Yilan’s omakase-style dining is famous for its abundant and diverse menu, making it a favorite among travelers visiting the area. Honestly, even for our own group gatherings, we love this kind of omakase cuisine because it’s affordable and generous – the cost-performance ratio is really great!! This was actually our Nth visit, and we keep coming back because we always think it’s fantastic.
Recently, Japanese lifestyle and culture magazine “BRUTUS” featured “101 Things to do in Taiwan” as the theme of its latest issue, choosing South Taiwan’s Guohua Street as the cover background image, sparking heated discussion.
The Lodge at Jiaoxi holds a beer festival every Mid-Autumn Festival, and this year it’s going “German-style.” For the first time, the event has moved indoors, offering a variety of craft beers just like the Munich Oktoberfest — including German beers, Czech national treasure beers, curated beer pairing platters, an all-you-can-eat seafood and meat buffet, live band performances, and more. The ticket price is NT$1,280 per person, and a NT$10,000 accommodation voucher is given away every day.
Not sure where to go this weekend? Don’t worry—Taipei is buzzing with activities, so you’ll never be at a loss for something fun. Want to experience a laid-back London holiday vibe? Head to Huashan for a British cultural experience, complete with thrilling circus performances and British music. Prefer lounging on the grass with food and drinks? Don’t miss TLC Taipei Picnic Day, featuring live celebrity performances. And for EDM fans, don’t forget this Sunday’s SpringWave Sunset festival, where multiple world-renowned DJs will take the stage back-to-back—you won’t want to leave!
Authorized by China’s Guangzhou Pharmaceutical Group, the world’s first herbal drink shop “1828 Wong Lo Kat Herbal Drink Shop” is set to officially open at Taipei’s Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A11 in Xinyi District on September 23. In the two days leading up to the opening, there will be launch events, and the first 200 customers each day who take photos and check in will receive a gourd-shaped beverage.
Kagawa Prefecture, Japan’s smallest prefecture but home to the most islands in the Seto Inland Sea, has shone even brighter in recent years thanks to the Setouchi Triennale, with each island showcasing its unique charm. The distinctive cultural landscape and artistic creativity of Shikoku also become even more alluring. On a crisp autumn day, join us on an island-hopping journey across the Seto Inland Sea!
Who would’ve thought?? would also venture into steam hotpot? Even students want to try it. The freshly steamed clams are incredibly flavorful, and the sand crabs are a great deal – one whole crab for just NT$700. For this price, the freshness of the ingredients is top-notch. I love the vibe of live-steamed seafood.
As autumn arrives, it’s time to go leaf-peeping Up!Tateyama in Japan is one of the earliest places to enjoy autumn foliage, with the best viewing season from September to November each year. Depending on when you visit, you can witness different stages of the fall colors—from the first hints of red among the greenery to mountains blanketed in crimson. In late autumn, fresh snow on the peaks contrasted with drifting red leaves at the foothills creates a picturesque scene like a lyrical melody, as nature’s canvas continually transforms into a poetic masterpiece.
As autumn arrives with the evening breeze, it gently makes its presence known. The cool, tranquil climate of autumn is perfect for heading to the Kii Peninsula in southern Kansai, Japan. Immerse yourself in the breathtaking sea views and natural cave hot springs crafted by nature, while also visiting World Heritage sites. Slowly savor the beauty of Japan’s nature and architecture.
The chain BBQ N< business “Kai N<” has teamed up with the upcoming November movie *Justice League* to release a brand-new product, the “JUSTICE LEAGUE × Kai N< Pineapple Cake,” just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival. Each box is priced at NT$820 (containing 10 pieces: 8 original flavor and 2 BBQ pineapple cakes), and is available for pre-order from now until September 30 with a limited run of 3,000 boxes. Pre-order price is NT$699.
The Evergreen Phoenix Hotel (Jiaoxi) will hold its first-ever “Phoenix Cup Paper Airplane Competition” on Mid-Autumn Festival (October 4). The event will offer 200 VIP guests free entry to compete on-site, with the champion taking home a cash prize of NT$10,000. The activity uses the symbolism of flying far and flying long to showcase the autumn scenery of Jiaoxi.
Vietjet will host Mid-Autumn celebration events in Tainan on September 23 and in Kaohsiung on September 24. From now until September 24 and again from September 28 to October 1 between 1 PM and 3 PM daily, the airline is offering 55,000 round-trip flights between Taiwan and Vietnam starting at 0 TWD (excluding taxes and fees).
