Taiwan Food Guide - Must Eat in Taiwan

TAIWAN FOOD GUIDE - MUST EAT IN TAIWAN 
Taiwan is food heaven! Taiwanese cuisine is a delightful diverse culinary experience that reflects the island's rich history, cultural influences, and abundant natural resources. Taiwanese food is known for its bold flavours, fresh ingredients, and unique combinations, making it a favourite among food enthusiasts around the world. When we are travelling in Taiwan, all we did was just eat, eat and eat lol. Today's post is about the Taiwan food guide which I will share about must-eat in Taiwan. Let's explore some of the iconic dishes and highlights of Taiwan's gastronomic scene.


Elitfun



Erlin Chang, the third-generation design executive of Elitfun E Cube, has a distinct fashion sense and strongly believes in the design philosophy that every piece of their work should carry a beautiful story, one that is worth savouring and collecting.




The Elitfun brand is represented by the letter "E", which stands for Enjoy, Excellent, and Enrich. By adhering to high standards and meticulous selection, Elitfun incorporates the simple spirit and flavours of Taiwanese tea into its creations.

When you enter the shop, you can spot there is a variety of pastries, biscuits, dorayaki, tea etc.




Souffle Dorayaki
It is a guilt-free food item with a low-calorie count. It comes in four delightful flavours : sesame, custard, red bean, and sweet potato. The pastry itself has a soft and fluffy texture, complemented by a natural, milky fragrance. Souffle Dorayaki is made using all-natural ingredients and contains no additives.

We tried the custard and red bean and both of the flavours are delicious!




Mini Dorayaki
Mini Dorayaki features an airy and fluffy crust, while its filling consists of carefully crafted pure fresh cream sourced from Japanese Nakazawa cream. With its mini size, this treat offers guilt-free indulgence, as its silky smooth texture melts in your mouth.

We tried the mango flavour because it was mango season. The ice cream is tasty! Perfect match with the fluffy crust!



Number Tea
Besides the dorayaki, number tea is also their signature product. You can choose from 0 to 9. Each number represents a different type of tea. Here are some of the teas that we tried :

No.1 Osmanthus Jinxuan Tea
The elegant scent of alpine Jinxuan tea blends with the fresh smell of osmanthus to create a mellow, crystal-clear osmanthus Jinxuan tea. Rich in nutrients such as vitamins and catechins, it helps promote body metabolism and relax the body and mind. It is very suitable for enjoying afternoon tea snacks.




No.2 Honey-Scented Black Tea With Rose Petals
Taiwan's Hualien honey-scented black tea is added with dried roses, and the rose aroma is charming. Combined with the sweet and fruity aroma of honey-scented black tea, it exudes a strong rose aroma and sweet honey fruit aroma, which can be rewashed 4-5 times!

No.5 Red Oolong Tea
The red oolong tea from Taitung, Taiwan, is rolled into a ball by ancient techniques. It is made of 100% raw-leaf tea leaves. The tea soup is in amber colour and crystal clear.




Overall, I think it's worth a visit to try the dorayaki and tea. Don't forget to drop by here when you're in Taipei.

Details
Location : No.80 Chongqing Road, Banqiao District.
Instagram : @elitfun_ 


Delectable Hot Pot Lab



Drawing upon 15 years of extensive local hot pot research and word-of-mouth accumulation, Delectable Hot Pot Lab continually introduces innovative pots that enhance the traditional hot pot experience. Each year, we strive to improve and elevate this beloved culinary tradition. Their diverse product lineup includes both classic Taiwanese flavours and unique creations inspired by various Asian countries.

They take pride in seamlessly blending laboratory equipment with the aesthetics of decoration and food presentation. Their hot pots are designed to be enjoyed by individuals, couples on a date, groups of three or five friends gathering, or families seeking a fun dining experience.




The central U-shaped bar seat is designed with the convenience of dining guests in mind, featuring thoughtful sockets where you can charge your mobile phone. Whether you choose to dine alone and immerse yourself in entertainment or enjoy the company of others, you need not worry about your phone running out of battery. Additionally, the ceiling decoration is carefully curated to change according to the season, creating a festive atmosphere that aligns with special occasions such as Halloween, Christmas and more.




Japanese-Style Hunter Stone Hot Pot
My mom ordered this. It is basically miso and milk broth combined with boneless chicken thighs and a salmon seafood platter. She loves the broth and said everything is yummy.

