12 Dec 2023
THE EASYCARD
Upon touchdown at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, I went to pick up the EasyCard, which I had purchased via Klook (price: S$24.49). The one that I bought had 400 TWD included, which was great as I get to skip the hassle of having to top up. The whole process was super smooth – showed the voucher on the app to the friendly staff, got the cute card and then I am ready to roll! The EasyCard makes travelling around Taiwan easy as it can be used to swipe onto public transportations including the MRT and city buses, as well as to pay at most convenience stores.
HOTEL: SUZ & CARTOZE (宿之酒店)
The staff’s warmth and its proximity to Ximending shopping district makes Suz & Catorze a good choice of stay. The minibar is well-stocked with snacks and beverages that are free of charge. (price: S$247.17, one night, inclusive of breakfast)
Photos are taken from Agoda as I did not take photos of the room.
A 10-minute stroll from the hotel led to the Ximen station. A brief note of caution though – streets near the hotel get a tad dark and quiet at night. If you would prefer not to walk, the hotel’s got a shuttle service to Ximen station, so do check in with the staff on the shuttle schedule.
The breakfast portions are generous, featuring a variety of pastries, eggs, and beverages. While I wish the hotel incorporated local specialties into their breakfast menu, the great view from the restaurant certainly compensates for it!
Address: No. 51號, Section 1, Huanhe S Rd, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10843
Lunch: Tian Tian Li (天天利)
After settling into the hotel, I headed to Tian Tian Li in Ximending for lunch. Impossible to overlook, the place boasted a lengthy queue outside, and the dining room was bustling with locals and tourists alike.
I opted for the braised pork rice (卤肉饭), topped with fried egg (price: 35 TWD). The braised pork rice consists of mostly lean meat, complemented with shiitake mushrooms, scallions, and a modest amount of fatty pork. Even those who avoid fatty meat can enjoy it without the typical greasy texture. The braising sauce is savory-sweet, not overly salty. The addition of a crispy fried egg elevated the dish, with the yolk seamlessly mingling with the braised pork rice, making it even more appetising. Undoubtedly, it lives up to its reputation as one of Taipei's must-try braised pork rice dishes!
Needless to say, I gobbled down the dish and forgot to snap a photo (so sorry!) – there are many photos of the dish on Tripadvisor though!
Psst: Besides the pork braised rice, the carrot cake (萝卜糕) and oyster omelette (蚵仔煎) are popular options too!
Address: 108, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wanhua District, 漢中街32巷1號
Taipei 101
After lunch, I boarded the MRT to Taipei 101, and went up to the observatory on level 89 (ticket price: 600 TWD). The panoramic views from this iconic skyscraper were simply breathtaking. I also managed to get some shopping done!
🚇 Ximen Station > 🚇 Taipei 101 / World Trade Centre Station
Huaxi Street Night Market
As the sun sets, the Huaxi Street Night Market comes alive. The night market is just a short distance away from the famous Longshan Temple.
Within this night market, you'll find two Michelin-recommended stalls. Unfortunately, one of these stalls, Wang’s Broth (小王煮瓜) is closed on Tuesdays. Thankfully, my visit was not in vain as I managed to try the Yuan Fang Gua Bao (源芳刈包).
The gua bao is a steamed bun stuffed with a delightful medley of peanuts, lean and fatty pork, cilantro, and pickled vegetables (price: 50 TWD). When you take a bite, the fatty pork melts in your mouth, complemented by the sweet ground peanuts and juicy pickled vegetables. I would definitely recommend trying this out if you find yourself in the vicinity!
Sorry for the terribly taken photo. I was too eager to gobble it up. The gua bao is truly delicious!
One thing to note is that the streets leading up to the night market seem a little sketchy. Upon some research, I realised that there is actually a red light district for local elderly right next door. I didn’t notice anything wild though, so I don’t think there is much to worry about. Possibly because Wang’s Broth was closed on the day of my visit, I personally think the Huaxi Street Night Market pales in comparison to Taipei’s other famous night markets like Shilin and Raohe.
Address: Huaxi St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108 (🚇 Longshan Temple Station)
AND THAT'S A WRAP...
for Day 1 in Taiwan – full stomach, full heart. I hope that you have enjoyed reading this post! Do look forward to my next post on Taiwan Day 2 – Taipei to Hualien.
Love,
Shu
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