Taiwan is renowned for its delicious food. In addition to the island's own unique cuisine -- a myriad of fine foods and dining experiences -- most the world's favourite foodstuffs and beverages are available here.
Food in Taiwan
Taiwan has some amazing mouthwatering cuisine. It is also home to some of the strangest foods I have seen and I have traveled a fair bit... Hundred years eggs and stinky tofu are two names that jump to mind but beyond that there is snake blood soup and some other strange dishes that aren't for the faint of stomach.
You don't have to have no sense of smell or the courage of a paratrooper to eat in Taiwan. In fact, they pretty much have everything and the food is REALLY good.
A Taiwanese person wrote, "Taiwan is in sole possession of the local food, are all the rage the whole world, once after your experience the taste, will certainly the eternal life to be unforgettable."... Remember, you are going there to teach English. I had to include that quote. Although it says nothing intelligible about the food, you can tell that the person is quite passionate about what they are saying... maybe it means more in another language...
In short, food in Taiwan is great. You don't have to eat the strange things and there are lots of yummy easily identified food readily available.
Eating in Taiwan is a bit of a regional affair. Each county has its own specialty and eating out is the standard. It's actually often cheaper to eat out than to prepare something on your own.
Food to Try in Taiwan
Ever been in a restaurant and looked over at the table next to you and though... YUM... I want that. That happens to me ALL the time. You know what I do. I point and nod my head and say PLEASE. Then I ask what the name is and I write in down in my little notebook. When the food comes to me,if it's good, I give it a couple stars so I can remember what or how to order it in the future.
Here's a list of a couple of the staple yummies:
Fruit in Taiwan
When it comes to fruit, Taiwan is second to none in terms of variety and deliciousness and they know it. Fruit exports are among the greatest revenue sources in Taiwan. Taiwan offers a superb climate, geography and growing season for a great many fruits. From tropical heat in the south to sub-tropic temperatures in the low-lying areas to temperate-zones in the mountains, they have it all here.
Read more...
Chinese Food in Taiwan
Chinese food in Taiwan is great! The best of China has been imported here, some of it came over back in the 15th Century and age old tradition has led to fusion and savory dishes that you won't be able to get back home.
Juice in Taiwan
As one can imagine, when you have a countries literally ripe with fruit, the resulting fruit juices are going to be pretty choice. Taiwan has a great supply of wonderful fruit juices. A couple of my personal favorites are the sugar cane juice, plum juice, star fruit juice, and sherb juice.
For those of you who usually wake up to a coffee for your breakfast, surprise your taste buds and your senses and have a glass of fruit juice while you're waiting for the coffee to perk.
If your morning starts like mine, on the run, duck into a fresh juice shop and get a drink made for you on the spot. Cheap, delicious and healthy! I have a ritual now and the juice and a ready smile is waiting for me at the juicer around the corner from me.
Winter Foods - Eating for Survival?
When winter arrives in Taiwan people get serious about eating. As another cold front sweeps down across the island. Thousands of motorists and shoppers bundle up in heavy jackets, gloves, and ski-caps. Not too sure why... it really isn't that cold.
The soup restaurants are packed with customers. The empty night markets leave stall owners no choice but to close early. The temperatures on the island are still well above freezing, but Taiwan's moist air and lack of central heating make the weather seem deceptively colder. It is on days like this that many Chinese turn to steaming broths and stews specially prepared with Chinese herbs to warm the body and fend off colds.
