It is hard to know what 2021 will bring us, but it appears that travel will not be a big part of the agenda, at least in the first half of the year! As per tradition (Don Shapiro informs me this goes back to 2003), the Wine & Dine edition of TOPICS will help provide you with something delicious to do in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s dining environment has continued to become more vibrant and international over the last few years. It is by no means an easy market. Many restaurants only last a year or less, but those that survive often end up opening additional locations and sometimes change their offerings from location to location. Like any business, restaurants rely on a formula for success. Good food is not enough!

There are also a growing number of food suppliers for the do-it-yourself market. Large chains like Costco and Carrefour carry an abundance of specialty items, but increasingly there are smaller importers who bring in more niche products, such as mussels from Chile, foie gras from Quebec, and flour from San Francisco. One of the pleasures of Taiwan is discovering that secret supplier who has just what you need to create your fantasy dish. Cooking the dish is only half the adventure; the other half is locating those hard-to-get ingredients.

In any case, whether you are a foodie and love to try new dining experiences or a closet five-star chef, Taiwan’s food scene is certainly heading in the right direction. Bon appetite!