Taiwan: 6 days, over 60 dishes, over 30 restaurants

Taiwan is a country that I never thought I would visit, but I have recently seen it become increasingly popular. This is likely due to the fact that it is a country that has been heavily influenced by Japan, but with a much lower cost of living. In fact, the cost of living in Taiwan is comparable to that of Thailand. The atmosphere, climate, and houses are all quite good, and there is a high level of discipline, which is a stark contrast to mainland China. As a result, I have fallen in love with Taiwan. During my six-day, five-night visit, I fell in love with many aspects of Taiwan.

I fell in love with the night markets, the food, and the tourist attractions. However, during my recent trip, I was only able to explore Taipei and its immediate surroundings. All the places I visited were accessible by MRT, with occasional bus transfers. Many Taiwanese dishes were completely new to me, some I had never even seen before, while others I had only glimpsed in media or at famous Taiwanese restaurants in Thailand. This was a stark contrast to Hong Kong, where I have been several times and the food remains largely the same, with most dishes readily available in Thailand. Perhaps this is because Hong Kong cuisine is more popular among Thais.

Street Food in Taiwan: A Culinary Adventure

Taiwan's vibrant street food scene is a major draw for visitors, offering a diverse and delicious array of culinary delights available throughout the day and night. These bustling night markets, with their numerous stalls and vendors, provide a unique and immersive cultural experience.

During my recent visit to Taiwan, I had the opportunity to explore several of these night markets, each offering a distinct culinary adventure. The sheer variety of dishes available was astounding, with many options not readily found elsewhere. From savory to sweet, the flavors were a testament to the country's rich culinary heritage.

Beyond the delectable food, I was impressed by the cleanliness and orderliness of the markets. The people were friendly and respectful, adding to the overall positive experience.

My trip to Taiwan has left me with a deep appreciation for its street food culture. The delicious and diverse offerings, coupled with the vibrant atmosphere and friendly people, make it a truly unforgettable experience. I eagerly anticipate returning to explore more of the culinary treasures this country has to offer.

1. Fried dumplings ★★★ Fried dumplings are widely available in Taiwan, and the taste is similar from one restaurant to another. This was my first meal in Taiwan.

Coordinates: Ximending

Price: 7 characters TWD$35

2. Fried Roti ★★★ I'm not sure what this dish is called, but judging from the dough, it looks like roti. It's fried on a pan with cheese, eggs, bacon, and a savory sauce. Prices range from TWD$25-60. Mine was fully loaded with everything.

Coordinates: Ximending

Price: TWD$60

3. Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodle ★★★★ This highly acclaimed restaurant is a must-visit for anyone traveling to Taiwan. Established in 1975, it boasts a 40-year history and consistently attracts long queues. The dish resembles a stir-fried noodle dish with offal, similar to "rattan noodle" or "fish maw soup." The rich broth is made with scallops, adding a unique depth of flavor. Diners can customize their experience by adding chili, garlic, or vinegar, although the dish is delicious on its own.

Location: Ximending

Price: TWD$50 (small cup)

4. Bitter Melon Juice (★★★): Personally, I enjoy eating bitter melon, so I was eager to try this juice, especially since it's widely available and popular. I found it in several places. The initial taste upon sipping was sweet and refreshing, likely due to the addition of honey. However, upon swallowing, a lingering bitterness filled my mouth. It wasn't an unbearable bitterness, but rather a complex, earthy, and slightly unpleasant flavor that lingered. Despite this, I finished the entire glass.

Location: Ximending

Price: TWD$65

5. Deep-fried egg with batter ★★ This is another dish that I don't know what to call. I can't speak Chinese, so I rely on English and sign language. For this dish, they crack a duck egg into (black) oil and beat it until the yolk breaks. Then they put the batter on top of the egg that is frying in the oil. When the egg is cooked, they take it out and spread a salty, spicy sauce on it. That's it. This dish reminds me of the egg bread I used to eat as a child. It's a good snack, but it's a bit too greasy.

Coordinates: Ximending

Price: TWD$35

6. Sausage: This is a very common street food, found in almost every market. There are red sausages, as well as other colors like white and black. I only tried the red sausages, which were soft and tender. This might be because they are made in large quantities, resulting in a softer texture. The sausages are similar to Chinese sausage (lap cheong). I found the flavor a bit too strong on its own, with a combination of sweetness and saltiness.

