I've wanted to go to Taiwan for ages - famed for fantastic food and it's fascinating history with China.
The food did not disappoint - though as I was only there for about 5 days, I felt like I barely scratched the surface.
It rained quite a bit when I went in January though but I'm still very keen to go back in Autumn (preferred) or Spring for warmer and drier weather!
CITIES/PLACES VISITED IN TAIWAN : Taipei City.
FAVOURITE FOODS / DRINKS IN TAIWAN
Elixir Health Pot restaurant's Hotpot with ice cream tofu and squid balls (yum!!!)
Mochis in Taiwan at the base of one of the main buildings next to Chiang Kai Shek (maybe the National Theatre?!)
Japanese Whisky called Super from the Nikka brand
Hot & Cold Mochi Dumpling with Black Sesame Powder - yum!! Hot mochi dumplings tossed in peanut powder and black sesame powder and placed on a bed of shaved ice topped with a little condensed milk.
Tea Ceremony at Wysteria Tea House. Very elaborate preparation process. Multiple teacups and bowls. 15 sec wait. Small teacup. Beautiful full tea leaves. Had 2 types of tea (Dongding Oolong, Wysteria), dried star fruit and the most luxurious & silken mochi plate I’ve ever had. Amazing spot!
Delicious and colourful croissants - Sold at the croissant shop at the base of the 101 Building. Raspberry!!
Addiction Aquatic Development - Hilarious name for a fish market, amazing food at reasonably good prices for what you get.
Fried Dumplings (crispy-bottomed sheng jian bao), at the stall at the end of Linjiang Night Market (soooo good)!
Orange & lemon juice drink w matcha and pearls @ food court in eslite shopping centre in the business centre of the city.
Gua Bao pork buns. Yum!! Lan Jia Steamed Sandwich Shop | No. 3, Aly. 8, Ln. 316, Sec. 3, Roosevelt Rd.
BEST MEMORIES FROM TAIWAN
Taipei 101 Building's "Super Big Wind Damper" (love the name, great views, very impressive building and engineering). A must visit!
Tea house experience - So many steps, so many cups, but the tea is the perfect drinking temperature by the time you have it.
"Like it Formosa" pay-what-you-can historic tour. Really great story telling!
Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Gate - So very impressive and what a beautiful blue colour!
Blues dancing night at Salsa! Salud.
Night wanders with Justin & Danielle (USA) and Nick. A visit to Nick's bar and awesome speakeasy R&D resulted in great fun!
FUNNY OR STRANGE OBSERVATIONS FROM TAIWAN
Stinky tofu - Smells bad. Tastes less bad, marginally though. Not in a hurry to try again.
Very strong Japanese influence in the Taiwanese culture. Like the Italians in North America.
Taxi drivers out here are awesome. Very friendly, patient and diligent to making it work (call translation agencies), always friendly bye byes.
