Editor’s note: Do you want to learn how to make Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup from a local? This post comes from Mu-Hsien from Live Like Your Traveling Blog. She and her best friend/blogging partner Alla teach us how to live like we’re traveling by using simple tips like trying out a new trail near your city or preparing an international dish with friends. I wrote a post on their blog about International Love and Mu-Hsien returned the favor by sharing this tasty Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup recipe with us.

How to make Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

When traveling, few things unite people like a great meal prepared and shared together. Walls come down and we find ourselves more open. I love to cook with friends, a tradition that started many years ago abroad. Whether it was in Lucerne cooking with a crowd to make fondue, or shucking oysters in the countryside of France, one key element made these moments so memorable…the chaos and laughter of having everyone in the kitchen, all working together in their own way to pull a fantastic meal together.

 

Recently, we traded in the hustle of the city for a scenic and idyllic weekend visiting friends in Spring Green, Wisconsin. They knew of my love for noodles and asked if I could show them how to prepare a dish. There was no question. I had to share with them one of my favorite noodle dishes: Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup. What is delightful about this dish is the complexity of the broth. The advanced version can use up to 32 spices, but this “everyday” version is still mind blowing! It’s an iconic staple and something I grew up on. When I think of Taiwan, my mind immediately recalls the sound of scooters whizzing by in the city, contrasted by the serene countrysides. And well of course…there’s the food!

 

Excited to share a taste of home, we stopped by a local asian market on our way up and picked up these key ingredients: (These ingredients make great leave behind gifts for the host to experiment with further!)

• 2 lbs beef shank or beef brisket
• 1 knob of ginger (cut into thin slices)
• 1 large onion (chopped in strips)
• 3 Stalks of scallion (cut into 2-3 inch. sections)
• 1 Stalk of scallion (diced into small rings for presentation)
• 1 tomato (chop into large chunks)
• 3 tbsp of hot bean paste
• 3/4 cup of soy sauce
• 1/2 cup rice wine
• 1 tsp Sambal Oelec chili paste (I like it hot!)
• 1 tbsp of Chinese BBQ “shacha” sauce (It’s savory, not sweet like American BBQ)
• Prepare a spice bag of: 1 tbsp szechuan peppercorn, 2-3 pieces cinnamon bark, fennel seeds, 3-4 star anise pods
• 1 tbsp of sugar
• 1 lb of handmade or Chinese noodles
• 4-5 bunches of bok choy (Cut off bottoms and slice in half vertically to retain the length)

With everyone in the kitchen, ready to take on a role, the plan was to prep the broth together before taking a hike nearby. When we tired ourselves of the snowy hills, we would come back home to a simmering broth that would be ready for us. Here’s how you can prepare Taiwanese beef noodle soup in your global kitchen…

1) Cut and prepare all of the vegetables.

2) Bring one pot of water to boil and place beef into the water for a 3 minutes. This helps to separate impurities from the meat resulting in a clearer broth. Drain, dry and set aside. When it has cooled off, slice the beef into large square chunks.
3) In another pot or wok, heat up 2 tbsp of oil over medium heat to saute the ginger, onion until the onion browns.

4) Clean out the original pot and place the sliced beef in over medium heat. Add cooking rice wine, hot bean paste, Chinese bbq sauce, sambal oelec chili sauce. Stir well. Add soy sauce, sugar, long scallion pieces and stir well again. Saute to meld the flavors for a few minutes.

5) Add the water, spice bag and tomato to the pot. Boil then let simmer for up to 2 hours optimally. Afterwards, taste the broth. It is best if it tastes a bit too salty. This is because the noodles will later be added into a bowl of this broth and in doing so will water it down to the perfect balance.

6) Bring two pots of water to boil. In one, drop the (handmade) noodles in and cook until the first moment it becomes soft or follow direction on the package. Watch carefully and taste to not let it over cook. Cooking in a separate pot, keeps the cloudy residue from the noodles from “tainting” the beef broth. Drain noodles and set aside. 7) In the other pot, blanch the bok choy and set aside.

To serve: spoon broth into a big soup bowl halfway full. Place noodles, set bok choy on top and sprinkle diced scallions. Pour everyone a drink and cheers your team “gan bei!” for tasty job well done! (Recipe serves 4)

Nothing like a warm spicy Taiwanese beef noodle soup to refuel. Oh gosh, I’m so hungry now recounting these steps. I hope you’ll share in bowl of Taiwan with me! Whether the adventure is in the kitchen or on a mountain, make it a daily challenge to get outside of your comfort zone…because everyday is a “once in a lifetime chance!”

