Taiwan has never lacked Japanese-style yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurants, with all-you-can-eat chains found everywhere. To stand out in this competitive market, aside from high quality and excellent service, creating a talking point is also crucial. Launched by the Xianyou Group, the Japanese yakiniku restaurant YakiKing specializes in top-grade M9+ Australian Wagyu. In addition to à la carte options, they recently introduced a “One Cow for Two” set menu, offering 12 cuts from beef tongue to beef hind leg in one satisfying meal.
The inauguration state banquet for the 14th President and Vice President of the Republic of China will be held at Taipei Marriott Hotel. Excluding appetizers, the menu consists of eight dishes, many of which feature fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced locally in Taiwan—such as the wild Welsh onion favored by indigenous peoples, bird cherries from Keelung, spring bamboo shoots, mussels from Matsu, grouper from Pingtung, and Hakka-style preserved mustard greens. The hotel’s Chinese restaurant executive chef expressed that after May 20, these dishes will remain available, and starting from June, they can be ordered at the Chinese restaurant.
In the S-shaped heart of Vietnam lies world-class beautiful beaches, along with the country’s historic imperial cities and captivating ancient capitals. Traditional charm and romantic ambiance create a stunning dialogue between the ancient city and the beaches.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ha Long Bay is also one of the world’s eight natural wonders and the most spectacular scenery in Vietnam. “Ha Long” means “descending dragon,” originating from a local legend that tells of the Jade Emperor commanding a celestial dragon and its offspring to prevent foreign maritime invasions. The dragon spewed emeralds from its mouth, which fell to earth and formed the astonishing islands of Ha Long Bay.
The Mysterious Seal of an Ancient Civilization—Angkor Wat was long submerged in tropical jungles until it was rediscovered in 1860 by a French explorer who ventured into northern Siem Reap, Cambodia, based on records in the ancient Chinese text The Customs of Chenla. Spanning nearly 200 square kilometers, this immortal heritage site from the golden age of the Khmer Empire’s Angkor Dynasty is hailed in archaeological circles as the “Heaven Carved in Stone”!
Honestly, I’ve never been a fan of lamb chops, just like I used to feel about duck breast. If it weren’t for the wonderful French châteaubriand at Caprice in Hong Kong back then (click your mouse here), duck breast might never have made it onto my must-eat list. The same goes for today’s experience at Popina — it’s not a complete game-changer, but through its exquisite technique, it helped me further appreciate how lamb chops can be so captivating.
The 2016 Taipei International Tourism Expo is scheduled to take place from May 20 to 23 at Taipei World Trade Center Hall 1, with a total of 460 exhibitors participating. Known as the largest summer travel expo, the Taipei International Tourism Expo mainly features travel products for summer vacation and autumn getaways. This year’s domestic travel offerings focus on family-friendly trips and island water activities. Taiwanese hotel stays are discounted up to 68%, and there are also special deals on hotel meal vouchers and children’s theme parks.
The world’s largest LEGO Brand Store opened on the 11th in Disneytown at Shanghai Disney Resort, marking LEGO’s first flagship store in Asia. Officials stated that in the future, LEGO plans to open more stores not only in China’s first- and second-tier cities but also in third- and fourth-tier cities.
Did yellow rain fall in the streets of Kaohsiung? Recently, a splash of yellow hues appeared on the streets near the Kaohsiung Cultural Center, layer upon layer, as if the street was gently showered in golden rain, making passersby stop in their tracks to admire this rare and beautiful sight.
In the fresh green season of May, popular cheesecake specialty store PABLO has also introduced new items, featuring specially selected Uji matcha to roll out a variety of matcha desserts. Let’s take a look at what’s on offer!
"French Flair in Lane 187", which has operated a French dessert class for two years and earned praise for its customized desserts, is expanding this year. It has chosen the Shilin MRT commercial district to open a new concept French dessert shop and culinary studio under the same name, officially launching on May 14. For the opening, the first wave features three desserts designed by a Michelin restaurant chef: Countryside Berry Cheese Tart, Chocolate Mille-Feuille, and Saint’s Profiterole, all made with top-tier European ingredient brands.
Japanese Enoden Electric Railway and Kaohsiung MRT have teamed up to launch a brochure exchange event. From June 8 of this year (2015) through March 31 of the following year, travelers can exchange their Japanese Enoden train tickets for a brochure introducing Kaohsiung’s light rail system and a “Fun Card” when visiting Kaohsiung MRT. The Fun Card also features scenic views of the Enoden.
Do you still remember how you celebrated your last birthday? PTT user makoto shared on the forum that during his birthday flight back to Taiwan from Japan on V Air, he was surprised when four flight attendants walked over to his seat, sang "Happy Birthday" together, and presented him with a birthday card featuring "flight attendant lipprints." This unique experience not only made the post go viral, but netizens also commented: "Being handsome sure helps."
Ms. Chung from Taiwan won China Airlines’ exclusive business class prize and invited her family to visit Tokyo, Japan, to embark on a dream-chasing journey for her 86-year-old father. Using a nostalgic photo from 20 years ago, they hope to find the place where her father once lived.
The Yilan Green Expo welcomes pets, but on the 11th, a Beagle was found on-site wearing a collar with a British flag pattern. It appeared to be a lost pet dog, but no microchip was found upon inspection. After being cared for by staff overnight, it has now been sent to the Yilan County Animal and Plant Disease Control Center as per regulations. The owner is hoped to come forward soon to reclaim the dog. If no one claims it, adoption will actively begin after 7 days.
According to Japanese media reports recently, Universal Studios Japan had planned to build a second theme park in Okinawa with an “ocean” theme, but the latest news indicates that this plan was officially cancelled on the 11th.
Starting May 13, Vanilla Air is launching special deals on Taipei–Osaka and Kaohsiung–Tokyo routes, with one-way fares starting as low as NT$988.
Nowadays, ice cream designs are getting more and more creative—not only to provide a cool treat but also to showcase innovation and variety. But among all these unique ice cream shapes, have you ever seen one shaped like a 3D bunny? Recently, a new ice cream featuring a 3D bunny face made with various toppings has appeared in Jeju Island, South Korea. Its ultra-cute appearance has melted the hearts of many with its childlike charm.
When traveling in Europe, you absolutely must ride Switzerland’s Glacier Express (Glacier Express)! It’s the slowest express train in the world, taking nearly 8 hours to traverse altitudes ranging from 500 meters to over 2000 meters. Even the wine glasses are designed at an angle to handle the steep descents. Along the way, enjoy the most stunning views of the Alps, winding through charming towns, valleys, bridges, and soaking in both world heritage sites and mountain scenery.
Recognizing Taiwan’s market potential, Princess Cruises will make Keelung Port its home port for the first time in 2017, scheduling a six-month itinerary. This will make it the international luxury cruise ship that stays in Taiwan the longest, and celebrity Janet has been appointed as the regional brand ambassador for Taiwan.