Yes, please do more stories like this. As an expat living in Spain and doing some traveling, knowing more about foods and meals in other countries is quite interesting as well as practical.
I love the "Here's a country where eating out is better than cooking in", and "Here's a country were you mostly eat out for special, and cook at home most of the time".
Years ago I wrote, in response to a comment asking if the television series CASTLE presented New York apartments realistically, that Richard Castle had the kind of kitchen I would KILL for—most NYC kitchens are slim railroads you can barely fit two people into, or like your Taipei apartment a couple burners and a minifridge (for seventeen years I used a six-slice toaster oven to bake and roast in, and my then-wife thought we had it made when we were able to afford a 900-watt microwave that sat below the toaster-oven—even if we had to turn the AC and/or the PC off while I was cooking dinner!).
My current kitchen in Jersey City is, literally, a bump in the living area with a sink, a kitchen range, a couple cabinets, very little countertop space, and the microwave, George Foreman grill/air fryer combo, a small standalone freezer, Instant Pot and toaster/convection oven. My dining room table is buried in stuff and under the table is used for storage, so I almost never sit there....
I cook there about four-five nights a week, which means I cook more than most people in the NYC area.
Yes, I think NY is similar but I don't really understand how because IT'S SO CRAZY EXPENSIVE. And it's a LOT more expensive than it used to be. I visited all the time in the 90s and 00s, and there were always a zillion great cheap eats places. But they simply don't exist anymore.
"NY is similar but I don't really understand how because IT'S SO CRAZY EXPENSIVE.... I visited all the time in the 90s and 00s, and there were always a zillion great cheap eats places. But they simply don't exist anymore."
Rents, Mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg, 9/11, Grubhub—All of the Above?
One of my two closest friends lives in a rent-controlled apartment she and her ex-husband lived in (a fifth floor walkup), and despite having surgery on her legs which meant she had to literally SCOOT up and down five flights of stairs she's not giving that place up ever! The other owns her apartment and got her mother's apartment when her Mom died (one reason I moved down here from Syracuse), and she's STILL paying $10K/month in "maintenance", which is 5x more than I'm paying in rent in Jersey City!
Eating out's gotten crazy-expensive, even if you buy premade meals at the market.
Hey! Love this article! My wife and I spent a year in Taipei teaching English a long time ago, but we ate just like you do. Here are some ideas for your dining pleasure.
Taiwanese breakfast -the sesame flat bread bun that the long fried thing goes into is fantastic with cream cheese.
Our students took us to the Brother Hotel for dim sum. Just incredible! If not there anymore go to another high end dim sum - it’s scrumptious in Taiwan.
The happy rabbit beef noodle chain - never had better beef noodle soup…and I’ve tried many. The “happy rabbit” is the logo. Look for it. Don’t miss the pickles green veg that is a condiment.
Hot pot restaurants- also great there - more a winter thing than summer but worth it.
McDonald’s has the best AC - of course that was a long time ago but a surprisingly nice hang.
I'll join the party to say how much I love these practical posts! The straight scoop on food costs in various places is super interesting and helpful. Thanks to you both!
Like the rest of those commenting, I like this sort of article. Thank you. It’s practical knowledge of eating in countries I haven’t visited yet and brings wonderful memories of those in which I’ve lived or traveled. I, also, prefer eating out to cooking and have found several glass containers with very snug lids that allow me to do takeout without the over packaging guilt. That, of course, works best when dining in but carrying home much of the meal for later.
(STRICTLY tourist places are usually terrible, that's true. They have no incentive to be good! But indie restaurants that cater to Westernized locals are probably the best for me personally.)
Honestly....no! Sometimes "local" tastes are a bridge too far for us. LOL Chicken feet, intestines, internal organs, lots and lots of bones and skin and fat. LOL
I USED to think the more "authentic" food is, the better is must be. But I haven't thought that in years. Sometimes the "Westernized" stuff is better, for ME anyway. LOL
When my husband and I stayed in Taiwan we experienced the same wonderful food and prices. From the food court in the basement of the high end mall to the lady selling dumplings from an actual alley with her table and cooking utensils on them, it was all excellent. The line for the dumplings in the alley was always long but orderly and friendly. That was how we found out which sign was for the completely vegetarian dumplings and we could point to it whenever we went. Thanks for sharing!
Great article! Yes, I’d love to see this for every country!
Will do!
Me too!
These “slice of life” articles are really fun. I enjoy insights into your day to day.
Thank you!
This was, per usual, fascinating. And the food looked tasty, too (though please take photo of handsome chef next time 😉)
We really are fleeced with food prices here in the States.
Haha, id love to but it might be too obvious. Although we think he's gay and appreciates the attention..😂
Time to fire up Grindr/Scruff 😂
😂😂😂
Yes, please do more stories like this. As an expat living in Spain and doing some traveling, knowing more about foods and meals in other countries is quite interesting as well as practical.
And, your writing seems spot on!
Thank you, will do!
I love the "Here's a country where eating out is better than cooking in", and "Here's a country were you mostly eat out for special, and cook at home most of the time".