Coordinates: Ningxia Night Market

Price: TWD$35

7. Hot dog sticky rice ★★ This is sticky rice shaped like a sausage. Some people say it's a sausage wrapped in a sausage, but I feel like it's just plain sticky rice. They grill it over a fire, then cut it in half, put in pickled vegetables, basil leaves, and wrap it in another sausage. The basil and sausage are still sweet, but the plain sticky rice helps to cut the sweetness. The basil also helps to enhance the flavor and prevent it from being too greasy.

Coordinates: Ningxia Night Market

Price: TWD$60

8. Taiwanese Oyster Omelette ★★★

This dish, sometimes referred to as "Oyster Omelette," closely resembles its Chinese counterpart. It features duck eggs, flour, and oysters, but the defining difference lies in the sauce. The sauce, reminiscent of satay sauce in appearance, boasts a salty, fermented bean paste-like flavor. A small dish of finely ground chili is provided on the table to combat any potential greasiness.

Coordinates: Ningxia Night Market

Price: TWD$65

9. Deep-fried Stinky Tofu ★★★★ I had only heard of stinky tofu before, but I had no idea how bad it smelled or how big it was. As I walked through the market, I caught a strong whiff of something. I looked around and saw that it was tofu, so I decided to give it a try. The first bite tasted like rotten tofu. It was really stinky and a little sour. It was served with pickled vegetables and a salty black dipping sauce with crushed red chilies that were spicy and sour. I dipped the tofu in the sauce and ate it with the pickled vegetables. As I ate more, I started to like it. I really enjoyed it. I would recommend trying it. I didn't think it would be so good. 555 Maybe I just like tofu. It was really delicious.

Coordinates: Ningxia Night Market

Price: TWD$45

10. Grilled Angus Beef ★★★ I had this dish in Malaysia once before, and I wanted to try it again because I enjoy eating beef. They diced the Angus beef and grilled it over an open flame. However, it seemed the heat wasn't sufficient, so they used a blowtorch to finish cooking it quickly. After grilling, they offered various seasoning powders, including seaweed, BBQ, and spicy flavors. I chose the spicy option. The beef was still somewhat tough, and the spicy powder wasn't particularly spicy. It tasted like regular grilled beef and lacked the tenderness expected from Angus beef.

Coordinates: Ningxia Night Market

Price: TWD$100

11. Frog Egg Water ★★ This shop is ubiquitous, and it seems to be the same shop everywhere, but with different branches, because the logos are all the same. The Thai name of this shop sounds a bit scary, but it's actually just an ordinary sweet drink with mung beans, tapioca pearls, and jelly, similar to Phuket's O-Aew. I couldn't finish my glass because it was too sweet (for me). It was so sweet that it made me thirsty, and it didn't quench my thirst at all. 55555

Coordinates: Ningxia Night Market

Price: TWD$35

12. Deep-fried soup dumplings ★★★★ These are quite common, but this particular stall had a queue of at least 20 people, so I had to try it. They pour oil into a large pan, arrange the dumplings in a single layer, and then add soup. They wait for the soup to dry, leaving the bottoms of the dumplings slightly crispy. It's like frying and steaming at the same time, making them quite oily. They come with minced pork and cabbage filling. I tried one of each flavor, and I thought they were delicious. They tasted like dumplings with gyoza filling. 55555

Location: Shilin Night Market, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan.

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Price: Pork filling TWD$12 Cabbage filling TWD$10

13. Flour Rice Noodle ★★★★ This is another shop that seems to be an imitation, but there were still a lot of people standing around eating, so I decided to give it another try. I really liked it the first time, and the prices here are much cheaper than at Ximending. At Ximending, the price is $50 for a similar size, and the taste is also similar. I honestly can't tell which shop is tastier.

Coordinates: Shilin Night Market

Price: TWD$20

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14. Boiled Fish Balls with Tea ★★ Sprinkled with seasoning powder. These are boiled fish balls, and I don't even know what kind of fish balls they are. 5555 They have a wide variety of seasoning powders to choose from, including Spicy, Wasabi, Curry, Seaweed, Lemon, and Satay Sauce. Overall, I tried the Seaweed and Original flavors. Overall, not delicious.

