Travel
You might not get a table even if you want to eat here: Taiwan’s 10 hardest-to-book popular restaurants
Taiwanese people are extremely passionate about food. They’re willing to wait in line for hours just to satisfy their cravings—no matter how long it takes, they’ll do whatever it takes to secure a reservation, or else they’ll wait on-site. DailyView’s online temperature meter has released a list of Taiwan’s 10 hardest-to-book restaurants, making them both loved and hated. Those who want to dine here must have the patience and time to wait up for a spot.
Clearing post-New Year holiday crowds: High-speed rail adds 2 northbound all-standing trains
On the final day of the New Year’s Day holiday, public transport systems saw a surge of passengers heading back north. The high-speed rail announced that on the 3rd, it will add one all-station-stop, all-standing northbound train each from Zuoying Station and Tainan Station.
Back to work after the New Year’s holiday break！ The National Freeway Bureau releases the “8 most congested road sections”
On the last day of the New Year’s holiday break, traffic heading north to return to work surged across the country. The National Freeway Bureau also forecasts eight congestion-prone areas starting from the afternoon of the 3rd and reminds drivers to stay alert.
Authentic Nanyang cuisine at Papa Richard's — spicy and aromatic black pepper crab that hits the taste buds right away
To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of “Nanyang cuisine,” whether from Singapore, Malaysia, or Indonesia, but “Papa Richard’s” is one place I always remembered wanting to try.
France’s Must-Eat Traditional New Year Dessert: The “King’s Cake” — Delicious and Fun
In France, to welcome the new year, every household enjoys a flaky pastry called the “King’s Cake,” which consists of two round layers of puff pastry with an almond cream filling baked in between. Julien Perrinet, the French executive pastry chef at Taipei Grand Hyatt, is specially offering this traditional French-inspired dessert from now until January 15.
Head to the Southern Hemisphere for autumn Singapore Airlines Taipei–Australia round-trip flights from NT$25,238 (taxes included)
Singapore Airlines, in collaboration with Tourism Australia and Singapore Changi Airport, has launched special fares for flights from Taiwan to Australia. Round-trip flights from Taipei to seven Australian destinations including Adelaide, Perth, and Sydney start from as low as NT$25,238 (taxes included).
Like a scene straight out of a historical drama series！ Yangzhou’s Slender West Lake is as beautiful as a painting.
“My friend has left the west where towers Yellow Crane / For River Town when willow-down and flowers reign.” This is one of the well-known works of the great poet Li Bai. Yangzhou, located in southeastern China, is a renowned city with a history of 2,500 years. When talking about one of Yangzhou’s most distinctive attractions, many people immediately think of the classic Chinese-style "Slender West Lake." Whether watching little ducks swimming freely or taking a boat ride to admire the green willows along the lake, a visit here makes you feel like you’ve “traveled back in time” to the set of an ancient costume drama.
The State Guest House A CUT Reopens After 3-Month Closure, Strongly Recommends Mature-Aged Beef with Rich Flavor
After a three-month closure and millions of dollars in renovation investment, the A CUT steakhouse will reopen in December. Trial operations begin on December 1, and reservations are now open. Unlike many steakhouses and restaurants that rushed to offer Japanese wagyu as soon as it became available, A CUT’s reopening does not focus on Japanese wagyu but instead features 5- to 7-year-old mature-aged grass-fed beef from Tasmania, Australia. After 60 days of dry aging, the meat is tender and bursting with flavor, boasting a strong, wild taste.
Thick and rich Buddha Jumps Over the Wall gets a light makeover; health-focused New Year’s Eve meals from Fuhang and Fuxin Hotels start at just NT$250
As Lunar New Year approaches, major hotels and restaurants are rolling out themed New Year’s Eve dishes to mark the occasion. Today (January 4), Fuhang Hotel and Fuxin Hotel, which unveiled their 2016 takeout New Year’s Eve menu offerings, both stated that this year consumers are more conscious about food safety and health. As a result, traditional banquet cooking techniques—such as using thickening agents, artificial food coloring, and meat tenderizers—have been replaced with healthier and safer alternatives.
A popular all-white brunch spot tucked in the alleyways! The signature dish: cast-iron pan Italian-style baked eggs.
Every weekend holiday, waking up early to enjoy a rare moment of leisure over brunch is always a good idea, and the area around the art museum is usually a great choice. In addition to the colorful international restaurants along the Green Boulevard, there are also some lesser-known cafés hidden in the nearby lanes worth discovering. This time, we explored the area around Lane 51, Wuxian 7th Street, where the most famous spot is undoubtedly the all-white building of 【Old Chen’s Coffee】.
Abnormal climate throws cherry blossoms into disarray too—cherry blossoms in Aowanda Mountain bloom ahead of schedule
Last winter (2015), affected by global warming and El Niño, various regions in the Northern Hemisphere broke multiple-year high-temperature records, and Taiwan was no exception, even hitting a record high of 30.5°C in winter—the highest in 67 years. Located in central Taiwan, Aowanda not only saw a disrupted maple leaf viewing season but also had its usually springtime pink stars, the cherry blossoms, begin blooming early. Alongside the delayed color-changing sweetgum trees, the cherry blossom area now presents a rare and colorful sight of red, yellow, orange, and green.
