Travel Diaries: Taste of Taiwan
Back in September, I had a grand total of four full days in Taiwan. I flew back to vacation in the Philippines, but I knew that I had to stop by Taiwan first to see the family I hardly get to see. The first day was spent in the Zhong Li district where my Grandma lives, then followed by 3 wander-ful days in Taipei, Taiwan. It wasn't easy visiting my mother's country for such a short amount of time, but I made the most of it every day. Here's a taste of what was on my tastebuds and in my visions.
Back in September, I had a grand total of four full days in Taiwan. I flew back to vacation in the Philippines, but I knew that I had to stop by Taiwan first to see the family I hardly get to see. The first day was spent in the Zhong Li district where my Grandma lives, then followed by 3 wander-ful days in Taipei, Taiwan. It wasn't easy visiting my mother's country for such a short amount of time, but I made the most of it every day. Here's a taste of what was on my tastebuds and in my visions.
The Savory
Salty Soy Milk (L) and Fan Tuan (R)
My breakfast consisted of my favorite two-part meal: Soy milk and Fan Tuan.
Part I: Soy Milk is only sweet if you add sugar. I prefer to have it savory when vinegar is added to the soy milk and something scientific, but wonderful happens. The milk curdles and thickens up. It is then topped with pork floss, scallions and fried cruller (you tiao). I absolutely love how soupy and light this breakfast is.
Part II: Fan Tuan is literally a ball of glutenous rice stuffed with two ingredients already mentioned in the savory soy milk. It includes pork floss, fried cruller and pickled vegetables. The chewy ball is simple to make, but compliments the soy milk.
Shilin Night Market
I was in the famous Shilin Night Market for only one of the four days in Taiwan. The two wonderful activities you can do at any night market is shop and eat! From cheap knock-off clothing, accessories and electronics to inexpensive and delicious street delicacies, the night market is the place to be if you're ever in Taiwan. Grab a snack and eat it while you shop because the streets are filled with vendor after vendor, block after block.
Now on to the food!
A MUST-TRY: Here you will find the "stinkiest" tofu in the world. That's right. Stinky Tofu. The name says it all. Sure, it has an unfamiliar smell, but it is only due to the fermentation process that the tofu undergoes. For the record, I personally find the smell to be delightful! The tofu is soaked in soy sauce, spices and topped with pickled cabbage. You have to try this, but beware of that smell!
Stinky Tofu: The name is self explanatory. Yes, there's a pungent smell, but when you love to eat it, you really don't find it all that "stinky."
The best part about the Shilin Night Market is that it has an indoor, air conditioned food court! Like how it is outside, the inside is jam-packed with vendor after vendor. Asians just know how to not waste any space. Keep in mind how hot and humid Taiwan is, particularly in the summer time. Although I went in September, I almost couldn't stand the temperature! Every inch of every vendor had heat exhausting from the sides. That mixed with the humidity made me so grateful to have an indoor, sit-down spot where I could eat in AC peace without feeling like a sweaty wild monkey.
Chinese watercress (L) and Fishball noodle soup (R)
Soup Dumplings are a must have, especially at the world famous Ding Tai Fung located in Taipei 101. They make the perfect dough because that dumpling skin is perfectly chewy and tender, but thick enough to withstand any poke when you pick it up. Trust me, I did a poke test with my chopsticks! It's not easy to tear!
If you've had soup dumplings before, you'd know the struggle i'm referring to when you try picking them up delicately with chosen utensil. You try not to tear its membrane, but oftentimes a tiny hole rips open, spilling the best substance of the entire dish...THE SOUP. Devastating.
Check out the masters at work making the soup dumplings.
Dessert
One of the best Taiwanese creations that went viral around the world is Bubble Tea. I had it at least 3 times in Taiwan, but didn't even think to take a photo of my drink when I got there because I can have it any time on any day in the States! So, without further ado, I wanted to show you some of my favorite sweets that I can only get in Taiwan.
Ice Monster
If you're ever visiting Taipei, you have to go to Ice Monster to taste the ultimate Taiwanese Icy treat. My two top flavors are the Mango and Bubble Tea bowls!
Bubble Tea Shaved Ice
The ice is blended with your selected flavor and topped with ice cream, pudding and fresh fruit! Of course the bubble tea version has tea flavored ice, tapioca pearls and milk pudding. It's literally two in one and the best of both things I love!
You'll notice in my photo below that I also got the strawberry flavor, but that did not top mango. The mangos in Asia are sweeter and softer, larger and juicier! Every bite was absolutely the perfect bite!
Popsicles in assortment of flavors: Passion Fruit, Honeydew, Mango and Strawberry (Also from Ice Monster)
Hello Kitty Restaurant and Dining
A trip to Asia isn't complete without a sighting of the beloved Japanese Hello Kitty. I didn't just have a sighting though. I found a full on Hello Kitty themed restaurant located in Taiwan! I didn't order anything from here because I was saving my appetite, but I had to go inside to check it out. I wanted to see what Kitty Kreations the cafe created of Kitty. Hello!
Hey, Kitty! Kitty! Kitty!
When in Zhong Li...
My first day in Taiwan was spent in Zhong Li where my Grandma resides.
