soft chewy inside, and a subtle ocean flavor.
Topped with fresh vegetables and Keelung’s famous grilled fish snack Jiglura (吉古拉), the whole dish felt creative, local, and genuinely memorable.
Makauy Lemon Coffee (馬告檸檬咖啡)
This drink is a Sicilian-style lemon coffee infused with Makauy, a traditional indigenous mountain spice known for its citrusy aroma and gentle peppery finish.
I honestly didn’t know what to expect at first, but the combination worked surprisingly well — bright, refreshing, slightly herbal, and perfect for summer.
After walking around Zhengbin Fishing Port on a hot afternoon, this was exactly the kind of refreshing drink I wanted.
Ginger Lily Coffee (野薑花咖啡)
This was one of the most interesting drinks I tried at Eureka Cafe.
Instead of serving a single cup, the coffee comes in both hot and iced versions so you can experience how the flavors change with temperature.
The wild ginger lily adds a delicate floral aroma that feels light and elegant rather than overly sweet.
I especially enjoyed comparing the two side by side — each brought out slightly different notes in the coffee and made the whole experience feel a bit more memorable.
Millet Donuts (小米甜甜圈)
This was actually my favorite item from the whole meal!
Made with millet instead of regular wheat flour, the donuts had a wonderfully chewy and bouncy texture that felt completely different from ordinary donuts.
If you’ve never tried millet before, this is honestly such a fun introduction to Taiwan’s indigenous ingredients.
I would absolutely recommend ordering this if it’s your first time visiting Eureka Cafe.
Eureka Cafe Menu
If you’re curious about what else the cafe offers, here’s the menu from my visit in May 2026 May.
📌 Menu items and prices may change over time. For the latest menu, seasonal specials, and opening updates, check Eureka Cafe’s Facebook page before your visit.
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Shop Information
- Name: Eureka Cafe (找到幸福咖啡店)
- Address: No. 559, Zhongzheng Dist., Keelung City (Google Maps)
- Phone: +886-2-2463-5660
- Hours:
- 12:00–19:00 (Thursday–Friday)
- 12:00–18:00 (Saturday–Sunday)
- Closed Monday–Wednesday
- Minimum Order: One drink per person
- Reservations: Not available
- Seating: Limited indoor seating available
- Price Range: NT$200–400 per person
- Best For:
- Café lovers
- Cultural travelers
- Foodies
- Travelers exploring Keelung harbor
- Visitors interested in indigenous cuisine
📌 Bookmark this spot for your next trip to Keelung!
How to get to Eureka Cafe
By Train + Bus
Take the train to Keelung Station, then transfer to one of the following buses:
Bus No. | Get Off At |
101 | Zhengbin Rd. Intersection (正濱路口) |
103 | National Taiwan Ocean University – Xiangfeng School Entrance (海大祥豐校門) |
104 (Bus Schedule) | Zhengbin Police Station (正濱派出所) |
791 | Zhongzheng Rd. & Zhengbin Rd. Intersection (中正路正濱路口) |
Tip: The timetable links also show real-time bus locations, making it easy to see when your bus is approaching.
From any of the stops above, it’s only a 3–5 minute walk to Eureka Cafe.
By Car/Scooter
- Navigation: Zheng Bin Yugang Parking | 正濱漁港停車場
- From the lot, it’s a 5-10 minute walk to Eureka Cafe.
A Different Side of Keelung
Many travelers see Keelung as a quick stop for harbor views, seafood, and the famous Miaokou Night Market (廟口夜市).
But places like Eureka Cafe reveal another side of the city: one shaped by both the ocean and the mountains, where indigenous culture, fishing traditions, and local creativity quietly come together.
So next time you visit Zhengbin Fishing Port, don’t just photograph the colorful houses.
Sit down for a Makauy coffee.
Try the squid rice pancake.
Talk with the owner.
You may leave understanding Taiwan a little more deeply than when you arrived.
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Nearby Attractions & Food Spots
Longgang Trail (龍崗步道)
A scenic coastal hiking trail near Zhengbin Fishing Port, featuring panoramic views of Keelung Islet, Badouzi Coast, and Taiwan’s Northeast Coast. It’s an easy way to add a little nature and ocean scenery to your Keelung itinerary.
👉 Read the full guide here.
Chaojing Park (潮境公園)
A beautiful coastal park featuring ocean viewpoints, public art installations, and scenic boardwalks.
Zhou’s Scallion Pancakes (周家蔥油餅)
One of Keelung’s most famous breakfast spots, serving crispy scallion pancakes and egg pancakes for over 60 years.
👉 Read the full guide here.
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