Thanks for your patience everyone! These past few weeks I’ve been unmotivated to finish this. I am all for levity and balance but it felt sad thinking about a recent trip where things were so different…But we will get through this and can (re)live these moments then 🙂 so on wards!
If you’re looking for my food post on Taipei, you’re in the wrong place! This post is dedicated to the heartthrob that is Jiufen. A charming mountainside village in Northeast Taiwan, it is a popular destination for those looking to leave the hubbub of Taipei behind. Add in that Miyazaki was inspired by the streets of Old Jiufen Street in one of my and others’ favorite productions–Spirited Away–this town stays vibrant with touristy and local delights abound. Much like before, here’s a quick overview of some of my notable mentions:
Because this town is so cute, I had to add a little extra loving to the streets of this town, it’s truly a delight to get lost…as long as you’re okay with it again, being a mountainside, i.e there a lot of stairs and ascents/descents to get through. We weren’t fully prepared when we got there, so it was truly an event…Trekking via train, missing our stop, getting to the right stop to take a bus…it was an event. On the way back I discovered the less chaotic taxi to local town train station to main Taipei station. Someone warned us that the time for trains is the time that they leave not when they arrive–so if you see a train in the stop you expect your train to show up…and the time is soon…you need to get on! That’s your train! It may seem obvious to others…but in my recovering from a light cold state…it wasn’t clear. Oh bless charitable people.
Jiufen
Fried Fish Balls
This may not the highlight of anyone’s time in Taiwan…but call me sentimental. These were a snack I often enjoyed when I was younger. I was always fascinated because even though they were fish they just were squishy fried seafood bombs to me. (As a kid all fish was in it’s natural form, not this homogeneous ball so it was novel to me.) If you like food on a stick, feel nostalgic, or got so lost with luggage up and down the mountain that you just need a quick snack…this one’s for you.
Stinky Tofu
Did you really go to Taiwan if you didn’t try Stinky Tofu? True to it’s name, it does stink if you catch a whiff at the right windfall, but honestly…smells don’t usually bother me. Durian, fish sauce–just because it’s pungent doesn’t mean it’s not tasty. My friend and I eagerly dove into this and honestly I could eat this all day. Fresh out of the fryer, it comes with a refreshing pickled cabbage and optional spicy or sweet condiments. Fun fact: Stinky Tofu is stinky from soaking in a fermented soy bean brine, the tofu itself is fresh, firm, and just chilling until it’s time to cook.
Vinasse Taiwanese Meatballs
Any food I don’t recognize is often something I’m open to trying. Add in when they are these wondrous meatballs that are entrancingly cooked near the open air areas, where others prep the raw meatballs on the other side as you wait. Topped with cilantro post cook, these are a dreamy blend of fresh, juicy, and savory contrasting the bouncy dumpling with its hearty filling. I still dream of eating these again, especially since I don’t think I have the patience to tackle learning to make these at home.
Guava Juice
Oh my heart. Guava is a tropical treat that I dearly miss in my not-so-tropical current home. So when we stumbled upon this during a morning walk, I was ready to drink until I fell over. My friend never had this amazing fruit until then–agreed that every sip was a delight. Fruit was so fresh and uplifting, it put a spring in our steps. So if you ever venture to the other end of Jiufen Old Street…you’re in for a pleasant surprise. The owner opens quite early for the old street (I think most places aren’t open until 9 or 10), so if you find yourself ready to wander, they are a nice offset to Family Mart and 7-11 for a very local treat.
Tea Culture
Tea, a magical gift to the world, one that Taiwan is no stranger to. While in Taipei, we managed to stumble upon Taiwan’s first tea roaster; the employees were so shocked to find out we chanced upon there as it isn’t really in the most touristy portion of Taipei and it sounded like they mostly received local clientele but they highlighted Taiwanese tea culture and pride at its finest. I start off this way to say that if you like your tea with sugar and milk or with an English parlor nuance, you’re in for a culture shock.
While Bubble Milk Tea is whimsical and sweet, proper tea is meant to be savored with snacks and company at leisure. There are many local tea houses in Jiufen…and while I wanted to explore them all, with only a weekend there, we had to go to the one that inspired the Spirited Away bath house, Amei Tea House. The staff there are friendly and efficient, I overheard one seamlessly switch from Chinese to English to Japanese at a table nearby to ensure guests were able to fully enjoy their visit.
So Taiwan is done for now! There were many adventures in this gem of a country, but food still feels like the most appropriate way to celebrate the week there 🙂 Also call me a weirdo but tender moments with family and a dear friend in this case is something I want to be selfish and keep to myself 😛 Bali, Tokyo, or a recipe or two are to be expected in the near future as this may be a good motivator for me to experiment more on my recipes as we try to lighten the load pre-move.
–Stay Hungry XOXO