Day 5 of our travel itinerary in Taipei was a free-and-easy day! We started the day searching for breakfast and was using Google map to scout the vicinity of Caesar Metro Taipei when we stumbled upon this…
爱吃不吃早餐屋? Love breakfast but don’t eat breakfast house? This name does sound interesting. Also, they have a good rating on Google reviews and there’s soy milk on their menu. Hence, we decided to drop by and were pretty happy with this decision…
Breakfast at 爱吃不吃早餐屋
爱吃不吃早餐屋 (Ai Chi Bu Chi Zao Can Wu）is managed by a young couple and by the looks of it, the couple seemed to be having a tiff when we arrived. The young lady was a little short-tempered when we were about to order – probably because we came at a very bad time. Nonetheless, we bravely ordered the following items…
This time, we ordered Soy Milk (20NT), Pork Floss Taiwanese Egg Pancake (40NT), Ham and Egg Toast (40 NT) and Turnip Raddish Cake (30 NT) from 爱吃不吃早餐屋 Taipei Breakfast Shop. Upon ordering, it took another 10 minutes for all our orders to arrive at our table. But it was worth the wait as each order was prepared a la minute. Our favourite of the lot was probably the Pork Floss Taiwanese Egg Pancake, with the Turnip/Raddish Cake coming in a close second. The Taiwanese Egg Pancake (with Pork Floss) was just the way we like it – aromatic, slightly chewy with the fragrance of spring onions and pork floss. The Turnip/Raddish Cake (or known as carrot cake in Singapore) was lightly crisp on the outside and had a firm texture. Enjoyed this rendition which is pretty close in taste to what you get in Chinese restaurants just that it is served piping hot with a nice crisp texture on each bite. Yum!
@2bearbeartravel 爱吃不吃早餐屋 was where we had breakfast this morning. The direct translation is «Love Eat Don’t Eat Breakfast Joint» (Ai Chi Bu Chi Zao Can Wu). This time we had soy bean milk, coffee, carrot cake, ham and egg sandwich and cheese pancake. Our favourite was the carrot cake which was crisp on the outside and tasty within. The catch is that you have to have it there. If you have it to go, the texture won’t be the same… For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #breakfast #taipei #taiwan #carrotcake #food #foodie #sgfoodie #singaporefoodblogger #travel #爱吃不吃早餐屋 #traveltheworld #foodtok #foodtiktok #traveler #traveling #traveltiktok #traveltok ♬ original sound – ᴍʟʙʙᴅᴏɢsʜᴏᴡ𖠌 ☑ – MLBB Songs 🇵🇭🎼
Shopping and Dining at Taipei Main Station
Satisfied, we took the metro with our family from Longshan Temple metro station to Taipei Main Station. Thanks to the introduction by Cousin S, we found out that there were many restaurants located at level 2 of the building!
There were also 2 food courts at level 2 of Taipei Main Station Building. One for international options such as Japanese and Western cuisine while the other is a local food court that served up local delights. As we were still early, we dispersed to shop at level 1 with many souvenir shops that sells Taiwanese snacks (伴手礼). We then arranged to meet back at 11am for lunch at the local food court.
During the “shopping time”, Dad and I walked and tried several snacks at level 1 including St. Paul’s Q Biscuit, Yam-filled bun and honey/chrysanthemum tea. Turns out that all the shops here accepted credit card and were probably catering to travelers who would transit here at Taipei Main Station and buy souvenirs/snacks for their loved ones back home. The snacks that we tried were actually very delicious. The different renditions of the “St Paul’s Q Biscuit” (sold at many outlets here) had mochi, pork floss and crispy outer layer which made it very delectable and a great snack to bring back.
To be honest, the food quality was not as good after having tried excellent street food from Huaxi Street Night Market, Raohe Street Night Market and Luo Dong Night Market. Nonetheless, we still enjoyed the beef noodles which had tender beef and portion that was relatively generous at 200 NT. The spicy sour soup on the other hand was found wanting – though the dumplings were not too bad with the crunch and taste of the cabbage (高丽菜) within.
