Taipei!

A friend of mine who was planning to go on a trip to Taiwan this year end approached me for the itinerary of my self-planned trip to Taiwan which I went a year ago. While consolidating all the info for her, I'm reminded of all the nice places and food of Taiwan. In this post, I will be recommending some fantastic accommodation and food that are the MUST TRYS!

Shangrila Hanging Garden & Resort (香格里拉空中花园)


www.cingjing.com.tw


cingjing.fun-taiwan.com

The cozy dining area

They have many different types of room, specially catered for the number of people you are travelling with. The room we booked was for 4 people, and the structure resembled that of a 2-storey bungalow. We had fun running up and down the staircase! 

Exterior dining area (above). See the white clouds in the foreground? And notice that the image is little blurry? That's not a special effect.. shows how high up in the mountain this place is. Therefore, air is VERY FRESH, and weather is cooling/cold all year round.

Service:
Service was excellent! They help with arranging for taxi transport too.

They also have free shuttle service to Cingjing farm (a nearby tourist attraction, and a great place to visit too!). Check it out from the counter.

Food:

Another compelling reason you should stay here is because their food was simply delicious!

 

Our dinner! (above) Choice of main dish of fried chicken or pan-fried cod fish, with buffet-style side dishes.

 

This chicken is a MUST TRY! Succulent and tender. Skin was jelly-like. Really good~

BREAKFAST~

Address: 546 南投縣仁愛鄉大同村榮光巷 8 號

Contact number: 049-2802166

Carton King Restaurant (纸箱王)

The whole restaurant circles around the theme of cardboard and all their chairs, tables, cups, decors are completely made of cardboard!

www.bitrebels.com

Like what you are thinking right now, I had my doubts on whether the chair would give way halfway through my meal, and the staff politely explained of its durability and reassured me that it is safe to sit on.

Cardboard tissue holder

Babysits

Because it was so cool-looking, I purposely didn't finish it so that I can hold it around outside :D

Of all the food I tried, I liked the steamboat dishes the most ^^

The service staff were all very polite and were always smiling, making the customers feel really welcomed. Overall, I would recommend this restaurant as the special cardboard theme makes dining an interesting and fun experience.

They have many branches in Taiwan. The one I went was at Cingjing, located at the entrance of 小瑞士花园 (Swiss garden).


Website: http://www.cartonking.com.tw/index.asp

满来 温泉拉面 (Hot springs Ramen)

Located at 北投 (Bei Tou) which is famous for their hot springs. This small shop sells mouthwatering hot spring ramen (温泉拉面), fried pork ribs and a must try when you visit the shop is their hot spring egg (温泉蛋). 

Well-known among the locals and one of the locals I managed to chat with said that she made it a point to eat here once a week! The stall has a strange policy that restricts customers from taking photos within the shop (but i had to take photo of such a delicious bowl of ramen so that i can go back again next time! so...*snaps!* oops..heehee!)

The shop is located just a stone's throw away from this hotel called 水都温泉馆 (below). If I remembered correctly, upon exiting the hotel, turn left and walk up the slope to go this shop.

Grandee Hotel (官邸大饭店)

This hotel is located just opposite the 士林夜市, meaning it is super convenient to go there (just cross a road) even late at night! Hotel was clean, tidy and comfortable, will definitely be back here again the next time I visit Taiwan :D 

Address: 台北市士林区文林路102号

Tel. no: (02)2880-5599

Service: Concierge service was good and the staff were always very polite.

Food: 

The hotel has buffet breakfast with a moderate selection of food and drinks. What I liked about their buffet breakfast was about the eggs. Sunny side up, scrambled egg, pan-fried egg, omelete, spring-onion egg, you name it they have it. The staff would ask you of your preference of egg once you're seated and if you need more, you can always pop by the respective counter :)

There also a stall nearby the hotel that sells fantastic noodle soup (below), and is "heart-warming" especially during cold nights. Well...if I haven't mixed things up, upon exiting the hotel, turn left and walk along the row of stalls until you see the stall. (or simply ask around, they should be able to point you the way since it is just nearby).

西门町 (Ximending)

This place is like Singapore's Orchard Road or Seoul's Myeong dong. A shopping haven for the young people and sells fashionable apparels, bags, shoes, accessories, etc.

Shopping halfway, I felt a little hungry and so I stopped by a pushcart to buy some mo chi (sticky floury snack). It turned out to be the best decision ever! The mochi (below) was coated with a layer of fine peanut and sugar that was very fragrant with a tinge of sweetness. Inside comes with coconut powder (what the uncle tells me)  that was cooling and melted the moment it touched my tongue. It was so good beyond words and we ended up buying another 3 more packets from him (and takeaway 4 packets... yes, we love it that much :D).

Not sure if the uncle is still there today, since he's selling from his mobile pushcart.. I do hope I can still find him there when I visit him next time. If you went and did see him, let me know ok! ;D

Modern Toilet Restaurant (便所主題餐廳)

Also located at 西门町 (Ximending). Another themed restaurant, but this one as the name suggest revolves around the theme of toilet. Toilet-themed restaurant...hmm....

Visit their website here -> http://www.moderntoilet.com.tw/

Seats made from actual toilet bowls.. Can you imagine seating on a toilet bowl in the public while having your meal? :S

Food comes in toilet bowl too...

Doesn't this reminds you of something you would see when you have a stomachache? XD

Squat-style toilet bowl

The actual toilet bowl in the toilet but not for use as a toilet bowl (tongue twister???). It's a hand basin... Confusing much..

Dessert time!

Super gross dessert names.. (above) HAHA!

Overall, food was so-so, slightly more expensive than the usual price outside, but an interesting experience to visit at least once in your life :D Go early to avoid long seat waiting time.

九份老街 (Jiu Fen street)

The MUST TRY food here!

Taiwan style popiah that wraps with peanut and ice cream (above). A wonderful combination <3

Located near the start of the street.

Another must try is the very famous Grandma Lai's Taro ball. This stall is located quite behind along the Jiu Fen street.

Hope all these food recommendations help and ENJOY YOUR TAIWAN TRIP!!! :D