Taipei, Taiwan (Day 2) - Rainy Day at Dansui, Xinbeitou and ShihLin~

Day 2



The morning breakfast we had at the hotel. They have similar food daily, but nothing bad to complain about. :) The food is indeed good. You might get to try one or two local specialty.

On our way from hotel to the train station, 3 minutes walk, we will passby this adorable artwork meant for a steak house. Can't resist ourselves. If you happen to passby this, yes, you are heading the right way from Bailee Hotel to Minquan Rd Station.

First stop was to Dansui (Not knowing plenty of shops in TW close on Monday). We passby this local specialty and bought 2 to try. It was really tasty!! And we get to witness the making of it.

My love for flowers just didn't end there and I bought a new umbrella as 1 umbrella was not enough for me and Keen to share. Specially on a wet day. We were using the umbrella + cap most of the 12 hours we were out.

A food we really didn't try. Its a "chuet chuet" or known as siput sedut in KL. This one is cooked differently. At Dansui, we were looking for the stuffed squid with rice. Didn't see it anywhere.

Nearby the seaside, we saw this shop stormed with people (Mostly locals, it is Monday afterall). We sat and ordered 3 items. The noodle was not special, but the fish ball has stuffings in it and the tauhu is filled with soo hoon and the sauce was yummy.

 

 This little delicacy is a must try. I actually went back there during the last day of my trip just to buy it. It is in Dansui and in one of the shop amongst the busy road. They sell buns as well. We bought only 1 piece to try at TWD10. Upon our return, we bought about 10.

Next, we head to Xinbeitou. Hot Spring Water. We didn't go to the public pool as we needed to bring our own swimming clothes or buy there. I remember each cost about RM59 to buy, thus didn't agree to it. However, if you are willing to walk, you will see hotels further up from the thermal spring offering individual rooms with hot spring. We took the 1 hour package, TWD600 for 2 person.This is better than spending it on the swimming clothes. This is private and has a TV.

To indicate most of the shops close on Monday, here it is. We didn't even get to go to the museum.

Next stop is to ShihLin. Right after we come our from the train station and cross the road, we see this and a long queue. We stopby at the food market first before head over to night market. This is one tasty chicken. It is a lot like the ShihLin Snack" sold in KL. But the chicken is bigger. That explains the "Big Big" word. It is selling for only TWD55 each.

This is an unbelievable "Everyday must have" food in TW. We have it daily. The price is not that cheap but we still buy it daily. It cost TWD30 or TWD35 and if you want it in a rice roll, its TWD50 or TWD55. Best part is if its with the rice roll, they put some vege and sauce in it. It is extremely filling as they use glutinous rice.

This is a squid broth with bamboo shoot. I am personally not a fan of bamboo shoot. Thus, didn't quite enjoy it. We ordered oyster egg as well and it taste a little like the ones we have in Penang.

We noticed a lot of people queueing for this food thus join in the fun as well. Coincidently, the food stall we weare eating earlier was nearby. So, we monitored the long queue for some time. They smash the "karipap" looking food on top of a popiah skin and then mix it with whatever you order (in our case, original (no addition), meat floss and yam (powdered)). It was selling for TWD35 each and 3 for TWD100. My advice is head straight for the meat floss. Others taste pretty much alike.

 Not forgetting, white bittergourd. A must try for people who is adventurous. Its white afterall and taste less bitter compared to small green ones. This is added with honey. Cost me TWD50 each cup.

















Love,

Angel