Thanks Mu-Hsien (left) for sharing this recipe with us! For more inspiration, check our their Instagram account (one of my favorites) Live You’re Traveling

 

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Getting There

There are several hubs from the US that allow you to travel to Taiwan nonstop: New York, Los Angeles, and Houston. Unfortunately, Washington, DC does not offer a direct flight yet, but with one connection to New York or Los Angeles, you’re on your way. Flights average at $1k. The highest fare for a plane ticket is during summer from June to late August and Christmas season, which is about $1,300-$1,600.

Otherwise, the average fare is about $750-850. While in Taiwan, you can travel easily across the island by high-speed train. In the main cities, public transportation is abundant and efficient. Tip: I highly recommend taking EVA Air Premium Economy. With its small perks such as amenity kits, slippers, and plush blankets, it’s definitely one of the best premium economy class flights I’ve ever taken.

You Should Visit Taiwan For the Culture

You should visit Taiwan if you are a lover of culture. There are so much art and history woven into this island that it would take a lifetime to learn it all. The National Palace Museum located in Taipei is a cultural treasure with centuries-old Chinese and Asian art. The arts are not only focused on Taipei! Take a train down to Tainan to the Chimei Museum. The perfectly manicured grounds reminded me of Versailles. Once you enter the museum, you’re taken into this eclectic private collection with everything from samurai armor to Rodin sculptures. It makes the perfect day trip to Taipei as it will take you several hours to explore it all.

You Should Visit Taiwan For the Festivals

I visited Taiwan last during Lunar New Year, which is an extraordinary time to visit as there are festivals throughout the country. I had the opportunity to visit three distinct ones.

Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival

This unique festival takes place in the southern town of Tianan. This town hosts the Yanshui Annual Beehive festival. As the name implies, the festival’s main attraction is an over the top display of fireworks. This event is like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life! Visitors can wear a fire-protectant suit and get close and personal with the source of the fireworks. I, however, opted to hang out at the top of the temple and catch the views that way. Beyond the fireworks, many local merchants are offering delicious Taiwanese food such as stinky tofu, soups, and desserts.

Pingxi Lantern Festival

If you’re looking for reasons for why you should travel to Taiwan, this can be added to your list. I’m biased because this was one of the highlights of my trip. This small town located just an hour away from Taipei has a unique vibe. Pingxi is lush and green, dotted with charming small wooden homes, and a picturesque river that runs across the small town. All the little details give it a cozy feel. Take the time to visit some of the tiny tea houses and sip on the local-made tea. As the sun sets, the magic begins. I found more details on how to get to the Pingxi Lantern Festival here.

When our tour guide was telling us about the festival, I assumed the lanterns would be dainty paper lanterns like the ones I’ve seen on tv. Not in this case: lanterns are around four feet tall, and it takes a few people to send it off. Visitors are encouraged to write down their wishes on the lantern before setting it ablaze so it can fly high in the sky. It’s a truly magical sight.

Taiwan Paper Lantern Festival

Every year, the Taiwan Paper Lantern Festival takes place in a different city in Taiwan. This year, it took place in the southern city of Pingtung. This festival has a colorful display of intricately made paper lanterns. There are rows and rows of intricate designs such as colorful dragons, festive Buddhas, and of course, plenty of pigs (2019 is the year of the Pig). These designs, along with intricate lighting, goes on for almost two kilometers. I highly recommend going with an empty stomach as there are so many delicious food stands throughout the festival grounds.

You Should Visit Taiwan for the Food

Yes, you should visit Taiwan for the food! When you see Taiwan on a map, you will notice the island is located in between China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, and South East Asia. Its geographic location brings many influences from the neighboring Asian countries. Head to the night markets (my favorite is Rahoe Night Market) for spicy chili crab, fresh tropical fruit smoothies, and of course, the famous Taiwanese stinky tofu. Do not be fooled by the smell-the tofu is delicious!

From the night market street food to fine dining, you will not have a bad meal in Taiwan, especially if you have an adventurous palate. Indulge in a Michelin-Starred meal in Ya-Ge at the Mandarin Oriental Taipei or Le Palais de Chine Chinese Restaurant. The later is the only three-starred Michelin restaurant in Taiwan. For a more casual affair, head to Ding Tai Fung for delicious dumplings.

