Anthony Bourdain's Shocking Suicide: He Once Said Taipei Was "Not Beautiful, But Hides Beauty!"

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Compiled Report

At the time, Bourdain secretly visited Taiwan to film an episode of the TLC travel lifestyle show *No Reservations*. The episode aired starting November 2, 2013, showcasing how to make the most out of layovers in 10 global cities including Taipei, Paris, and Toronto. When talking about Taipei, Bourdain said: “Taipei isn’t beautiful, but it hides beauty. It’s a city with depth, and I’d be happy to visit again anytime!” — a sentiment that has now become a poignant memory.

During his 48-hour layover in Taipei, Bourdain not only took a train to Keelung to enjoy clams but was also greatly impressed by the smooth and rich texture of fresh sea urchin. He praised it as a must-have dish for a date: “Order sea urchin for dinner, and if she loves it, you’re in for a wonderful night.”

Additionally, in Taipei, you must not miss the classic xiaolongbao. Bourdain was astonished that the delicate making of xiaolongbao could be consistently replicated across various branches without any loss in taste. He called it nothing short of science. A long-time lover of pork, Bourdain also visited the National Palace Museum and, upon seeing the intricately carved Meat-Shaped Stone, enthusiastically remarked: “This is the best tribute to pork — it’s my dream pork!” He even took the Meat-Shaped Stone souvenir home as a gift for his wife.

Bourdain’s love for night markets was so strong that he was willing to skip his five-star hotel stay. He said: “I think we should have stayed at a nearby hotel and eaten there for three days to do this night market justice!” To truly understand Taipei, you can’t just follow a travel guide. Bourdain tried shrimp fishing at Waishuangxi, a local favorite, and upon hearing that the shrimp were raised in sulfur hot spring water, he wrinkled his brow and asked: “So does that mean the shrimp taste like farts?”