Back in the City: Taipei
- sixstrings17
- Jun 20, 2016
- 6 min read
Day 1 - June 16
Before returning to Canada, we figured we'd stop by Taipei for a few days since the airline we took had to change planes here anyway. Plus, it's been six long months since we've been here. ;-) All you can eat dimsum? Yes, it's possible but perhaps only in Taiwan. For all dimsum lovers (you know who you are), this is one place you have to experience to believe. Imagine a dimsum place that also includes roast duck (some of us love roast duck a lot...you know who you are), eat as much as you can for one price. We didn't quite know where to start with such a delectable dilemma. Diko and Sako took us for lunch at such a place, and I thought if they had rooms, perhaps we'll check in and stay here next time we're in Taipei.
"大八潮坊港式飲茶" "Da Ba Chiu Fong Dimsum" is the place with many a great variety of dimsum specialties. We took the subway, and a short cab ride to experience something that should be on all dimsum lovers' list. Didn't take to many photos as I was busy...well, eating. Check out the cart loaded with steamed goodies. I've never seen one packed so high. The photos speak a thousand words...this is the mecca for dimsum lovers and great quality to boot.
After lunch, we headed to a nearby designer outlet to spend the next few hours walking to burn off the food. Heading into Taipei, we bought some delicious pineapple pastry at a shop called "Vigor Kobo". The samples we had were very good, great dough (somewhat crispy and very light), but costs more than their main competition "Chia Te". We then headed to Sogo to burn off more energy while planning to dine at "鼎泰豐" (Din Tai Fung) .
At this point, everyone should know that this is one branch of many around the world that started in Taiwan and is famous for its steamed dumplings (xiao long pao). As expected, quite a line up to get in. Sako-Tiu joined us for dinner as Diko had gone home earlier. Their dumplings are still the best with exquisite delicate dough, soupy fillings, with my personal favorite being the all veggie dumpling. The crab meat is also very good. I keep wondering when anyone would have enough money in Vancouver to open a branch of this place as we have nothing like it. What a day...full of food, happy times, and more food.
Day 2 - June 17 - Neighbourhood breakfast, Duck, Titty Co, Sashimi
As is always the case when visiting Taipei, this day was no different in that it was planned around eating. Every morning, we would go for a jog and we would hit Starbucks and local places that serve only breakfast. Sako recommended we try a place Vicson likes that serves these spring roll wraps, with bacon, and egg, similar to a breakfast tortilla, only tastier. I imagined that I could likely have eaten three of four of these things if not for the breakfast stew of tofu, tripe, and beef shanks that Diko has prepared for me to eat every day for breakfast. All these eateries are all a few minutes walk from Sako and Sako-Tiu's building. One has to make an effort to exercise here as it is way too easy to find good food anywhere.
For lunch, we took the subway for Peking duck and lobster with Diko, Diko-Tiu and Sako. These two dishes filled us up completely and as expected, both dishes were excellent (Sako did not fight with the waitresses on this day as we did not try to order more than one duck). The duck skin was golden, crispy, while the lobster was sumptuous. We spent the rest of the day walking around the area for more exercise, in preparation for dinner. ;-) Saw an interesting name for a company "Titty & Co"....they sell clothes, perhaps even bras.
For dinner, very close friends of Diko and Diko-Tiu Ho (Tiger) and Daisy Kim of Diko invited us for a fantastic Japanese buffet at Irodori inside the Grand Hyatt Taipei Hotel. Ms. Daisy was a former student of Diko-Tiu in Manila years ago for a few months before she and her family returned to Taipei. We were joined by Daisy's brother Allen Chua and his wife Betty Lee. They are all indescribably generous and gracious people and was easy to see they care a great deal for Diko and Diko-Tiu. They also invited us for a day trip when we visited Taipei last year. We looked forward to seeing them and we had a memorable time. The food was all authentically Japanese and very high quality. It has to be on a food lover's list when in Taipei.
Day 3 - June 18 - New Hama, Szechuan, J-Mart
Diko and Diko-Tiu treated us to lunch at an old favourite; the New Hama Teppanyaki place. Everything is good specially the lobster served with a dribble of wasabi mustard sauce. We've been coming here for years.
After lunch, Sako-Tiu took us to "Chia Te" to buy tarts to take home. They are famous for the long line ups to get in, because of their pineapple tarts. My personal favourite is the one with the whole egg yolk as it lends an extra richness to the tart. We've had them all and they're all delicious. Perfect to treat friends in Canada. We find them here in Asian supermarkets in shelves in Canada but they are nothing like Chia Te's.
For dinner, Sako and Sako-Tiu took us to a Szechuan resto that's a 5 minute walk from their building in a side street. A small but busy place serving great food. Great neighbourhood to have so many places within walking distance including a big hospital (Tzu Chi Buddhist). We also seem to end up a J-Mart. This place is seems to sell everything one might need. We go just wanting to look around but always end up buying something (running socks, usually).
Last Day - June 19 - End of our Trip
Before getting on a plane, we ensure we get plenty of exercise which usually means going for a jog. Vitally important before getting on a flight that's 11 hours or more to get the body circulation going, followed by a good meal and eating lightly on airplane food (terrible). That's exactly what we did on our last day by going to Jing Mei Riverside Park that's not far from both Diko and Sako's places. This really is an oasis in Hsin Tien, with good facilities, trails, and plenty of people doing activities as long as one doesn't go in the hottest part of the day. I've gone for a run there at noon...and I was the only one even out there when it's scorching hot.
For lunch we met up with the whole gang for Yangchow cuisine. Chinese cuisine is truly amazing in its variety. Most of the dishes we had, we'd never had before until now. The stewed pork and sliced beef were specially tender and delicious.
We spent the rest of the day packing and chilling and eating "hopia" that Diko had that came from Amoy, Fujian. We didn't feel like the taking the hopia pack with us to the airport so we ate all six before leaving.
In the future, the metro will travel to the airport so our visits to Taipei will be even more convenient. There's always things to do and countless places to eat in this city that has become very comfortable to get around for visitors. I'm always amazed at the changes year by year, let alone from 34 years ago when we first visited. The city has developed and grown tremendously reflecting the wealth that Taiwan has amassed over the decades. But the real reason we visit Taipei isn't for the food (well, maybe for the Peking duck, in my case) or the shopping (J-Mart?), but to spend time with the people pictured below (we always miss Vicson, too).
Tremendous thanks for all kindness, love, hospitality, laughs, to everyone both in Taipei and Manila for making another visit unforgettable. We can never hope to repay you in anyway for everything you all do for us. As always, we're never able to spend as much time with everyone as we would love so we'll look forward to seeing you all again soon....S&J
Bye for now...xo S&J
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