lemiDon’t let its size fool you, Taiwan is home to a 23-million strong population that keep its spirited traditions and luxurious culture alive
Tasting Taiwan with To To
Taipei, Keelung
Hong Kong celebrity chef and TV personality Hugo Leung Man-To, endearingly known as To To, loves being on a dining table just as much as he enjoys being behind a stove! Let the “God of Gourmet” take you on a journey across Taiwan to discover his favorite off-the-beaten-path culinary gems. From a tiny Japanese joint on a quiet suburban street, to a zen-evoking gastronomy haven by the mountains, To To’s collection of must-eats may lead you to a food coma. It’ll all be worth it in the end, we promise!
The food in Du Xiao Yue packs both flavor and history. In 1895, fisherman Taro Hong sold noodles in front of a temple to tide over the stormy season, which explains the restaurant’s name that translates to “living through the bad months.” Today, Du Xiao Yue is a favorite of both locals and tourists for its menu of authentic Taiwanese cuisine. Although Du Xiao Yue is famous for their noodles, To To says that the Cold Mola Mola Intestine dressed in Sauce, Deep-fried Fish Roe, Dress Jelly Chicken Soup, Beef Sticky Rice with Ginger, and Gaojha (糕渣, shrimp, chicken, and beef stewed in soup then fried) are must-haves on the table. To To gives special recognition to Du Xiao Yue’s Chinese Rice Pudding, a mixture of black and sticky rice topped with fruits and beans—a perfectly balanced dessert to cap off your wonderful meal!
- +886 2 3393 1325
9-1, Yongkang Street, Da'an District, Taipei, Taiwan
台北市大安區永康街9-1號
Along a quiet street on Daan District, the red brick facade of Old Shanghai Restaurant draws hungry bellies to a delectable meal of Shanghainese cuisine. The humble interiors focus your attention towards the dishes’ top-notch tastes. To To recommends the Braised Tofu with Tilefish, Steamed Shrimp Dumplings with Chinese Chives, Oven-baked Artichoke with Shrimp, Steamed Tofu topped with Ham and Pork, Stewed Braised Meat, and Roasted Gingko and Chinese Cabbage.
4, Alley 9, Lane 300, Section 4, Ren'ai Road, Da'an District, Taipei, Taiwan
臺北市大安區仁愛路4段300巷9弄4號
Just a stone’s throw away from the Nanjing Fuxing MRT Station, Heno Heno Moheno diverts your palate to another favorite East Asian cuisine. Savor a selection of Japanese favorites crafted with Taiwanese ingredients, as you take a seat at the restaurant’s Japanese-inspired bar—where you can watch the chef prepare your sushi right in front of you! For To To, must-orders at Heno Heno Moheno include the assorted Sashimi, Flamed Butterfly Fish Sushi, Boiled Abalone with Sake, Roasted Sea Eel Belly, Deep-fried Minced Shrimp wrapped with Shiso Leaf, and Sea Eel and Horse Mackerel Bone Miso Soup.
26 Qingcheng Street, Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
台北市松山區慶城街26號
Instead of hinging on douses of oil, spoonfuls of butter, and bowls of sauces, Suntay Teppanyaki stands out from Taiwan’s large population of teppanyaki joints for their philosophy of healthy cooking. To To invites you to experience the restaurant’s approach of using fresh and seasonal ingredients—advocating longevity in their diners’ lifestyles while doing so—to create meals full of depth. To To suggests that you start off your meal with Chinese Herbs Bread, Pan-fried Artichoke, and Pan-fried Mushroom. For the main course, grab a serving of Pan-fried Scallops and Sirloin Beef Roll to pair with Beef Fried Rice. End your gastronomically satisfying dining experience with Suntay Teppanyaki’s Plum Vinegar with Kiwi and Japanese Pancakes.
- +886 2 8788 3839
Second Floor, 9, Lane 450, Section 4, Xinyi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan
信義路四段450巷9號2樓 Taipei, Taiwan- http://suntay.myweb.hinet.net/
Be transported into a state of zen at Shi Yang Culture Restaurant, a minimalist joint that comes highly recommended by To To. The simple interiors of Shi Yang Culture Restaurant perfectly complements the natural beauty of its mountainside surroundings, overcoming you with a sense of ease and comfort as you take your place on a log-made chair. To To praises Shi Yang Culture Restaurant’s 10-course menu that’s made using ingredients from different locations—taro paste and Gaozha from Yilan County in Taiwan, fresh seafood from Japan, and sauces from Italy and France—to guarantee the best flavors. The quality of their dishes translate from the kitchen to your plate, with their impressive plating that look too stunning to even touch and eat!
- +886 2 2646 2266
7, Lane 350, Section 3, Xiwan Road, New Taipei City, Taiwan
- http://www.shi-yang.com/
To To directs you to Formosa Pearl in Yilan County, Taiwan to enjoy a feast for both your palate and your eyes! Inspired by architecture, culinary arts, and zen, the former rice field was converted into a complex that houses a gallery, tea house, restaurant, and aviary—designed to marry well with its home environment. According to To To, Formosa Pearl has a magnificent menu that uses local farm produce and fresh seafood catches—a testament to Taiwan’s continuously evolving agriculture—to concoct inventive gourmet dishes that put the spotlight on the natural tastes of your meal. The 10-course dining experience comes complete with elegant food presentations on handmade ceramic plates, partnered with gorgeous flower arrangements.
- +886 3 930 8988
102, Section 2, Da-fu Road, Zhuangwei Township, Yilan County, Taiwan
宜蘭縣壯圍鄉大福路2段102號- https://www.formosapearl.com/
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