The last day at Taipei started with a brunch at a pretty nondescript neighborhood noodle and ruroufan shop. We ordered two bowls of noodle, a couple ruroufan (rice with braised pork), a plate of pork belly, some pork ears with hard boiled eggs, and a serving of boiled vegetable for the 3 of us (plus the baby, of course).
neighbourhood noodle and ruroufan shop for breakfast
We then packed up, checked out, and headed to downtown for our final destination of the trip – Ximending.
Ximending is a huge shopping district much like a mixture of bukit bintang, petaling street, and jalan alor all mixed together, except with even worse parking situation but a better weather for walking around (when there’s no tyhoon). It is definitely a must-visit for most people who comes to Taiwan, and I don’t disagree.
bubble tea shop at 95 music zone, ximending
Fun fact, at Taipei, underground parking lot has the same 1-way ramp to go up & down different levels, the exit is the entrance and vice versa, and only wide enough to fit a single car going through, one of you would need to reverse if meeting the other at half-level. Fun stuff.
Upon getting out of the parking, we saw a small queue outside 95 Music Zone, and upon closer inspection, there’s a bubble tea stall integrated into this record store. Naturally, we lined up to order.
who says bubble tea should be expensive?
The milk tea here was only 30 NTD, or 40 NTD if you opt for fresh milk. They were as delicious as any I’ve tried, and if you ordered normal Oolong tea and such, they are as low as 10 NTD, which was equivalent to RM 1.40, no wonder there’s a queue.
Who needs those fancy bubble tea chain?
sweet potato ball snacks
There are plenty to see and more to buy if you’re a shopping type at Ximending. For those who are into snacks and street foods, there’s even more to stuff your mouth with. We bought some sweet potato ball snacks to try, but frankly speaking they were just “ok”, a bit deflating both literally and metaphorically to be honest.
sushi wakasakura, Ximending
Since Taiwan is both physically pretty close and has been occupied by Japan for quite a lengthy period of time, Japanese food is also very pervasive here. Naturally, it meant that I must pay a visit to one of their countless Japanese restaurants in the city.
The chirashi sushi I had was laden with sweet shrimps, scallops, and salmon, while mom had an unagi bowl. Both were as good as any I’ve tasted, certainly not disappointed.
bitter gourd lemon juice, maybe too healthy..
We also spotted a rather interesting stall offering bitter gourd lemon juice with some beautiful white bitter gourds on display. The drink is exactly what you’d expect it to taste – sour, bitter, and absolutely feeling like you’re pumping up your health meter as you drink (especially when you opt for sugar free), there’s chunks of bitter gourd to chew on too.
end of the trip, was a great few days with the family
We then drove to airport, dropped the car, and flew back to KL. It was a great trip with some wonderful food, great scenery, and most importantly, awesome memory spent with family. Can’t wait for more.
Firstttttt
kekeke: no business. hahah.
president business ah sirrrr
walau eh, just paid RM15 for a basic bubble tea here in AUS. But it’s Gong Cha and it’s on special because apparently today is bubble tea day LOL
We need more AI robots to make cheaper bubble tea
kekeke: Australia salary big maaa, different case. haha.
yuuuuge
The design of the parking ramp really makes me scratch head, not troublesome meh? >_<
I tried bitter gourd drink in Taiwan too, but it didn't taste bitter (maybe very mild) which really surprised me.
Choi Yen: the parking situation is the most puzzling lol.
Underground park for motorbikes only
RIP food blogging, will have to watch AI KY instead in next month
kekeke: aiyo work has been too busy, macam itu lor.
get AI KY to do the extra work. This is the way.
Wonderful post and great photos. Thank you so much for sharing, and warm greetings from Montreal, Canada.
When will Trump invade Canada?
hahahah, who knows!
Happy New Year Unc!
Why u forgotten about us????
Greenland first, then Canada!
Happy New Year, the world has gone crazy.
everyone gone cray cray crazzzzy after being infected by covid and virus and other stuff brooooooo
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