There’s a reason this southern city, where food is a quasi-religion, holds the title of “foodie capital of Taiwan.” STORY AND PHOTOS BY NEIL ARMSTRONG Few cities in the world are able to perfectly balance the old and the new. Preserving ancient architecture while striving for modernity with gleaming new buildings is tricky. An even…
Entrepreneur Krude Lin has in a decade gone from calling Taiwanese coffee “yucky” to being elected chairperson of the Coffee Industrial Alliance of Taiwan. What potential does he see in Taiwanese coffee? BY LI HSUN-TSAI, COMMONWEALTH MAGAZINE The first time Krude Lin sampled Taiwanese coffee was over a decade ago. “It was expensive and yucky,”…
A guide to the differences among the many dishes confusingly all referred to as “dumplings” in English and some practical advice on how to rate a dumpling restaurant. STORY & PHOTOS BY DINAH GARDNER Served in a bamboo basket or piled up on a plate, dumplings are a staple favorite in Taiwan. They can be…
An emerging business model in Taipei leverages the high demand for food delivery, the power of big data analytics, and the agility and reduced overheads associated with cutting out the dine-in portion of the restaurant. The rapid growth of these ghost kitchens has raised concerns about their environmental and social impact, however. This must be…
Local food and alcohol importers have developed an attractive market in Taiwan, but must navigate the island’s complex bureaucracy, high tariffs on certain goods, and strict customs requirements. A pleasant Friday evening for many people includes a tender steak accompanied by a glass of wine or a cocktail. As a European, I never thought much…
Several regular festivals and markets selling unique plant-based foods have been popping up around the island, attracting a new generation of non-meat-eaters, as well as omnivores eager to explore this growing trend. Even though I am usually a business reporter and my friend, Hung Fu-wei, a school counselor, once in a while we get together…
For years a popular pastime among distraction-hungry urbanites in Taiwan, this novel leisure activity might not exist in its current form if not for an American program to help solve world hunger and the research efforts of a Taiwanese scientist. — by Emery Chen, Commonwealth Magazine A quick checklist for whiling away the next weekend…
Taiwan’s main claim to pizza fame is nontraditional toppings, but the island is home to some great artisanal pizzerias, too. Taiwan has fallen in love with pizza – not just with the fast-food staple from the major American pizza chains, but also artisanal and famously innovative versions of what is arguably one of the world’s…
Aiyu and mesona jellies and shaved ice, snacks ubiquitous at night markets and storefronts across Taiwan, have been popular with Taiwanese palates for over a century. The enduring popularity of these treats is closely tied to the island’s unique history. Taiwanese have been enjoying refreshing dessert-like snacks since long before refrigerators became commonplace. One such…
The lucrative industry of hand-shaken tea beverages has received attention from the Taiwan government, human rights groups, and the island’s many entrepreneurs. But with the growing politicization of the businesses that make these drinks, a “good cup of tea” has taken on a new meaning. Taiwan tea – above all, high mountain tea, known as…
