Travel
This time, let the kids treat Mom – Mother’s Day dining deals roundup
To thank Mom for her love and hard work, do you have plans to enjoy a big meal or delicious food on Mother’s Day? During this holiday of gratitude, hotels and restaurants have launched special dining promotions. ETtoday EBC News Cloud has compiled information from multiple sources for your reference.
Japan travel is super popular! Only these two months can barely be considered the off-season — flights are over 10% cheaper
Japan is the most beloved travel destination for Taiwanese travelers. During peak periods such as Lunar New Year, summer vacation, cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons, or consecutive holidays, flight and hotel prices often skyrocket, making it hard to book — sometimes even impossible to get a ticket. According to Skyscanner’s statistics, if you want to save money, the off-season for traveling to Japan is roughly May and October each year. Traveling during these times can help you save a significant amount on travel expenses.
The Only Philippe Starck Design – S Hotel Warms Up to Grand Opening with Booking & Dining Promotions
Invested by Wang Xiaofei, the only hotel in Taiwan designed by Philippe Starck — the affectionately named S Hotel — has begun its soft opening. Special room and dining promotions are now available from now until the end of May. Book your stay 30 days in advance to enjoy a 10% discount, or book 45 days in advance for an 15% discount.
Come see the “fireflies”! A distribution map of fireflies in Taipei and a lazy traveler’s transport guide
April is the season when fireflies glow and dance through the night. Don’t have time to head to the suburbs to chase these elusive lights? Don’t worry—you can still see the “fire gold aunties” (a local term for fireflies) right in bustling Taipei City. The Taipei City Department of Parks and Recreation has compiled a list of four locations where you can spot fireflies: Da’an Forest Park, Rongxing Garden, Muzha Cuihu, and Fuyang Park, along with maps and transport info. Grab this firefly-watching map and head out for a glowing adventure now!
Have a great meal at "Golden Melon No. 3" in Pinglin – a stylish dining table in the countryside
How long has it been since you had a proper meal while living in the city? Through communal cooking, shared meals, and the sharing economy, food and agriculture education is truly thriving in the mountainous region of Pinglin. "Golden Melon No. 3," jointly founded by a group of ambitious young people, originally started as a homestay offering accommodation and work exchanges. It has since incorporated interactive activities such as food workshops, allowing many to rediscover this once-forgotten land through deeper experiences.
Taipei W Hotel’s Western Restaurant Hosts Pop-Up of Fake Hipster Red Bean Pancakes; Taichung Stall Temporarily Closed
The hottest street food right now is red bean pancakes (also known as wheel cakes), and Taipei W Hotel has invited the popular Taichung queue-worthy spot “Fake Hipster Red Bean Pancakes” for a pop-up in Taipei. From April 17 to May 1, during lunch and afternoon tea hours at the kitchen table Western Restaurant, a limited number of delicious red bean pancakes will be available. In addition to the W Hotel-exclusive lemon tart and cheese Iberico ham flavors, other popular flavors include Wandan red beans, Dajia taro, honey vanilla cream, and kimchi pork belly.
The majestic "One-Zhang Red" showcases a royal vibe—Hibiscus flowers are also blooming at Taipei Expo Park!
Spring has arrived, and flowers are in full bloom. At Taipei Expo Park near Yuanshan MRT Station, hibiscus flowers are bursting into vibrant display. With colors ranging from peach pink, light pink, yellow, to deep purple, these large and colorful blooms add a splash of vibrancy to the park, exuding an imposing royal elegance that attracts many visitors to stop and admire.
Golden Three Malt Restaurant Enters Greater Taoyuan: Zhongli SOGO Store Opens on April 27
Golden Three Malt Restaurant, known for its craft beer brewed on-site and creative food pairings, has been actively expanding across Taiwan. Following its entry into Hsinchu at the end of 2016, it is now making its first foray into the Greater Taoyuan area. The Zhongli SOGO store will officially open on April 27, offering exclusive promotions during the opening period, including an unlimited “spend NT$100, get NT$100 back” deal only available at the Zhongli location, as well as an unprecedented “free unlimited draft beer during specified hours.”
These 3 ultra-popular "egg cakes" in Taichung are all right here – once you try them, you'll be hooked!
"Egg cakes" are a staple of budget-friendly street food, featuring a rich filling paired with a crispy crust that both adults and kids absolutely love. In recent years, there have been 4 popular egg cake shops in the Taichung area where people line up for a taste. These shops stuff their egg cakes with matcha, strawberries, or drizzle them with tempting sauces, adding a touch of creativity to transform this traditional snack into a trendy afternoon treat. They're perfect for grabbing and heading straight to the park for a picnic or flower viewing. If you're a fan of egg cakes, you definitely shouldn't miss these.
Fly directly from Taichung to Hainan Island for a vacation—challenge the market’s lowest price!
Travelers in central Taiwan are in luck—it’s the perfect time to plan a fun island getaway now. Departing from Taichung, there’s no need to travel all the way to Taoyuan or Kaohsiung Airport. You can easily reach the “Oriental Hawaii” of Hainan Island. With surprisingly great deals that won’t break the bank, enjoying a sunny, sandy, bikini-filled holiday is as easy as can be!
