Taipei City, Taiwan (Part 2 of 2)

Itinerary Overview ☼ Summer 2014 in Taiwan ☼

☼ ☼ ☼

♕ DAY 2 ♕

continued from Taipei City, Taiwan (Part 1 of 2)

Zhong Xiao Fu Xing MRT Station, 捷運忠孝复兴站

Ah Chung Mian Xian「阿宗麵線」

One of the famous or must-eat dish in Taiwan. Mian Xian is rice vermicelli/flour-rice Noodle.

The famous outlet is at Xi Men Ding (Emei Street, East XMD). But it has no seats nor air-con. People just hang around the shopfront to eat. I remembered when I first tried it years ago, I was not enjoying it very much. Why? Because after a long queue in the sweltering heat, I had to stand under the onslaught of the sun to eat the piping hot noodles, with sweat beads dripping down. =X

So it was a pleasant surprise for us to stumble a branch at Zhong Xiao Fu Xing 忠孝复兴, beside Sogo… that has seats, air-con and even a TV for you to watch!  It’s so much more enjoyable to eat in this comfort.

Note that the dish is not with Oyster that we are used to in Singapore, but Pig’s intestines.

Zhongxiao Dunhua Shopping Area, 忠孝敦化商圈

Non-Mainstream Shopping

During my post-trip research, I found a place to explore on my next trip to Taiwan! Read the excerpt:

“While neighboring Zhongxiao Fuxing (忠孝復興) may be of grand shopping malls, Zhongxiao Dunhua Shopping Area (忠孝敦化商圈) stands apart for its quieter boutique fashion culture. Skip the main thoroughfare of Zhongxiao East Rd. and slip into the side streets around both the north and south of the area.

Dunhua shopping is all about local, independent shops. Strolling through these alleys is the perfect introduction to the diverse styles and influences of Taiwan’s unquenchable thirst for clothing. Whether your interests revolve around chic clothing design, rustic cafe escapes, or stylish side streets, there’s something for everyone to discover.

Also, at the southern end of the neighborhood at the Renai Dunhua Roundabout, you can find the world’s first 24 hour bookstore, Eslite (誠品書店). Down below, a shopping corridor follows the path of the subway between Zhongxiao Fuxing and Dunhua stations.”

— Quoted rtaiwanr.com

Zhongshan MRT Station, 捷運中山站

I like the vibes of this place.

With interesting small shops lined up, the area has a #SupportLocal and creative feel.

1) OUI CAFE「 南西店」

Only later did I find out that they have nice deserts here. This is a chain patisserie shop headed by an ex-Michelin Starred French pastry chef. Their Canelés are made up to French standards too, a surprise find in Asia.

If you are a desert lover, take a bite at
Oui Cafe, No. 3, Lane 23, Nanjing West Rd, Zhongshan District (MRT Exit 2)
台北市中山區南京西路23巷3號  (捷運二號出口)

2) Lovely Taiwan Shop 「台灣好，店」

Walking around, we found another gem!

2 minutes walk from Oui Cafe, actually it’s just opposite of Oui.

“You can explore the various cultures unique to Taiwan at The Lovely Taiwan shop. Founded 4 years ago by Lovely Taiwan Foundation, it displays and sells a variety of hand-made products, including food, thus providing a long-term stable sales platform for the tribal workers. Every dollar spent in the shop goes straight back to benefit/ help the community.” – 台灣好基金會 Lovely Taiwan Foundation

Shop and grab some exquisite local goodies!

They really have nice and cool stuff.

What’s really interesting was…
we were invited the third floor.

Only open for foreigners.

You can browse through the guides. And…
they provide you with postcards to write.
Post it in their postbox and they will mail it anywhere in the world for free! :)

Visit the shop at
No.18-2, Lane 25, Nanjing West Road, Datong District 大同區南京西路25巷18-2號1樓
12:00pm to 9:00pm, Monday Rest 周一公休
www.lovelytaiwan.org.tw / facebook.com/LovelyTaiwan

3) Explore the neighbourhood!

If you have the time, walk around and explore!

A hipster place? You judge.

Shilin Market「 士林夜市」

One of the largest and most popular night markets in Taiwan.

How to get there? Be sure to alight at Jiantan (劍潭) and not Shilin (士林) MRT station. It’s a nearer walk from Jiantan. Walk straight out of Exit 1, and cut across the street diagonally. You can then turn left to the entrance below or right to explore parts. When in doubt, follow the crowd. ;)

YUMMY CHEESY.

GIVE IT A PASS.

♕ DAY 3 ♕

Huashan 1914 Creative Park

“deep in the heart of Taipei and cordoned off from all visitors, stood an abandoned factory. In 2007 the Taiwan Cultural-Creative Development Co. Ltd assumed responsibility for the renovation and operation of the Park and renamed it Huashan 1914.  An organically creative environment has been growing ever since.  Huashan 1914 now serves as Taipei’s primary creative arts center and a hosting ground for Taiwan’s most significant cultural activities.” — huashan1914.com

Location: Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Near Shandao temple station (善導寺站)

If you are an art enthusiast, be sure to pop by this place to check out if they have any ongoing art film events or exhibitions.

1) One Piece Exhibition

2) POP UP LINE STORE

3) SIGHTINGS AT THE PARK

STAND TALL, LIVE COLOURFULLY

4) TAIWAN FARMER’S MARKET

in the vicinity of the 1914 creative park. 

Ning Xia Night Market (寧夏夜市)

Compared to Shilin or Raohe night markets, this is

Smaller. More Localised. Less commercialised.

One can still find much yummy stuff to munch, eat and gorge.

Be sure to try the stall shown left (below). 

I was telling B, we are bound to bump into some Taiwanese artistes in Taiwan.

But alas, we didn’t manage to see any … until the very last night of our vacation!

I saw Huang Deng Hui, 黃鐙輝!

 B didn’t know who he was, but I do. ;P

I realised later on that this duo was filming a popular Taiwanese food show for TVBS, 食尚玩家. The other guy is called 子余.

XI MEN DING

 Some American food for the Chinese stomach

THE YOUNG APPEAL OF XMD.

reflections:

Of people… The Taiwanese are not as friendly as they used to be years ago. Spotted a gay couple holding hands publicly in Hualien. Didn’t know they are so open about this issue.

Of places… There’s more to Taiwan than eating and shopping. Discovered more gems to explore and roam the next time round. I love the artistic vibes I’ve discovered.

Other useful link:
Yong Kang Street Guide: ladyironchef.com/2013/08/taipei-yong-kang-street-guide

Travels During July 2014