Korean Food in Taipei Food Courts

From the variety of cuisines available in Taipei, it is obvious that locals appreciate an eclectic range of foods. This is seen at the malls' food courts. I LOVE Asian malls' food courts. These food courts are nothing like those in the states. They are a food lovers Disneyland - the happiest place on earth.

In Taipei, small stalls have fun snacks and desserts. The eating area have a representation of Taiwanese eats, specialty Japanese, Malaysian, Indian, Western, Korean, and so many more. If you can't think of what to eat, there is always something for everyone. Places that you'd think are only for nice restaurants settings, they are here at the common food courts.

These Taipei food courts were the perfect place to fulfill our Korean cravings. Some of the tastiest bowls of sizzling dolsot bibimbap and some fun hands-on bulgogi cooking.

Taiwanese know and enjoy some good food at these everyday food courts.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Korean - Food Courts - Taipei

Banchan at B/a/n/n/c/h/an in Taipei's ATT4Fun

Sometimes I crave for a specific dish - a burger, a bowl of ramen, a solid burrito, etc. And sometimes I crave for a specific cuisine - Vietnamese, Mexican, Spanish, and lately, for Korean.

Korean cuisine is flavorfully and visually vibrant. Plus, all the banchan (small plates of kimchis and more) is a great source of free-flowing vegetables.

B/a/n/n/c/h/a/n in ATT4Fun in Taipei serves up fun Korean classics with the usual banchan of kimchi variations, seaweed, and even a whole fried sardine. Our orders included cold Korean chili noodles, fried chicken (one of my Korean favorites), bibimbap, and seafood tofu stew.

All this for 3 hungry Korean-food cravers. Our stomachs were stuffed and happy.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Banchan ATT4fun

Ramen in Taipei

Everyone has certain dishes that always bring them immediate comfort and satisfaction. For me, that's in a great bowl of ramen. But, when the bowl is below average or even average, I don't get those same feelings. I need that ramen to be above average - creamy tonkotsu broth or a rich miso broth with noodles that are cooked to the perfect chew. Instant comfort and happiness with every bite, drink, or slurp.

Taipei is a city filled with Japanese influence, especially in the restaurant scene. So when I walked by a ramen restaurant with pictures of tempting chasu shoyu tonkotsu ramen (soy sauce-pork bone broth ramen with pork belly), I had to try this place out.

Ramen Sanji at the new ATT4Fun mall in Taipei's Xin Yi district attracts long lines of hungry ramen fans. So this had to be a good place, right?

It was just slightly above average for me. Better than places I've so far tried here in Manila, but not as good as my favorite ramen joints in the states.

The broth was on the oily side and didn't pack the creaminess I was expecting from a tonkotsu broth. The chasu was decent but not as melt in your mouth. The noodles, however, were a standout. They had that nice chewy, al dente bite.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Ramen ATT4fun

Local Taiwanese in Taipei

Travel global, eat local. Aside from traveling to see architecture, history, and culture, I travel to eat. Wherever you go, the best food you can taste is the local food. Authenticity at its core.

It wasn't until the past 2 years of Asian traveling that I really discovered the true tastes of these Asian cuisines. There are numerous restaurants and talents around the world that make these cuisines authentic. But, to savor the dishes in its homeland is the true experience.

Taipei quickly became and remains one of my favorite food cities. Local eats, Japanese, bakeries... it's too easy to gain weight in a single day.

Whenever you visit Taipei, you must fulfill 2 requirements: local food and Din Tai Fung.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out my Flickr album: Local Taiwanese

Top 10s of 2011: Top 10 Favorite Cities

It's been another successful year of traveling! I've been back to my favorite cities and I've discovered new favorites as well. The list constantly grows and changes after every trip and at the end of each year.

These are my favorite cities that I traveled to this year. I took out San Francisco, Las Vegas, Manila, and New Haven because I go there so often and for long periods of time that it seems a bit unfair to include them in this travel list. But, expect to see at least SF on my favorite food cities list tomorrow

These are the 10 cities I traveled to this past year. My favorite cities are ranked according to cities with the tastiest foods and repeatability to go back.