Bali’s hidden gems offer breathtakingly beautiful scenery that defies traditional imagination!
Bali is even more stunning than you can imagine. Discover Bali’s hidden gems—the incredibly beautiful scenery is right on the stunning GILI Island. With crystal-clear waters and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s calling you to experience it firsthand. Get your flip-flops and the most eye-catching bikini ready, and set off now!
Experience Thailand by exploring its classic must-visit routes—pure joy!
How to enjoy Thailand? Of course, you have to follow the classic must-visit itinerary！ The gleaming Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), the endlessly charming water scenes, represent Thailand’s traditions; the hilarious Talad Rot Fai (Train Night Market) and Train Night Market Ratchada, where you experience Thai lifestyle, plus the most authentic Muay Thai and ladyboy shows, reveal a different side of Thai culture through performance！ Sawasdee ka～Are you ready to come and play?
It's a pity if you visit Kaohsiung without trying its famous milk tea—here are three must-visit local favorites
Milk tea lovers are surely familiar with Kaohsiung’s renowned “Huada Milk Tea” brand. Although it has branches in other cities and counties, many still crave a cup when visiting Kaohsiung. But besides Huada, there are two other local favorites recommended by residents: Lao Jiang Black Tea Milk and Xiangming Tea House. You’ll miss out if you don’t try milk tea from all three while in Kaohsiung.
Former tennis pro opens Taipei shop serving “bak kut teh”改良自马来西亚中药配方
The long-established Guoshou Bak Kut Teh is located near the intersection of Minzu East Road and Fuxing North Road, close to Songshan Airport. Its uniquely refreshing Southeast Asian-style bak kut teh and curry rice are made without any artificial additives—just slow-simmered meat bones and herbal ingredients. The flavors have been adapted to suit Taiwanese palates, and the small shop is about to celebrate its fourth anniversary.
Beating Ippudo to the punch: Michelin one-star ramen spot "Tsuta" opens April 27
Attention ramen lovers!* The Michelin one-star ramen shop "Tsuta," introduced to Taiwan by Heyi Lifestyle Group, will officially open at 11:00 AM on April 27—over a month earlier than the opening of Ippudo.
Japan’s “Ocean-View Onsen Retreat” Lets You Watch the Pacific Sunrise from an Open-Air Bath
Nanki-Shirahama Onsen is a renowned hot spring resort in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan, with numerous unique onsen ryokan lining the coastline. “Resort Village,” which has locations across various natural attractions in Japan, is a must-stay recommendation when visiting Nanki-Shirahama Onsen. Travelers can even soak in the baths while gazing at the sunrise slowly rising over the Pacific horizon—a highlight of Resort Village Nanki-Shirahama.
Top 5 "Firefly Rivers" in Southern Taiwan – A Breathtaking Sight You Must Experience in Your Lifetime
Thanks to Taiwan’s stunning landscapes, every summer sees numerous popular "firefly-watching hotspots" across the country. ETtoday News Cloud has specially compiled a list of the top 5 firefly-watching spots in southern Taiwan. These locations not only offer beautiful surroundings but also host countless "fireflies" (known locally as "fire gold aunts") for visitors to admire, accompanying everyone through magical summer nights.
MVSA Welcomes New Spanish Chef Adrian – Launches Eight New Dishes
MVSA’s New Spanish Chef Has Arrived!* This time, MVSA’s foreign consultant Jorge Gracia has specially dispatched his protégé, Adrian, to join the team in Taiwan. Specializing in desserts and meat dishes, Adrian’s first wave of menu offerings debuts his signature specialties—drawing on familiar elements of traditional Spanish cuisine while incorporating creativity and ingenuity. A total of eight new dishes will be launched on April 10, including Adrian’s Pork Trotter Terrine with a texture reminiscent of Taiwanese braised pork, the classic Spanish home-style dish Truille Croquettes, the aromatic and addictive low-temperature suckling pig, and the creative dessert Swiss World showcasing six different chocolate textures.
Finally on stage: Hong Kong’s Michelin one-star chicken rice for just NT$100
The world’s first Michelin one-star street food vendor, “Liao Fan Hong Kong Soya Chicken Rice & Noodles,” is set to open its first global overseas branch—and its first store in Taiwan—on April 21. The store will serve its signature four dishes: soya chicken, char siu, roast pork, and spare ribs. As for the much-anticipated pricing, the signature soya chicken rice is available for just NT$100, while soya chicken wonton noodles and soya chicken plain noodles are NT$120. These prices are comparable to those of common roast meat shops in Taipei, and the opening is expected to draw large crowds.
Over a hundred aircraft models on display at Pingtung Victory Cultural and Creative Park — a dream factory of flight has taken shape
Aircraft not in the sky but on the ground — Pingtung Victory Cultural and Creative Park’s General’s House is now hosting the “Dream Factory of Flight: Jiang Jingye’s Aircraft Collection Exhibition,” showcasing over 100 static model airplanes and 8 flyable dynamic models from violinist Jiang Jingye’s personal collection, offering visitors a glimpse into the performer’s inner world of aviation dreams.