Years ago I wrote, in response to a comment asking if the television series CASTLE presented New York apartments realistically, that Richard Castle had the kind of kitchen I would KILL for—most NYC kitchens are slim railroads you can barely fit two people into, or like your Taipei apartment a couple burners and a minifridge (for seventeen years I used a six-slice toaster oven to bake and roast in, and my then-wife thought we had it made when we were able to afford a 900-watt microwave that sat below the toaster-oven—even if we had to turn the AC and/or the PC off while I was cooking dinner!).
My current kitchen in Jersey City is, literally, a bump in the living area with a sink, a kitchen range, a couple cabinets, very little countertop space, and the microwave, George Foreman grill/air fryer combo, a small standalone freezer, Instant Pot and toaster/convection oven. My dining room table is buried in stuff and under the table is used for storage, so I almost never sit there....
I cook there about four-five nights a week, which means I cook more than most people in the NYC area.
Yes, I think NY is similar but I don't really understand how because IT'S SO CRAZY EXPENSIVE. And it's a LOT more expensive than it used to be. I visited all the time in the 90s and 00s, and there were always a zillion great cheap eats places. But they simply don't exist anymore.
"NY is similar but I don't really understand how because IT'S SO CRAZY EXPENSIVE.... I visited all the time in the 90s and 00s, and there were always a zillion great cheap eats places. But they simply don't exist anymore."
Rents, Mayors Giuliani and Bloomberg, 9/11, Grubhub—All of the Above?
One of my two closest friends lives in a rent-controlled apartment she and her ex-husband lived in (a fifth floor walkup), and despite having surgery on her legs which meant she had to literally SCOOT up and down five flights of stairs she's not giving that place up ever! The other owns her apartment and got her mother's apartment when her Mom died (one reason I moved down here from Syracuse), and she's STILL paying $10K/month in "maintenance", which is 5x more than I'm paying in rent in Jersey City!
Eating out's gotten crazy-expensive, even if you buy premade meals at the market.
Oh don't get me started on "maintenance costs" either! Insane!
Hey! Love this article! My wife and I spent a year in Taipei teaching English a long time ago, but we ate just like you do. Here are some ideas for your dining pleasure.
Taiwanese breakfast -the sesame flat bread bun that the long fried thing goes into is fantastic with cream cheese.
Our students took us to the Brother Hotel for dim sum. Just incredible! If not there anymore go to another high end dim sum - it’s scrumptious in Taiwan.
The happy rabbit beef noodle chain - never had better beef noodle soup…and I’ve tried many. The “happy rabbit” is the logo. Look for it. Don’t miss the pickles green veg that is a condiment.
Hot pot restaurants- also great there - more a winter thing than summer but worth it.
McDonald’s has the best AC - of course that was a long time ago but a surprisingly nice hang.
Thanks again - you’ve stirred up memories!
Oh thanks! Great suggestions!
Yes, I bet the city has changed a lot. OTOH, beef noodle soup is eternal! LOL Will definitely try happy rabbit.
That all looks delicious. And great prices!
Thanks! And yes, aren't they?
I would love to see this for every country. I would even be interested in a note a day “this is what we ate today.”
Will do!
Food is one of the main reasons I want to visit Taiwan. I could be really happy in a place with 27 cent dumplings!
Hard agree! Priorities...
Some great colours on those plates! Looks good 👌
Isn't that fun? Gotta be healthy, no?
I'll join the party to say how much I love these practical posts! The straight scoop on food costs in various places is super interesting and helpful. Thanks to you both!
Thank you. Will do!
Like the rest of those commenting, I like this sort of article. Thank you. It’s practical knowledge of eating in countries I haven’t visited yet and brings wonderful memories of those in which I’ve lived or traveled. I, also, prefer eating out to cooking and have found several glass containers with very snug lids that allow me to do takeout without the over packaging guilt. That, of course, works best when dining in but carrying home much of the meal for later.
That is an excellent suggestion! Even more so now that we're aware of microplastics.
Great info! We'll be there in December, and this helps with the planning. We also go for the dumplings and Indian as a default.
Hard to go wrong with Indian!
Wow, we are really stalking each other, aren't we? Lol
What you two are eating, along your way, is most interesting…prices too. Did you find those eateries where the locals go to be the "best?"
(STRICTLY tourist places are usually terrible, that's true. They have no incentive to be good! But indie restaurants that cater to Westernized locals are probably the best for me personally.)
Honestly....no! Sometimes "local" tastes are a bridge too far for us. LOL Chicken feet, intestines, internal organs, lots and lots of bones and skin and fat. LOL
I USED to think the more "authentic" food is, the better is must be. But I haven't thought that in years. Sometimes the "Westernized" stuff is better, for ME anyway. LOL
When my husband and I stayed in Taiwan we experienced the same wonderful food and prices. From the food court in the basement of the high end mall to the lady selling dumplings from an actual alley with her table and cooking utensils on them, it was all excellent. The line for the dumplings in the alley was always long but orderly and friendly. That was how we found out which sign was for the completely vegetarian dumplings and we could point to it whenever we went. Thanks for sharing!
Oh! Someday we'll find the vegetarian dumplings...I think! LOL
It's a lovely city, isn't it?
Love this! Practical (near and dear to our hearts), informative, and everything looks delicious!
Thanks! We are so of like minds. I drive Michael crazy with my travel hacks.