Taipei

Day Three

Once arrived in Taipei Main station, I then took the metro to "Zhongshan Junior High School" metro station. Checked in to CityInn hotel and some washup in the room before looking for my dinner in Xinyi district.

A-Kuan Hotpot Restaurant (阿官火鍋)

Decided to have hotpot in this A-Kuan Hotpot located at the basement of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi - Taipei Xinyi Place (left photo below). Instead of the usual soup base, I opted a "Preserved egg and coriander leaves" broth (皮蛋香菜湯底) with an additional of TWD 40 (right photo below).
Ordered a beef set which included five pieces of thinly sliced beef (left photo below) and a bowl of A-Kuan standard hotpot food (right photo below). Had been to its Taichung outlet back in 2013 and I still like their xshacha sauce (沙茶醬). Total cost for this meal was TWD 340.
Window-shopped in Xinyi District before returning back to the hotel.

Uptown Pastry Shop (上城糕餅小舖)

Saw this Uptown Pastry Shop (left photo below) while walking back to hotel, thus decided to get some bread as my breakfast. The brown and wooden-textured interior gives this pastry shop a distinctively European ambiance. The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastry-themed window dressing never fail to tempt me. Bought a French tuna toast at TWD 45 and a cream cheese bread at TWD 32 (right photo below).

Day Four

Took metro to Taipei Zoo station.

Taipei Zoo (臺北市立動物園)

Taipei Zoo, often referred by the locals as 'Muzha Zoo' (木柵動物園), is located in Wenshan District and has a total area of 165 hectares of more than 350 different animal species. This was my second visit to this zoo and this time gotten a physical admission ticket with a cost of TWD 60 (photo below).

Following were some of the animals that I had missed out during my previous visit in 2014.

Penguin House

It was a sizeable indoor enclosure that houses the Africian penguin (left photo below) and King penguin (right photo below).

African Animal Zone

Spotted hyena is the most social carnivora and has the largest group sizes and most complex social behaviors (photos below).
Another large animal occupying the East African savanna is the African bush elephant (left photo below). They are the largest living terrestrial animals with bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04 to 3.36-meters. It is not common to see these African bush elephants in zoo as they are extremely difficult to raise and breed.

Desert Animal Area

The Bactrian camel is also known as Mongolian camel or two-humped camel (right photo below). They are native to the steppes of Central Asia and has two humps on its back in contrast to the singe-humped dromedary camel in Africa and Arabian Peninsula.

Giant Panda House

Managed to take some close-up shots of Yuan Zai who is the first panda cub born in Taiwan. However, due to the reflections from the glass panels, these photos did not turn out well compared to those I had taken in Hong Kong Ocean Park (photos below).

Zoo Mascots

Must agree that Taipei Zoo is good at advertising and promotion. Popular animals such as the black bear (left photo below) and Malayan tapir (right photo below) had been cartoonized as one of their mascots.

Left the zoo at about 12 noon due to the sunny weather.

Gin Curry (银咖喱)

Saw this Gin Curry outlet at the basement food court of Pacific Sogo Department Store (太平洋崇光百貨) at Zhongxiao Fuxing (忠孝復興) (left photo below). Initially wanted to dine in but the food court was packed due to lunch time. Therefore, bought a take-away meal of "Japanese curry rice with cheeze and egg" at TWD 150 (right photo below).
Had this meal in the common area on second floor of the CityInn hotel. Taste was good and the rice was still warm. Rested in the hotel room before venture out again.

Tamsui Old Street (淡水老街)

Located along the riverfront in Tamsui or Danshui, the Tamsui Old Street is lined with bustling shops like carnival games, restaurants, cafés and snacks stalls (photos below).
This old street can be reached from the terminal station of the red line metro system. Besides being an attraction by itself, it is also a connecting point to several other tourist spots such as Bali Left Bank (八里左岸) and Tamsui Fisherman's Wharf (淡水漁人碼頭).

Iron Eggs (鐵蛋)

One of the popular souvenirs is the Iron Eggs. They are soy sauce braised quail eggs cooked continually many times that has developed into a rubbery dark exterior. Besides the traditional flavor, these iron eggs also came with garlic, spicy, mala (mouth numbing) and black pepper flavors. There are at least two shops that sell this snack including the "Ti Hu Master" iron eggs (醍醐大師鐵蛋) (left photo below) and "Granny's" iron eggs (阿婆鐵蛋) (right photo below).