Location: Shilin Night Market

Price: TWD$25 per stick

15. Mango Ice-shave ★★ This is shaved ice made from milk, topped with mango flesh and mango topping. It's extremely sweet, except for the mango itself. I couldn't finish it because the topping was so sweet it was like a knife in my throat. The mango also wasn't as delicious as the ones we have back home.

Coordinates: Shilin Night Market

Price: TWD$180

16. Grilled Stinky Tofu ★★★★ We previously tried the deep-fried version, but this restaurant grills it on a teppanyaki grill. They spread sauce directly on the tofu instead of dipping it, and then place pickled vegetables on top. It's served on a skewer for easy eating. We loved it!

Location: Shilin Night Market

Price: TWD$40

17. Grilled Scallion & Soy-Marinated Beef ★★★★ Thinly sliced beef wrapped around scallions. The scallion flavor is very strong, as they use a generous amount and the variety is more pungent than what we have at home. Even for someone who enjoys both beef and scallions, I found it a bit overpowering. The soy-marinated beef itself is good, with four pieces per skewer and a sprinkle of sesame seeds. This skewer is similar to other soy-marinated beef options but presented on a stick for convenience.

Location: Shilin Night Market

Price: Grilled scallion roll, TWD$10 each

Grilled meat with soy sauce, TWD$35 per skewer.

18. Tiny Sausages ★ At first glance, I thought they were Isaan sausages because they looked so similar, especially before they were grilled. So I ordered them to try, hoping for something to cut through the richness. But to my surprise, they tasted just like regular Taiwanese sausages, with a flavor similar to Chinese sausage. So I only had one piece.

Coordinates: Shilin Night Market, Shilin District

Price: 6 pieces TWD$50

19. Roti with chopped peanuts and ice cream, or ice cream roti, with ice cream and chopped peanuts. ★★★★ You can call it whatever you like. They use roti dough, similar to the kind used for cotton candy, and then grate chopped peanuts into thin strips and add them. They place coriander on top and then add two scoops of ice cream. Then they roll it up and wrap it tightly. It's easy and convenient to eat while walking. As you eat it, it all comes together nicely.

Coordinates: Jiufen Old Town

Price: TWD$40

20. Fried mushrooms ★★★ I've had fried giant squid in many places before, so this time I didn't think I would eat it because it was big and I would be too full. And because I thought it was fried squid and it didn't look big, I ordered it. But in reality, it was fried mushrooms, topped with mayonnaise and sprinkled with seaweed.

Coordinates: Jiufen Old Town

Price: TWD$100

Tea-boiled Eggs

This dish is also found in mountainous regions of Thailand, such as Ang Khang, where it costs 25 baht per egg. However, in Taiwan, it is significantly cheaper. The eggs are boiled and then lightly cracked to allow the tea to seep in. The resulting tea-boiled eggs are fragrant and warm, making them a delicious treat on a cool day.

Coordinates: Jiufen Old Town

Price: TWD$10

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22. Stinky Tofu Soup & Fried Stinky Tofu ★★★ Just walking past, the pungent aroma wafts through the air, tempting me to try it again. Somehow, it has become a favorite. This time, I tried it as a soup. The broth is mild, and the soup is boiled with cabbage. The flavor is a bit weak, but there is a dipping sauce on the table that adds a nice kick. However, I still prefer the crispy fried version the most.

Coordinates: Jiufen Old Town

Price: TWD$40 + Price: TWD$40

23. Gua Bao ★★★★ This is a must-try dish for me. I spent some time looking for it, but I couldn't find it. I only found clothes and sports shoes, but when I did find it, there was a long line. It's a steamed bun wrapped in pickled vegetables and braised pork belly. It's like a combination of pork leg and steamed bun, making it easy to eat. The taste is like a strong-flavored pork leg. It's delicious. I love it.

