A little island.
A shared story.

From Industry Pioneer to Community Builder

Yifeng Chen is one of the early pioneers and practitioners in China’s specialty coffee landscape. Starting his journey in 2009 as a shift manager at Segafredo, he went on to co-found Cafe Del Volcan in 2012 and captured the Championship title at the WBC Shanghai Region in 2014.

He subsequently served as Roaster and Trainer at M2M while taking on multi-faceted roles as a coach, competition manager, judge, and emcee across industry events. From 2018 to 2023, as Chief Coffee Officer at OATLY, he played a key role in deepening the connection between oat milk and the specialty coffee community. In 2020, he initiated the 'Silent Barista' public welfare project, providing vocational coffee training and career opportunities for deaf and hard-of-hearing youth.

The Origin of BREW ISLAND: An Island Sanctuary in the City

In 2023, Yifeng returned behind the bar to establish BREW ISLAND in Hongkou, Shanghai.

The vision for 'BREW ISLAND' was inspired by a pop-up project he hosted during a trip to Batukaras, Java, Indonesia. Standing on the beach, he offered 'a cup of coffee for a hug,' exchanging coffee for stories with travelers from all over the world. Returning to Shanghai, he found a unique space surrounded by water on three sides at the junction of Yujingpu and Shajinggang streams. There, he brought his concept of an 'island' to life—not as an escape from the city, but as an accessible haven where people can pause, enjoy a cup of coffee, and foster meaningful human connection amid urban life.

Uncompromising Expertise, Approachable Hospitality

At BREW ISLAND, Yifeng upholds the philosophy of 'uncompromising craft without pretense':

• Palate-Centric Selection: Coffee beans are chosen based on customer taste preferences rather than farm fame or estate titles alone.
• Tailored Water Chemistry: Three customized water filtration systems are deployed to precisely match different coffee origins and brewing methods.
• Strict Quality Control: Beans undergo rigorous hand-sorting before and after roasting to remove defects and ensure ultimate purity.

He envisions BREW ISLAND as a true island—distinct in its boundaries, yet always open to dock. A place where a single cup of coffee offers everyday life a moment of quiet anchorage.