Japanese restaurants are everywhere in Taiwan, but how can they stand firm in an increasingly competitive market? Nestled in a lane on Section 4, Nanjing East Road, there's a nearly 15-year-old veteran eatery "Xuan Ge Japanese Creative Cuisine." Xuan Ge's strength lies in using the spirit of Japanese cuisine to create dishes with Taiwan’s seasonal fresh ingredients. For example, while most eateries prepare eel with teriyaki, Xuan Ge turns it into a chilled salad—refreshing and not greasy.
The gentle music floating in the air, the friendly chatter of waitstaff, the elegant and refined decor, the stunning flavors that delight the palate… These elements make up ninety percent of a perfect dining experience. But what about that remaining ten percent—the crucial element that elevates the meal to perfection, sometimes even overlooked by Michelin food critics?
Once you enter Lugu Lake, you won’t want to leave. The days are so gentle, without even a ripple; people are as lazy as the swaying aquatic plants by the lake, and even time seems to stagnate dully.
I spotted this Small Squid Rice Noodles place last time I visited Longshan Temple. It must be newly opened—the sign is huge, and rice noodles with small squid are pretty rare in Taipei, so it made quite an impression. This time, I dropped by to try it.
Experts say it’s basically impossible to identify the “worst” airport, as different travelers have different priorities and standards. But airports with poor reputations do share some common traits. USAToday has compiled a list of America’s six most poorly rated airports, which can be valuable information for frequent travelers (or those passing through) the U.S., especially business travelers — after all, many issues involve flight delays, and that’s a big deal.
Ningxia Night Market is located near Taipei Metro Shuanglian Station, about a 10-minute walk away. As it's also close to the Taipei Railway Station area, the surroundings are filled with various station foods. Imagine a row of food stalls right downstairs. Nearby attractions include Dadaocheng. Staying in the North Railway Station and Ningxia commercial districts offers excellent transportation convenience. This time, we introduce 4 youth hostels located around Ningxia Night Market to help independent travelers make their choices.
We’ve introduced the snacks and restaurants here before, and this time we’re back with another delicious meal recommendation. With its adorable name, Hommi Bear (熊二), this cozy little pasta shop tucked away in a lane has been open for several months. Had the owners not reached out to us, we might never have known about this affordable and tasty pasta spot.
Want to have fun before your flight but afraid of missing your check-in time? The “Taroko Mall,” set to open in Kaohsiung by the end of the year, will be the first shopping mall in Taiwan to offer an on-site airport check-in service, creating a new era of tourism for Xiaogang. It’s scheduled to debut by the end of this year as the island’s first shopping center with such a facility.
In recent years, the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park has hosted more and more exhibitions. Even if you're not here for the exhibits, the park is a great spot for a weekend outing. But what if you’re worn out after viewing the shows? Not far from the park’s entrance, there are three popular spots where you can relax and refuel: the trendy Drip Cafe, Japanese dessert shop LeTAO, and the quirky American doughnut chain Voodoo Doughnut. All three offer a place to sit, enjoy a snack, and recharge.
A mother’s love is the most beautiful seasoning for this little stall. Under the old arcade in Yancheng District, Kaohsiung, there's a small oden stand quietly tucked in the corner. An over-80-year-old grandma sets up her stall at her doorstep every day to support her son, who was disabled in a car accident. She heads to the market early in the morning to carry big bones and stew them for the oden. Each skewer is only sold for NT$10, and the rich bone broth—simmered for hours—is refillable as much as you want. It’s so cheap it breaks your heart.
One of Japan’s two major outlet brands, "Mitsui Outlet Park," has locations across 13 sites nationwide and offers convenient transportation services. It is especially popular among overseas travelers who love Japanese brands and are looking for great deals. Beyond affordable prices, each Mitsui Outlet is also known for its unique design highlights and creative touches. ETtoday ETToday Dongsen News has compiled the features of three Mitsui Outlet Parks in Central Japan to help travelers with their shopping and sightseeing.
New Taipei City YouBike has made its first entry into Yingge District. Including two new stations in the Yingge area, a total of eight new stations were launched on the 1st. The New Taipei City Government stated that New Taipei YouBike still offers the first 30 minutes free of charge, and hopes that residents will make good use of the service.
Some friends have asked me, “Are there any authentic Thai dishes or Thai noodles in Taiwan?” To be honest, based on my four trips to Thailand, I’d say Thai food in Taiwan has been adjusted to suit local tastes—nothing unusual, as every country has its own dietary preferences. So, my usual reply is, “I don’t care about authenticity, nor do I know what that really means. For me, deliciousness is king.”
Taiwan, having gone through the Japanese colonial era, has many old buildings from that period scattered across the island. These structures retain their original architectural frameworks and have been revitalized through restoration. Elements such as mosaics, cross-shaped window grilles, wooden cupboards, and farming tools have been incorporated to showcase Japanese and Southern Fujian styles. These timeworn yet priceless treasures enrich travelers' journeys.
During our laid-back May trip to Kansai, Japan, we decided to check out the top five must-try desserts in Osaka. This shop was one of them—and ranked first on my personal list because I’m a total cat person. Plus, I love wearing black, so black cats feel especially relatable and adorable to me.
Many major European cities are famed for their beautiful scenery, but their poor security has also earned them a notorious reputation. According to a study by a UK financial comparison website (money.co.uk), based on the experiences of 2,000 British tourists traveling in Europe, many consider Spain to have the worst security. 20% reported having been scammed during their travels, with overcharging by taxis being the most common issue.
Zepi is a French bistro. I heard it’s hard to get a reservation, so I booked a table two or three weeks in advance. There aren’t many seats—mostly for four or six people—so it’s quite likely that two diners might share a table with others. It was pouring rain today, and I had booked an 8:30 p.m. slot, so there weren’t many customers.
Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation has launched “3C free charging service zones” at Taipei Arena and Taipei Main Station starting today, offering emergency charging for mobile phones or other mobile devices to help the public avoid the hassle of a dead phone with no place to charge.
Another rainy day. With the patter of rain and a cool breeze, you just want to sip on a steaming cup of hot coffee, sprawl on the sofa, and enjoy a cozy afternoon, riding out the rainy season. That’s when MG CAF
Getting close to "local life" has gradually become a main theme in the travel market. More and more people enjoy diving deep into the daily routines of their travel destinations and exploring how locals live. "Traditional markets" are one of the must-visits, as they allow travelers to see the most authentic side of everyday life. The USAToday website has compiled a list of 10 renowned open-air markets around the globe, where you can find exotic ingredients and daily necessities. How could travelers miss out on these!?