Coordinates: Gongguan Night Market

Price: TWD$50

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24. Bubble tea with a logo of a person's face ★★★★★ The shop is located directly opposite the Gua Bao shop, and both are incredibly crowded. The queue winds around and around, looping back on itself repeatedly. However, I persevered because I knew I had to try this particular shop. Honestly, I had already tried bubble tea from other shops in Taiwan, but I wasn't impressed. This shop, however, offers soft, sweet tapioca pearls with a subtle tea aroma and a hint of fresh milk. It's fragrant, delicious, and not overly sweet. If you want more sweetness, simply chew on the tapioca pearls, which will release their sweetness. It's truly the best bubble tea I've ever had, surpassing many others in Taiwan and even in Thailand. I can guarantee it's the most delicious.

Location: Gongguan Night Market

Price: TWD$35

Deep-Fried Salted Buns with Water ★★

This restaurant is located near the hotel where I stayed. I tried it to see if it was as delicious as the one at the night market, Zihlin. I tried the cabbage and some other vegetable filling that I don't know the name of. It had a pungent smell and wasn't tasty at all. It really can't compare to the one at Zihlin Market.

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Coordinates: Taipei Main Station

Price: TWD$10 per piece.

26. Sushi Take Out ★★★ is a budget-friendly sushi restaurant found at major train stations. While I can't vouch for the freshness, the value for money is undeniable. The taste is decent, and the portions are generous, leaving you feeling satisfied.

Translation:

Location: Major train stations.

Price: TWD$90

In addition to street food found in Taiwanese markets, I also had the opportunity to try various restaurants and beverages.

27. Tea, coffee, convenience store, Taiwan, refreshing, sigh (Pure. Drink)

Tea and coffee from convenience stores are readily available and highly popular in Taiwan, not only among locals but also among foreigners and tourists from various countries.

Characterized by its unique, cylindrical bottles in various colors depending on the flavor, this beverage is not available in every convenience store, requiring me to search for it in different locations.

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28. This restaurant also has a Chinese name, so I don't know how to write or type it. When I order, I just point my finger. I ordered Taiwanese shabu-shabu to try. The shabu-shabu dipping sauce in Taiwan all taste similar. If you like it, you'll really like it. If you don't like it, you'll have to choose something else to eat. The taste is exactly like Modern Toilet.

Location: Before the entrance to Beitou Termal Valley

Price: Shabu pork TWD$170, Fried pork WD$100, Tofu TWD$50, Milk tea TWD$ 40★

Translation:

29. A restaurant with a Chinese name ★★ that I personally couldn't read. This restaurant is open late, as it was past midnight when I went to eat, but it was still full of people.

Many of the dishes at this restaurant are pre-cooked, similar to those found at a traditional Thai rice porridge restaurant.

I tried the rice noodles, dumplings, and fried tofu. The taste was bland, typical of Taiwanese cuisine. Personally, I didn't like it very much.

30. Addiction Aquatic Development (Taiwanese Fish Market) ★★★★★

Addiction Aquatic Development, also known as Taipei Fish Market (台北魚市) or Citied on Fisheries, is a popular air-conditioned fish market among Taiwanese locals and international tourists. While not as grand as Japan's Tsukiji Market, it offers a comprehensive selection of seafood at affordable prices.

The bustling fish market extends beyond the confines of the Addiction Aquatic Development building, with surrounding shops offering an array of fresh seafood and prepared dishes, mirroring the offerings within the building itself. However, during my visit on a Monday afternoon, the surrounding market remained largely closed, prompting me to focus my exploration on the building's interior.

Addiction Aquatic Development is an air-conditioned fish market with a hidden entrance.

The entrance is one-way, and visitors must disinfect their hands with sanitizer before entering. Upon entering, you will find a pond where crabs, fish, and fresh seafood are kept. Further along, you will find a restaurant with seating, as well as pre-packaged sushi and sashimi. Before exiting, you will pass the cashier counter and tables for standing or eating. You can also choose to eat outside the building. As it was cold during my visit, I opted to sit outside for a more comfortable experience.

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Menu

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Addiction Aquatic Development is like a one-stop shop for fresh seafood and ready-to-eat Japanese food, guaranteeing freshness every day. I went with 2 people and had a lot of fun walking around because everything was so affordable. We picked up a lot of things, but we thought we wouldn't be able to finish it all, so we put some things back.