You Should Visit Taiwan for the People

My first trip to Taiwan was a solo trip. Although I am open to travel alone, I usually enjoy traveling with friends or my husband. However, I felt incredibly safe and welcomed in Taiwan. I received excellent service at every restaurant and shop I visited, and people were always accommodating when I asked them to take a photo. It’s one of those places that I genuinely wish I could return to very soon.

Taiwan: The Verdict

You should visit Taiwan because it’s such a dynamic and unique place in the heart of Asia. It has its own unique culture intertwined with the many different influences that it has received during its history. I am happy that I had the opportunity not only to return to explore beyond Taiwan.

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For both chefs: what inspired you to come to Taiwan to work?

Chef Ken Chan: A vegetarian restaurant invited me to join their team in 1987.

Chef Matt Chen: I came here with my uncle from Macau to work at a seafood restaurant in 1988. 

For Chef Chen: you’re originally from Macau. Can you tell us more about Macanese cuisine? Do you have the opportunity to introduce it to your current menu?

One of the most popular dishes in Macau is pork braised with ginger and vinegar. We eat a lot of noodles and congees with Cantonese and Portuguese influence. Most of our menu is strictly Cantonese; however, some of the dim sum has Portuguese influence.

How did Cantonese food become so popular in Taiwan? 

In 1987, Taiwan had an economic boom, and diners became more attracted to Cantonese food. Due to the political issues, the ingredients came from Hong Kong, not China (PRC). When President Chiang Ching-Kuo lifted the rules to allow chefs to come from Hong Kong, many chefs ended up in Taiwan.

For Chen Chan: you have built quite the following during your time in Taiwan. What are some menu items that your most popular guests ask for?

We catered to the former presidents of Taiwan 陳水扁Chen Shui-bian and 馬英九Ma Yingjiu and became popular that way. Cantonese homestyle cooking is very popular among local celebrities.

Can you tell us more about the menu at Le Palais Restaurant? Do you have any favorite ingredients?

Chef Chan: We’re introducing Szechuan cuisine at Le Palais Restaurant. When we design the menu, we want to introduce different flavors. 

Chef Chen: My favorite dishes are BBQ pork and dim sum.

How does it feel to be the only Three-Star Michelin Restaurant in Taiwan?

We’re feeling a bit of pressure after Michelin! Our initial reaction? Very happy but then a bit of panic!

For both chefs: Our readers love to get recommendations from local chefs. Are there any restaurants or attractions that you recommend in Taiwan?

Chef Chen: You must try the Cantonese seafood restaurant and spicy hot pot at “Dragon Master”.

Chef Chan: 天香樓Tien Hsiang Lo and 欣葉Shin Yeh 

Tip: The easiest way to find these restaurants is to cut and paste to google maps!

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While Taipei has much to offer in the way of food, drinks, and culture, there is a great deal to explore in Taiwan outside of the capital. Thanks to the country’s high speed train you can get almost anywhere within a couple of hours. Here are three options for day trips from Taipei that you must check out if you have the opportunity to visit Taiwan.

Yingge: Visiting this small district is essential to any visit to Taiwan.  An hour drive from or an half an hour train ride from the the city center, it makes the perfect day trip from Taipei. The town is famous for its ceramics production, and it features both a ceramics museum and the Yingge ceramics street, where you can buy some of the most beautiful ceramics in the world. Before shopping, be sure to visit the ceramics museum where you can learn all about how the ceramics in Taiwan are made, why ceramics are so important in Taiwanese history, and the different way the firing of clay effects how the final product looks. Afterwards, wander down to the ceramic street to buy souveniors and gifts. The shops on the street sell everything from teacups to bowls to vases to chopsticks to water fountains. The street is charming and also has places you can stop for coffee and tea.