My Top 10 Favorite Cites from 2011:
10. Kathmandu (to be posted in January)
9. Pokhara (also to be posted in January)
8. Hangzhou (to be posted this coming week)
7. Boston
6. Shanghai
5. Chiang Mai
4. New York City
3. Taipei
2. Hong Kong
1. Bangkok

Can't wait for my 2012 travels!

Next Top 10s: Top 10 Favorite Food Cities

Top 10s of 2011: Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in the World

Now this is a difficult list to rank. There were countless of amazing eats this year. These past two years of living in Asia have been phenomenal for my taste buds and stomach.

My Top 10 Favorite Restaurants in the World from 2011:
10. People's Palace, Manila
9. Ye Shanghai, Hong Kong
8. Jin Sha, Hangzhou
7. Wolfgang's Steakhouse, New York City
6. Bocadillos, San Francisco
5. Every restaurant in Eataly, New York City
4. Sen-ryo, Hong Kong
3. Sala Rim Naam, Bangkok
2. Every single Din Tai Fung in Taipei and Shanghai
1. Chef's Table at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chiang Mai


Next Weekend's Top 10s: My Top 10 Favorite Cities from 2011

Abu Authentic Cuisine for Special Occasions in Taipei

When it comes to traveling for food there are various resources online to guide you: Trip Advisor reviews, Yelp reviews if you're in the states, newspaper and magazine articles, and of course bloggers.

The best resource is having a friend who is a renown blogger in that city. The ultimate local experience and a guarantee for good eating.

If you find yourself in Taipei, A Hungry Girl's Guide to Taipei is your go-to source to research your trip's good eats.

For a special occasion (my mom's birthday - it can't get more special than that), we were taken to Abu Authentic Cuisine for some modernized French/Italian style cuisine.

When the bread and butter arrived at the table, we knew we were in for a real treat. Why? Two words - Echire butter. This is some of the best butter you can slab onto your bread. This chef knows his ingredients.

The menu is comprised of 2 degustation (tasting) choices. Every dish is high quality and delights your sense of sight and taste. If you want to splurge on a special occasion, this is the place to go.

A restaurant like this is why I love eating in Asia. There are so many restaurants and chefs that easily rival "celebrity" chefs in the states who can tend to be overly hyped from their PR teams. Asia seems to be gaining more and more Michelin stars each year compared to the western countries. Go #TeamAsia!

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The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Abu

Cantonese Dim Sum in Taipei

Since I've been finding it difficult to find really great, authentic and high quality dim sum here in Manila, I was eager for an afternoon of Cantonese dim sum in Taipei.

At the San Want hotel, Chao Ping Ji has some great Cantonese dim sum. The classic and favorite dim sum selections are typically Cantonese due to the fact that dim sum was a Cantonese creation. This restaurant is known to have some of Taipei's finest dim some.

I love the variety of the flavors and textures in a dim sum meal. The small plates are perfect for sharing and ordering multiple plates for a full meal filled with all kinds of tasty treats.

You can really taste the quality and freshness of the ingredients. My stomach was delightfully satisfied with the meal. This is good dim sum that totally is up to par with some of Hong Kong's finer Cantonese dim sum establishments.

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The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: San Want

Din Tai Fung - A Taipei Staple.

Of all the restaurants in Taipei that you have to visit, and probably multiple and repeatedly, is Din Tai Fung. It's become a landmark for tourists and locals alike. It's so much better than anything you'll get in the states. Really, you have to come here.

There are so many great places to eat in Taipei, but Din Tai Fung manages to convince your stomach to go back for more. It's nearly impossible to go to Taipei and eat at Din Tai Fung just once.

The paper thin wrapper, the pork filling, and the flavor-packed soup in the dumpling captivates you. It makes you obsessed with xiao long bao. It makes you obsessed with Din Tai Fung's xiao long bao. When you leave, all you're thinking about is how you want these soup dumplings.

In this most recent trip, we visited the original location (to also have mango ice for dessert) and the newest location in Taipei 101.

There are several locations to choose from. Choose any, and it'll be consistent and memorable. And of course, it'll leave you wanting more.

DTF, The Original
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The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: DTF Original

DTF at Taipei 101

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: DTF 101

More Shabu Shabu in Taipei

Another favorite and go-to restaurant in every visit to Taipei is Shabu Shabu in the basement food hall of Q Square Mall. (I love Asian malls with food hall in the basement floors.)