Ye's Wonton Restaurant (百葉溫州大餛飩)

Ye's Wonton is a popular restaurant located at No. 177 Zhongzheng Road in Tamsui (left photo below). It has over 40 years of history and sells the famous wonton, scallion pancakes, osmanthus sesame glutinous rice balls, roasted chicken drumsticks and various side dishes (right photo below).


The most popular is the "Jay Chou combo" (周杰倫套餐) which was Jay Chou's favorite combination during his high school days. The special combination set came with a roasted chicken drumstick (left photo below) and a wonton soup (right photo below) that cost a total TWD 145.
Visited this restaurant in 2007 and coincidentally also ordered the same combo set (refer to my earlier blog). It still tasted good as the one I had many years ago.

Golden Coast of Tamsui

Tamsui is renowned for its amazing sunset landscape at the sea where visitors can view comfortably from the wooden boardwalk (photos below).

Other popular Food Souvenirs

This traditional baked cake is made with fresh milk and its rich egg pancake aroma wafts from the oven when taken out. This local souvenir is extremely well-liked and often seen with a long waiting line (left photo below).

There are four shops in Tamsui that sells fish crackers. First introduced by my colleague, the He Yi fish crackers (合益鱼酥) can be bought at No. 186 Zhongzheng Road. Each pack cost TWD 50 (right photo below).

🛫 Travel Trivia

It is interesting that placename like Tamsui can be also be spelled as Danshui or Tamtsui. This is attributed to the many romanization systems used in Taiwan, such as the Wade-Giles (威妥瑪拼音), Chinese postal romanization (邮政式拼音), Hanyu Pinyin (汉语拼音) and Tongyong Pinyin (通用拼音). This is even worst when two romanization systems are used at the same time. For example, Taipei Metro uses Hanyu Pinyin in all their station names, so it is spelled as "Danshui" on metro maps and station. But in 2011 the local government of the district informed that "Tamsui" should be used and thus this spelling remained in most travel and official documents. So it is extremely confusing to tourists who do not speak Mandarin to differentiate them. Due to the lack of political will and presence of certain political ideology for a standardized implementation, this confusion of having multiple romanization systems on the same placename will continue to exist.

Raohe Street Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市)

This is a 600-meters long night market street in Songshan District located at the east side of the Ciyou Temple (松山慈祐宮). It can be accessed by walking about 100-meters from Exit 5 of Songshan metro station. The most iconic feature of this night market is the impressive Chinese-style entrance gate (left photo below). There are two lanes of food stalls along the Raohe street (right photo below).
My main purpose was to get some snacks as supper from this night market.

Flame Grilled Beef Cubes (火焰骰子牛)

Seemingly available in every night market, these flame grilled beef cubes are a carnivore's dream (left photo below). Cooked to order using a large ostentatious blowtouch, the beef often comes a choice of different seasoning from Xinjiang cumin, black pepper, Hungarian pepper to Japanese teriyaki sauce. Got for myself a black pepper beef cube at TWD 100 (right photo below).

Custard Taro Balls (爆浆芋泥球)

This snack has recently gain popularity in Raohe night market which is a traditional taro ball with a new flavor (left photo below). After frying, the taro puree is crispy on the outside but due to the stuffed custard it is soft on the inside. Bought a total of four taro balls at TWD 100 to try (right photo below). Indeed, they were very tempting with the bursting of sweet custard filling.

Jiahe Squid King (家賀魷魚大王)

This is a family run business of over 20 years (left photo below). Customers can opt to dine on its second floor or have take-aways. The squid was first boiled and then dressed in an incredibly flavorful sauce, with chillis, garlic and fresh basil. Bought it at TWD 120 and the squid was tender and tasty (right photo below).

Had an early rest after the fulfilling supper.


Day Five

Due to the heavy supper last night, I only had coffee in the hotel as breakfast. Thereafter I then took metro to Taipei Main station.

Capital Museums System

In 2005, the Council for Cultural Affairs in Taiwan combined the National Taiwan Museum with nearby historical sites into the "Capital Museums System" that consists of following museums:

- National Taiwan Museum
- Taiwan Land Bank Exhibition Hall
- Nanmen Park
- Railway Department Park

Opening hours under this 'museums system' is 0930 to 1700 hours (closed on Mondays, Eve and first day of Lunar New Year). Bought a combined ticket at TWD 30 (photo below) which included the admission to both the main Taiwan Museum and Taiwan Land Bank Exhibition Hall.

