What is your favorite food in the world?
I think I have concluded mine. Nothing in my book beats the brilliance of Chinese fare (no offense, people). Every bite envelops you with an explosion of flavor and history. I have tasted foods from the chaotic streets of Egypt to the hilly roads in San Francisco. But never have I enjoyed food so thoroughly, than when I was in the hustle and bustle of Taipei City.
Taiwan is an amazing country. I loved every bit of it. Best of all, their night markets. This is where you should go if you want to immerse in their wide array of delicious street snacks. If you want to experience the most authentic of the authentics, try their smelly tofu. Don’t know where? Your nose might just do the job. Don’t forget to bring tons of breath mints though. If not, don’t fret. Bad breath might just come in handy with the insane crowd.
If you are at the Shilin night market, look out for this lady. She might be the friendliest person I’ve met on this trip. What she sells are these balls of deep fried milk custards. Plus, they are pretty cheap; NT20 for 3 balls.
It’s pretty easy (and cheap) to travel out of the city by public transport. If you have the chance, try going to Keelung, a fishing port on North Eastern Taipei. One of its highlights is the Miao Kou Night Market (Miao means temple). I came across this bean curd stall (3 Brothers bean curd) and had the most amazing thing. Bean curd and fen yuan, something similar to the tapioca balls in your bubble tea, except that these have red beans in them. One word, delicious.
If you are looking for something weird out of novelty, take a look at the Modern Toilet Restaurant. Your seats are toilet bowls, your tables are tubs and your food is served in toilet bowls. It may sound really gross and all, but right there, it actually isn’t.
I want to go to that toilet restaurant and eat that giant dessert ice cream thingy!!!!! It looks amazing!
I heard of the toilet bowl place before – so strange. The deep fried milk custard sounds delectable! What delicious eats!
I loved your culinary tour of Taiwan! Will probably never get there, so will live vicariously through you.
I LOVE this post! I take pictures of food when I travel as well! There are so many fascinating places that I will never get to go to so I have to settle for reading about 'em
I am in Taipei as well! I am actually going to ShiLin today so I will look out for those places
@Rick, I want to go to that toilet restaurant too!
thanks guys! and @jane, i hope u get to try those deep fried milk! amazing stuff
i'm never without a pack of gum, so i should make it in taiwan just fine.
Everything is so fascinating!
I know very little about Chinese food, but I love looking at your pretty pictures. Everything looks so exotic to me. HOpe you get a chance to go back and enjoy it again soon.*kisses* HH
Hi Hannah,Yes I am Taiwanese
I've been going to Shi-Lin once a week!
Fried milk custard sounds so strange yet interesting!
Fantastic post! I'd love to visit Taiwan someday. My uncle lived there for a few years.