Anyone know where I can find coffee supplies (i.e. Monin syrups, tampers, frothers…) in Taipei?
Thanks!
I’d go to the shops in Ximending, on Chengdu Rd, the block that leads in from where the MRT station is. There’s two, across from the temple. There’s other such shops though, where are you?
Bee Cafe on Fu-Xing near Civic Blvd has all kinds of specialty coffee stuff. Give them a look.
I think you can find all the coffee supplies you need including smaller resteraunt size equipment (the gurgling stuff) at a shop near Jongshan N. and ZhongZheng.
Directions:
Exit MRT at Shilin north exit. Walk straight up the mall to the cross street. That will be ZhongZhen Rd. Cross that street and turn right. Walk toward the first stop light. That will be JhongShan. The shop is right along there a few shops from the light. I’m not a coffee drinker but I get caramel syrup for my nightly cup of ice cream. Another good DIY store for bulk nuts is right along there too. (Goes good with my caramel sunday). As long as your in the neighborhood, check out the bakery along there too. Some really good bread on a regular basis. I won’t double post this but I think someone was looking for the gurgle machines on another thread so to the mods - a merge or . . .
Very awesome…thanks everyone!
You can look for Tiamo stores. They sell a lot of decent-quality knock-offs of overpriced Western stuff. However, they tend to over-price the genuine goods that they do import (oh, the hypocrisy 
). Japanese products tend to be fairly-priced here, so it may be better to buy the original Japanese brands rather than the Tiamo knock-offs. Here’s one store just south of the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall MRT Station on Guang Fu Rd: maps.google.com/maps?q=sun+yat-s … 84,0,2.77
Although Tiamo doesn’t sell them, I highly recommend Stirling syrups. That’s what I use. They have a less chemically flavor than most. You’d have to contact the importer to see who in Taipei sells them. I frequent a local cafe who uses them, so I buy together with him when he orders.
However, I don’t recommend Tiamo’s beans. You’re probably better off seeking out a better roaster.
Do you mind posting your shopping list? Perhaps I can be of some assistance.
[quote=“SlowRain”]You can look for Tiamo stores. They sell a lot of decent-quality knock-offs of overpriced Western stuff. However, they tend to over-price the genuine goods that they do import (oh, the hypocrisy ). Japanese products tend to be fairly-priced here, so it may be better to buy the original Japanese brands rather than the Tiamo knock-offs. Here’s one store just south of the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall MRT Station on Guang Fu Rd: maps.google.com/maps?q=sun+yat-s … 84,0,2.77
Although Tiamo doesn’t sell them, I highly recommend Stirling syrups. That’s what I use. They have a less chemically flavor than most. You’d have to contact the importer to see who in Taipei sells them. I frequent a local cafe who uses them, so I buy together with him when he orders.
However, I don’t recommend Tiamo’s beans. You’re probably better off seeking out a better roaster.
Do you mind posting your shopping list? Perhaps I can be of some assistance.[/quote]
Thanks! Have you tried Monin syrips? How’s it compare to Stirling?
Well I’m first looking for a decent mid-priced semi-auto machine (e.g. Saeco Via Venezia or Delonghi EC310 - Models offered in the US). Not many stores here seem to carry a good range of machines
I think I’ve had Monin in coffee shops, but I can’t remember anything about the taste. What I’d suggest is to buy either Monin or Stirling now–whichever is easiest to find–then hunt around for the same flavor of the other brand later to compare. Whichever one you like better is the one you keep on buying. You may even find you like one flavor from one brand but another flavor from the other brand.
This may come as a bit of a shocker, and I don’t want to dismay you, but neither of those machines you mentioned fit the bill of “decent” or “mid-priced”. The entry-level for a decent, unmodified espresso machine is probably either going to be the Le’Lit PL041 (not sold in Taiwan), the Gaggia Classic, or the Rancilio Silvia, both of which are somewhat overpriced in Taiwan. If you don’t mind doing some modifications, you may be interested in the Gaggia Color or the Gaggia Pure. If you want mid-priced, you’re probably looking at around 1,000USD. I know: not what you wanted to hear. 
As an alternative, there is an espresso machine made in Taiwan called the Gee. It had some initial shortcomings, but was then reworked by an engineer who used to work for La Marzocco and is now called the Crossland CC1. You could try to contact the manufacturer directly (he’s a really nice guy; I think his English name is Ewen) and ask if the Crossland CC1 version of his machine is available in Taiwan. Don’t go for the original version.
Even more important than the espresso machine you choose is the grinder. Many people don’t realize this. They think the secret is investing in a higher-end espresso machine, then using pre-ground coffee, a blade grinder, or a cheap burr grinder. Search around on the espresso forums, all the people who pursue this hobby will emphasize the grinder over the espresso machine. The only exception is if you are willing to use a hand grinder. There aren’t many, but there are a few acceptable hand grinders that can save you a bundle of money–but they take more time and elbow grease. This little guy is one such hidden treasure.
If I’ve just given you a huge WTF moment, I apologize. A less-costly alternative would be to get a Yang Chia (Feima) 600N grinder and either an AeroPress, a French press, a Clever Coffee Dripper (try to find one of the newer ones with a lid), a vac pot, or a pour-over cone (or all 5!). Remember to use good quality water, and look for a coffee roaster that uses good quality beans and puts the roasted-on date on the bags (best-before dates mean nothing). Beans for brewed coffee are at their best and freshest when consumed 2 - 10 days after it has been roasted; espresso can go about a week longer.
Thanks again SlowRain, very useful tips and info…will check out the shops and see which machine works best. I like the reviews on the Silvia the best, but the Gaggia seems to fit my budget better.
The Silvia has a HUGE following. It’ll have a large support group.
If you want to do a bit of research on Gaggias, you could check out the Gaggia Users Group on Yahoo. They’re a bit biased towards Gaggia, but it’s still a good resource.