The National Taiwan Museum can be reached by walking about 5-minutes from the Taipei Main station. The Taiwan Land Bank Exhibition Hall is located just 75-meters from the National Taiwan Museum.

National Taiwan Museum (國立臺灣博物館)

Established in 1908 during the Japanese colonial rule period, the National Taiwan Museum is the oldest museum in Taiwan (left photo below). Designed by a Japanese architect, the museum was built in a Renaissance style (right photo below).
This museum has a good exhibition on the anthropology of the Taiwanese Aboriginal people (photos below).
The zoological section also impressed me with its detailed dioramas mimicking the natural environment (photos below).
Taiwan Land Bank Exhibition Hall (劝业银行旧厦)

The Taiwan Land Bank Exhibition Hall was previously the site of the Taipei Branch of Japan Kangyo Bank and later the headquarters of Taiwan Land Bank (left photo below). The major permanent exhibition in this museum was the Gallery of Evolution (right photo below).
The most impressive display in the main hall was the "fight" between a Tarbosaurus (a relative of Tyrannosaurus rex) and Huanghetitan (of sauropods genus) (left photo below). None of these two dinosaur fossils were from Taiwan; instead they were discovered in China and Mongolia. On the second floor of the museum was the display of two fossils of ancient elephants (right photo below).
A good collection of dinosaur fossils was on display to educate visitors on the various types of skulls that evolved over time (left photo below). Some of the modern-day bird and mammal specimens were also on exhibition to complete the natural history timeline (right photo below).
In addition to the Gallery of Evolution, the museum also displayed the past of the Land Bank, including its precious historic relics and manuals, land measuring instruments, land reform historical records, land bonds, public land sale manuals, and even financial business machines (photos below).
MAJI Food and Deli

This restaurant is located inside the MAJI Food and Deli that is within 6-minutes walk from Yuanshan metro station (left photo below). Food ordering in this restaurant is similar to the Singaporean 'cai-png' (菜饭) or economy rice. From the varieties of cooked food at the counter, I selected one meat and three vegetables which cost TWD 120 (right photo below). Food tasted savory and portion was filling.
Noticed that this restaurant had switched to using metal tableware and plastic cutleries that are more environmental-friendly compared to its previous disposable ones.

Kuang Nan Wholesale (光南大批发) Taipei Xuchang Store

Went to a Kuang Nan Wholesale shop located at Xuchang Store behind the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi and 5-minutes walk from Taipei Main station Exit Z2 or Z4. This wholesale shop occupies four levels of the building (left photo below) and sells a variety of products such as food, household products, CDs & VCDs, magazines and stationaries.

As it was near Christmas and Year end, I got a good selection of creative greeting cards and calendars at a reasonable price. These creative cards can become a 3D table decoration when opened and cost between TWD 35 to TWD 45 (right photo below).
Went back to hotel to put my loots.

Uptown Pastry Shop (上城糕餅小舖)

Bypassed this pastry shop again while walking from the metro station to hotel (left photo below). Got a French tuna toast at TWD 45 and a taro bread at TWD 40 for breakfast (right photo below).
Yong Kang Beef Noodles (永康牛肉麺)

Yong Kang Beef Noodles is known to be one of the best Taiwanese beef noodle joints in Taipei (left photo below). This two-level restaurant serves its signature Beef Noodles with tender Australian beef and chewy noodles in a flavorful and spicy broth. Its popularity can be determined by the long line in front of this dining establishment daily.

Got myself a large bowl of their signature braised beef tendon noodles for TWD 240 (right photo below). The broth was aromatic with a distinct and unique herbal taste, and its Australian beef tendon was tender and robust.


This restaurant can be reached by walking about 8-minutes from Exit 4 of Dongmen metro station. Do note its opening hours are from 1100 to 1530 hours and 1630 to 2100 hours daily.

Ximending (西門町)

Ximending is a neighborhood and shopping district in Wanhua District. Named after the administrative division 'Seimon-chō' which existed during Japanese rule, it referred to an area outside the west gate of the city. Today, Ximending has over twenty theaters and six thousand vendors, and is a popular area for small concerts, album launches, and street performances (photos below).
Lao Tian Lu (老天祿滷味)

Located at No. 55 section 2 of Wuchang street, Lao Tian Lu is a popular shop for braised food in Ximending area (left photo below). It has been in business for more than 50 years. The recommended must-order dishes like duck wings, duck tongue, and duck gizzards are all popular signatures of Lao Tian Lu braised food.

