What Art Is It to Drink Coffee with a Fried Egg?

Text and photos by Chen Chi-Hsiang

Goethe said, "Theory is gray; only the tree of life is evergreen."

Having walked through many global metropolises and tasted coffees everywhere, the differences are merely in quality, cups, or setting. One might pair it with a small chocolate or gingerbread, or order a local dessert for something special, which is quite pleasant. In Europe, especially Paris, ordering a coffee allows one to sit for a long time, reading a book slowly to spend a beautiful afternoon, or chatting heartily with friends for half a day, relaxed and free, perhaps sparking some ideas. Even better is drinking coffee outdoors, where street scenes act like a theater, constantly presenting beautiful moments of human life; watching handsome men and beautiful women pass by is wonderful. Drinking coffee is a delightful experience. But coming to Dog (Gaoshiong) in an alleyway, in a dim café, one can only focus on drinking coffee and chatting, yet it left me continually amazed. Eating rice with a braised egg is fine, but coming here (Xiaodi Café in Yancheng District, reportedly one of the oldest cafés in Dog, Gaoshiong), what art is it to drink coffee with a fried egg? This is undoubtedly Xiaodi Café's unique classic.

On a Friday in March, I went with the Kaohsiung Wu Yuan Reading Club to Laomian Shop in Yancheng District for noodles and black-and-white cuts. I ordered my favorite rice noodle soup. Accompanied by the beautiful ladies of the reading club, the appetizing traditional black-and-white cuts opened my appetite. Of course, there were also fragrant braised eggs; under their kindness, they gave me more than half an egg, so I ate happily and contentedly. After the meal, these art-loving ladies treated me to coffee. Following their footsteps, we came into an alley. Several men outside were drinking coffee. Entering inside, I found it was a solo-owner café, run by a cool auntie who completely ignored customers. I saw this without surprise. The group found seats. No one asked what coffee we wanted; that was the rule—one cup regardless of choice. The female owner brewed coffee leisurely, busy with her own things.

Of course, I knew going to a café was for drinking coffee. Finally, the coffee arrived. The students ordered a fried egg, which was stunning. What art is it to drink coffee with a fried egg? It left me dumbfounded. The female owner even asked if I wanted a fried egg or scrambled eggs. Truly interesting. Fortunately, she didn't say, "Why not just have a turtle egg?" Haha. The fried egg paired with coffee was double-layered. Was this art? The world is full of wonders. Why not drink coffee with a fried egg? Life is art; creativity is everywhere. It has nothing to do with high art, proving that art is deeply rooted in daily life. Life is the source of all art.