TRAVEL SERIES - TAIPEI, TAIWAN

Ah, Taipei, the motherland. Since childhood, I've visited Taipei countless times and just love it so much. Synonymous with boba, delicious street food, and views of the famous Taipei 101.  It's about time I shared all my favorites about this wonderful place. 

To get to Taiwan, I flew from SFO to TPE. Then to get to Taipei, I took the airport MRT (metro) to Taipei Main Station. I have to say, public transportation in Taipei is extremely convenient, clean, and relatively affordable. Taxis and ubers are also readily available.

– ACCOMMODATIONS –

As a loyal SPG member, I stayed at the W Taipei and if you saw my instagram pictures or snaps, you saw how hip and modern it is.  I was also pleasantly surprised at how big the rooms were. The 'Category 6' hotel is located at the City Hall MRT station and right by Taipei 101. The hotel has an outdoor pool on the 10th floor with views of the city as well as 3 jacuzzis in the gym. I love the location and close proximity to shopping malls (Breeze, Taipei 101 Mall, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi)

– SIGHTS –
Taiwan is a commuters paradise and extremely convenient to get around. On any day, take the mrt to the National Taiwan Hospital station and go to 2/28 park. Enjoy the entertainment and people play their instruments in the park and kids chase squirrels. Then, walk to Taoyuan Noodle house. Get the braised beef noodle soup and meet some strangers. Then, walk your food coma over to Ximending, where it's full of young people and interesting restaurants and shops.

If hiking is your thing, take the mrt red line to the last stop, Xiangshan station and walk to Elephant Mountain to see amazing views on Taipei 101.

Some other places I visited were:

  - Taipei 101

  - Shi Lin Night Market - take the mrt to Jiantan station
  - Fuo Guang San - authentic hotel over 100 years old, dimsum
  - Longshan Temple
  - Chiang Kai Shek Memorial
  - Grass Mountain Chateau
  - Aquatic Addiction Fish mart - kind of reminds me of Eataly in NY

– EATS –

Taipei is known for the street food and night markets. A typical breakfast consists of soy milk, congee, buns, some sort of egg and savory pancake.

Pineapple cakes are very popular in Taipei. You should expect long lines at Chia Te and Sunny Hills as tourists and locals line up to bulk buy pineapple cakes and other sweets.

I recommend eating at:

  - Din Tai Fung - try the original soup dumplings, spicy oil dumplings, pork chop fried rice
  - Qingtian76 - Japanese tea and dessert close to the first Din Tai Fung

  - Chia Te or Sunny Hills (less sweet) for pineapple cakes

  - Taoyuan Street Authentic Beef Noodle Soup - this restaurant opens/closes whenever it wants. stop by 7-11 and pick up a beverage and prepare to wait in line and sit with strangers

  - Xiang Duck - Peking duck carved table side
  - Halal Chinese Beef Noodle Restaurant - egg hat, shredded beef, wraps, dumplings
  - 八方 Gyozas - try the kimchi gyoza

  - Hot pot
  - Thai Town - Thai food with a Taiwanese twist
  - Street eats - oyster pancakes, giant fried chicken, skillet steak, etc.
  - Mango Ice - Ice Monster