@2bearbeartravel The main building at Taipei Main Station has souvenir shopping opportunities at level 1 where you can buy the different kinds of snacks (aka 伴手礼). At level 2, there alot of dining options including restaurants as well as 2 food courts. One for local Taiwanese food and the other for more Japanese/International option. For more details, visit 2bearbear.com #taipeimainstation #taipei #taiwan #travel #2bearbear #train #traveltheworld #travelblog #travelblogger #traveler #traveling #travellife #travelvibes ♬ 做自己的光，不需要太亮 – Dj九零版 – 善宇
Shopping and Dining at Ximending Taipei
From Taipei Main Station, we took a 15 minutes walk to Ximending. Along the way, we passed by NET Fashion Taiwan which touts itself to be fashionable, trendy yet affordable. Kate also spotted the promotion which offers 60% off if you buy 5 items or more. Yup, consumerism and before Tom knew it, she was off! As it was the changing of seasons to winter, this sale was perfect for us as the summer clothings were on sale.
@2bearbeartravel Great day out at Ximending, shopping at NET Taiwan, chilling at 坐坐吧, trying out Ah Zong Mian Xian and having one of the best hotpot at 无老锅! For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #travel #ximending #西门町 #taiwan #taipei #travel #traveltheworld #travellife #traveltiktok #traveltok #2bearbear ♬ Just Saying – Alina Eremia
Ay Chung Vermicelli
After the shopping spree, Tom wanted to try out Ah Zong vermicelli – one of the most famous oyster orh ah mee sua in Taipei. However, having tried Chen Ji Oyster Mee Sua yesterday, Tom knew that it would be pretty difficult for Ah Zong to top that…
The prices at Ay Chung Vermicelli were 65NT for the small and 80NT for the big one. Unlike Chen Ji, there isn’t a choice for mixed, oysters only or intestines only. In fact, Ay Chung doesn’t serve oysters and have only intestines! This means that Ay Chung’s vermicelli, technically, cannot be called oyster mee sua. Moreover, the intestines were not as tender as compared to Chen Ji’s plump and tender intestines as well as succulent oysters. The only thing that we’d say, made a difference in taste, was the fact that bonito flakes were used at Ay Chung. A good hack to add a difference dimension to the vermicelli. But…we don’t think it competes with Chen Ji Oyster Mee Sua at all. Overall, we’d definitely go with Chen Ji Oyster Mee Sua as compared to Ay Chung Vermicelli.
@2bearbeartravel After trying out Ah Zong Mian Xian at Ximending, we have now confirmed that Chen Ji is probably the best vermicelli in Taipei. There a few reasons. Firstly, in terms of ingredients, Chen Ji has more and more delicious intestines. Secondly, Chen Ji has oysters while Ah Zong does not. Thirdly, comparing intestine to intestine, Chen Ji wins hands down with its well prepared version, tastier and fattier. There’s one saving grace for Ah Zong which is that their rendition has shaved bonito which adds a slightly different dimension. Overall, we’ll still go for Chen Ji everytime. For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #food #foodie #meesua #ahzongmianxian #mianxian #面线 #阿宗面线 #vermicelli #sgfoodie #foodtok #foodtiktok #travel #taiwan #taipei #2bearbear ♬ nhạc nền – KO
坐坐吧 Ximending The Red House
We then walked towards the general direction of where we’d be having 无老锅 at the Zhonghua outlet. Along the way, we bought some sweets and vitamins at Watsons before heading to the Red House (西门红楼) to chill at 坐坐吧 – a cafe located close to the entrance of The Red House in Ximending Taipei…
Inside, there were lower seats that resembled director seats and tables on the side as well as bar height tables and chairs. Thankfully there was still a bar table available with views by the window when we arrived. We ordered the Traditional Taiwanese Flavoured Coffee Latte (Fried Flour & Brown Sugar – 150NT) and Matcha Coffee Latte (150 NT). Kate said that the Traditional Taiwanese Flavoured Coffee tasted like a dessert, just like the 黑糖麻花卷 (Brown Sugar Twist Roll)! The Matcha Coffee Latte on the other hand was frothy with the cream and rich on the matcha, yet smooth on the texture. Really well prepared gourmet coffees here at 坐坐吧 (Zuo Zuo Ba Ximending).
