When I think Taiwan, I think FOOD! You can't talk about Taiwan without mentioning the night markets and the variety of food - a-ma-zing! There is so much to try - noodles, rice, meats, seafood, fruits, desserts - and all very reasonably priced - usually around 100 NT (roughly 3 USD) or less. As soon as we landed the first night, even though it was late, my uncle and grand-aunt insisted that we could not go to bed hungry. I was not about to disagree! They took us to the Ling Sha night food market, which for 11:30 at night, was packed with people. Perhaps they were eating a second dinner?
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| Famous Keelung Night Market |
When I think Taiwan, I think FOOD! You can't talk about Taiwan without mentioning the night markets and the variety of food - a-ma-zing! There is so much to try - noodles, rice, meats, seafood, fruits, desserts - and all very reasonably priced - usually around 100 NT (roughly 3 USD) or less. As soon as we landed the first night, even though it was late, my uncle and grand-aunt insisted that we could not go to bed hungry. I was not about to disagree! They took us to the Ling Sha night food market, which for 11:30 at night, was packed with people. Perhaps they were eating a second dinner?
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| foodstalls at Ling Sha night food market |
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| all sorts of sweets and fresh guava in the back |
The Taiwanese never have to cook - ever! In addition to these night markets, the streets are filled with a variety of food stalls - one of my favorites is the bao zi (or steamed buns) that are filled with all sorts of ingredients. Our favorite breakfast in the morning: a cup of fresh soy milk (15 TWD) and steamed buns (15-25 TWD each).
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| cooking noodles at the market |
Also, I discovered that there is no such thing as a leisurely meal in Taipai - you sit down, order, and within a few minutes the food comes out. Most of the time I haven't even settled into my seat and the food is on the table. My uncle tells me that people don't want to waste time over waiting for food - they want to get in and get out. As I am the slowest eater on the planet, I found this a bit hard to get used to. However, it's great for moving on to the next yummy place!
Some of the more interesting things we ate:
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| Shredded taro balls (left) and rice sausage (right) - great flavor, strange texture |
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| rice and egg soup in sake with sesame balls - I was not a fan, but it is one of my mom's favorites |
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| very traditional Taiwanese dish - made of glutonous rice flour (I think?) and meat and red sauce |
Below are some of my favorite eats - wish I could list them all, but I would run out of space! A must try I did not get a picture of - stinky tofu. They might not smell good, but they are delicious!
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| Beef noodle soup - they give you the option to have all tendons, which is my favorite! |
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| preparing another noodle soup with seafood |
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| Bottom: rice dish with shitake mushrooms (traditionally eaten after birth to give nutrients to mothers) Top: crab and noodle dish |
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| "xiaolongbao"- pork and ginger dumplings. These are amazing - dip in vinegar and soy sauce and eat whole. Don't let the skin break. All the juices will meld together in your mouth. When I get these in SF, they cost me 10 dollars for 6! |
And finally, I must show pictures of what was my three favorite desserts of the trip: tapioca soup, grass jelly soup, and sweet tofu soup.
Tapioca soup and grassy jelly soup:
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| Very popular dessert place now - features tapioca and grass jelly combinations. We waited 30 minutes in line to get ours. |
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| Of course, we got one of each. The tapioca on the left had red beans and the grass jelly on the right had taro root |
Sweet Tofu soups:
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| sweet tofu with sweet potato balls = perfection |
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| you can get them with other additions as well - barley, red beans, peanuts |
I miss all the food already and can't wait to go back and try some different things! Coming soon: places to visit.
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