Deep Russian heritage and popular culture, hidden in the most unlikely of alleys in old Taipei, nostalgic haven to the First Lady of Taiwan’s President during a time of transformation that resulted in modern Taiwan
The story begins with the October Revolution in Russia in 1917. As the Russian Communists overthrew the Tsarist government, George Elsner, a member of the Royal Guard, fled to Shanghai. In 1922, he opened Café Astoria on Shanghai’s Avenue Joffre. Shanghai fell to the Chinese Communists and the pair again uprooted to Taiwan. Elsner open Café Astoria on Wuchang Street in Taipei,1949
Astoria. The name, a reference to the Russian word for “universe,” indicates the brightest star in the sky: a fitting name for a cafe that would go on to shine for a span of more than 70 years
From its northern roots a century earlier to its southern home in the 21st century, Café Astoria has continued the heritage of its Russian royal family lineage. These early roots can be glimpsed from an in-house Russian recipe book, preserved from 1915. The café also continues to serve its distinctive mix of Russian meals, coffee, and fine, exotic pastries
Source: Café Astoria
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