Chef's Table at Giverny‘s Kitchen. Taichung 吉凡尼的私房小廚

During our visit to Taichung (Taiwan), I was a little surprised that our first stop wasn't any traditional Chinese restaurant as I had expected but a chef's table, featuring modern French cuisine at that. It turned out to be a great experience - life is full of unexpected delights like that 😄

Shianyuan Seafood in Taichung 仙园海鲜会馆

Before we left Taichung for Taipei, we swung by at 仙园海鲜会馆, another famous seafood restaurant in seafood rich Taiwan island.

Dan Tzyy Mian. Ta'an Mee. A Top Seafood Restaurant in Taichung 華美街台中擔仔麵餐廳

The name Dan Tzyy Mian 台中擔仔麵餐廳 or Taichung Shoulder Pole Noodle Restaurant is a misnomer, a huge understatement as this is one of the top seafood restaurants in Taichung, if not Taiwan.

Qin Yuan Chun Shanghai Restaurant in Taichung 沁園春 +886 4 2220 0735

Qin Yuan Chun Shanghai restaurant 沁園春 | No. 129, Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400 ☏ +886 4 2220 0735 ⏰ Lunch 11:00am – 2:00pm | Dinner 5:00pm – 9:00pm (Monday closed)

Qin Yuan Chun 沁園春 is an old, famous, well loved Shanghai restaurant in Taichung, Taiwan. Its dishes are as Shanghai as any, if not more so than some Shanghainese restaurants across the straits on the mainland.

Why so?

Singfa.ting Traditional Taiwan Ice Desserts in Taichung 幸發亭蜜豆冰本舖

When you are in Taichung (Taiwan), do drop by Xin Fa Ting Honey Bean Shaved Ice 幸發亭蜜豆冰本舖 to rest your heels and enjoy traditional Taiwanese ice desserts at one of Taiwan's oldest ice dessert brands. 幸發亭蜜豆冰本舖 founded in 1938 is a family run business, now in the third generation.

High Five! 5 Top Restaurants to Try in Taipei

Taipei is a global megapolis offering diverse dining experiences from international to ultra local, from exclusive fine dining to gritty street food. No visitor to Taipei should leave without experiencing the night markets. After checking out the night markets, here are five recommended Taipei restaurants to sample the wide range of culinary experiences the city can offer.

These five restaurants were chosen for their delicious food, interesting stories, and their long history intertwined with the story of Taipei/ Taiwan. Needless to say, these 5 are just a minute sampling of numerous fine restaurants in Taipei.

觀世音素菜餐廳 Kuan Shih Yin Su Shih. Taiwan's Oldest Vegetarian Restaurant

On and off, I have a secret wish to go vegetarian for a more healthy lifestyle 😄 But, so far, it has only been a nice thought 😝 Anyway, when I saw on the Taipei itinerary that we were going to visit 觀世音素菜餐廳, one of the top vegetarian restaurants in Taiwan, I was very excited. It turned out to be a memorable experience with exquisitely delicious healthful vegetarian dishes.

Yin Yih Silver Wings Restaurant Taipei 銀翼餐廳

This dish used to be eaten to rancorous shouts of "Bomb Tokyo! Bomb Tokyo!". 

We were at Yin Yih 銀翼餐廳 or "Silver Wings" restaurant in Taipei which started life in 1928 as the dining hall serving pilots and officers at the Republic of China Airforce Academy in Nanjing.

Chiou Hwa Restaurant.Taipei 九華樓.華泰王子大飯店.台北

Chiou Hwa Restaurant 九華樓 at Gloria Prince Hotel 華泰王子大飯店 is one of the go to places in Taipei for Peking Duck and Cantonese cuisine 粵菜.

Chen Family Restaurant. Taipei 成家小館.木柵店.台北

The Chen Family Restaurant 成家小館 is a humble little eatery in Taipei that serves a good Manchurian style "sour hotpot" and an extensive range of solidly executed traditional dishes.

Kanpai Yakiniku. Founding Shop. Taipei 乾杯本店.台北

We visited Kanpai Yakiniku in Taipei and had a really great time. The beef and pork are top notch, service is excellent, the decor is cosy and the crowd here is infectiously happy. It feels really good here - full of positive vibes. I wanna be back 😄

Taichung Fengjia Night Market & 溪小蝦創始店.逢甲夜市

Almost everyone who has been to Taiwan will fall in love with the night markets here. It is so full of life and youthful energy. There are hundreds of stalls, many owned and run by enthusiastic young hawkers. Night markets are where many successful F & B entrepreneurs in Taiwan cut their teeth.