Cafe Astoria
Encyclopedia
The Cafe Astoria is the first western style bakery in Taiwan. It is located in the Zhongzheng District of Taipei
, Taiwan
on WuChang Street across from the City God Temple.
to Taiwan. Together they opened Taipei's first western style pastry shop on Wuchang Street in downtown Taipei
. They offered pasteries 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
and relocated his government to Taiwan. After the Korean War
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
. The cafe was also a frequently visited by Chiang Ching-Kuo
, who had studied in Moscow
for many years and his Belarussian 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 chef's 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
, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre founder Lin Hwai-min
and writer Yu Guangzhong
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
on WuChang Street across from the City God Temple.
History
In October 1949, 18 year old Archiybold Chien became business partners with six Russian immigrants who fled ShanghaiShanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
to Taiwan. Together they opened Taipei's first western style pastry shop on Wuchang Street in downtown Taipei
Taipei
Taipei City is the capital of the Republic of China and the central city of the largest metropolitan area of Taiwan. Situated at the northern tip of the island, Taipei is located on the Tamsui River, and is about 25 km southwest of Keelung, its port on the Pacific Ocean...
. They offered pasteries on the first floor and a cafe on the second floor. One month after the Astoria opened for business, Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek
Chiang Kai-shek was a political and military leader of 20th century China. He is known as Jiǎng Jièshí or Jiǎng Zhōngzhèng in Mandarin....
resumed presidency of the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
and relocated his government to Taiwan. After the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
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 Fonda
Jane Fonda is an American actress, writer, political activist, former fashion model, and fitness guru. She rose to fame in the 1960s with films such as Barbarella and Cat Ballou. She has won two Academy Awards and received several other movie awards and nominations during more than 50 years as an...
. The cafe was also a frequently visited by Chiang Ching-Kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo , Kuomintang politician and leader, was the son of President Chiang Kai-shek and held numerous posts in the government of the Republic of China...
, who had studied in Moscow
Moscow Sun Yat-sen University
Moscow Sun Yat-sen University, officially the Sun Yat-sen Communist University of the Toilers of China, was a Comintern school, which operated from 1925-1930. It was a training camp for Chinese revolutionaries from both the Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China .-Origins:In 1923, Dr...
for many years and his Belarussian wife Chiang Fang-liang
Chiang Fang-liang
Faina Chiang Fang-liang was the wife of President Chiang Ching-kuo and served as First Lady of the Republic of China on Taiwan from 1978 to 1988.-Biography:...
. In 1950, Astoria hosted a Russian New Year Celebration which was attended by Chiang Ching-Kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo
Chiang Ching-kuo , Kuomintang politician and leader, was the son of President Chiang Kai-shek and held numerous posts in the government of the Republic of China...
and his family. Chiang Kai-shek's last birthday cake was also prepared by chef's 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
Pai Hsien-yung
Kenneth Hsien-yung Pai , born July 11, 1937) is a writer who has been described as a "melancholy pioneer." He was born in Guilin, Guangxi, China at the cusp of both the Second Sino-Japanese War and subsequent Chinese Civil War...
, Chou Meng-tieh
Chou Meng-tieh
Chou Meng-tieh is a Taiwanese poet and writer. He was born in Xichuan County of Henan Province, Republic of China. He currently lives in Tamsui District, New Taipei City.-Timeline:...
, Cloud Gate Dance Theatre founder Lin Hwai-min
Lin Hwai-min
Lin Hwai-min is a Taiwanese dancer, writer, choreographer, and founder of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan. He was educated at National Chengchi University in Taiwan and University of Iowa in the US....
and writer Yu Guangzhong
Yu Guangzhong
Yu Guangzhong is a modern Taiwanese writer, poet, educator, and critic. He was born in Nanjing, China but forced to flee with his family owing to the Japanese Army's invasion during World War II. After returning to Nanjing many years later, he again was forced to flee on account of the Communist...