Here we go again!
My blogging pal Melissa Chang (@melissa808) and I are heading to Taiwan on Hawaiian Airlines’ inaugural flight to Taipei, leaving July 9.
On the docket are visits to night markets, shopping districts, eateries and national landmarks like the 1,667-foot-tall Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum.
Seems like there’s a lot to do in the political, economic and cultural capital of Taiwan. It should be fun just walking about this densely populated city that boasts 9,753 people per square kilometer.
But I’m particularly excited to eat. (No surprise.) And here were some suggestions friends left on my Facebook wall last week:
• Xiao long bao at Din Tai Fung, the original dumpling house
• Try as much chau tofu as possible
• Try the stinky tofu
• Three words: Beef Noodle Soup
So help us out: we need suggestions on places to go, sights to see and, of course, things to eat while we’re in Taipei. Post ’em here!
Learn more about Taipei City here.
15 Comments
CAT: Just wondering if Delicate Blossom and you will try “Hostess Bar Fuud” in Taipei?
As a past President of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce, you must try the rice soap at Ching Yeh Aoba Restaurant. Oh my gosh, my mouth is watering already. You might think that breakfast is not a meal to cherish in Taiwan but I really enjoyed the breakfast in Taiwan which open up’s you taste buds for the meals to come! Watch out for the Vendors in the market places. My last trip in 1997 turned out to be a battle of the bathrooms in our Hotel. It might have changed over the past years but I would still be careful. Aloha and have a great trip!
I meant soup. Sorry fat fingers.
Can’t wait!
I hope the hotel rooms are smaller than the ones in Japan! 🙂
I went to Taiwan for the first time in 2011 – ironically stopped in Honolulu on the way back! It was an amazing foodie vacation on both islands! In Taiwan – chau tofu = stinky tofu. There are 2 preparations, steamed and deep fried, both are good. Night markets are great for street food. Also hot pot is very popular there (it is like Sweet Home Cafe in Mo’ili’ili) so definitely check it out, some places specializes in different broths and different specialty ingredients. Also popular are breakfast foods: you tiao (fried long pieces of dough), with soy milk soup (sweet or savory choices), and shao bing, which is scallion pancake with meat in between, like a sandwich. And my husband loves a delicious eggy oyster pancake topped with sweet and spicy chili sauce, called ah- wah-jian. (sorry am trying to phonetically spell it). Also all the shopping malls have a floor of food in the basement and those are the best places to snack and graze. In the Taipei 101 building, there is a popular restaurant called Shin Yeh which was outstanding and the view spectacular. Be prepared for humidity and a lot of rain though! I had relatives take us around because we don’t speak much Chinese. Language was certainly a barrier there at least for me, and relative to other Asian cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, it is less English-friendly. Have a wonderful trip and can’t wait to read about the adventures!
Popiah in Taiwanese or Mandarine Run bing is fresh spring roll with ground peanut in it and see it size of burrito and very cheap too. oyster omelette is sold everywhere. Must try the real cartwheel cake or in Taiwanese Hung Dou Bing (red bean cake) Their famous beef noodle soup is awesome. Green Onion pancake many different kind sold everywhere and their underground subway mall with 24 hours book store.
Please do not eat a century egg purchased from the street vendor within rock throwing distance of the Grand Hyatt unless you want to make use of the fifth floor infirmary. Other than that, I really enjoyed seeing Chiang Kai-shek’s memorial. When I was there they were using the area around it to show off their micro cars. The National Palace Museum was incredible. it is a must do.
When I was there as a tourist Toroko Gorge was nice, its nickname is the Marble Valley. You could venture all the way south and visit the shipbuilding areas but that would likely be a guy thing. Haven’t been there since they finished the Taipei 101 but unless the air quality is better than it used to be there might not be much to see.
As for Taiwan, friendliest people you’ll ever meet. Completely loved the place.
Go shopping for tea leaves, and bring some back. Relatively inexpensive, light to carry, don’t take up much room in your luggage, and the Ag Dept doesn’t much care about tea leaves when you return.
It’s a great conversation starter with the locals, and Taiwan has some fabulous teas.
For some reason, I’d like to see you and Melissa eat at Modern Toilet and post photos! I loved Taiwan when I traveled there for business!
The BEST beef noodle soup (niu ro mien) is from this restaurant with no name in the middle of the financial district. Directions: take the blue line to Ximen. Exit from exit 3. Walk straight for about two blocks. Turn right and cross the street. Look for Taoyuan street. Walk down Taoyuan street and look to your left. The restaurant is at the beginning of a short alley..there is usually a line of people. If you get lost in the vicinity, just ask for directions. Everyone knows where it is around there. It can get crowded, so eat quickly.
My advice: forget the fancy restaurants. Restaurants in Taiwan are for entertaining. If you want memorable food, stick with the street food.
Some of my must eats when in Taipei:
1) taiwanese sausage (yen chen) i like it with fresh garlic;
2) fried chicken steak (look for the really long lines of college kids at shilin night market);
3) fruit (the fruits are super sweet in Taiwan);
4) fried stick of dough (yeo tiau) dip it in sweetened soy milk (there is a small shop about half a mile from SOGO where the old guys make it from scratch right in front of you)
5) green onion pancake (tsong yeo bing) there are several carts that sell this for breakfast, but my favorite cart is this un-personable man that sets up on a side street on the backside of SOGO;
6) xiao long bao (din tai fung)
7) pastries (follow your nose)
Places to see:
1) Shilin night market
2) Wei fun pu (shopping)
3) National Palace Museum
4) 24 hour bookstores
Enjoy!
Cat, I had a deep fried chicken cutlette in Taipei that so huge size of my face and price so reasonble. It street food at it best only in Taiwan. Check out their long shape potsticker not regular size one and fried buns are very good too. KFC and Mcdonald have different food also.
Hello Cat!
I can’t wait to read about your adventure!
Ditto on the deep fried chicken cutlet from the street fair. You will know the good one because the line is a 30 minute wait. The stinky tofu served all over the street vendors is enough to make you lose your lunch if you aren’t used to the smell!!!!!
1) Shilin Night Market is a must! Plenty Stinky Tofu there! And so much more…
2) Beitou Hot Springs
3) Jiufen (beautiful old historical town was a model in the anime movie Spirited Away)
4) Ride the Maokong Gondola to visit the tea plantations and tea houses (best in the evening to watch the sunset)