Despite they being delicious, we can't finish the food because the portions are too big for us hahaha.




Taiwanese Peeled Pepper Hot Pot
I had my initial experience with Taiwanese peeled pepper (剥皮辣椒) and was pleasantly surprised by its gentle warmth rather than intense spiciness. The pepper emitted a delightful aroma that I found quite enjoyable. For a delicious combination, the soup base complements well with either a seasonal vegetable mix or a delectable platter of chicken and mushrooms.




The Japanese-style Ishiqi pot features on-site sauteed onion miso ingredients and a milk-based soup base. This combination is particularly well-suited for seafood dishes, creating a delectable and flavourful experience. Additionally, the pot offers a unique and creative dessert option, the burning salmon handmade creation, which not only delights the taste buds but also provides excellent visual enjoyment.




With the experimental rack designed at the table, you have the convenience of placing meat and ingredients on the shelf, freeing up table space. This innovative feature not only optimizes the dining area but also adds an element of fun to your dining experience.

I find it interesting!




Grilled Matsusaka Pork
The owner told us this dish was a hidden menu. Usually, people won't order this unless they know about this dish.

If you're interested to try this dish, simply show them this photo then they will serve you.

Here come the desserts. We tried the orange creme brulee and rabbit rice pudding. The rabbit rice pudding is so cute with the bouncy texture! We love the creme brule so much as it's not too sweet.




The shop is in a strategic location, only a 5-minute walk from Ximen MRT.

Very convenient as there are so many places to shop here and a tourist destination.

A variety of sauces and condiments, including soy sauce, pepper, garlic, and more, are presented in experimental utensils designed with a bottle-roasted and liquid funnel style reminiscent of a laboratory. This creative presentation adds a unique touch to your dining experience.

Details
Location : No.146, Kunming Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City (Google map)
Business hours : Daily (11.30am - 9.30pm)
Tel : 02-2375 6009


I Love 8 Sea
I Love 8 Sea
As a sister brand of the popular Bahai Hot Pot Restaurant, they have gained a reputation among Taiwanese food enthusiasts and tourists from around the globe. They take pride in delivering exceptional Taiwanese cuisine that showcases the rich flavours and culinary traditions of their country.




Conveniently situated on the 2nd floor of Taipei Station, I Love 8 Sea offers excellent accessibility, allowing you to easily travel in any direction. Their soup is meticulously crafted through a series of multiple processes and is prepared fresh every day. One dish that you simply cannot miss is the signature "Extreme Spicy Soup", which is a favourite among their patrons.




In addition to the renowned "Extreme Spicy Soup", they offer a selection of 7 special soups, each with its own distinct flavours. Indulge in the authentic Taiwanese peeled chilli pot, which boasts a unique combination of spices, or try their medicinal soup, milky soup, and sour cabbage soup. Besides that, they also offer refreshing lemongrass and coconut milk soup, along with other highly recommended options that have garnered rave reviews from their customers. 





Surf and Turf King Meal for 2
We also ordered this set meal for 2 pax. It serves with 2 soup selections, a seafood platter, premium pork shoulder butt and low-fat sirloin.

The small wild shrimp is a surprise! So tender and sweet! You can't find this elsewhere.




Glutinous Rice and Ginseng Chicken Set Meal
To be honest, this is my first time trying the Prince noodles (王子面), it's like the Taiwan version of Maggie mee.

I like glutinous rice (糯米肠). I love eating glutinous rice especially after I cooked them, I pressed them and mixed them with the soup base. Something new for me.




It will not be astringent in the hot pot soup for a long time and can help the soup taste better. Black Rice and Red Bean Congee are excellent desserts after a hot pot meal. Fresh snow fungus with fermented osmanthus dessert tastes good too.

You can choose the Haagen-Dazs ice cream as your dessert as well.

Details
Location : No.3, Beiping Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City (Google map)
Business hours : Daily (10.00am - 9.30pm)
Tel : 02-2375 1088
Facebook : I Love 8 Sea TW
Instagram : @ilove8seaTW


These dishes are just a glimpse into the diverse and mouthwatering world of Taiwanese food. The culinary scene in Taiwan continues to evolve, embracing both traditional flavours and innovative approaches, making it a true paradise. I'm looking forward to exploring more foods when I revisit Taiwan in the future.


#ShiniInTaiwan
For more photos, feel free to search the hashtag  #ShiniInTaiwan on Instagram. There, you can also find additional details about my personal experiences during the trip.

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