See the True Taiwan: an insiders guide

Taipei and Taiwan offer some amazingly delicious, unique, and engaging food s . There are tons of foods new to a first time visitor from the west, and flavors get combined in new and innovative ways on otherwise classic foods. Being open minded and trying whatever looks interesting is a great way to have some new and memorable food experiences. Health standards in Taiwan are actually quite high so you shouldn't write off street food just because it's being sold from a cart . If you 're very picky or have doubts, choose busy places with high food turn over. Introduction and Overview As a general rule food is served hot unless there is some indication in its name that it will be cold. This includes the scorching hot summer months. For a reason the authors can't figure out is that food is always served scalding hot, and you should always assume food is molten hot when it arrives at your table . Soups can be especially punishing on the tongue or palate, as well as to...

Understanding Danshui Danshui Township (now called TamSui on maps and the MRT) is a booming township situated near the mouth of the Danshui river stretching from near Bei Tou District in Taipei City to the coast to the north. It can be accessed by the MRT which terminates at the southern edge of the tourist market bearing the same name. In recent years this market has become a favorite for families on the weekend, and Taipei City's younger more affluent families are flocking here to live which is spawning another mass of building developments.  While the area has changed significantly and the authors of this blog rarely go, visitors will appreciate a walk along the river front, shopping in the many stores which line the alleys spreading northward (and seaward) from the MRT, and taking advantage of some great photo ops. Try to avoid the weekend unless you like swarms of people, but there are plenty of quieter, out of the way places just waiting to be explored down an alley or up...

Foods to Write Home About For foreign visitors and ex-pat residents alike there are some foods which instill suspicious, fear, nausea, etc. When talking with Taiwanese locals it is not unusual to hear people ask if you "dare" to try some of the more local food items. While intrepid, seasoned, or do-it-once-so-you-can-say-you-did types are likely to have tried the following things, most Taiwanese correctly assume that foreigners wont eat most of it. For those who do, its always the kind of experience you write home about. Stinky Tofu 臭豆腐   This is arguably the most famous contribution that Taiwan has made to food. In its common form this fried or boiled tofu is fermented before cooking. The deliciously bathroom-like smell of it cooking will fill your nose as you walk the streets, beckoning you from afar and boldly wafting deep into your long-term memory. The taste and texture is similar to strong blue cheese. Fried stinky tofu has more tofu flavor than its boiled brot...