*坐坐吧 is actually also a word play which can mean “Sit Sit Bar” or “come take a seat”. Cool name!
@2bearbeartravel Had the matcha coffee latte and traditional flavoured Taiwanese latte. Both were pretty good, especially the latter which tasted like 麻花卷. The other thing that impressed us was the presentation. The drinks are served in beakers with stirrers using mirrors that dentists use! For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #coffee #latte #matchalatte #zuozuoba #坐坐吧 #ximending #taiwan #taipei #travel #traveltheworld #traveltok #traveltiktok #2bearbear ♬ original sound – ➳ℒ𝒽ℯ𝓈𝓉ℯ𝓇
Dinner at Wu Lao Guo (无老锅) Zhonghua Outlet Taipei
Soon, it was time to finally try out Wu Lao Guo (无老锅), one of the best and most popular hotpot in Taiwan! The name Wu Lao, literally means “no aging” and Guo means “pot” – which loosely translates to the “anti-aging hotpot”. We have also read online that the they provide free-flow tofu and duck’s blood together with unlimited servings of its amazing broth – boiled with chicken bones, pork bones, onions, green onions, ginger, and garlic; along with some Chinese medicinal spices…
Another excellent recommendation by Cousin S and Cousin M again. We must say that after trying out Wu Lao Guo (无老锅), it is probably the best hotpot we’ve had – definitely trumps Haidilao. The reasons are because
1. Rich and Flavourful Broth. The Layer Tofu Hotpot (面包豆腐白汤锅) was so rich and flavourful! It was slightly salty but you can also add the lighter broth (yup, they have both thick and light broths!) to balance the taste if you want. But for our cousins table, it was rich, thick soup all the way! 😚 The broth also has some uniqueness to it. Not only does it have the deep aromas from hours of boiling of the chicken and pig bones, there’s also a layered flavour to it, which we suspect might has something to do with the herbs.
2. Free Flow of Tofu. There’s free flow of tofu skin! You have to immerse it into the broth to absorb the flavours but somehow the tofu skin came out a little herbly which tastes super healthy, knowing that tofu skin is loaded with protein and mild taste of the herbs.
3. Free Flow of Palette Cleanser. The last time that we had palette cleansers was at a fine dining restaurant known as T.U.N.G Dining in Hanoi. The version here at Wu Lao Guo had the peach tastes which Kate loves. A little sweet but Kate had 2nds and 3rds – excellent as a dessert towards the end.
4. Free Flow of Rice. Yup, the most delicious Taiwan Pearl Rice (台湾珍珠米) that goes so well with the broth, is free-flow, ensuring that you will never leave Wu Lao Guo hungry! 🤤
5. Unique Sauce. You can also pick and choose your own condiments at the condiments station. Here, we noticed that the soy sauce was very unique. Probably had some infusing with other ingredients which rendered a sweet and not so salty soy sauce which was so very enticing!
6. Excellent Service. While we always think that Haidilao has one of the best service for hotpot, Wu Lao Guo does as well. Our 3 rounds of free-flow tofu skin was topped up promptly and even after we’re full, the staff came and asked if we wanted more. The duck’s blood on the other was removed on our request and not brought to our attention again. As with HDL, the prawn paste was placed into the soup with expert skill by the Wu Lao Guo staff.
Overall, the ingredients, soup and sauces were excellent. Slightly cheaper than HDL if you convert to SGD and you’d be so full when you leave. Definitely a must-visit in Taipei if you’re a hotpot lover! Once you’ve tasted Wu Lao Guo, you might also have the feeling that HDL is so passe. Great recommendations by the Cousins!
