In the past, when thinking of traditional tofu pudding, the usual accompaniments were nothing more than red beans, green beans, and peanuts—classic toppings with simple yet captivating flavors. However, the veteran shop “Sao Douhua,” with over a decade of tofu pudding-making experience, has been innovating within tradition. Long before the rise of trendy “Instagrammable” dessert shops, they developed rare fruit-flavored tofu puddings. Starting with mango and watermelon tofu pudding, they’ve now created a strawberry tofu pudding that’s sure to delight any girl’s heart, brightening up the table the moment it’s served.
As early summer approaches, it’s once again the season to embrace the beach and get close to the ocean. At the end of last month, Yanliao Seaside Park was transformed and renamed Blue Bay Seaside Leisure Area. Using golden sand and combining natural elements such as driftwood, ironwork, and bamboo, the area has created the landscape art installation “Blue Bay Frameless Golden Sand Fantasy.” From now until April 15, children under 12 can visit for free, and everyone—both adults and children—had free entry on the opening day on the 9th.
Covering distances of eight to nine thousand miles, a non-stop flight can keep you confined to your seat for nearly 19 hours. If you end up in economy class, how can you survive such a long and grueling journey? Ed Perkins, who has over 30 years of experience writing about travel, offers five suggestions that are worth considering.
The original site of Tsuyama Castle was once “Tsuruyama Castle,” built by the Yamana clan. After the Battle of Sekigahara, Mori Tadamasa took over the area. He constructed a new castle on the ruins of Tsuruyama Castle and named it “Tsuyama Castle.” Thus, the “Tsuyama Domain” of the Edo period was born. This Tsuyama Castle, built by Mori Tadamasa over 13 years, comprised 80 structures including the tenshu (main keep) and yagura (turrets), featuring an astonishing 77 yagura—more than both Hiroshima Castle and Himeji Castle.
Just months after the Japanese conveyor belt sushi chain Sushiro opened its sixth branch in Taiwan and its very first street-front store (Taichung Fuke Store) in January, the company has announced that its seventh branch and second street-front location — the Taichung Zhongqing Road Store — will open in mid-May. Both new stores are located in Taichung City, bringing the total number of branches in the area to three, including two street-front outlets. In comparison, Taipei currently only has the original Songjiang Nanjing Store, making Taichung locals quite fortunate.
The Korean fried chicken brand Cheogajip, which has been around for over 20 years in Korea, has opened its third store in Taipei at Taipei Arena (3F), officially launching on April 7. Following the opening of its Guangfu and Yanji takeout locations, this new spot offers not only delicious fried chicken but also views of the Ice Arena. The store currently has nearly 100 seats. For the first three days after opening (April 7–9), customers can enjoy unlimited draft beer and participate in special promotions such as lucky draws on menu items. Reservations are not accepted for the Taipei Arena store opening.
Dreamy glass houses tucked away in cities and gardens make you feel like you've entered a fairy tale world—dining here must be incredibly blissful!
Yet another queue-worthy shop is raising its prices!Due to the implementation of the "One Fixed Day Off, One Flexible Rest Day" labor policy and increased operational costs such as raw materials, four well-known popular queue spots in Taipei—including "Chen Sanding"—have announced price increases. Enjoying your favorite foods will now cost you a bit more.
The North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area Administration, Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, is organizing the “‘Beautiful Heping Island in Keelung!’ – 2017 North Guan Scenic Area Photography Contest” from now until July 10 to promote Keelung’s Heping Island. The total prize money is NT$250,000, and 64 selected works will be used for domestic and international tourism promotion. These works will also be exhibited at the 2017 Heping Island Sea Music Festival.
Sometimes you just want to eat a certain dish, but can’t find someone to go with? Previously, ETtoday EBC News Cloud compiled “These 11 Hot Pots and Mutton Hot Pots You Can Eat Alone,” but besides spicy hot pot or mutton hot pot, this time we’ve rounded up Thai and Korean BBQ restaurants where you can dine solo. Craving something? Just head out now!
In Taiwan, indigo dyeing is a fabric technique with a long history and deep cultural significance. As this craft declined, local organizations used modern tourism marketing to keep this traditional art alive. Similarly, in Arimatsu, Nagoya, Japan, the locally born "Arimatsu Shibo" shares the same spirit. With a 400-year history, Arimatsu dyeing is not only a shared generational memory for locals but also a cultural symbol that preserves Arimatsu’s journey from its Edo-period origins to its current status as a thriving hipster district, thanks to government planning. This compact town, which can be explored on foot in about an hour, features Arimatsu-dyed fabrics hanging from nearly every household, each doorway holding stories spanning centuries—well worth slowing down to savor.
Hong Kong’s first urban resort hotel is set to open along the Victoria Harbour waterfront at Hung Luen Road in Hung Hom. It will be the first hotel completed in Hong Kong since 1995. This new 16-storey building features up to 546 guest rooms, located in a prime city centre location, making it the fourth property established by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts in Hong Kong and its first urban resort hotel.
Dropped by an old shop recommended by a dessert chef. Located on Hankou Street in Ximending, a friend said eating here felt like reliving memories. The menu is on the wall—ordering a rice dish comes with soup, choose between radish or miso. You can get a NT$10 discount if you skip the soup.
A perfect trip together isn’t just about the destination—it’s also about the person traveling with you. But while we expect others to be good travel companions, are you one yourself? Being a good travel companion doesn’t happen by chance—you have to start with yourself. So, what makes a good travel companion? Meet these basic criteria, and you can barely qualify as a decent one:
Following the deadly St. Petersburg metro explosion, the Paris government has authorized police to inspect travelers’ bags. Travelers planning to visit Paris in the near future should take note of this decision.
Another Korean BBQ restaurant has opened. Meat Love, which emphasizes authentic Korean-style charcoal grilling, debuted in April. The restaurant was established in Taiwan by the large South Korean food group Ken Woo Li Culture. Meat Love serves a variety of Korean dishes including wagyu beef, marinated grilled meats, homemade naengmyeon (Korean cold noodles), various types of pancakes, and spicy chicken stew. Unlimited free side dishes are also provided.
Japan is currently in the peak of its cherry blossom season, attracting many Taiwanese travelers to visit during this time. However, a chartered tour company in Japan’s Kansai region recently stated on its Facebook page that every year during the busiest period of cherry blossom season, the “creditworthiness” of Taiwanese tourists becomes a major issue, with frequent no-shows, last-minute cancellations, and even instances of passengers taking the tour without paying. In 2016 alone, the company suffered losses exceeding NT$1 million due to Taiwanese tourists canceling without reason, and they are calling on Taiwanese travelers to maintain their credibility in Japan.
Every time you travel, you always want to bring back some souvenirs to share with your loved ones and let them experience a taste of a foreign land. But choosing gifts can be quite a headache—what should you get? How much should you spend? Especially if you have 50 friends and family to give to, supermarkets are the fastest and most efficient option. They offer a huge variety of affordable, high-quality items that won’t break the bank.
The only café in all of Thailand where you can be surrounded by Huskies is right here. The owner is absolutely crazy about dogs, especially Siberian Huskies, and has raised more than 20 of them. Eventually, they simply opened a Husky-themed café so that fellow Husky lovers could come and play with them.
As night falls and the city is illuminated by lights, an izakaya on Jiouru 2nd Road is bustling with staff serving incoming guests. The number of such izakayas in Kaohsiung has been increasing year by year, which in some way reflects that, like Japanese office workers, we too need a place to unwind after a long day at work.