Taiwan Travel Guide 111

DAY 10 - TAIPEI

Zǎo Shang Hǎo! Belum bosen kan ya ngikutin trip Taiwan, ga kerasa banget sekarang udah hari ke 10, makin dekat dengan hari terakhir padahal masih banyak banget nih list tempat yang belum dikunjungi, so today kita akan lanjut lagi explore semua sisi yang ada di kota Taipei sebelum besok kita dedikasikan untuk menjadi hari oleh-oleh nasional hahahaha 

Tian Jin Onion Pancake (天津蔥抓餅)

Pagi ini kita mulai dari sarapan khas warlok, apalagi kalo bukan Onion Pancake, setiap hari sebenarnya mudah banget kita termuin di sekitar area pertokoan atau perkantoran, tapi memang, Tian Jin Onion Pancake ini special di hati, kalo ga, ga mungkin antriannya sampai mengular padahal masih pagi.

menu

Pilihan menunya ada 8, karena ai ai nya galak, better udah siap pas giliranmu tiba, kalo ga dijamin diomelin sama dia. Waiting timenya 10-20mins, beberapa menu udah pararel dimasak jadi ga nunggu lama. Di Indo, menu kayak gini sebenernya udah pernah ada, brand Liang yang BA nya Jay Chou, sayangnya ga bertahan lama.  

no 3

no 8

Overall rating 4/5. Karena baru banget dimasak jadi tekstur dan rasanya masih ideal banget. Penyajiannya juga wrap to go, compact banget buat sarapan sambil otw ke kantor. To be honest menu no 3 nya enak banget, tipe yang dimakan tiap hari pun aku ga akan nolak. Menu no 8 yang paling complete sedikit over taste buat aku, mungkin cocok untuk dimakan di lunch dibanding sarapan,

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall (國立中正紀念堂)

Biar itinerarynya ga selalu makanan, sekarang kita akan visit salah satu monument wajib yang selalu ada di paket city tournya Taipei. Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, sebuah kompleks luas dari beberapa gedung, the grounds feature the memorial itself, a museum underneath the monument, the National Opera House and Theater, and some lovely gardens all around. Areanya luas, lumayan banyak spot foto, agak tricky kalo musim panas atau hujan aja paling karena area berteduhnya sedikit.

Entrance Gate

National Theater

Better views from the front than from the steps, karena semakin dekat ke gedung akan semakin bocor fotonya dengan pengunjung lain. The museum itself only has information in Chinese, so be prepared to either use your translator or the audio guide. Patung Chiang Kai-sheknya gede banget, mirip patung Abraham Lincoln yang di US. Lots of beautiful things to admire here, good place to bring kids too, and it's all free. The military procession is around 15mins show, every hour that is worth looking at for other experience.

Chiang Kai-shek Statue

Military Show

Yongkang Beef Noodles (永康牛肉麵)

Authentic Taiwanese noodles that get the Michelin-recognition in 2020. Salah satu kedai beef noodle andalan warga lokal Yongkang. Lokasinya strategis cukup jalan 5mins dari exit 4 MRT Dongmen. Bukanya jam 11am, kalo gamau antri better standby 10mins sebelumnya aja. Area makannya lumayan banyak tapi sempit antar mejanya. Area lantai 1 agak panas karena deket kompor.

Beef tender & tendon noodle

Side Dish

The interior is quite old-school, adds to the experience feels like a family dining in 1960s. Thank God, the queue was reasonable, only took us about 20mins of waiting before seated. Untuk menu makanannya standar, ada all tender beef atau mix with tendon. The broth had rich taste, and most of the beef were tender. The tendon was creamy and easily melted in my mouth blending well with the soup. Untuk harganya bisa terbilang lebih mahal dibanding brand lain, but still, somehow worth the price. Overall, it is a great experience! I recommend the place! Rating 4/5.

Dadaocheng Pier Plaza (大稻埕碼頭廣場)

Next, berpindah dari area Yongkang, sekarang kita akan explore area Datong. Best spot for sunset view. Ambiancenya lebih kayak weekend bazaar atau carnival gitu. Banyak pop up cafe & bar disana, mayoritas menjual craft beer juga. Sayangnya hari ini cukup mendung jadi no sunset, strolling around sebentar lalu kita lanjut ke area berikutnya.

Dihua Old Street (迪化街)

Dihua Old Street adalah one of Taipei’s most iconic and historic streets, dimana menawarkan perpaduan budaya baru dan lama dalam satu area. Located in the heart of the Dadaocheng area, this vibrant street is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the essence of Taiwan’s heritage. The architecture is a highlight, with beautifully preserved Baroque-style buildings and traditional shophouses that tell the story of Taiwan’s past. Walking along the street feels like stepping back in time, with every corner offering a glimpse into the rich history of this once-thriving trading hub.

Disini mayoritas pertokoan menjual manisan buah, obat herbal, teh, kacang-kacangan dan juga snack lainnya, seiring dengan berkembangnya area ini di kalangan anak muda, mulai muncul juga beberapa modern boutiques, cafes, dan tea houses yang nyatanya berhasil memadukan sisi tradisi yang sederhana dengan contemporary tastes.

Dihua Halfday Tea House (迪化半日茶屋)

Favorit tea house di area ini, salah satunya adalah Dihua Halfday Tea House, cocok sebagai escape plan setelah mengeliling area Dadaocheng. This cozy tea house offers a perfect blend of tradition and modernity, making it an ideal spot for tea lovers and those seeking a quiet zen moment.

