Cafe!n
Taiwanese coffeehouse chain
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cafe!n, (Chinese: 硬咖啡) stylized in all capital letters, is a Taiwanese specialty coffeehouse chain. Launched in 2018, the brand is a subsidiary of Yuanyou Food Enterprise (源友企業), a major coffee importer and roaster in Taiwan. The name CAFE!N is a play on the word "caffeine" and the Chinese character "硬" (yìng), meaning "hard," symbolising the company's commitment to quality and strength in the coffee industry. Since its inception, CAFE!N has expanded its presence across Taiwan. By 2022, the brand had opened its tenth store, a flagship location in Taoyuan's industrial district, which also serves as a tribute to its parent company's roots.[1] Each CAFE!N store is designed to reflect the local character of its neighbourhood while maintaining the brand's core minimalist aesthetic.[2][3]
CAFE!N Minquan Shop in Taipei | |
Native name | 硬咖啡 |
|---|---|
| Industry | Coffee shop |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters | |
Number of locations | 24 (2025) |
Area served | Taiwan |
| Products |
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| Website | www |
History
CAFE!N opened its first store in October 2018 at the intersection of Zhongxiao East Road and Yanji Street in Taipei.[4][5] The brand was established by Henry Chu (朱茂亨), the second-generation leader of Yuanyou Food Enterprise, which has been a key player in Taiwan's coffee industry since 1985.[6] Yuanyou Food supplies approximately one-fourth of Taiwan's roasted coffee beans annually. Chu aimed to create a brand that combined specialty-grade coffee with stylish design and affordability, making quality coffee accessible to a broader audience.[7][8]
Brand Philosophy and Design
The term "硬" (yìng) in the brand name reflects the company's emphasis on quality and strength, as harder coffee beans are often associated with higher quality. CAFE!N's branding features minimalist aesthetics with a predominantly white colour scheme and bold exclamation marks. The brand collaborated with Filip Pagowski, the Polish artist known for designing the Comme des Garçons PLAY heart logo, to create distinctive cup designs featuring stars and moons.[9]