1. Sushi (NTD $320) This pack alone is enough to fill you up. It includes 11 pieces of sushi with salmon, shrimp, sweet shrimp, eel, fish roe, sea urchin roe, sweet egg, and 6 pieces of salmon and tuna rolls.

2. Sashimi (NTD $240) features thick, tender slices of salmon and tuna, both equally thick, fresh, sweet, and incredibly delicious.

3. Grilled skewered prawns (NTD $60) are priced at NTD $30 per skewer, with all prawns being of the same size. The prawns are very firm and grilled to a fragrant aroma. They are delicious even without dipping sauce, as the only option is soy sauce. 55555 So I chose not to dip them in anything.

4. The crab (NTD $436) is a species I am unfamiliar with. The crab was not large, but the meat was still sweet. It was eaten fresh without any dipping sauce. Sometimes I think of seafood dipping sauce, but on second thought, it's good to eat it like this. It allows you to fully experience the true taste of the crab. 55555

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5. Sea urchin roe (NTD $300)

I have tried sea urchin roe in many places, both in Thailand and abroad. Some places I have eaten it have been almost vomit-inducing, with a strong odor and fishy taste. This time, I was hesitant to try it again, but I thought to myself that the freshness of the ingredients here would likely be better than many of the places I had tried before.

The sea urchin roe here is all the same price, averaging NTD $100 per bite. I decided to try three bites, and upon tasting it, I found a real difference. The roe here had no odor or fishy taste, and even had a slightly sweet flavor. It was a truly impressive way to end the meal.

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Travel

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I took the MRT to Xingtian Temple Station. After exiting the station, I visited Xingtian Temple (Hsing Tian Kong), which is about 300 meters away. It is dedicated to the deity Guan Yu, and many people come here to pray for career success, wealth, and protection from evil. After that, I crossed the street and walked through a park. It was a short walk to my destination. I used Google Maps to navigate. On the way back, I took a taxi to the MRT station, which cost less than NTD $100.

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31. Din Tai Fung ★★★★ SOGO Department Store, Zhongxiao Fuxing Station

Din Tai Fung: A Culinary Pilgrimage to Taiwan

Din Tai Fung, the renowned Taiwanese restaurant, has graced the shores of Thailand for several years. However, the opportunity to visit its birthplace in Taiwan presented an irresistible culinary pilgrimage. With multiple branches scattered across the island, each Din Tai Fung location inevitably boasts a queue, unless one arrives at the crack of dawn.

Din Tai Fung was founded by Yang Bingyi, who immigrated from China to Taiwan during the Chinese Civil War in 1948. He worked at a cooking oil shop called Heng Tai Fung for 10 years before it closed down. Yang Bingyi then opened his own shop, combining the name of the oil brand he sold, Din Mei Oil, with the name of his former workplace, Heng Tai Fung, to create Din Tai Fung. In the 1980s, bottled oil became more popular and replaced cooking oil. Yang Bingyi then converted half of his shop to make xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), which gradually gained popularity and continues to be popular today.

Din Tai Fung was selected by the New York Times in 1993 as one of the Top Ten Restaurants in the world. In 2009, it opened its first branch in Hong Kong and was awarded a Michelin Star. The following year, it opened another branch in Hong Kong and received the same award, making it a total of five consecutive years. Currently, Din Tai Fung has branches in various countries around the world, including Hong Kong, China, Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the United States, Dubai, and Thailand, with over 100 branches in total.

I had lunch at Din Tai Fung in the SOGO department store at Zhongxiao Fuxing Station. The restaurant is located on the B2 floor, the same floor as the supermarket. When I arrived, there was a queue of about 10 people ahead of me, even though it was almost 3:30 pm. The restaurant allowed me to look at the menu while I waited. It took less than half an hour for my turn to come up. Some of the staff were able to speak English and communicate well.

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Atmosphere

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This branch of the restaurant is quite large, comfortably accommodating around 100 customers. The front of the restaurant features an open kitchen, allowing diners to observe the chefs preparing the xiaolongbao.

The restaurant was bustling with activity, with both customers and staff moving around briskly.

