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February 28, 2026·Cafe·Taipei, Taiwan

noon

This is where I had the best latte in Taipei. The interior was mostly cement, with wood and metal furniture. I sat on a cement bench with a built-in metal table. Most tables for single patrons weren't good for working, and the menu mentioned a 90-minute time limit. The barista gave me a menu then guided me to order on a tablet. The menu consisted of pour-overs, tasting courses, espresso-based drinks, and small snacks. I ordered an iced oat milk latte, a pour-over, and butter honey toast. Their espresso blend had a brightness that melded into the oat milk's mild sweetness. The butter was creamy. The toast was thick and crunchy. The pour-over was pleasant but wasn't as memorable as the latte.

February 13, 2026·Cafe·Taipei, Taiwan

光生 MITSUO

Set in a wide alley beside independent stores, the cafe had white walls and wide glass windows. Beside the counter were records, baseball figures and coffee gear. Near the window was a row of low chairs and lower tables with just enough space for your drink and a snack. I ordered an iced oat latte. The coffee was bright and lively with creamy oat milk.

January 11, 2026·Cafe·Mabalacat, Philippines

Porch Coffee

The inside felt like an old Spanish house: sofas, wooden tables and floors, shelves, a rocking chair and low chairs for lounging. The counter had all of their specialties listed on a pole by the cashier. They had pastries in a glass display and cool merch on the side. Not a laptop-friendly environment. The place is geared towards eating and sitting with friends. Their regular coffee was disappointing. I ordered a latte with oat milk, but the milk tasted *weird* and overpowered any hint of coffee. Their special Porch Latte, though, was tasty and creamy. *Think of it as more frappe than coffee.* My favorite order was the **"Crispy Chicken Sandwich"**: a nicely cooked, thick chicken fillet on a brioche bun, with lettuce, pickles and burger sauce. It was so good I came back the next day and ordered it again. My daughter's triple chocolate cookie was also good. Overall, the latte was not good. **The chicken sandwich is a must-try.**

January 11, 2026·Cafe·Thủ Đức, Vietnam

Lạc Cafe

The cafe's scent stood out; it was musky and amber-y, like a 5-star hotel. 

Visually they had a hidden cafe vibe, with coffee-making instruments, multiple espresso machines, drip brewers, grinders and burlap sacks. The equipment was all well-known enthusiast gear, screaming *"we're passionate about coffee"*. Part of the charm was the this cute fluffy Shih tzu walking around. I chatted with the barista who was also the owner of the dog and the cafe! He mentioned they were a supplier for coffee beans to specialty cafes in the Philippines. Always a good sign.

The furniture was solid and the wifi was sufficient; good for working for a few hours.

The coconut milk espresso was really good! The coconut milk was a little sweet, and complemented their lighter roast espresso. This was new to me and something I'll be ordering again. 

Their oat latte was delicious. The drinks were both above average but the star was the **burnt basque cheesecake**. Not too sweet, tangy, and rich.