Travel
Taipei’s Hidden Japanese N
Went to Guanghua Digital Plaza on Thursday to buy camera accessories and thought I’d grab lunch nearby. That’s how I ended up finding this Sato Butcher Shop Akiba tucked away in an alley off Bade Road, right next to Sister’s Charcoal Grill Sandwiches that I introduced before. The shop is located on the second floor, and there’s a sign at the entrance — their specialty is pork belly.
Japan’s Unique Railway Journeys: Adorable Doraemon & Kumamon Trains!
After Trump was elected President of the United States, the US dollar surged as a strong currency while the Japanese yen continued to decline. Many people began planning trips to Japan, and the most convenient mode of transportation is none other than the railway. Based on the content of “Tracing Trams: Encountering Urban Landscapes in Japan,” here are three distinctive railways in Japan. Next time you visit Japan, why not take a detour to explore them?
Super tempting alert！Tainan’s “Cat Paw Pancakes” have launched 4 matcha flavors to win over hearts
Tainan’s Koji Bar’s fresh milk crispy egg waffles gained popularity with their cat-paw-shaped treats, and recently they’ve jumped on the matcha trend by introducing a series of matcha-flavored Cat Paw Pancakes that double the cuteness—capturing the hearts of both matcha lovers and cat enthusiasts in one go.
Must-try Thai cuisine in Yilan: The mildly spicy and incredibly flavorful "Spicy Chicken"
Thai? is a very well-known Thai restaurant in Yilan. Although new Thai eateries keep popping up, Thai? has managed to stay strong and even opened a second branch next to Yilan Sports Park. This location near Yilan Sports Park has been around for a while, and it’s very convenient for parking. I originally thought the prices here might be higher, but that wasn’t the case — it remains as affordable and satisfying as the previous Luodong branch.
A must-visit for hipsters: A century-old red-brick building transformed into a European-style restaurant and art gallery
Located in Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, House+Café was reconstructed from the "Red Brick Building," a century-old historic site dating back to 1910. Now primarily operating as a restaurant with an art gallery as a secondary focus, it hosts irregular art exhibitions and concerts. The outdoor area features a uniquely green dining space where, on sunny afternoons, sunlight streams through the transparent glass, casting an effect reminiscent of Lomo filters, creating a surreal and dreamy ambiance.
A foodie hub loved by locals: A collection of 7 popular spots at Taichung Second Market
With nearly 80 years of history, Taichung Second Market gathers many beloved and delicious Taiwanese snacks, holding cherished childhood memories for many locals. It’s also a go-to breakfast spot for residents, offering everything from pasta, braised pork rice, turnip cakes to various other breakfast favorites. Today, Ttoday and ETtoday News Cloud have compiled a list of 7 popular local vendors. Next time you’re in Taichung, don’t miss the chance to try them out.
Hop on Taiwan’s most buzzworthy bus right now — it never leaves the station but hides mysterious surprises inside!
Parked by the Love River embankment, this bus is painted in a warm cypress red hue, exuding a nostalgic vibe. Unlike regular buses, although it allows passengers to get on and off, it never actually departs. Instead of a driver, you’re served by a master chef’s exceptional craftsmanship and soul-warming ramen. This creative twist that breaks all the rules has captivated netizens far and wide.
Taipei’s 40-year-old teppanyaki gem: A hidden cheesecake known only to regulars
Shanglin Teppanyaki, originally named Shanglin Teppanyaki, is a legendary teppanyaki restaurant over 40 years old located in Taipei’s East District. The chefs here all have 20–30 years of experience. Not only is the food high-quality, but it’s also a popular spot for business owners, political and business elites, and entertainment celebrities to gather.
Another popular church for photo shoots abroad: The Paper Dome in Nantou defies your stereotypes about paper
Recently, there has been a wave of church photo shoots on Instagram. Whether it's the Fulfillment Chapel in Taichung, the Kikugahara Church in Taoyuan, or the new attraction in Changhua — the Church of Finding Happiness, all have attracted crowds of pilgrims. The "Paper Dome" in Puli Township, Nantou is also an unmissable check-in hotspot. Its exterior is constructed from fiberglass wave panels, while the interior is built with paper materials, creating a one-of-a-kind architectural structure that looks amazing both day and night.
Only two people at a time allowed — Yunlin’s Gujing “Secret Lovers’ Bridge” feels like walking a tightrope through the jungle
There are lovers’ bridges all over Taiwan, but the most thrilling one is in Yunlin. The suspension bridge in Gujing’s Huashan area is an ultra-narrow path that only lets two people cross at once. Just a slight sway while standing on the bridge sends the ropes swinging wildly, and every step forward is packed with adrenaline, making it a new popular local attraction.