Sisi depan toko dipenuhi oleh teh kemasanan lengkap dengan alat seduh dan minumnya. Menembus ke area inner court yard, kita akan masuk ke area diningnya yang tersembunyi. The ambiance is serene and inviting, with minimalist decor that highlights the beauty of Taiwanese craftsmanship. Wooden furniture, soft lighting, and thoughtful details create a peaceful atmosphere, encouraging you to slow down and savor the experience.

Beautiful atmosphere. Very beautiful place to spend an afternoon and sip tea, especially out in the zen garden behind the store. Great service. Great prices. Love their tea also, so aromatic. Overall rating 4/5.

Brulee

Best spot

Taipei Xia Hai City God Temple (台北霞海城隍廟)

Berjalan di area yang masih sangat terjaga tradisi dan budaya lokalnya, ga lengkap rasanya kalo tidak visit satu dari sekian banyak temple bersejarahnya juga. The temple is renowned for its City God (Cheng Huang Ye) and the immensely popular Old Man Under the Moon (Yue Lao), the deity of love and marriage. 

It’s common to see visitors earnestly praying for guidance in their relationships, tying red strings as symbols of romantic blessings. The temple staff are incredibly welcoming, offering clear instructions on the prayer rituals and providing red strings for those who wish to seek Yue Lao’s blessings. One of the most busy place for praying especially for people who are still single so I slip in my own prayer too. There's a guide on a red notice board to the left of the temple to guide you on the procedure of praying to the deity of relationships though it may still be confusing for foreigners.

Pancake 永樂車輪餅 | 古早味車輪餅

If you want to try some traditional Taiwanese dessert with full natural filling without sugar added, you should try this one, in front of Olympus Camera Store. There are some variant of toppings like corn-cheese, purple sweet potato, taro, cream, etc. But i like the taro one, worth to try.

Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市)

I guess this was my top 3 night market in Taiwan. Ningxia night market is really huge, many local food available at the food stands, stalls, and also restaurants along the street. Visiting here on weekend and the market was so packed, we could barely walk through. I much preferred the vibe here than to Shilin. Many food stands have some seating available, but seating is limited and mostly sharing.

Exploding Crispy Squid (寧夏夜市-爆漿脆皮魷魚)

Menu special yang hanya di Ningxia, antriannya panjang banget, untungnya mereka nonstop goreng dan bumbuin, jadi waiting timenya masih ok sekitar 20-30mins. Karena mayoritas stall masih pake aksara mandarin, paling notes aja nomor stallnya 89. Ada beberapa varian bumbu perasa, I prefer the dry topping like pepper salt & garlic. The sauces tend to make the crispy skin lil bit soggy, should be eat immediately for the best taste. Dibagian tengahnya ada potongan timun dan lobak, untuk tambahan variasi rasa dan tekstur tapi bukan rasa yang seperti acar juga. Overall rating 4/5, wajib coba!

Fang Jia Ji Rou Fan (方家雞肉飯) 

The famous Michelin-recognized restaurant here in Ningxia, in addition to their well-known chicken rice, I ordered braised pork rice, stir-fried vegetable with garlic, and also scallion omelette. Everything was great here, the seasoning that I really liked and more delicious than I expected. There was a line, but the turnover was fast, so I got in quickly sharing table with another customer. The food was served almost immediately after ordering, so the dining time was short. The pork clam soup was also good. Overall rating 5/5.

Rong's Pork Liver (豬肝榮仔)

One standout dish at Ningxia Night Market that offers a delightful pork liver soup. It's remarkably tender and expertly cooked, free from any off-putting smells that can sometimes accompany this ingredient. The soup has rich and savoury flavour that enhances the overall experience. You can add on the tribe with the liver. Overall rating 4/5.

Yuen Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette (圓環邊蚵仔煎)

Michelin Gormand recommended Oyster Egg Omelette! The oysters were fresh. There’s always a long line to dine in, you can try out for take away to reduce the waiting line. Overall rating 2/5. I don't really like the taste, too much cornstarch, very soggy, seasoning also very light, need more salt or chili powder to boost the flavor. Combination of oyster and egg not blend at all. Not typical oyster omelette that usually serve in Penang or Bangkok night market either. 

Grill Corn

Not as hype as either type of snack, but still must try this one out in Taipei night market. Seasoning taste like light version of "bumbu sate" with much chili powder indeed. Not the grill corn we usually eat, but nice to try. Overall rating 2/5.

Immaculate Conception Cathedral Taipei (聖母無原罪主教座堂)

Aside from the Ningxia Night Market, just 5mins away walking, there is one of the oldest Catholic church in Taipei. Immaculate Conception Cathedral looks very diffrent from other cathedral visual because the original building was destroyed by American bombardment during the World War 2. So the current one is a restored building, though the architecture is simple, the atmosphere is still peaceful here. Sadly, we can't go inside to pray because its already pass the operation hours. 

Gong Cha Ximen Branch (貢茶 西門武昌店)

Last spot to visit today before going back to our hotel, another Milk Tea stall. Today is time for Gong Cha. Overall taste still good, average taste milk tea that we get in Indonesia. 

Thats all for today, besok kita akan lanjutkan trip Taiwan dengan mencari oleh-oleh untuk yang tersayang dirumah. See you at next blogpost.

Next -  Taiwan Travel Guide 112

Stay Hungry,

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