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Din Tai Fung Menu

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The main menu features Chinese cuisine, with an emphasis on noodle dishes and a wide variety of dumplings with diverse fillings and flavors. During my visit with a companion, we were unable to sample many dishes due to having already eaten lunch. Upon being seated, we were served complimentary ginger slices and tea. A 10% service charge is added to the bill for dine-in orders.

1. Xiaolongbao (小笼包) is a type of steamed bun filled with pork. It is a popular dish in Taiwan and is often served with a dipping sauce made of soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger. The restaurant offers a variety of fillings, including pork, crab, shrimp, chicken, and truffle. The price of the xiaolongbao varies depending on the filling. The restaurant provides instructions on how to eat the xiaolongbao, but it is up to the customer whether or not to follow them. The xiaolongbao should be eaten fresh, as the dough will become hard and unappetizing if it is left out for too long. The xiaolongbao can be dipped in the dipping sauce or eaten plain. The ginger is a good accompaniment to the xiaolongbao, as it helps to cut through the richness of the pork. The ginger is finely chopped and served in small cups. I personally like to eat a lot of ginger with my xiaolongbao, so I usually ask for two cups of ginger.

2. Hot and Sour Soup (s) TWD$80 ★★★ I ordered a small cup of this Sichuan soup. It wasn't spicy, but rather sour.

3. Braised Beef Noodle Soup (TWD$230) ★★★★★ This braised beef noodle soup allows you to choose between all tendon, all meat, or a combination of both. I opted for all meat, which was incredibly tender as it was made from beef shank. The broth was sweet and fragrant, and the noodles had a satisfyingly chewy texture.

4. Noodles with Spicy Sesame and peanut sauce TWD$100 ★★★ This dish was a bit of a surprise. I was expecting a sesame peanut sauce similar to what you might find on a fried dough stick noodle dish, but here it was served in a light soup with crushed peanuts sprinkled on top. Overall, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't as flavorful as I had hoped. There is no meat in this dish, just noodles, soup, and sauce.

5. Shrimp and Pork Wontons with House Special Spicy Sauce (TWD$160)

This dish features a combination of shrimp and pork wontons, cooked to perfection and served with a house-made spicy sauce. The sauce boasts a hint of fermented soybean paste, contributing to its savory and slightly spicy flavor profile. The wontons are best enjoyed when thoroughly mixed with the sauce, creating a harmonious blend of textures and tastes. This dish pairs well with the accompanying vermicelli noodles, offering a satisfying and flavorful culinary experience.

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Summary:

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Translation:

Overall, it was worth the wait. The taste was good, and we were only disappointed with one dish, which was our own fault. The total price was TWD$690, plus a service charge of TWD$69, for a total of TWD$759. Drinks were free.

***** Recommendations *****

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For those visiting Taiwan who want to try authentic local restaurants without waiting in long lines, head to Taipei 101. I went there around noon on a weekday, and it was surprisingly uncrowded. No waiting in line at all!

32. Modern Toilet Taiwan Modern Toilet ★★★

Modern Toilet Taiwan: A Restaurant Experience Like No Other

Modern Toilet Taiwan, a restaurant concept that immerses diners in a bathroom-themed environment, has been captivating customers since its inception in 2006. The initial buzz surrounding the restaurant's unique design drew crowds eager to experience the novelty, regardless of the food's quality. This innovative concept has not only gained popularity in Taiwan but has also spread to various countries worldwide, including Thailand, where it generated significant media attention.

The location of this restaurant is a bit difficult to describe. I got off at Ximending Station, which is a popular hangout for young people, similar to Siam in Bangkok. After exiting the subway station, I used Google Maps to navigate for a while and asked people passing by for directions. It took me a while to find it, but it was worth the effort.

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"Modern Toilet Taiwan: Dining in a Toilet. A novel concept to attract customers, regardless of taste and previous criticism. An experience worth trying at least once."

The Modern Toilet Taiwan restaurant is quite prominent, with a toilet bowl on the second floor that is visible from afar. As I approached, I realized the restaurant was closed. I had gone to a lot of trouble to find it, but when I got closer, I saw that the actual entrance was on the side. It was a small entrance with stairs leading up to the second floor. (I arrived at 11 am, and the downstairs restaurant was not yet open, so I thought the restaurant was closed.)