Although Chinese tourists are no longer coming, Taiwan’s hotels continue to open one after another. Recently, five new or trial-operating hotels have launched in the Greater Taipei area. Among them, the Caesar Metro Taipei in Wanhua District, Taipei City, and the Caesar Park Banqiao in Banqiao both belong to the Caesar Hotel chain. Additionally, the first Asia-Pacific location of citizenM, an international hotel chain from Amsterdam, has chosen a site near Taipei’s North Gate.
CAPTAIN LOBSTER Lobster Burgers will pop up in Tainan and Kaohsiung in October. The first stop is Kaohsiung Hanshin Department Store B1 on October 5. For the first three days after opening, enjoy Buy 1 Get 1 Free on lobster burgers, plus a NT$100 voucher for purchases over NT$600. Additionally, CAPTAIN LOBSTER’s brand anniversary celebration kicks off on October 5. From October 5 to 7, the Taipei Shin Kong Mitsukoshi A11 and Shin Kong Nanxi pop-up stores will also offer a Buy 1 Get 1 Free deal on the Canadian Lobster Burger (L). The Buy 1 Get 1 Free promotion is limited to 50 portions per day, with a one-per-person limit.
After 14 years, Japanese wagyu has finally made its return to Taiwanese foodies. The Regent Taipei was the first to start selling it, with other Taipei hotels also announcing its upcoming availability. But beyond Taipei, friends in the south can also enjoy Japanese wagyu. Currently, Hanshin Hotel’s three restaurants on the 45th floor (teppanyaki, steakhouse, and lobster lounge) began offering premium Japanese wagyu sets on October 2, while Kaohsiung-based yakiniku restaurant Carbonza Mari’s three locations in Kaohsiung and Tainan have also started serving A5 wagyu.
Many people traveling to Thailand love to buy all kinds of medicine, from topical and oral remedies to energy-boosting and brain-stimulating products, which are very popular among Asians. However, aside from the commonly seen medicines online, there is also a hidden herbal shop tucked away in the alleys of Bangkok that is well-known among locals and foreign visitors. For nearly a century, this shop has used the most traditional formulas to develop massage oils, nasal decongestants, and motion sickness relief using natural herbs. Its vintage, hipster-style packaging has also become an alternative choice for souvenirs.
After a 14-year wait, Taiwan can finally enjoy Japanese wagyu. Crystal Plaza is the first to start selling Miyazaki beef, which has won the "Japanese Wagyu Competition" for beef cattle champions for three consecutive years, on October 1. The hotel has selected six premium cuts — ribeye, sirloin, chuck flap, brisket, outside flat, and rump — and is offering a total of 12 wagyu dishes across its restaurants: Sanfan Honke, Robin’s Steakhouse & Teppanyaki, azie on the first floor, Crystal Pavilion on the third floor, and Lanting at the 21st-floor Crystal International Club. Prices range from NT$1,380 to NT$4,800.
As Dacheng Group celebrates its 60th anniversary, the company, dedicated to the vertical integration of agriculture and livestock food, has expanded its business across poultry, livestock, aquatic products, and actively invested in food safety management and consumer food development. To give back to consumers, a variety of promotions have been launched for Dacheng Group’s product lines, including six F&B brands such as Shengbo Hall and Yandaocheng.
Taipei W Hotel has invited Chef Kazushi Iwane from “Mai” at The Westin Tokyo to guest chef at the kitchen table Western restaurant. From October 3 to October 15, limited-time dishes will be available. Chef Iwane makes extensive use of local Taiwanese ingredients such as sakura shrimp, Taiwanese black pork, and Taitung honey oolong tea to create a variety of delicacies on the buffet. Additionally, together with American Executive Chef Josh from Taipei W Hotel, he presents a range of signature BBQ dishes that blend American and Japanese grilling cultures at the outdoor rooftop grill at the kitchen table.
When visiting Thailand, aside from shopping and experiencing the wild nightlife, you absolutely must try the local street food. Spicy and sour rice noodle soup, green papaya salad, and mango sticky rice are common street delicacies across the country. But there’s one unique sweet treat called “Rodee sai mai” that you can’t find just anywhere—it’s a specialty of the centuries-old heritage site of Ayutthaya.