What makes this shabu shabu place so special? Aside from meat plates, there are also seafood selections, like majorly impressive seafood plates. And, the vegetables are massive. It definitely fulfills your vegetable quota for the day.

Plus, you don't have any guilty feelings because you ate healthy ingredients with out oils or fats (apart from the protein which is so good oils and fats if you had the seafood).

At the end of the meal, your stomachs are more than satisfied and full. Now that's a good meal.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for a few of the photos.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Shabu Shabu

Back at Shin Yeh 101

In all my family's favorite cities, we have favorite restaurants that we seem to always frequent in each visit. In Taipei, Shin Yeh 101 is one of these restaurants.

Why? First of all, Shin Yeh 101 has spectacular views. The 85th floor location is the perfect place to take in the views of the city. Why spend for the observation deck, when you can spend a little more for a memorable meal WITH a view!

And secondly, the FOOD. The menu has local Taiwanese selections, dim sum, entrees, sides, etc, and a great selection of desserts.

When in Taiwan, eat Taiwanese foods! I'm only there for a few days, so I definitely took advantage of that at Shin Yeh.

Place your cursor above "Notes" below to read the captions for each photo.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Shin Yeh 101

Boba, Bubble Tea, Pearl Tea... It's all good.

Aside from shaved ice, another iconic Taiwanese dessert that is known worldwide is Boba, aka Bubble Tea, aka Pearl Tea.

Milk Tea with chewy tapioca. It's something you can have at any time of the day. And it's something you want to have at all times of the day.

Every tea house or tea chain has their own formula for the milk tea and for the texture of the tapioca. I look for a deep black tea, yet smooth and milky taste that's not at all bitter and just slightly sweet. As for the tapioca, I look for bouncy, chewy bites that's not mushy nor too tough or rubbery.

For something like boba, you can totally have a search for the perfect cup. In Taipei, you can happily find many nominees.

Here are a couple that are total contenders from Chun Shui Tang and 50 Lan.
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The slideshow here runs on Flash. If you can't see it here, check out my Flickr album: Boba

Almond Milk Shaved Ice in Taipei

If you can't get enough of shaved ice while you're in Taipei, then you'll definitely have to grab a bowl of Almond Milk Shaved Ice. It's the classic shaved ice elevated to a crazy delicious level.

We had our bowl in the food court of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi in Xin Yi. There are so many great options here for meals, snacks, desserts, and drinks. Seriously, in Taipei it's like your constantly full because of all the good eating.

The almond milk ice comes out like smooth, powdery, pillowy, micro fine ribbons. I highly recommend adding condensed milk which is lightly drizzled on the ice. That little touch of milky sweetness totally heightens the almond milk taste. Then another great surprise is the almond tofu hidden underneath the pile of ice. Smooth and light!

Just from looking at the freshly shaved ice, I knew this could potentially be a new favorite dessert of mine. After that first bite - love. And then after the whole bowl was wiped out - so in love. This is such an awesome dessert.

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The slideshow here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Almond Ice

Classic Taiwanese Desserts: Mango Ice

Taiwan is filled with signature desserts. One of the most iconic is Mango Ice. It's such a simple dessert that's worth paying for.

Shaved ice, fresh mangoes, and a special condensed milk. There are also varying toppings, including seasonal fruits, ice cream, mochi, beans, and mango jelly (which taste and feels almost exactly like real mangoes.

When it's hot outside, it's the perfect cooling dessert. When it's cold outside, it doesn't warm you up, but it still totally satisfies your sweet craving. It's so fresh and refreshing.

You must have mango ice when you visit Taiwan. You're missing out if you don't.

Here are a couple bowls of Mango Ice that was savored and quickly finished.
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The slideshow here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Mango Ice

Chinese Sweets at Sweet Dynasty in Taipei

Dessert first to whet your appetites for Taiwanese eats.

One of my favorite food aspects of Taiwanese cuisine is all the sweets. Even if a meal fills you up, you still are tempted with all the dessert houses filling Taipei. And if you're really too full, you can have these sweets as snacks after walking off some of the calories.

Because we were craving for sweet tofu (tofufa), we were taken to Sweet Dynasty. Earlier in the year, my best friend in Hong Kong took my family to the location in Hong Kong.

