For those who loves to eat like me, I am compiling all the food I had in Taipei over here. It will be easier when referring what to eat over there and I have put some rating here based on my taste buds. 1 star means low and 5 means high.
This is so far the best Gua Bao (割包) I had as the meat is seasoned to its taste and the fatty portion is just the right amount. Anything more will be yucky. Also, the bamboo shoots didn’t cover up the taste of the meat and sauce.
Price: *
Taste: ****
Where: Section 2, Daan Rd. It is just a 3 mins walk from Daan MRT Station. Walk east towards Taipei 101 at Xinyi Rd.
Ok, you may have tried the beef noodle at Ding Tai Fong (鼎泰豐) and you think it is the best so far. Let’s try the Yong Kang Beef Noodle (永康牛肉麺). I would say these 2 have their own flavoring. The Yong Kang’s broth has a stronger flavoring whereas Ding Tai Fong is leaning towards lighter version. When you are there, order the pork ribs (粉蒸排骨) in bamboo container too. It is yummylicious. Oh, don’t forget the small side dishes.
Price: ***(and half)
Taste: *****
Where: Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan South Rd near Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall.
It is quite common to find green tea ice cream at anywhere but I hardly see red tea ice cream or a mix. I had the mix version at Maokong and the texture is very soft and smooth. It was decorated with a biscuit shape like cat. 🙂
Price: *
Taste: ***
Where: Exit from Maokong Gondola station and it is just right across the street.
A typical Taiwanese breakfast is the Chinese cruller or youtiao (油条) with soy milk. Also, dan bing (蛋饼) or egg biscuit goes well with it. It was plain and simple but not entirely healthy as it was all deep fried or pan fried.
Price: *
Taste: **
Where: Pretty much anywhere near the residential area or MRT stations.
If you are a pig intestines lover, then you ought to have this. Head to Yongchang and Minle Street and look for 永樂米苔目. According to my Taiwanese friends, this place is quite famous.
Price: *
Taste: Sorry can’t comment as I didn’t have it.
Where: Head to Yongchang and Minle Street near Dadaocheng Wharf.
Shilin Night Market (士林夜市) – In Taipei alone there are many night markets but the food served there are pretty much the same. Shilin and Ximending are the 2 most popular night markets in Taipei. Over here you can find lots and lots of food but not all are good. Generally, those stores have long lines are pretty good to eat.
Cuttlefish thick soup (生抄鱿鱼庚) is something ought to try as it was quite unique way of cooking and new to my taste buds. It has squid, bamboo shoots, cabbage and of course cuttlefish. The soup was very sweet as it got all the sweetness from the seafood.
Price: ***
Taste: ****
I felt the quality of Hot-Star (豪大大雞排) chicken chop has dropped since I last visited in 2012 and not many people were buying from them but still quite famous. It was still a big piece of chicken.
Price: **
Taste: **(and half)
This is the street store fried chicken which I find it better than the Hot-Star. Have a try…
Price: **
Taste: ****
Have you ever had fried milk? This is something that is a must try. It is crispy on the outer shell and soft inside. It also has a sweet taste.
Price: *
Taste: *****
Have a cup of white bitter gourd juice. Don’t let that scare you. It is not bitter at all and it is actually sweet and refreshing. They blended it together with the honeydew and some other fruits. It is a must try item here too.
Price: *
Taste: *****
The herbal spare rib soup here which I find it nothing to shout about but this place is quite famous. The herbal soup does not have a strong taste as in Malaysia “Bak Kut Teh” (aka BKT). If you don’t like the strong taste, then this might suits you well. So, head to Hai You Shi Jin Pai Gu (海友十金排骨).
Price: ***
Taste: **
Where: Take the red line MRT to Jiantan.
Ximending Night Market (西門町) –There are a few famous food stores here that a lot of food blogger blogged about it but I find them meh. Anyway, I will you judge on your own.
Ya Rou Bian (鴨肉扁). It is actually selling goose and not duck but the word “Ya Rou” is actually meant duck. I have no idea why they called it duck. They serve slice goose meat accompany with a bowl of noodle soup and they claimed they are the only shop in Taipei. To be honest, I still prefer the way they prepared goose in Hong Kong.
Price: ***
Taste: ***
Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles (阿宗麵線) is a sticky noodle serve w/ salty cure pork intestine, sliced bamboo shoots and cilantro. I find it a bit hard for me to swallow as I am not a fan of intestine. Don’t let the line scare you as they serve pretty fast. The only problem here is there is no place for you to seat and eat. So, basically you have to carry your bowl and eat as you walk or stand. Don’t worry the rest of the people here are doing the same thing.
Price: **
Taste: **(and half)
Thirsty? Get a cold cup of Chengdu Carambola Ice (成都楊桃冰). It is a preserved star fruit, pineapple or plum that make into a drink. I ordered a star fruit ice and it has its sweet and sourness taste. It was definitely a good drink after a long walk as it cools down the body. This shop has been in business for 50 years.
Price: **
Taste: ****
Where: Take the Blue or Green MRT line to Ximen.
Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市) – choice of food is not much.
The 1st store we hit was the fried oyster and I find it so-so only. I still find the fried oyster in Penang, Malaysia is much better.
Price: **
Taste: **
Ok, this is something unique and made us wanted to try. We saw the queued was long and we thought it must be good. So, we gave it a try. I find it not very nice as it was dried and not much of a strong taste. Probably I do not know how to order as you can put any ingredients inside the rice.
Price: *
Taste: *
The only thing that I like it here was the Taiwanese sausage which was pretty good and the line was quite long too.
Price: *
Taste: ****
Where: Take the red line MRT to Shuanglian station. Exit at the Minsheng W. Rd and heading west.
Huaxi Street Night Market (華西街夜市) – This is near the Longshan Temple and it is also a place where they sell snake soup and meat.
Xiaonan Zhengji Tainan Wanguo (小南鄭記台南碗粿) or literally translation is Tainan Rice Bowl Cake. Or the Taiwanese called it “wa guih” (碗粿). It is actually a dish that is eaten in Tainan but they brought it to Taipei. There are 2 things that you have to try here are the “wa guih” (台南碗粿) and fish ball soup (虱目魚羹湯). I never had something like this before and the texture and taste will blow you away. The shop is located next to Mengxia Park and near Longshan Temple (龍山寺). This place is definitely recommended and thanks to my new Taiwanese friend that introduced that to us.
Price: **
Taste: ****
There was another thing that suites my taste buds was the fried fish ball in a stick that garnished with wasabi or chili sauce.
Price: *
Taste: ****
Where: Take blue line MRT to Longshan Temple.
This summarized all the foods I had in Taipei.
Traveling & Cycling 