Modern Toilet Taiwan: A Unique Dining Experience

The atmosphere at Modern Toilet Taiwan is truly unique.

The restaurant is located on the 2nd and 3rd floors of the building. However, the 3rd floor is closed during the day. The interior of the restaurant is decorated with toilets, including all the chairs. The restaurant also sells souvenirs related to toilets, toilet bowls, and fake feces.

Modern Toilet Taiwan Menu

This restaurant's menu focuses on international cuisine, including steak, pasta, gratin, as well as beverages and desserts such as ice cream and ice shave. Additionally, it offers a popular Taiwanese dish, hot pot.

Translation:

Modern Toilet Signature Hot Pot (Pork) (TWD$310) is served in a large toilet bowl, accompanied by steaming white rice and Taiwanese-style dipping sauce. The dipping sauce has a peculiar smell, which is characteristic of Taiwanese cuisine. I encountered this unique flavor in several restaurants during my visit to Taiwan. It has a slightly nutty and fermented bean paste aroma. The hot pot itself is unremarkable, and the quality of the ingredients determines the overall experience. Ultimately, the dipping sauce is the deciding factor in this dish.

2. Modern Toilet Curry Pork Chop (TWD$260) is a set of fried pork chop with curry sauce served on a bed of salad greens. It comes with soup, pickled vegetables, and steamed rice. The curry sauce has a unique flavor that I am not familiar with. It may be a Taiwanese-style curry rather than Japanese. The pickled vegetables (or whatever they are) are served cold and have a rubbery texture. They were not to my taste.

Both sets come with drinks and ice cream. For tea, there are two options: black tea and green tea. Both teas have foam on top, using a technique that keeps the foam for a long time. The ice cream included in the set has no flavor options and is only chocolate. The soft serve tastes like cheap chocolate and is not rich or flavorful.

I only tried two dishes, so I don't know what the other dishes are like. However, the two dishes I ordered were not to my taste. They were not delicious at all. I only came for the novelty. I like Taiwanese food, including the street food, which I have tried over 30 dishes. I liked about 26-27 of them. Overall, I still like the food in Taiwan, many restaurants in Taiwan, but definitely not this one.

Coordinates of Modern Toilet Taiwan

To get to this restaurant, get off at Ximen Station. Then follow Google Maps like me, or ask the locals. If you don't speak Chinese, just show them a picture of the restaurant. It's that easy!

Phone: +886 2 2311 8822

Business Hours: 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Website: http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/en/

33. Salty Soy Milk Fu Hang Dou Jiang (阜杭豆漿)

Soybean milk is a popular breakfast choice in Taiwan, with many shops offering it around the clock. While some shops operate only in the mornings, others, like this one, have recently extended their hours to accommodate the growing demand. This particular shop, which previously opened from 5:30 AM to 10:30 AM, now stays open until 12:30 PM.

Translation:

The Fu Hang Dou Jiang (阜杭豆漿) salted soybean milk shop has been in operation since 1958, almost 60 years, and remains popular to this day with no signs of slowing down. The shop is located on the 2nd floor of the Hua Shan Market, above a typical food court. However, most of the shops on the 2nd floor open later in the day.

I arrived at the shop at 5:40 am, thinking there would be no one there because it was so quiet. However, when I went up to the second floor, there was already a fairly long queue, and it continued to grow longer. I had seen a photo of the queue at this shop at 8:00 am, and it stretched all the way down to the first floor. I waited in line for about 10-15 minutes.

Translation:

The Fu Hang Dou Jiang (阜杭豆漿) shop does not have an English menu. If you are a Thai person who cannot speak Chinese, it is recommended that you do some research beforehand on what you would like to eat and save pictures of the dishes. When it is your turn to order, you can simply show the pictures. I had the opportunity to speak with an elderly Taiwanese man who had lived in America for a long time and was waiting in line in front of me. He said that he had come back to Taiwan this time specifically to eat at this restaurant. I asked him about the different menu items and if there were any recommendations. In addition to the pictures I had taken, he gave me the following recommendations:

• Salty Soy Milk: This is a classic Taiwanese breakfast dish. The soy milk is boiled with salt and then served with a variety of toppings, such as scallions, cilantro, and fried dough sticks.
• Dan Bing: This is a savory pancake made with eggs, flour, and vegetables. It is a popular breakfast and lunch item in Taiwan.
• You Tiao: These are long, golden-fried dough sticks that are often served with soy milk or congee.
• Xiao Long Bao: These are soup dumplings filled with pork or other meats and vegetables. They are a popular dim sum dish.