Tai-Chung: This is the third largest city in Taiwan, and is about a one hour train ride from Taipei. This city has much to offer in terms of sightseeing, including a science museum, a local temple, botanical gardens, shopping, and the biggest night market in Taiwan. Stay at the Tai-Chung Splendor Hotel, where you can enjoy a Japanese shiatsu massage for just $27. The hotel also has a breakfast and dinner buffet, with beer included. The Taiwanese love a good buffet, so if you stay there definitely check it out. Near the hotel is a host of casual dining options, including one small spot where I had some of the best ramen of my life. Unbelievably inexpensive, the ramen in Taiwan is simple but perfect: broth, noodles, tofu, and greens. You also have to sample their bubble tea, which is a perfect mid-afternoon sweet treat. Perhaps the highlight of the visit to Tai-Chung is the Fengjia night market, where I tried some delicious local dishes.. Fried sweet potato balls, mini waffles, dumplings, and fruit cups were some of the highlights. Of course, just walking around and soaking up the culture is as fun as sampling the local delicacies!

Sun Moon Lake: To escape city life, head to Sun Moon Lake, which is calm, peaceful, and beautiful. Famous for its tea, you should sample and purchase the tea at every shop and open air market you come across. You can visit for a day, or better yet, stay for the weekend. The area has many beautiful hotels, and you can go hiking or biking during the day, or take the cable car up one of the mountains to admire the view.

Both Jessica (the Dining Traveler editor) and I have fallen in love with Taiwan this year.  Have you been? What are your favorite day trips from Taipei?

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I recently had the opportunity to visit Taiwan with a tour group. Having never been, I was super excited and am thrilled to say I had the best time. While most people who visit China never take the time to get off the mainland and go to Taiwan, it is definitely worth a visit. There is much to do, see, taste and enjoy. And as the Taiwanese like to say: “The most beautiful scenery in Taiwan is the people” which, although many don’t speak English, is actually true. I found everyone to be incredibly kind, and even made a few friends! Here are some highlights and recommendations:

Where to Stay: We stayed at the Howard Plaza Hotel which is in the Daan district, the modern commercial district. In other words, it’s the area with lots of shops, restaurants, bars, and boutiques. The Howard has 10 restaurants so if you are too tired to go out you can eat at the hotel. Dining Traveler Tip: Stay on the top floor and you will be treated to a complimentary happy hour every night in the Rosewood Lounge from 5:30-7:30. Drinks and a buffet of snacks are limitless.
What to Do: There is a great deal to see and do in Taipei, but here are the not-to-be-missed places to visit:
• National Palace Museum: This is one of the top ten most visited museums in the world. It is a massive, beautiful building, housing epic pieces of Chinese Art. Most notable is the jade art collection, a much-revered stone in the Chinese culture.
• National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall: Taiwanese history is incredibly interesting, and this memorial is dedicated to the most famous Chinese president of Taiwan, who served as president from 1928 until 1975.

• Eslite Spectrum Songyan: This upscale building is located in the most modern part of the city. Peruse the bookstore, shop for knickknacks in the Asian design stores, sample tea in the elegant tea shop, or grab a glass of wine and dessert in the chic First Restaurant on the top floor.

Where to Eat: Ah the most exciting part. the most popular types of food available in Taiwan include classic Chinese fare, Japanese food as result of the Japanese occupation from 1895-1945, and Taiwanese food, a combination of Chinese and Japanese flavors and ingredients. Wherever you go, expect to be served tea throughout your meal. No matter what kind of cuisine, tea is an important element of dining in Taiwan.
• For Taiwanese fare, head to Shin Yeh Restaurant: Start with an order of the pan-fried turnip cakes. They are crispy little omelets which are the perfect opener to your meal. Next share the braised tofu, pan-fried mushrooms, and sauteed greens with your dining partners. The tofu is served in a savory sauce with veggies, and the mushrooms dish features amazing, chewy nuggets of shiitake mushrooms cooked with garlic, ginger, star anise, soy sauce, and lemongrass.

• For classic Chinese dumplings, visit DinTaiFung Dumpling House: This dumpling house actually has a Michelin star, which is pretty remarkable. The venue is casual, fun, and always crowded with a constant flow of dumplings coming to all the tables. Sample steamed veggie buns, taro buns, mushroom dumplings, noodles served in a sesame and peanut sauce, and more. No matter what kind of dumpling you want, they will have it. Wash down your food with some Taiwanese beer and this will be one of your best meals in Taipei.

• For Japanese food, check out Yu Shan Ge Restaurant: You can choose from several different set menus, the best being the Japanese curry pot menu. The tasting menu opens with salad and includes sticky rice and soup, but the real highlight is the curry pot. A fondue pot with its own burner is placed before you, filled to the brim with a silk, delicious milk-curry broth. Next, you are brought a huge bowl of vegetables, rice, and tofu which you then cook in your curry pot. It is fun, interactive, and delectable.  The restaurant is pristine and elegant, with wonderful service.