Got 100-grams of duck tongues at TWD 190 to try (right photo below). Though there was not much meat in the duck tongue, the skin and meat were firm. Together with Lao Tian Lu's exclusive marinade, it was super delicious. The "finger-licking good" perhaps was the most appropriate description after eating the duck tongue.
Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)

Shilin Night Market is a night market in Shilin district and can be reached by Jiantan metro station. Considered to be the largest and most famous night market in Taiwan, it comprises of two distinct sections: Shilin Market building and its surrounding side streets and alleys.

Located at the basement of Shilin Market, the food court (left photo below) holds over 500 stalls selling a wide variety of snacks and food (right photo below).
Following were the snacks I bought during this night market trip.

Bite Sized Crabs (一口蟹)

Anything that is deep-fried and bite sized seafood is a must for snack lovers. These bite sized crabs seem to become a popular nibble. The shells of these small soft-shelled crabs are edible and often sprinkled with some chili sauce or Taiwanese style mixed salt or pepper concoction to make it more delicious (left photo below).

Bought a pack at TWD 150 to try (right photo below). It was flavorful but not as crispy as I would like it to be.

Oyster Omelette (蚵仔煎)

A signature snack in all Taiwanese night market (left photo below). Eggs and potato starch are mixed and fried on a scorching hot pan, enveloping the delicate little oysters inside. The potato starch gives the whole dish a gooey chewiness that the Taiwanese love. It is then topped off with a generous amount of screaming red, ketchup-based sauce.

Got an oyster omelette at TWD 60 (right photo below). Though I do not dislike this Taiwanese style, I still prefer the Teochew-style oyster omelette where it has more aroma from the fried eggs.

For the second consecutive evening, I had a fulfilling supper before my rest.


Day Six

After taken the tasty bread as breakfast, I then checked out and deposited my luggage at the hotel. Went to Kuang Nan Wholesale shop again to get more items as souvenirs. Thereafter took metro to Xinyi district for lunch.

Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Food Court (Xinyi Place)

Went for lunch in a food court located at the basement of Shin Kong Mitsukoshi Department Store (新光三越百貨) at Taipei Xinyi Place A8. Was delighted when I saw this Harajuku Kitchen (原宿厨房) that had a wide selection of Japanese curry rice, thus wanted to give it a try (left photo below). Ordered an egg omelette curry rice at TWD 169 (right photo below). Disappointedly the curry tasted rather weird and I would not recommend it.
Eslite Bookstore (誠品)

How can my trip be completed without visiting the Eslite Bookstore? Next destination was this 24-hour flagship Eslite Bookstore at Xinyi district.

✍ Update:
Unable to renew its lease, Eslite Bookstore at Xinyi district is closed permanently on 24 Dec 2023. However Eslite's Songyan outlet will continue to stay open 24-hour.

Transport to Taoyuan Airport

Took metro back to hotel to collect my luggage, and after which took metro again to Taipei Main station. Walked towards Taipei West Bus Station Terminal A and got my bus ticket from Kuo-Kuang (國光) which cost TWD 125.

Taoyuan Terminal One Food Court

Before checking in my flight, I opted to have my early dinner in this food court located at the basement of Airport Terminal One building. Decided to have Japanese ramen in this Ichiban Ramen (热烈一番拉面) that seemed to be appetizing (left photo below). Got a Tonkotsu white soup noodles (豚骨白汤面) at TWD 240 which came with some kimchi, deep-fried chicken and a cone ice-cream (right photo below). The soup was so delicious and I even drank it to the last drop.
Food Souvenirs before departure

After flight checked in, I then began to look for the same food souvenir that I purchased back in 2013. After a quick search, managed to get some almond layered cookies and almond tuiles at TWD 198 per box (left photo below).

Jetstar flight

Finally boarded flight 3K 724 which took off on time at 1755 hours (right photo below). As did not pre-order any meal onboard, I took this opportunity to have a good nap during the flight journey. Managed to doze off several times.
The flight landed safely on Singapore at about 10.50 pm. With this, it ended my six days trip to Tainan and Taipei.