Japan's Remote Train Station Runs Just for One Passenger – to Be Closed After Girl Graduates in Spring
A remote train station in Hokkaido, Japan, has recently gone viral on Twitter, where it’s said that only one high school girl regularly takes the train to commute to school every day. The girl is set to graduate this year, and as a result, the station will also be closed. The heartwarming story of a train station running for just one passenger has touched many netizens, with some suggesting it could be made into a Japanese drama or movie, calling it incredibly romantic.
A hidden paradise on Yangmingshan: a dreamy snow-white glass house restaurant
Following the success of its various restaurant brands such as HowFun BangBang, HowFun Thinking, and HowFun, HowFun has now opened VVG Hideway in Yangmingshan. This white glass house nestled in the forest exudes European-style romance, making it perfect for a nature-filled forest date or an elegant afternoon tea among good friends—enhanced by the ambiance that sparks emotion and creativity.
It’s finally about to open! The Regent Taipei is scheduled to begin trial operations on January 9.
The shocking Regent Huang family shooting incident that occurred in November (2015) — which claimed the life of Huang Ming-jen, who was also chairman of The Regent Taipei — led to Chen Chun-tong, former vice chairman of the hotel, taking over as chairman. With the leadership transition, it has now been confirmed that The Regent Taipei will commence trial operations on January 9.
10th Anniversary of Mali Spicy Hotpot – Add 200 RMB per person for unlimited Australian M9+ Black Angus Wagyu
Mali Premium Spicy Doubles Hotpot is celebrating its 10th anniversary and has launched the “Mali 10th Anniversary x Gratitude Giveaway” campaign in January. The menu has been significantly upgraded with premium offerings such as American Prime top sirloin, American Choice boneless short ribs (unlimited during dinner hours), 16 flavors of Häagen-Dazs + 8 flavors of Movenpick, French macarons, and 72% dark chocolate – all available without additional charge and unlimited. Add just 200 RMB per person for unlimited Australian M9+ Black Angus Wagyu, or 100 RMB extra for unlimited Argentine angel shrimp.
Traditional New Year’s Osechi Ryori Served on Table – Also Available at Rinten-an
Japanese New Year’s cuisine is called “Osechi Ryori.” The traditional Osechi Ryori originates from dishes first offered to the deities and later enjoyed by people, symbolizing the receipt of abundant food and blessings from the gods as a promising start to the year. At Rinten-an, a refined Japanese restaurant, many ingredients rich in auspicious meaning are used in the dishes, such as mochi (symbolizing resilience and hope), kuromame (sweet black beans, whose Japanese name sounds like "diligent"), red and white radishes, and kazunoko (herring roe). Experience Japan’s hopes and blessings for the new year. Lunch course starts from 880 JPY + 10%, dinner course from 1780 JPY + 10%.
Peach Aviation and Tigerair Taiwan’s cheap tickets go on sale in 6 days—round-trip flights to 5 Japan cities for just over NT$4,000
Travelers planning a trip to Japan before summer can snag more discounted airfares, as both Peach Aviation and Tigerair Taiwan announced on the 5th that they will start selling some budget-friendly tickets on the 6th. Tigerair is clearing seats for travel before March, while Peach Aviation is offering seats for the second quarter of this year, catering to different travel needs during this period.
Catch the 2016 first light on Mount Fuji with ANA — Japanese say it brings a year of happiness
As the new year begins, do you remember where you were when you welcomed the first light of 2016? For the Japanese, seeing the first rays of sunlight on Mount Fuji is believed to bring a whole year of good luck. That’s why ANA organizes special first-light flights from Tokyo and Nagoya every year, taking passengers high above the clouds to witness the sunrise over Mount Fuji.
Yangzhou Fried Rice is more than just fried rice — a 1,600-year-old "Golden Crumb Rice" cultural heritage
Yangzhou City in Jiangsu Province is the hometown of "Yangzhou Fried Rice." Legend has it that this dish originated 1,600 years ago during the Sui Dynasty, when it was known as "Golden Crumb Rice," a favorite of Yang Su, Duke of Yue, and is now considered its predecessor. The culinary technique of making Yangzhou Fried Rice has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage by Jiangsu Province. In addition, Yangzhou boasts many other delicious dishes, such as soup dumplings, lion's head meatballs, and brine-braised goose. Visitors to the area can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but also treat their taste buds to a satisfying feast.
Trial opening of transit for mainland Chinese tourists via Taichung in three cities Taoyuan Airport ready to embrace transfer business opportunities
The Taiwan Affairs Office announced the opening of three pilot cities—Chongqing, Nanchang, and Kunming—for mainland Chinese tourists transiting via Taiwan. Mainland residents flying from these three cities to Taiwan can transfer through Taiwan Taoyuan Airport without leaving the airport, as long as they hold a passport, flight ticket, and boarding pass for their onward destination. This move is expected to significantly enhance the transfer capabilities of Taoyuan Airport and boost the competitiveness of Taiwan’s aviation industry.