Nightlife: Sure, there are bars, but what you really want to do at night is visit what Taipei is famous for: The night markets! There are two night markets I would recommend: the first is the Raohe Night Market, which is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei. It features stall after stall of local treats like cups of fresh fruit, crispy cookies, okonomiyaki, which are Japanese omelets, fried dumplings, and nougat bars. There are items like bags and shoes and umbrellas and candy and pretty much anything else your heart could desire for sale. This night market is also interesting because there is a Taiwanese temple at the entrance, which anyone can enter. Taiwanese temples are beautiful, with lots of gold and color and floral decorations. The second market I would recommend is the Shilin Night Market, the biggest one in Taipei. This night market is HUGE with rows and rows of different vendors and even an underground food court, where you will find the bizarrest food you have ever seen. Open containers are allowed in Taipei, so grab a beer and stroll the streets of the shilin night market for hours. There is no better way to soak up the Taiwanese culture than to hang out with locals at a night market.

The Verdict: Taipei is a fun, vibrant city with a thriving tourist industry. You can easily spend three or four days in the city eating, drinking, and sightseeing.

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Although the W Hotel brand is known for its nightlife, I decided to head to W Taipei Yen Bar for afternoon tea after spending the morning at the National Palace Museum.   When I arrived at Yen, I was smitten with the design, plush chairs, delicate glass fixtures, and boom! there it was, Taipei 101 staring back at me as I sat at my window booth.

Although the experience is labeled as “afternoon tea,” I was told about the extensive cocktail list and their variety of mojitos (the bartender, Jacky, told me they can make 100 variations!).  Needless so say, I went straight for the cocktails! I had a gorgeous mojito with Ti Kuan Yin, a traditional Taiwanese tea.  The blend of the bitterness of the tea, mint, rum, and simple syrup  sounds chaotic but went down like a beautiful melody.  Cocktails were paired with an intricate tower resembling Taipei 101.  It was a collection of sweet and savory treats.  When I went to bite into a sweet sesame ball, I noticed a hair.  I immediately called the server over, and he was horrified.  He notified the manager who took the time to apologize and send me a beautiful set of creme-filled sweet buns dusted with chocolate.  What I truly admire about an establishment is how they bounce back from embarrassing situations of this kind.  Although it was an unfortunate incident, the grace in which the management handled it reiterated the professionalism of their staff. 

I appreciated how the bartenders, Farrah and Jacky, took the time to chat with me and give tips about Taipei.  I visited the bar by myself (the perils of solo travel) and enjoyed how they made me feel at home in their space.  If you are in Taipei, make sure to add tea time at the W Taipei Yen Bar to your itinerary. Tip: tea time is way less crowded than their evening service. You won’t have to share the view with that many people, and the staff has the time to craft you the perfect cocktail.  Not only do you get the view but great service and cocktails as well. Reservations highly recommended.

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Day 1: I arrived late morning, checked into the Mandarin Oriental Taipei and had a long lunch at their Ya Ge restaurant.  As I lunched with the PR Manager, Luanne, I asked her for tips on what to see and where to eat. So many places to experience and savor during 72 hours in Taipei. These were my highlights:

Ever since I was a kid, I have always been fascinated with electronics. When I read there was a market exclusively dedicated to this, I made it my first stop.  When I entered the Guang Hua Digital Plaza, my inner six year old beamed with joy.  It was a Best Buy on steroids.  As you enter it is digital sensory overload with small shops lined with computers, cameras, mobile phones, and everything in-between.  This is a 5-story indoor market with every electronic piece and accessory imaginable.   I did not find the prices much cheaper than the US (expect 5-10% less for most items) however, what struck me was the variety.  I was not in the lookout for electronics, but I was taken with the selection of accessories.  Mobile phone cases, selfie sticks, camera cases/straps were made in creative designs from super kitsch to modern.  I walked away with a cute leather and fabric camera strap for $12.

All this shopping sparked my appetite so I headed to one of the most popular night markets, Raohe Night Market.  Entering the market was a sensory explosion too.  The scent of the stinky Tofu, the masses of people eating and shopping, music, vendors using their microphones hosting demonstrations, bright fruits lined up to be made smoothies, cooked chicken feet, and crab which had recently met its fate at the market.  I ended up going for the crab smothered in chili sauce and a papaya smoothie for desert. I ended my excursion with an hour foot massage for $10. By that time it was almost 1am!