Popular drink shop at Zhongyuan Night Market: enjoy tea time with adorable French bulldogs
Recently, a well-known drink shop launched a matcha latte, making beautifully presented beverages a hot topic online. BONCHu Creative Fresh Fruit Tea, located at Zhongyuan Night Market in Taoyuan, has recently garnered a lot of attention, and the reason for its sudden fame is their “French Bulldog Cups.”
Giving too much or too little is wrong！ The 9-country "tipping culture" you must know before traveling abroad
Tipping art is a mysterious thing for Taiwanese who don’t have this culture—it’s either not tipping enough or just throwing money around. The UK's Daily Mail has compiled tipping rates around the world, clearly stating when and how much to tip. Be sure to read up before your trip.
8 flavors to choose from！Taichung’s nighttime-only ramen shop where shrimp roe dances in your mouth
"Ramen Shop Ra0??Kabuki" is located on Kabuki Street in West District, Taichung. Diagonally across the intersection is the famous "Upward Market," but "Ramen Shop Ra0??Kabuki" operates in the evening, completely avoiding the market’s business hours—so no chance of grabbing ramen and then strolling through the market here！
Don't miss it—wait until next year if you do: The Taipei Shilin Official Residence Chrysanthemum Exhibition features adorable mascots from the Universiade
The annual Shilin Official Residence Chrysanthemum Exhibition is back again this year. To tie in with the Universiade, the theme of the exhibition has been set as "Famous as Chrysanthemums," using ingenious horticultural arrangements to create various exciting sports events, warming up for the Universiade. Additionally, as the pronunciation of "chrysanthemum" (菊) is similar to that of "lift" (举), it highlights the representation of "weightlifting" in this exhibition.
A dessert shop called "Taiwan Lemon Tart" spreads pure happiness from me to us.
In Nantun District, Taichung City, there is a dessert shop that looks like an ordinary residential house but is actually a low-key dessert spot. It sells a "Taiwan Lemon Tart," where a green chocolate in the shape of Taiwan is placed on top of a yellow lemon tart, creating an adorable visual that makes it hard to take a bite—and has sparked an IG check-in craze. Not only is it photogenic, but the tart’s crispy crust and tangy filling offer a delightful taste that lingers.
Taipei’s 30-year-old gem: “Jin Bing” (wheat wraps) with authentic shredded pork in sweet bean sauce — a perfect match
It was raining heavily at night when I finally stepped into this little shop near Siping Park that I’d had bookmarked for ages. I’ve always enjoyed northern Chinese flatbread-style dishes, but Jin Bing is something I’ve had fewer opportunities to try — I’d only eaten it at two or three places before.
You’ll be accompanied by adorable alpacas right by your side – the Animal Paradise Restaurant is ultra-healing!
Most scenic restaurants focus on stunning views, but what makes “Green Earth Scenic Café” stand out among so many competitors is its truly unique little animal friends. Dining here, you’ll often see alpacas roaming around you, their silly and cute appearances melting hearts – it’s not an exaggeration to call it Taiwan’s version of Animal Farm.
A stir-fry joint that also sells sushi? This New Taipei Japanese creative dining spot even serves pizza.
I have a group of drinking buddies who live in Banqiao and often roam the area after work looking for places to have a drink. Eventually, we realized we kept alternating between “stir-fry joints,” “mutton hot pot,” and “ginger duck,” making it hard to try something new. Not long ago, we found 【Jing’an Station Food】 Shin no Mise Japanese Seafood Creative Cuisine in Zhonghe—a great spot serving stir-fries, grilled items, Japanese dishes, and even hot pot meals—but Zhonghe is a bit far from us.
Apart from two one-star establishments, Japan also has 31 Michelin-recommended ramen shops
The 2017 Tokyo Michelin Guide was recently released, which should be both exciting and frustrating for ramen enthusiasts. The exciting part is that yet another ramen shop has earned a one-star rating, but the frustrating part is that the wait times for these popular spots will likely be even longer. However, the Tokyo Michelin Guide also highlighted 27 affordable ramen restaurants in its value picks. Adding the four recommended in the Kyoto and Osaka guides, there are now a total of 31 Michelin-recommended ramen shops across Japan—sure to become a must-visit list for ramen lovers.
Taiwan’s Largest “Golden Corn Chicken Maze” Is Perfect for Tackling After Christmas
Experience a maze adventure like being on a foreign farm or in a movie — now you can enjoy it in Taiwan too. The Taiwanese version of the cornfield maze, “Golden Corn Chicken Maze,” covers an area of 12 hectares, making it the largest in the country. It will open on December 10th and offer a “free trial walk” in the corn maze, available until February 24, 2017.