Taiwan F&B Weekly Review: Chad Wang Voted Global Top 100 Coffee Leader, A Cut Ventures Out of Hotel with New Charcoal-Grilled Brand

This review compiles important news from Taiwan's F&B circle between September 7 and 13, 2026, covering multiple news lines such as coffee, steak, French cuisine, and pop-up events, presenting the main industry trends of that week.

Who was voted a global top 100 coffee leader?

VWI by Chadwang founder Chad Wang was selected by the global coffee evaluation platform The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops for the "Global Top 100 Coffee Leaders" list. This is a selection made by the platform in addition to its existing "World's 100 Best Coffee Shops" specifically targeting figures driving industry development, recognizing his dedication to brewing, flavor, and hospitality, as well as his cross-industry collaborations bringing specialty coffee into fashion, automobiles, hotels, and other fields. Chad Wang won the World Brewers Cup championship in Budapest, Hungary in 2017, becoming the first Taiwanese competitor to win this event. In October 2018, he opened the first VWI store in Taipei's East District, with the brand name taking the concept of three forms of water: fog, water, and ice.

Why did A Cut step out of the hotel for the first time?

A Cut, which has won one Michelin star for six consecutive years, celebrated its 20th anniversary this year and developed its brand-new dining brand, The Grill by A Cut, officially opening on the 8th floor of Taipei Dome Far Eastern Garden City on September 10. The new brand is led by A Cut Executive Chef Ling Wei-lien, who invited Chen Wei, formerly of Gloria Hotel and wood-fired restaurant Wildwood, to serve as head chef. Shifting from A Cut's signature precise temperature control and aging techniques to new American cuisine centered on longan wood direct-fire grilling, the menu includes steaks as well as charcoal-grilled lobster, tiger prawns, seasonal fresh fish, and Japanese lamb.

What combination was served at the Kaohsiung four-hands banquet?

Papillon, the French restaurant on the 26th floor of HOTEEL AMIA Kaohsiung, invited the local restaurant "Fatty Liver" to collaborate on the four-hands banquet "Two Nights, One Table", bringing Fatty Liver's late-night small dishes to the high-altitude dining table alongside Papillon's French cuisine. The banquet was originally scheduled to debut on October 3 and 4, with 40 seats each for a total of 80 seats, priced at Taiwan dollars 3,280 plus a 10 percent service charge, including paired drinks. HOTEEL AMIA stated that this is the first collaboration for Papillon to promote local F&B exchanges, with subsequent plans to invite one Kaohsiung local restaurant to participate each season.

What limited-edition gift box did the Ladurée Taichung pop-up store launch?

The century-old French macaron brand Ladurée opened a pop-up store on the 1st floor of Hanshin Department Store Taichung Intercontinental, launching a Taiwan-exclusive limited "Heart-Shaped Gift Box" (15 pieces) in conjunction with the opening. The opening event ran from September 14 to 30, with a complimentary marshmallow bear given for a single transaction reaching Taiwan dollars 500 or more, subject to on-site availability and limited daily supplies while stocks last. Founded in Paris in 1862, Ladurée was introduced to Taiwan by Blue Bell in 2013 and withdrew in 2016. It returned in 2026 under Dazzling's representation, opening its first store in Taipei 101 in March, while the Taichung pop-up store served as the brand's new stronghold in central Taiwan following its return to Taiwan. The event has now concluded.

What other guest-chef and pop-up events are worth noting?

Taipei Marriott Hotel's Inge's Bar & Grill invited Chiayi Minxiong's "Smokin' Texas Barbecue" for a three-day guest appearance from September 25 to 27, launching the "Full Moon · Smoking Good Time" event, serving classic Texas combinations such as beef brisket, pork ribs, and smoked sausage. The event has now concluded. The Texas barbecue brand Dayne's Texas Barbecue operated a pop-up store at Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Taichung Zhonggang Store from September 12 to October 26, marking its first venture into Taichung following the Taipei Nangang Citylink branch, with its signature 18-hour slow-smoked beef brisket making a simultaneous debut. In addition, Tokyo Bib Gourmand renowned restaurant "Narukura" confirmed it will open a Taipei branch in Taipei's Dalian District, famous for its low-temperature slow-fried "white tonkatsu", though the specific opening date has not yet been announced; the East District handroll bar Ossu Handroll & Bar also previously announced on social media that it would return after remodeling and start recruitment, with the reopening time similarly unannounced.

Why did the Nordic restaurant announce its closure?

Taipei Daan District Nordic-style restaurant Nabo Ulv previously announced on its official social media that October 15, 2026 would be its final operating day, thanking customers for their company along the way and inviting everyone to return and say goodbye during the final stage. The restaurant was formerly known as "ULV Restaurant and Bar", which opened in 2019 and featured Nordic culinary techniques such as charcoal grilling, fermentation, and pickling. It was previously listed in the Michelin Guide Taiwan edition and has now ceased operations according to its announcement.