@2bearbeartravel 无老锅 is so good! Having tried many hotpots before, including that in Chengdu, Szechuan, we think that the hotpot at Wu Lao Guo is probably one of the best, if not the best we’ve tried and here’s why 1. The soup is really unique. It is not only flavourful, tasty and does not cause thirst as an after-effect, it also has so much depth in its flavours. 2. The sauce, though simple, has its secret in the in-house soy sauce. Very addictive. 3. There’s a few items that are free flow – the ultra rich broth, sauce – including the super secret soy sauce, tofu skin (our favourite), rice (super tasty) and the palette cleanser that removes the jerlat feeling (in peach flavour)! For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #food #foodie #sgfoodie #foodtok #foodtiktok #foodstagram #taiwan #taipei #besthotpot #hotpot #无老锅 #火锅 #wulaoguo #huoguo #yummy #delicious #2bearbear ♬ original sound – ꧁𒈞𒆜Ⓡ𒆜𒈞꧂
Cousins Night Out at Speakeasy Bar Hanko 60 in Taipei
After a satisfying dinner at 无老锅 (Wu Lao Guo), the cousins decided to head out to Hanko 60 to try out some excellent tasting cocktails according to S…
Our last experience of a speakeasy bar was at PS 150 in Kuala Lumpur, which was expertly concealed with a traditional toy store as its shop front. At Hanko 60 (如醉如夢) in Taipei, its entrance was made to resembled that of an old cinema – complete with Bruce Lee’s hand-drawn movie poster at its entrance. Inside, the atmosphere was relaxed and as you can see, has dimmed lightings.
As there were some minimum spendings here, we decided to go with signature cocktails at Hanko 60 including:
1. 红楼梦 (Hong Lo Meng – Dream of the Red Chamber)
2. Clash
3. The Beach
4. Casablanca
5. Gone With The Wind (Pomelo)
6. 大侠喝的酒 (Hero’s Drink)
7. 如醉如梦 (Drunken Dream)
From some of the names, you’d notice that there’s a movie-themed cocktail going on which matches that cinema/movie poster decor that you would have encountered on the way in. We loved the way the drinks were presented. For instance,
红楼梦 (Hong Lo Meng – Dream of the Red Chamber) was presented in a traditional tea cup with red beans on the side. Bailey-based cocktail that resembled a dessert for us. 大侠喝的酒 (Hero’s Drink) was also unique in that it was presented in an Chinese wine flask that you’d see in martial arts movies.
In terms of taste, we also learnt about “balance” from S.
For instance, Hero’s drink had a really good balance with the teas because as you sip this drink, you really can’t tell that you’re having a cocktail! The teas and alcoholic content had essentially “balanced” and merged to present a deceptively delicious drink. Similarly to Gone with the Wind (Pomelo). Another easy to drink cocktail which had great balance with the tropical fruit. In summary, in the words of S, “very dangerous”!
@2bearbeartravel Fantastic Cocktails we had at Hanko 60 in Taipei. Dream of Red Chamber (Bailey’s Based) is a great dessert drink while Hero’s Drink and Gone with the Wind are probably the «most dangerous» because they are the most balanced and easiest to drink – so tasty! For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #cocktail #cocktails #speakeasy #taiwan #taipei #alcohol #tasty #yummy #delicious #food #foodie #sgfoodie #shiok #travel #foodblog #foodblogger #traveltheworld #foodtok #foodtiktok #traveltiktok #traveltok ♬ original sound – 👉 Yade 0935 👈 – 👮 S.M.I.L.E.👮0️⃣9️⃣2️⃣7️⃣
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@2bearbeartravel Taiwan Trip Day 5 Highlights included shopping and dining at Taipei Main Station, shopping at Ximending, trying out Ah Zong Mian Xian, chilling at Zuo Zuo Ba, dinner at Wu Lao Guo and post-dinner drinks at Hanko 60! For more details, visit 2bearbear.com today! #travel #trip #highlight #highlights #traveltiktok #travellife #traveltok #taiwan #taipei #2bearbear ♬ I Just Died(Alpha Party Remix) – DJ Wout
During our time at Hanko 60, we also had very good conversations, catching up with each other and learning more about the family. Great night out at Ximending! The only unfortunate thing for Kate was that she had a couple of mosquito bites while seated INSIDE HANKO 60! The impending Typhoon Kong-Rey could have forced more mosquitoes indoors as the winds and rains came closer to Taipei…
Stay tuned for Day 6 as we continued to Bei Tou to hunker down for the day as Typhoon Kong-Rey swept through Taiwan!
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