That whole steaming bucket of tofu is a real treat. Fresh, warm, silky tofu instantly warms your stomach. With a little sweet syrup, this is a delightful and comforting snack or dessert.

Here are some pictures of the tofu barrel and some of the other sweet treats we had to satisfy our sweet tooth at Sweet Dynasty.
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The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album: Sweet Dynasty

Custard Apple & Pastries from Taipei

Tasting local foods is the best part about traveling. When the foods are so good, you have to take some home so you can continue to enjoy it for days after the trip.

Taiwan excels in their fruit production. They are so sweet, full of flavor, and beautiful looking. One of these fruits is their custard apple. In the Philippines and even in Thailand, the custard apples are small with big seeds. Here in Taiwan, they are huge with tiny seeds. And, they are so succulent and sweet!

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album.

Another take home treat were pastries from our family friend. He gifted us with a great variety. Here are a couple of the pastries we have been enjoying since after the trip.

The first is the classic Taiwanese pineapple cake. This is a different brand from last time, Chia Te. It's also delicious and not too sweet. You can taste the butter in the pastry - yum!

The second is the sun cake, another Taiwanese treat from Taipei Leechi. It is filled with a delicate condensed malt sugar and surrounded by a flaky, crumbly pastry. So yum!

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album.

Taiwanese Shaved Ice

After enjoying mango ice, we also tried other flavors of shaved ice. This time we were taken to a local spot near the National University of Taiwan in Taipei. Tai Yi is a great place for shaved ice. The ice isn't as fluffy as the mango ice, but the toppings are so delicious!

I love mochi. If you do, too, this is totally the place for you. It's the freshest mochi I've tasted. So soft with a delicate chew. So yum!

The slideshow here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album.

Mango Ice craving during the winter season.

Aside from Din Tai Fung, another must have during our visits to Taipei is mango ice. Unfortunately, this time around it was the winter season. So, mangoes are not one of the seasonal fruits in Taipei.

Fortunately, though, the mango ice store we visited last time creatively adjusted their menu selections. Instead of fresh mangoes, we enjoyed mango jelly. It's not overly sweet at all. The chew of the jelly is not mushy and not stiff either. It's like chewing into a perfectly ripe mango. It's pretty amazing how the jelly tasted just like a real mango in both taste and texture.

We also tried the lingonberry and lychee ice. Lingonberry ice cream with lychee jellies. The lingonberry was tart but really refreshing. It was like a combined taste of cranberries and blackberries.

The best parts of these ice desserts is the fluffiness of the ice and the sauce. The ice is like when snow first falls and it's so powdery, and the mixture of condensed milk and caramel sauce is so delicious!

The slideshow here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album.

Boba (aka, Pearl Tea) - A Taiwanese Specialty

The last couple times I visited Taipei, I was just too full after meals to stuff more into more stomach. Unfortunately, that meant I didn't have a chance to taste local boba teas, also known as pearl milk teas or tapioca milk teas. I've been loving this drink since grade school when one of my brothers and his best friend, who was from Taipei, would take me to some of the better spots in the Bay Area. The criteria was not just about the taste of the tea, it was mostly about the texture of the tapioca. It had to be chewy, but properly cooked, but not overly cooked.

In our last visit to Taipei we saw these boba teas being served in huge beer mugs - so cool!! This time around, I saved some stomach space to finally try it out. At Chun Shui Tang you get this cool atmosphere of a teahouse while enjoying your huge mug of boba. The chew of the tapioca was just right and the tea wasn't overly sweet at all. A great afternoon snack.

The slide show here runs on Flash. If you can't see it, check out my Flickr album

Local Taiwanese Eats at Shin Yeh 101

Aside from the Din Tai Fung requirement while in Taipei, I also had to eat more local Taiwanese cuisine. To enjoy with a view and in a nice setting, we revisited Shin Yeh 101. I love the atmosphere here, and it's even better when it's a clear day out to enjoy the view from the 85th floor.

This time around, we had a light lunch and focused on local eats. Everything was satisfying, quality, and fresh tasting. I really love Taiwanese cuisine.

Here's a look at a few local items. Remember if you go here, make reservations!

Place your cursor above "Notes" to read a little more about each picture.

If you can't see the slide show here, check out the album on my Flickr page.