First Girls' Trip to Taipei

I have never been to overseas trip with friends except for Co. retreat. All this while are always with families. This is the first time we could all travel together since we were no longer working in the same Co. My colleagues are like my second family, we work, we play, we fight. We spent all our youth working together, so it was like growing up together and seeing each other from 20s turning to 30s. From getting married to giving birth, such a wonderful bond between us.

We tried staying at Min Shu (apartment) instead of hotel, and the location at Zhong Xiao Fu Xing train station is quite convenient. Sogo Shopping is just next to it which is a 10 minutes walk from our apartment. The building is very old and run down, but the rooms are designed just like usual hotels. It is such a huge difference, so it is true that we do not judge a book by its cover.

Do visit my Taiwan's trip in 2010 & 2015.

Our lunch was supposed to be at the best "lu rou fan" in Xi Men Ding according to Yu Peng. But, we were so "lucky"since they closed on that day. So, we tried their next door neighbour 365, and I thought the rice was quite delicious already. Their mee sua is way better than that overrated Ah Zhong's Mee Sua (only for tourists).

Went shopping at Jason's Market, Taipei 101. I literally drooled when I saw these side dishes in their supermarket. Why don't we have some Chinese foods in Singapore instead of Ang Mohs hams & cheese? There are mini trolleys for your children, I guess they will feel happier in helping you shopping for groceries.

Our first day's loots

Dinner at one of the steamboat restaurants in Xi Men Ding. You know what? For SGD 20+, your buffet steamboat comes with free flow of drinks, ice-creams, desserts, cakes, and most importantly - BEER. For those who drink, this is so cool!

Second day's lunch was at Sogo's Din Tai Fung http://www.dintaifung.com.tw/tw/default.htm. As we went when the shopping centre was just opened, the staffs would all greet and bow at us in 90 degrees. Well, Japanese culture (Sogo is a Japanese Mall just like Singapore's Takashimaya) is just great. 

Remember to try out strawberry pie from Kitsumuraya http://www.kitsumuraya.com on basement, so heavenly yummy. Located directly behind is Miss Dou Dou Pattiserie. They sell the best egg pudding I have tasted so far, theirs are not in glass bottles but in real egg shells. We bought three sets back to Singapore, note to eat within a week.

We headed to Shi Fen http://eng.taiwan.net.tw/m1.aspx?sNo=0002091&id=R11 as they are famous for releasing huge lanterns into the sky (Tian Deng or Kong Ming Deng). We dropped by Jing Teng and wrote our wishes on bamboos. As it was drizzling, we were stopped by a kind lady who was managing a booth. She gave us a plastic sheet to cover our baby's stroller. I felt so warmth by Taiwanese, they are the best people ever.

It was quite exciting when you released the lantern in the middle of railway track in Shi Fen. An officer is there to warn everyone when a train is coming. Luckily, there was a desserts shop selling bean curd, and ginger tea to warm ourselves. Shi Fen can be cold during rainy days especially when it is situated on mountain.

We stopped by Wu Fen Pu (wholesale market) http://www.wufenpu.com but they are mostly selling winter wears. I bought a thick one at SGD 10, it kept me warm throughout the trip. 

Not so smelly chou dou fu and hubby said their coffee was so good for a roadside stall

Last stop at Rao He Night Market (this is better than Shi Lin), and baby loves the mee sua.

Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang (Sausage wrapped glutinous rice)

While snapping our second day's loots, we enjoyed a bottle of huge yakult.

Nothing much on third day as we just went on shopping at Taipei 101 http://www.taipei-101.com.tw, Sogo http://taiwantraveler.org/?p=8907, and Xin Guang San Yue (just 10 minutes walk away from Taipei 101). 

Train token that looks like casino's chips

Taiwanese do give way to alighting passengers

Taipei 101

Diagonal pedestrians' crossing (Singapore should have this)

Lunch at food court

Dinner for the night at Tong Hua Night Market http://go2taiwan.net/monthly_selection.php?sqno=19 (recommended by taxi driver), and we were eating like gluttons trying out almost every local foods.

Coffin bread (Guan Cai Ban)

We bought supper from this stall next to 7-11 store opposite of our apartment. I'm simply in love with their packet green tea.

Third day's loots

Last day of shopping again at Xi Men Ding, and those shopping malls. Taipei is nothing but shopping only.

Last loots

We happened to pass by Hello Kitty Cafe https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hello-Kitty-Sweets/260853043946112 which is 5 minutes walk away from Zhong Xiao Fu Xing train station. You need to spend at least SGD 10 in order to eat there.

Our last lunch at Dosan Kanroku http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2012/07/21/2003538256 just directly opposite our apartment before going back to Singapore. Good service and yummylicious udon.