I hope this information is helpful!

Savory Tofu Pudding (咸豆漿)

This dish, priced at TWD$30, is a must-try according to my friend's recommendation. It's the signature menu item of this shop, and I couldn't resist ordering it. The savory tofu pudding features a unique texture, resembling both soft tofu and steamed egg custard. It's accompanied by small, salty fish and crispy youtiao (fried dough sticks), topped with fresh coriander. This combination transforms the dish into a savory breakfast option.

2. Sweet soybean milk zhe dou jiang (熱豆漿) TWD$25 This cup is similar to our soybean milk, but the top of the soybean milk is coated with a thick and sticky layer of soybean milk. This coating helps to keep the temperature of the soybean milk hot for a longer period of time.

3. Caramelized Sweet Cake

TWD$22 for a pastry resembling a Chinese mooncake, but with an elongated shape and a slightly sweet filling. The pastry itself is crispy.

4. Dan Bing (蛋餅) - TWD$28

This dish, which I'm unsure how to best describe, is essentially a flatbread topped with an egg. The flavor is rather bland and slightly sweet, but I added the restaurant's sauce, which has a salty, fermented bean paste flavor with a hint of spice.

Thick Egg-Filled Bread (hou shao bing jia dan) NT$38

This thick bread option (hou shao bing jia dan) is served with a fried egg inside. The bread is freshly baked, with a crispy exterior and a soft, slightly sweet interior. While it can be enjoyed plain, it may taste a bit bland without dipping sauce. The egg inside resembles a scrambled egg. This menu item can also be ordered with a filling of egg and youtiao (fried dough sticks).

Waking up early to try my new menu in Taiwan was a unique experience, as I had never tasted anything like it before. It was interesting to see how my dishes fit into the local Taiwanese cuisine, which made me feel a little proud. The flavors were simple and not too exotic. The salty tofu, in particular, felt like a savory dish, making me forget the traditional sweet soybean milk image. I never thought there could be savory tofu dishes like this.

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Coordinates for Fu Hang Dou Jiang, a restaurant specializing in savory tofu pudding.

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The shop is located on the 2nd floor of Hua Shan Market. Take the MRT to Shandao Temple station and exit 5. Once you come up, you will see the building that is Hua Shan Market. If you arrive early, walk around the side of the building to go up to the 2nd floor.

Address: 2nd floor of Hua Shan Market, 108 Zhongxiao East Road

Opening hours: 5:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Closed on Mondays.

34. Mapo Tofu ★★★★ In Taiwan, food is available all day and night. I happened to see my favorite dish on the menu at 7-Eleven, so I had to try it. It was served in a two-layer box, with rice on the bottom and the main dish on top. The taste was mildly spicy, not too hot, and delicious. Maybe it was because I already like Mapo Tofu.

Location: 7-Eleven

Price: TWD$60
35. CITIES ★★ The final meal before the flight back

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Cities Restaurant: A Convenient Option at Taoyuan International Airport

Cities Restaurant is located in the food court on the lowest floor of Terminal 1 at Taoyuan International Airport. The food court offers a limited selection of restaurants, primarily serving Chinese cuisine with only one or two international options. I opted for a Chinese restaurant with pre-set meal options, which offered a convenient and straightforward dining experience.

I ordered a set of chicken rice with bak kut teh for TWD$250 and added an extra cup of chicken rice for TWD$30. The chicken rice had tender meat and a savory sauce, which was delicious. However, the bak kut teh was a bit bland and thin, with little herbal flavor. The pork bones were also not quite tender enough. The set came with a cup of tea.

Translation:

Location: Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 1

Description: This is a complete list of dishes. I don't know the names of many of them, so I would appreciate it if someone could help me identify them. Overall, I absolutely love this country - the food, the people, and the places. There are still many places and dishes I haven't tried, but I will definitely be back to explore more.

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Thank you.