A Culinary Adventure in Taipei
From Seoul, I embarked on a gastronomic journey to explore the vibrant and food-rich streets of Taipei, Taiwan. From the bustling night markets to the towering skyscrapers, Taipei is a city that combines ancient traditions with modern flavors, making it a paradise for food lovers and adventurers alike.
Arriving in a City of Motorbikes
From the moment I landed in Taipei, the city’s bustling streets filled with an army of motorbikes greeted me.
These two-wheeled wonders are the lifeblood of Taipei, offering locals and visitors alike an economical and convenient mode of transport.
As I explored the city on my own, I couldn’t resist taking a smooth train ride on the elevated tracks that weave through Taipei.
Taipei 101 and an Engineering Marvel
My first stop was the awe-inspiring Taipei 101, shaped to look like a giant bamboo stalk, it was once the world’s tallest building.
It houses an engineering marvel, the world’s largest tuned mass damper, which keeps the skyscraper steady even during the strongest winds.
In the shadow of Taipei 101, I discovered 44 South, an old military housing area that has remained intact since the 1940s. This historical enclave is a testament to the city’s rich heritage.
A Taste of Taiwanese Breakfast
One example of a simple Taiwanese breakfast consists of egg and radish cakes.
The turnip cake is crispy outside yet tender, almost melting inside and topped with some spicy sauce yet is naturally sweet – very tasty!
A Nighttime Ceremony and Hong Kong Flavors
My exploration continued with a visit to the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial, a spectacular monument erected in honor of a former Chinese President.
I was lucky to witness the nightly flag folding ceremony, a solemn and moving experience.
Afterward, it was time to dive into a delectable Hong Kong-style feast featuring orange chicken, shumai, and sesame balls.
These flavors were an absolute delight, especially for someone who had savored them back in the States, and realizing the perfection of each dish here in Asia.
Friends, Hot Pot and Robot Waiters
Taipei’s food scene is best enjoyed with friends, and I was fortunate to meet a lively group of tourists from the Philippines. Together, we embarked on a food and laughter-filled journey through the city.
Our culinary escapades led us to an all-you-can-eat hot-pot shop with an array of flavors of Hagen Dazs for dessert.
The highlight? Robotic waiters delivering our meat selections ordered through an app.
Six Hours of Taiwanese Food
During a six-hour food tour which included the Foreign Desk Editor of the Washington Post, Susan Levine, we sampled Taiwan’s favorite food staples and ventured through multiple night markets, checking off items from my food bucket list one by one.
Bubble Tea and a Little Adventure
Taiwan is renowned as the birthplace of pearl milk tea, and it didn’t disappoint.
Bubble tea shops were more common than Starbucks in Seattle, and the experience of sipping on this sweet, creamy beverage with the signature “black sugar” was a treat.
We even dared to try betelnut, a favorite of Taiwanese taxi drivers seeking a caffeine-type buzz, which generates a vibrant red liquid that you have to spit out – definitely an adventure in itself.
Eating Our Way Through the Night Markets
We savored green onion flatbreads, spicy pig’s blood stew, flaky leek-bread buns, sausages bursting with flavor, oyster omelets, and mini-octopus omelets, and delicious pork belly buns with peanut powder and cilantro.
And who could forget taro balls with salted egg and pork floss, an absolute delight from a Michelin-rated night market stall.
In addition, I tasted local bamboo charcoal nuts, herbal rice cakes, and more pork belly buns, all bursting with unique Taiwanese flavors.
Elephant Mountain and Taipei After Dark
To wrap up my Taipei food adventure, I ventured to multiple night markets, and climbed Elephant Mountain for a breathtaking view of the city’s skyline at night with new friends who shared their love for Taipei’s food culture.
Taipei, Taiwan, is a city where the culinary journey is as diverse as the cityscape itself.
From traditional delicacies to modern inventions, every meal is an adventure.
Where I Stayed:
Dealer Hotel
The Dealer Hotel was one of my Taipei accommodations and put me in the heart of the city’s older, lively districts. Its location on Yanping North Road gave me easy access to Taipei’s streets, markets, restaurants, and everyday city life. I liked being able to step outside and immediately find something interesting happening. It was a convenient base while I was busy eating my way through Taipei.
Burgary Hotel
The Burgary Hotel was located in Taipei’s popular Ximending District, an area packed with shops, restaurants, entertainment, and street life. The hotel was only about a five-minute walk from Ximen MRT Station, which made exploring Taipei particularly easy. I enjoyed being so close to the action and could step outside and immediately immerse myself in the energy of the neighborhood. It was a great location for my food-filled Taipei adventure.
Ximen Airline Hotel
The Ximen Airline Hotel was another Taipei stay in the lively Ximending area. Its location on Zhonghua Road placed me close to the restaurants, shopping, and street activity that made this part of Taipei so much fun to explore. I spent much more time wandering the surrounding neighborhood than sitting in the hotel, which was exactly what I wanted in Taipei. It served as a convenient home base while I explored the city’s food and nightlife.