Taipei Food and my disappointment

Ok, so here's the thing — I’ve only been to Taiwan once, and stayed just for a week. But as someone who loves breakfast, I left a little disappointed, especially when it came to their morning food.

Before the trip, I was expecting something iconic, something memorable that I could rave about. But after trying a variety of local breakfast options in Taipei, I found myself still searching for that one “wow” dish.

At one point, I even turned to ChatGPT and asked: What is a typical Taiwanese breakfast?

Here’s what came up:

• Dan Bing (蛋餅) – Egg crepe roll with optional fillings like ham, cheese, scallions, or tuna. I tried it. Meh. It didn’t do much for me.

• Shao Bing (燒餅) – A flaky sesame flatbread, sometimes stuffed with egg or fried dough.

• Youtiao (油條) – Fried dough stick, usually paired with warm soy milk. You can find better versions in Malaysia.

• Fan Tuan (飯糰) – Sticky rice rolls with all sorts of fillings — egg, pickled veggies, pork floss, and youtiao.

• Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯) – Braised pork rice. I loved this one, but more as a lunch or dinner option.

What surprised me was that Oyster Mee Sua didn’t even make the list — that dish was delicious (maybe due to the Japanese influence in the ingredient). But I cannot be eating Oyster Mee Sua everyday, right?

Then there’s the famous Xiao Long Bao. Yes, Din Tai Fung nails it. The dumplings are delicate, flavorful, and everything you want them to be. But let’s be real — Xiao Long Bao is originally from China. So… what’s truly Taiwanese?

If I had to pick, I’d say Taiwan shines more in fusion food and snacks — like those the crispy donuts in Ximending (be ready to q for hours), oyster omelette, deep fried chicken chops or bubble tea (which, yes, is proudly Taiwanese, but is the tapioca from Thailand or Indonesia?). Their siao chi (小吃 – small eats) game is strong.

But if you're looking for rich, traditional Taiwanese-Chinese flavors or depth in classic cuisine , I think Malaysia has more authentic Chinese options available,

Of course, food is personal. Everyone has their own taste.

Still love Taiwan though — the people, the scenery, the night markets.

Dan Bing - no

Xing Fu Tang Bubble Tea - Yes

The famous Tian Tian Li Lu Rou Fan and Oyster Omelette - Yes

The famous Ay Chung Flour-rice Noodle or Oyster Mee Sua - Yes

Shifen and Jiufen, Taipei

On our third day in Taipei, we ventured beyond the city, hiring a driver to explore the breathtaking landscapes outside the city.  From city to waterfalls and mountain roads to historic streets and misty coastlines.

Our driver picked us up from our hotel in Cimending at 9:3am.  The traffic was clear and the weather was perfect.  Our 1st stop was at Shifen.

📍 Shifen Waterfall – Known as Taiwan’s "Little Niagara," this stunning cascade was our first stop. The sound of rushing water and the lush surroundings made it feel like a hidden paradise.

📍 Shifen Old Street – We strolled along the tracks of this charming old railway town, where we released sky lanterns with our wishes written on them — an iconic picture square experience.

📍 Jiufen Old Street – Winding alleyways, lantern-lit teahouses, and nostalgic vibes make this mountain town feel like stepping into a Studio Ghibli film.

📍 Buyan Pavilion – A peaceful stop offering panoramic views over the coast — the perfect spot to pause and soak in the scenery.

📍 The Golden Waterfall (黃金瀑布 Huángjīn Pùbù), Jiufen, Ruifang District, New Taipei – Just outside Jiufen, we admired this otherworldly waterfall with its glowing orange hue, caused by mineral-rich water flowing through old mining terrain.

📍 Yinyang Sea – A surreal sight where yellow mineral-laden water meets the deep blue of the Pacific Ocean.

Everywhere we went, the scenery was breathtaking. From mountain peaks to historic alleys to waterfalls, this day reminded us just how diverse and beautiful Taiwan truly is.

We returned to Taipei and ended the day with a comforting bowl of Taiwan’s beloved beef noodles at Lao Shandong Homemade Beef Noodles, Ximending.  This restaurant is located at the basement of a shoplot, quite hidden away.