Day 2:  Had a lazy morning with a champagne brunch at the hotel (tip: take a few minutes to do a cost analysis of paying for a club level room, you may break even with perks such as inclusive breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails). By noon, I was ready to explore.  At the recommendation of a few friends, I headed to Aquatic Addiction, an upscale fish food hall.  I walked there from the hotel through the residential neighborhoods and caught a glimpse of life in Taipei.  What I really appreciate about the city is how cosmopolitan it is without losing its culture.  When I arrived at Aquatic Addition it was very busy with mostly locals indulging in their Saturday lunch.  Picture a fish market, Whole Foods, William Sonoma, and a wine bar all rolled into one.  Most food stands were overly crowded, however, I was able to get a seat at a wine bar and enjoy some bites with a few glasses of wine.

I walked back to the hotel and indulged in another glass of champagne and planned my evening.  Although a tourist-heavy attraction, I really wanted to go to Taipei 101.  Now the 6^th largest building in the world, it is a must-see while in the city.  When I arrived around 8pm, I got my ticket (around $12USD) and waited around 30 minutes in line to catch the elevator to the top floor.  It was worth it!  The views are spectacular with the bright lights of the city.  I had one of the specialties at the top: a mango sorbet beer float.  The sweetness of the mango with the sour beer was a pleasant surprise.  Will definitely try this on a hot DC night.

After the Taipei 101 experience, I went for a walk at its adjoining mall, populated with luxury shops such as Dior, Ferragamo, and Louis Vuitton to cater to the 1% of Taiwan.  I entered few of the shops but the items were at an extreme markup. Tip: for European luxury goods, best bet is to buy a ticket to EU and use the VAT exchange, you get a trip, the goods, and the experience at almost the same price!  After the sticker shock, I went for a walk in the shopping area of vicinity. There are plenty of shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars to choose from.

Day 3:  Champagne breakfast… again! This time I changed it up with breakfast at the lounge with green tea pancakes and a crab egg white omelet.  Then I took a metro/bus journey to the National Palace Museum.  The metro and bus were impeccable in terms of time, price, and service.  There are plenty of people around who speak English available to help.  The National Palace Museum is another must-see.  Make sure to block at least five hours to experience it.  What makes this museum interesting is that it’s the largest collection of ancient Chinese art in the world.  During the cultural revolution of China, many ancient artifacts were destroyed.  Thankfully, many items made its way to Taiwan and are now showcased in the museum.  You can see a wide spectrum of art from calligraphy to sculptures, some as 1000 years old.

After experiencing the main museum, I discovered a hidden café which catered more to the employees of the adjoining government buildings.  There, I had a delicious beef noodle soup, (here’s a recipe if you’re interested in replicating at home) and took a little break before trying to get the most out of my last 24 hours in Taipei.  I spent a little too long taking photos in the beautiful garden, so I was running late to my tea reservation at the W Hotel Taipei (hotel high teas are quite popular throughout Asia).  Taxis are also very cheap and convenient to take in Taipei, 50% of my transportation that weekend was done via taxi.

At the W Hotel it was a lively festive mood on a Sunday afternoon.  I headed to their YEN Bar for afternoon tea and the first thing I noticed was the epic view of Taipei 101.  Although I did not have hot tea I did indulge in delicious tea-based cocktails (full review coming soon) such as jasmine tea mojito and a merge of western and Asian snacks placed on a tower resembling the iconic building which it faces.

Last activity of the trip:  the Shilin Night Market.  The Raohe night market was definitely more of a food market as Shilin felt more like a shopping experience.  Tons of clothing stores with electronics in the mix.  However, don’t worry, there’s still food!  The scent of the stinky tofu hijacks all the other food offerings at the market, however, there’s plenty to choose from.

The verdict: could I have done more with my 72 hours in Taipei? Yes, however, after an intense trip, I wanted to relax a little while taking in new a culture and cuisine. I did just that during the trip.  Most importantly, the trip planted a seed to return not only to the city but to discover the beaches and the mountains this beautiful island has to offer. Hopefully next time, I will spend more than 72 hours in Taipei.  Have you been? What should I add on my list for the next time?

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