Japanese
Had, Los Angeles
Curry lunch at Had the Wagyu stone bowl and the tonkatsu pork curry. The combo gave us miso soup and fries and cucumber salad. Yummy. Ate too much . . .
May 2024
23 posts
Chinese
張家清真黃牛肉麵館 Chang's Halal beef Noodles, Taipei
Some good ass noodles. Hearty chicken broth that was over the top rich and not too savory. The chicken which was in the form of meat balls, slices, and thigh chunks made up this unique ramen. Unexpectedly yummy. No wonder there was a line waiting outside in the humid sun. . . .
Uncategorized
Miniature Museum Of Taiwan (袖珍博物館 Miniature Museum Of Taiwan), Taipei
Random photos of my Taiwan trip. Lots of first for me even though I’ve been here many times. Lots of lasting memories of my past. Saw my grandparents home in Tainan. My old apartment in Taipei. My old apartment in Shanghai, too. The Apple Store and Xiaomi store in the xinyi district. Lots of trains and stations. I hope to return again sooner than this last time of 10 years. Last of all, it was great to see old friends and to make new memories with them. . . .
Uncategorized
Museum as Retail Space, Los Angeles
There is a park in honor of a Chinese general named Zheng Chenggong, Prince of Yanping - 鄭成功. He is of significance to me and family personally since our family immigrated from China with him back in the 1640’s or so. This time when I visited my relatives in Hualien, my cousin mentioned that she had our family tree. I’d like to take a look and see our history. So, this statue is the largest statue in China depicting historical figure. It was built on a natural forming stone structure in the bay of Xiamen. Very interesting to visit and see. Glad I went. . . .
Chinese
Snacking on Piano Island, Gulangyu
I had a cool interaction with the chef of the little restaurant. I was going to buy a small bottle of gaoliang and I asked him to drink with me if I got it, for only 40 RMB. He looked tempted but he politely declined. Later we shared a cigarette and chatted about how his boss won’t then drink on the job and how he is friendly with everyone including foreigners, like me. I do get stares since I am a bit taller and bigger than most locals, especially now with a shaved head. But once you get a chance to chat with local purveyors everyone seems friendly. . . .
Chinese
小埕戏, Xiamen
小埕戏 is one of the best design restaurants that I have ever been to. Amazing views, excellent blend of modern and traditional Chinese dining furnishings, and indoor, yet outdoor feel with a retractable roof. Fully impressed by this restaurant, and I’ve been to a lot of eateries. The food was traditional Xiamenese food featuring duck, fish, and vegetables, which reminded me of Taiwanese cooking. My ex coworkers also said the restrooms and the views were also impressive. The private rooms also feature great views. And lastly check out that cabinet full of Mao Tai!! . . .
Taiwanese
Shin Yeh Taiwanese Cuisine (欣葉), Taipei
Northern Chinese Cuisine tonight on a rainy day. This famous restaurant has been around since the 1940’s and hosted dinners with dignitaries, like George H. W. Bush. They have the traditional cauldron smoke stack hot pot for beef or lamb. They have the sliced pork with baked sesame bread, and they also have their famous dry noodles. I enjoyed their pickled cabbage and pork soup. Great place to first visited about 15 years ago. . . .
Taiwanese
Beef Noodles Soup with a spicy broth or a clear broth,...
Beef Noodles Soup with a spicy broth or a clear broth. The spicy brother is the Taiwanese style that most people in Taiwan are familiar with. But the clear broth, which is quite flavorful too, is a Chinese style found more in mid- western China. The thin pancake with beef is certain a western Chinese dish. I enjoyed everything here and wondered why I didn’t visit before when I lived here. . . .
Chinese
Cantonese Cuisine and Dimsum, Taipei
Cantonese cuisine tonight. Lobster, fish, clay pot rice, and more. And yet another bottle of Kaoliang. I think this was the third night this week I had Kaoliang. Harsh after the first shot, but taste like water after the fourth one. People say it’s like tequila this way. They also say you shouldn’t get a hangover with this stuff. But I don’t want to test it out. . . .
Taiwanese
Legacy Taipei, Taipei
Goose lunch in Taipei. Popular lunch spot with a long queue. Steamed stinky tofu, Taiwanese sausage with mushroom, rice noodles, and of course roast goose. 阿城鵝肉 . . . restaurant
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Legacy Taipei, Taipei
Taipei DangDai art & ideas. Got to check out the Taipei art show. Taiwanese artist with artists from around the world including Japan, Europe and Africa. Galleries were also from around the world, too. I enjoy and appreciate art. Wish I had more time to really study and understand contemporary artists and their inspirations. I hope to find artists and their works that really connect with me. For me, design is important, but I feel the story behind the works might be even more significant to me. . . .
