iOven is a bakery with a wood-fired kiln. The owner Konstantin (Kang Ting) is from Vienna, Austria while his wife is from Hualien. The bakery, much like the couple, combines the exquisite quality of Vienna and the warm hospitality of Taiwan.
At iOven, baking is a glorious inheritance of the family, because Konstantin’s grandfather was the chef at the Grand Hotel in Vienna. During the period of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Grand Hotel was the best restaurant and the chef the winner of many awards. Among the dishes served, a world-famous appetizer stands out. Meanwhile, Grandpa's eldest brother was the private chef of the Earl of England, specializing in serving distinguished guests invited to the earl’s British mansion in the south of France, while grandpa's second eldest brother was private chef to King Edward VIII.
Traditional baking methods are at the heart of iOven, and bricks have been used to build the kiln from scratch. The firewood comes from tree branches Konstantin helps people saw off of their fruit trees as well as trees struck down during typhoon season. Konstantin pays great attention to the quality of raw ingredients and baking skills. No additives, auxiliaries, modifiers, preservatives or spices are used in his baked goods. Rye, spelt and wheat flours are imported from Germany, the coffee is from Vienna while other raw materials are purchased locally in Hualien. A wide variety of breads and cakes are available for purchase at the store, including 80% rye bread, whole wheat walnut bread, Viennese braided bread and Kugelhopf cake.
The pizza served at the bakery was selected by Tripdavisor as the top choice in Hualien; the bakery itself was also named best restaurant. The secret to good quality is simplicity and extended fermentation. After kneading into a light dough, the pizza crust is topped with Italian tomatoes and fresh Mozzarella cheese.
"Hualien's culture, music, philosophy, and spirit of Tzu Chi result in an ambiance that’s vastly different from that of European, and they are all amazing elements of life," Konstantin says. On holidays, he and his wife often take their children to Qixingtan Beach to play stones and have picnics and to Taroko for walks along the spectacular hiking trails. Other favorite destinations include the beautiful scenery of the Golden Canyon in Xincheng Township and the seashore plank trail in Fenghai Township.
iOven
Address: 5, Ln. 315, Linsen Rd., Hualien City, Hualien County 970, Taiwan (R.O.C.)
Website:http://www.ioventaiwan.wix.com/ioventaiwan
Tel: (03)832–6656