One of the delightful things about Taiwan is the fact that a lot of shopkeepers have dogs that just hang out in and around their stores. There are so many of them that I decided to start taking pictures.
Dan Dan Hamburger is a southern Taiwanese fast food chain with locations in Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung. I was shocked at how much I enjoyed it.
I recently found myself near the Lingya Night Market in the middle of the afternoon. I knew it would be closed, but I figured I’d walk through just to check it out.
It turned out there were a few vendors open, including a place serving up some very tasty-looking deep-fried goodies with an impressively massive line-up.
You wouldn’t necessary think that a French-style bakery would be worth your time in Taiwan, but pretty much everyone agrees that Wu Pao Chun Bakery is a must-visit in Kaohsiung.
Here’s something you should definitely do if you’re going somewhere: double-check to make sure that it’s open.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: “Of course I do that. I’m not a moron.”
The Liuhe Night Market has been around since the ’50s, and whether it’s a fun way to spend an evening or an overpriced tourist trap is a matter of some debate online. I will say that I saw more white faces at that market than in any other place in Taiwan, so there’s that. But I also ate some tasty food.
There’s a place called Cijin Island in Kaohsiung that’s a very quick ferry ride away from the city, and it makes for a perfect day tip (or even a semi-day-trip — it’s so quick and easy to get there that you really don’t have to carve out a full day).
Beef noodle soup is a classic Taiwanese dish, and at Gang Yuan, they serve it with a bit of a twist — you can order it dry (though the classic soup version is also an option).
It’s tasty, but I’ll admit it — I kinda missed the soup.
I stumbled onto this delightful little hole-in-the-wall gem while walking to Lotus Pond. It looked busy — that’s my main criterion for picking a restaurant if I don’t have a place in mind. If a place is packed with locals, it must be doing something right.
And indeed, it was quite tasty. I ordered a noodle dish with pork, and it seriously hit the spot.
There’s not a whole lot to do at Lotus Pond — a big man-made body of water surrounded by colourful temples and pagodas — other than marvel at all of the pretty buildings, but it’s still absolutely worth a visit.
Why? Well, I think I’ll let the pictures do the talking. It’s an impressive place to walk around.