Meals are served at the shop. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

A small teahouse named 123, tucked away on Zhongshan North Road in Hangzhou's Gongshu district, is quietly gaining popularity — not with flashy decor or viral gimmicks, but with sincerity, skill, and warmth.

Run by members of the local "Home for People with Disabilities", the 14-square-meter shop is staffed entirely by young adults with intellectual or physical disabilities, autism, or Asperger's. Under the patient guidance of teachers like shop manager Deng Yun, they prepare everything from soy milk — made with exactly 36 red dates — to seasonal dishes and handmade snacks.

Residents living nearby visit the teahouse. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]

The name "123" honors Dec 3, International Day of Persons with Disabilities. But the shop doesn't highlight its mission for sympathy. "This is not charity," Deng emphasizes. "Our staff earn dignity through their work."

Customers are drawn by both the quality and the quiet atmosphere — no rushing, no pushing, just genuine service and simple, delicious food. With offerings like $0.50 soy milk and handmade buns, 123 Teahouse is more than a business. It's a place where young people grow, learn life skills, and find connection — with the kitchen, the community, and themselves.

Staff prepare wax gourd at the shop. [Photo/tidenews.com.cn]