In efforts to fight my jetlag, I asked my aunt to take me a cafe for some coffee. I can't remember the name of this location, but it was definitely Euro-American influenced. Coffee and ice cream are both universal! You can't go wrong with waffles covered with ice cream, fresh bananas, drizzle of chocolate fudge and a cherry on top!
Fruit
Although Zhong Li is not a popular tourist destination in Taiwan, it is still the district where my Grandma resides. It has its own hustle and bustle. She conveniently lives on a block where fruit vendors sell their best on display!
I cannot go a day without eating some kind of fruit so whenever I'm there, I shop around and look for the most "exotic" fruit of Asia. My favorite fruit is the wax jambu! The imports in NY just aren't the same. The texture of this fruit is best described with an apple's crispness, but more in line with a watermelon's flesh. The color inside is white and it is pit-less.
I only ask for one thing when I arrive in Taiwan and that is a plate of wax jambu! September is not the peak season for this fruit, so I begged my aunts to please find as many as they can buy. Of course they spoiled me from Zhong Li to Taipei, and I had several every day for four days in a row!
Wax Jambu
Custard Apple aka "Buddha's Head"
This fruit market is where people make a living every day, selling fruit to the locals. It was absolutely refreshing seeing them sell with a contagious smile. Now of course they didn't know who I was, but they sure knew who my Grandma was and welcomed me to look around.
Hope you enjoyed this post! Four days in Taiwan, filled with family and my favorite foods!
Love,
Laura
Travel More
Travel more was and is my 2014 New Year's Resolution.
The definition of Travel is as follows:
trav·el
verb
make a journey, typically of some length or abroad
I know that everyone says they want to travel more, but this year, I meant it. For many of you who know me, knew me, hardly know a single thing about me...here is the truth. I hardly traveled before the year 2014. And to prove this, here's the breakdown with NUMBERS! Numbers always help, right? Oh, and I'll throw in a map a little later on.
Prior to 2014, I had only been to two of seven continents: North America and Asia -- and I really shouldn't even count my birth country as a country I've been to in the world because I've lived here all my life. Within those continents, I've only been to three countries: The United States (where I was born), Taiwan (where my family is from), and Canada (the closest country I could easily cross a border and visit).
How many countries are in the world, you ask? 196. (Well-- sort of.)
When I typed into the search engine, "how many countries are in the world?" Google gave me an extended explanation, and said:
There are 196 countries in the world today. Taiwan is not considered an official country by many, which would bring the count down to 195 countries. Although Taiwan operates as an independent country, many countries (including the U.S.) do not officially recognize it as one.
Yes, I googled that number. (hover over the "googled that number")
Here. Let me show you a map of the world! Click to enlarge and see if you can spot Taiwan!
Free map from vectortemplates.com
HINT: THE MAP DOES NOT LIST TAIWAN NEXT TO THE ISLAND.
Well, clearly I am a little biased. So, 196 countries in this world it is-- Taiwan included. And that means THREE countries is how many I've been to...that is until this year.
Since January, I've been to 6 cities: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Orlando, San Francisco and Philadelphia.
Two of those cities were in states that I have never been to: Georgia and Illinois.
In May, I visited one country outside the United States: Colombia
Which, by the way, is a brand new country that I added on to my traveled list, but also happens to be a country in South America, making this year the first time I visited a new continent, too!
To take this a little further, and since the year is not over yet, I'll be in the continent of Asia in ONE day! I will be in Taiwan, which IS A COUNTRY, for a little under a week and then flying to the Philippines for the first time, which I am absolutely excited to visit.
So, you see, I was not a well traveled person before the year 2014. I felt the need to explore a little more of what my country had to offer before I jumped overseas. I took a quick trip to Atlanta, Georgia in Januaray, starting the new year right with my resolution. Then, the rest was history and just flowed easily! I was booking weekend trips to major cities like Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. I basically squeezed a trip in to whatever long weekend I could take with company holidays. Work also allowed me to travel to Orlando, FL and Berkeley, CA. In May, I got to visit Cartagena, Colombia in South America for just a quick 5-day trip. And if we're looking into the future, tomorrow, I'll be in Asia visiting Taiwan and then off to the Philippines, a new country I am visiting for the first time.
Taken from my flight from NYC to Orlando, FL
NYC all lit up. Taken on my flight from NYC to Atlanta, GA
In all my life-- before I decided to make traveling happen-- I followed the rules of my parents, the rules of my teachers, and the rules of my work environment. But, when I stepped away from all of that on my personal time, I realized that there was (and is) a heck lot more room for me to humanize myself. We live our lives day to day, following a routine and a work flow. But, having a hobby, surrounding yourself with people and things your love, and loving yourself, is just as important-- for sanity sake. For me, ever since I expanded my vision and used my camera as a third set of eyes, I also expanded my vision of the world. Photography has led me to more places than I have ever been to in the past decade of my life. Photography has inspired me to travel more.
Yes, the world out there can seem big and scary, but beyond the bad, there is also good. There are good people and there is goodness in this world. Outside of the bustling city that is New York City, there is more that can be found. I'm not saying that I want to leave my life and live a completely new one. I just want to temporarily get away from my sheltered surroundings and make a journey, for some length, abroad.
I'm simply just saying that I want to travel more.
Love,
Laura Chang
