In the hustle and bustle of busy Taipei life, one can still find surprisingly serene and idyllic spaces. Wistaria Tea House, located in an old Japanese-style house, is one such oasis. It has long been on my must-visit list for Taiwan. For me, this one spot satiates so many desires at once: teahouse, tea shop, historic site, gallery and restaurant. It is foremost a very low-key Chinese teahouse. I come here to taste seasonal and vintage teas, especially the local oolong varieties and Wistaria’s extensive pu-erh collection predating the 1920s. I love the active role that the guests play by brewing their own tea. This really enhances one’s appreciation of the tea. While chatting, you are paying attention to the time the tea is brewing and its development. Then once your tea is done, you first take in the aroma of the tea leaves, then sip the tea in one-sip size gongfu cups. Of course, one batch of tea will last several brews, so it becomes a very rhythmic form of relaxation. If time allows, start with their lunch sets and don’t miss the delectable local tea snacks: dried starfruits, white sesame rolls and mung bean cakes.