2025 Day 1 in Taipei

Welcome to Taiwan

Welcome to Taiwan

It’s a 30-minute bus ride from my studio to Haneda International Airport, and a 3.5-hour flight to Taiwan.

Taiwan is a foreign country that is close to Japan.

In Tokyo, you need thick winter clothes, but I was surprised when I came to Taiwan.

The weather is like summer. It’s hot. It’s 26 degrees Celsius.

 

Shozan Airport

Shozan Airport

It feels like it’s been a while since I’ve been to Taiwan.

A few years ago, the global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global economy.

I thought it would be difficult to go abroad, so I switched to traveling within Japan.

 

My first Western food experience in Taipei.

Baba Kevin's American Barbecue Co., Ltd.

Baba Kevin’s American Barbecue Co., Ltd.

I’ve been to so-called steak restaurants before, but this is my first time at a proper barbecue restaurant.

This time I went to a restaurant called “Baba Kevin’s American BBQ.”.

It was a bright and lively restaurant that turned into a sports bar at night.

 

Baba Kevin's American Barbecue Co., Ltd.

Baba Kevin’s American Barbecue Co., Ltd.

There is extensive seating in the basement.

Pork Spare Ribs Half Rack+Coleslaw+CornBread

Pork Spare Ribs Half Rack+Coleslaw+CornBread

I chose the half slab of back ribs, cornbread, and coleslaw.

For my drink, I chose lemonade. The lemonade here was fresh and I loved it.

menu

menu

The back ribs were not smoky enough.

There were also some small bones in the ribs, which made them difficult to eat.

However, the flavor was excellent, and they offered three different dipping sauces.

I chose honey mustard and pork ketchup.

 

menu

menu

It was hot, so the cold lemonade tasted even better. I took the subway to the hotel.

 

My regular hotel: Regent Taipei

I’ve actually been going to Taiwan for nearly 20 years, not for art or work, but to enjoy the food and to absorb the growing energy of the Taiwanese people.

Lin Shin Park

Lin Shin Park

Linsin Pelu is an old Japanese town, and somehow it gives you a sense of security.

There is a torii gate in the nearby RinShin Park, which tells you that this was once a shrine.

There was also apparently a cemetery.

That history is gone, and now it just looks like an ordinary park.

 

Come buy special tea

Come buy special tea

I took a break and enjoyed some cold Hong Kong tea from Comebuy, which has not yet expanded to Japan.

 

The statue of Yue Fei in Linsen Park

The statue of Yue Fei in Linsen Park

The Yue Fei sculpture is amazing.

I went back to the hotel and had a light sleep.

 

Ningxia Night Market for Dinner

Ningxia Night Market

Ningxia Night Market

I had dinner at the night market, about a 10-minute walk from the hotel.

Taiwan’s night markets are a place where people can enjoy eating, shopping, playing games and other activities until late into the night, allowing tourists to dine in local atmosphere.

This is the ”Fang Jia ”that has been selected as a Michelin Bill Gourmand.

Fang Jia Chicken Rice

Fang Jia Chicken Rice

Famous Chicken Rice will arrive in 30 seconds.

It cost you 50 gen.

Is this what Michelin says is good? I don’t really agree. There are far better restaurants out there.

 

Fang Jia Chicken Rice menu

Fang Jia Chicken Rice menu

 

Go to the dessert shop.

Tofu topped with sweet sauces and toppings is popular in Taiwan.

It’s just regular tofu, so it’s healthy and I have no complaints.

In Japan, it’s not customary to eat it sweetened, which is strange.

Tou Hua Jhuang menu

Tou Hua Jhuang menu

It’s sweet, chilled tofu with the option of sesame dumplings.

Sweet, Cold Tofu Pudding with Sesame Dumplings

Sweet, Cold Tofu Pudding with Sesame Dumplings

It’s not too sweet, and goes down smoothly.

It leaves you feeling refreshed.

The rain has stopped, so you should be able to sleep without any problems.

 

 

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