Hidden Gem Restaurant at NTU – Taifengwei’s Mildly Spicy “Golden Triangle Rice” Is a Hit

▲ Have you tried the rarely seen “Golden Triangle Rice” in Taiwan? (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)

Reported by Reporter Chen Ziying / Taipei

Nestled in the alleys of Taipei’s Gongguan shopping district, there is a Thai restaurant known only to NTU students as a “hidden gem.” Not only are the prices affordable, but the flavors are also authentic. During meal times, the place is always packed with students who love Thai food but want to save money, even attracting Italian students who “follow the aroma.”

This Thai restaurant, named “Taifengwei,” has been in business for over a decade. The owner is a Thai overseas Chinese, and the proprietress is a Burmese overseas Chinese. It is this combination that has created such an affordable yet delicious eatery. The shop explains that what they serve is actually a diverse range of traditional Vietnamese, Thai, and Burmese cuisine, most of which is handmade, including the sauces, which are all custom-mixed. This allows the spiciness to be tailored to customer preferences, and none of the food contains preservatives — it’s all natural. The spices are also self-blended and ground, with ingredients imported from Thailand. The shop explains: “Because of the growing environment, Thai spices are more fragrant than those in Taiwan, so we choose Thai spices.”

 
▲ Can Thai food be complete without shrimp chips? These handmade shrimp chips have a particularly firm texture; the stir-fried shrimp paste water spinach has just the right amount of saltiness. (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)


▲ The green curry chicken rice comes generously portioned with both chicken and eggplant, offering a rich and aromatic taste in every bite. (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)

The most popular dish in the shop is this rarely seen “Golden Triangle Rice” in Taiwan. With its rich shrimp paste flavor, the Golden Triangle Rice is made by pounding pork with tomatoes, onions, and various spices. The thick sauce paired with a mildly spicy kick goes perfectly with rice and is a must-order dish for many students.

The preparation of the moon shrimp cakes follows traditional Thai methods, handmade for a more satisfying bite. Also, the green curry chicken rice not only comes with plenty of eggplant slices but also generous portions of chicken. The owner laughs and says: “Because there are so many students here, we hope they all leave full!”

Whether it's spicy stir-fried morning glory or crispy fried chicken cutlet, all the side dishes are freshly prepared on-site (Photo / Reporter Chen Mingren)
Want to watch food videos? Not sure what to eat when you're hungry? Check out ETtoday Travel Cloud’s newly launched platform.<<<午餐食客>>>

【Shop Information】
Taifengwei
Address: No. 7-1, Lane 1, Alley 78, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Taipei City
Phone: (02) 2364-5766
Business Hours: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM (Open year-round; the shop emphasizes that they are open even on typhoon days!)
Pricing: Dishes range from NT$70 to NT$120, Thai milk tea is NT$35 per cup, and desserts range from NT$40 to NT$50.
 % Please note the strong spiciness level

Show detailed map