From modest beginnings, the dumpling restaurant has grown into an international empire. By Don Shapiro When foreign tourists come to Taiwan for the first time, they usually have a plan – whether written or mental – for what they want to see and do here. In the Taipei area, besides appreciating the treasures at…
A decade ago it was difficult to find a decent cup of coffee, but today the city is a haven for specialty blends and cool places to drink them. By Jules Quartly Coffee is a many-splendored thing, and Taiwan’s love affair with it is complicated by the existence of a significant other, namely tea. The…
Inflight catering kitchens face a host of difficult challenges. By Don Shapiro Preparing tens of thousands of meals a day is a difficult enough task, but the challenge is compounded when the food will be consumed many hours later by diners sitting 30,000 feet or more up in the air. The altitude and even the…
Three companies with somewhat different business models are offering options for those looking for healthfulness and convenience. By Timothy Ferry In the wake of the multiple food scandals that have shaken Taiwan’s faith in its local food industry – and considering the oily, starch-laden foods that typify Taiwanese cooking – health-conscious consumers are hard-pressed to…
Two experienced managers discuss what it takes to make it behind the bar in local night-life establishments. By Timothy Ferry Long-term expats will recall when Taipei’s nightlife consisted primarily of girly bars, karaoke clubs, and a handful of Western night spots. Today, the scene could hardly look more different, with hundreds of bars competing for…
If Taiwan wants to develop a cuisine scene matching its reputation for fantastic night market treats, it still has some way to go. If the world’s dining scene were a level playing field, you would expect Taiwan to be a winner. For historical reasons, it is a melting pot of the best cuisines from all…
Following the merger of Tainan City and Tainan County at the end of 2010, the special municipality of Tainan now encompasses 2,191 square kilometers (eight times the land area of Taipei) and has almost 1.9 million people. Among its far-flung attractions are the hot springs at Guanziling, and the Zengwen, Wushantou, and Nanhua reservoirs. Much…
You need rich tastes and a deep pocket to enjoy the best cuts of Pacific bluefin tuna, but Donggang’s annual festival is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. By Jules Quartly For centuries the township of Donggang (sometimes spelled Tungkang) in Pingtung County has been the final port of call for the Pacific bluefin tuna, which returns annually…
Chinese cuisine has an extraordinary number and variety of regional dishes, and yet most of them can be prepared with just four highly versatile kitchen utensils. Chinese people have always had a great appreciation for the written word as expressed in graceful calligraphy, and through the ages calligraphers required but a few essential tools, traditionally…