Japanese
Yakitori Joint, Taipei
This was my friend favorite yakitori joint in Taipei. Low key and good environment with good food. Just the right price that young kids wouldn’t go to, so it had the right crowd. Outstanding service. . . .
Taiwanese
Old Favorite Restaurant, Taipei
Lunch at an old favorite with an old friend. I usually go here at least once every time I’m in Taipei. I realize I should have stopped by the one in Tainan - my mistake. My friend and I walked here from their tea shop through the underground shopping mall - Zhongshan Metro Mall. I used to live across the street from the Ming Yao mall in the 90’s. And also lived on Yanji street, about a 5 min walk away. I have always enjoyed the East District 東區. I would also bring family and friends here, too. . . .
Taiwanese
小器食堂 Xiaoqi +k, Taipei
Taiwanese cuisine at 巷子口食堂. Traditional dishes that you won’t find at night markets or on the street. Pork and seafood dishes done well. We almost polished off a bottle of Kaoliang,Taiwanese white wine. It was a great night to catch up with old classmates, from our USC MBA program. . . .
Cocktails
Legacy Taipei, Taipei
Good whiskys and whiskeys at the Malt in Taipei. Nice little bar tucked away off a small street in Taipei. They have a great selection of whiskeys and bourbons. They even had Pappys. I should have gotten more pics but I was feeling under the weather. . . .
BBQ
Had barbecue with my relatives at one of the most...
Had barbecue with my relatives at one of the most popular American Barbecue restaurants in Taipei. As a visitor to Taipei, I don’t look for western fare while overseas. But my friends know that I am a
Japanese
Mitsui Japanese Cuisine (三井日式料理), Taipei
Japanese food in Taiwan, is arguably the best outside of Japan. I doubt anywhere else has the diversity, quality of fish, and abundance of great Japanese restaurants than Taiwan. This neighborhood Japanese restaurant does not disappointment, located in the east district 東區 of Taipei 大和 is a favorite of an old friend that I’ve known for over 49 year, our moms went to college together. It was great to catch up with him and his family and of course his mom. . . .
American
Legacy Taipei, Taipei
Costco in Taipei. Had to check it out. I had some free time and my buddy was going - so I decided to check it out - on a Saturday afternoon, the busiest day of the week. Yeah, I know I’m crazy. But what the hell. Anyways. The $5 chicken there but slightly higher priced. But they also had some other good deals for hot foods - like pork knuckle. Their hot dog and soda deal was there too. They said their hot dogs came from the US. . . . .taiwan
Taiwanese
Taichung Night Market, Taichung
Taichung Night Market. Lots of yummy things to eat. Lots of people, families, and kids. It has been a long time since I have been to a Taiwanese night market. Enjoyed it but I don’t think I could stay too long. It was a warm night. Plus some of the things were a bit questionable even though they smelled good. . . .
Uncategorized
Hayashi Department Store, Tainan
Tainan oldest department store 林百貨 also known as Hayashi. Lots of interesting items from local purveyors. 5 floors of clothing, housewares, and trinkets. The rooftop had a couple of eateries to go along with the great views. The building interior and exterior looks great and well preserved. . . .
Taiwanese
Unknown Venue, Hualien
Beef Noodle Soup, dumplings, and tofu + thousand year old egg with my cousin in Hualien. This is one of favorites growing up in Hualien. The beef noodle soup has a nice hearty but not overpowering broth. The noodles have a nice “Q” or bouncy texture. The beef chunks were tender but somehow a little dry. Overall I dig it. . . .🍜 🇹🇼
Chinese
Local Dumpling Joint
Local dumpling joint not far from where I am staying. Steamed dumplings with both puffy bread-like skin and thin skinned dumplings. I prefer the thin skinned ones. They more on the menu that I want to try. . . . 🇹🇼
Uncategorized
Taroko National Park entrance
Taroko National Park entrance. Due to the recent earthquake, the park is shut down for at least 6 months. This iconic park brings back memories when I was kid visiting with my family, then later on with the Taiwanese Study Tour (Love Boat). My cousin’s wife has a little shop midway up to the final stone temple. Now she is forced to close and her employees are now without work. Hualien’s local economy was already suffering. Now with this earthquake - I was told the government wasn’t or hasn’t provided any financial assistance to the community. With the lack of tourist from China, the no go decision to extend the HSR to Hualien, and now this earthquake- Hulalien will be looking at some lean times. I feel for my relatives and community that I adore. . . .