Interview | Kefi Park: A Coffee Park for the Soul, Tucked into Taichung’s Everyday Corners

Posted by

solright

2026-02-05

On 2026-02-04

In a city life that rarely slows down, we all end up craving the same thing: a place where time softens a little. In Taichung’s West District—an area that moves at its own calmer rhythm—there’s a café that feels less like a shop and more like a small neighborhood park.

Kefi Park Roasters is built by a husband-and-wife team: A-Da and Bai. Together, they’ve created a space where coffee is never just a beverage—it’s a way to live, to pause, and to connect.

From Interest to Craft: A-Da’s Quiet Career Turn

Walking into Kefi Park, it’s almost impossible not to notice the roasting machine standing by the entrance—quietly, confidently, like a guardian watching over the space. It sets the tone immediately, hinting that this is a place where coffee is taken seriously, yet without any sense of pretension.

Before coffee reshaped his life, the owner, A-Da, worked in insurance sales, spending his days navigating numbers and policy clauses. Back then, coffee was simply part of his routine—lattes and Americanos, nothing more. That changed after a chance experience helping out at a friend’s café, which sparked a curiosity that would quietly redirect his life. Still a complete beginner, A-Da made a near all-or-nothing decision: he left his original job and moved to Nantou to work at a small shop that combined fashion and coffee, starting from the most basic tasks behind the scenes. Even when the pay amounted to little more than a modest part-time salary, he held firmly to one belief—that to truly master something, you have to commit to it as a full-time pursuit.

Persistence, it seems, has a way of guiding determined people toward the right encounters. For A-Da, that moment came when he met Ashton, owner of Ritrovare Coffee in Taichung, who would become both a key influence and his roasting mentor. Under Ashton’s guidance, A-Da began to see coffee not just as a drink, but as a craft shaped by intention, discipline, and respect for every step before the cup ever reaches the table.

Why “Kefi Park”: A Name with a Mood

The name Kefi Park itself is A-Da and Bai’s shared definition of an ideal way of living.

The name Kefi Park is the couple’s definition of an ideal life. “Kefi” is a Greek word that describes a joyful, uplifted state—when your spirit feels light. “Park,” for A-Da, is a place where people gather and linger.

Put together, the name becomes a promise: this is somewhere you can stay for a while. Somewhere the day doesn’t have to rush you out.

Designing a Place You Want to Stay. The space is designed by Bai, who works as a designer. Instead of forcing a trendy concept, she translated the couple’s everyday imagination into a room you can actually relax in—soft edges, calm pacing, and a layout that feels open without feeling empty.

A-Da intentionally placed the bar at the entrance. It removes distance. The moment you step inside, you’re already in conversation—sometimes with words, sometimes just with the aroma of coffee and the sound of brewing.

A Flavor Philosophy: Balanced, Delicate, and Honest

At Kefi Park, “flavor” isn’t a marketing label. It’s a daily practice.

In A-Da’s mind, two coordinates matter most: balance and delicacy.

He explains it simply: even if someone says they like bright or sweet, what they’re really looking for is a cup that makes sense as a whole. If acidity stands alone without sweetness, it can feel sharp. If sweetness lacks structure, it can feel flat. Balance is what makes the cup feel complete.

When a first-time guest isn’t sure what to order, A-Da approaches it like a bartender—asking a few easy questions to map out preferences, then guiding them toward a cup that feels right for their day.

A Tool That Feels Right: Solright DB-1 in Real Use

For A-Da, tools aren’t just equipment—they’re part of the lifestyle.

After spending time with the Solright DB-1 hand grinder, one word came up immediately: intuitive.

He describes the feeling as something you can understand at a glance and confirm with your hands: the build, the feedback as you grind, and how naturally it fits into the flow of brewing. In the cup, he noted a stable, clean expression—clear aromatics when hot, and a pleasing balance as the coffee cools down.

It matches what A-Da and Bai value most in daily tools: function and beauty working together.

A Daily Scene Built with Regulars

After more than two years, Kefi Park has quietly gathered a familiar circle of regulars. People who come back not only for the coffee, but for the feeling of being recognized and welcomed into a small daily rhythm.

The coffee world is too wide and too deep—there’s always more to learn, A-Da says, almost like a gentle reminder to himself. In this café the couple built together, coffee doesn’t end at the cup. It becomes a scene—one you can return to.

If you find yourself passing through Taichung’s West District, consider stopping by Kefi Park. Sit for a while. You might just leave with a lighter mood—something close to kefi.