Introducing the hottest Taiwanese foods selected by local staff. A trip to Taiwan that will have you ready to go yourself!

Enjoy Chinese round table cuisine at Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei!

The Chinese restaurant Kai Hua Lou, located on the B1F of Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei, offers a wide variety of specialties from all over China. The hotel staff will introduce the specialties from Beijing, Sichuan, and Canton that are spread out on the round table.

Mapo Tofu is a typical dish from Sichuan. The spiciness carries a punch but does not linger; instead, it is refreshing! The aroma of fresh Japanese pepper wafted through our noses, and it had a deep, almost sweet flavor.

Red Stir-Fried Shredded Pork and Tofu is a soy sauce-based tofu dish simmered in an earthenware pot. This is a widely loved example of gentle seasoned home-style cooking.

Duck Soup with Sour Cabbage is a soup cooked with Peking duck bones; the fatty duck meat and sour cabbage are a perfect combination!

The Kung Pao Chicken with Spicy Peanuts is a dish dynamically wok-fried with dried chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns. The pleasant texture of the nuts creates a refined flavor experience.

The Truffle Xiaolongbao topped with black truffles create an indescribable aroma when the lid of the steamer basket is opened.

Matsutake and Pork Xiaolongbao. Among the numerous xiaolongbao found in Taiwan, those utilizing matsutake mushrooms are very rare.

The Lamb Skewers are spicy yet delicate. The flavor will have even those who shunned lamb in the past fighting over them.

Clear Rice Roll with King Crab Meat Stuffed in Deep-Fried Dough Stick. These rice noodle rolls are a rice flour crepe often found in Cantonese dim sum. The simple ingredients lock in and enhance the flavor of the luxurious king crab and shrimp.

Peking Duck made from a whole duck is here!

The Emperor Peking Duck (starting at NT$2880), made from cherry duck raised in eastern Taiwan, is characterized by its fatty skin and chewy meat. Roasted Peking duck is fragrant and glistens like a golden garment.

The chef carves the Peking duck next to you at the round table and serves wheat flour cakes from a steamer basket on small plates. You will be enchanted by the wonderful combination and the wafting aroma of Peking duck.

Peking duck is ordered by the bird. The restaurant prepares two or three different dishes such as thin rice cake rolls, soup, shredded meat and stir-fried scallops and bean sprouts. Don’t think you can finish it? This is Taiwan; The food culture here says any leftovers can be wrapped up and taken with you. You could even take a walk around the hotel and then have a beer and enjoy a late-night snack back in your hotel room
(*Meat and fruit cannot be brought into Japan).

The Egg Rolls with Garlic Sprouts, Apples, and Salted Mullet Roe are a perfect accompaniment to alcoholic beverages. The sticky mouthfeel and refreshing apples are a perfect match.

Here’s the appetizer Spicy Shredded Chicken and Dragon Fruit Vermicelli. Wide vermicelli noodles, colored using red dragon fruit, are topped with shredded chicken and finely sliced vegetables and served with a spicy sesame sauce.

Demonstrating superb skills while making beautiful and delicate gold candy thread crafts

For dessert, enjoy Kai Hua Lou’s Candied Dessert (sweet potato) performance (NT$480). Taiwanese sweet potatoes, fried like Japanese-style candied sweet potatoes, are brought near the round table, and skilled staff make candy crafts on the spot to wrap the sweet potatoes. You will be enchanted by the magical process of creating beautiful candy crafts. Enjoy the unique experience of Chinese cuisine, where you can experience food with all five senses.

It is like the beard of a dragon right out of a fairy tale. Delicate candy craftsmanship makes the sweet and tender sweet potatoes into an artistic dish.

Fully recharge your travel energy at the most powerful spiritual spot in Taipei

Shopping in Taipei starts relatively late, with most stores opening after 10:00. Make the most of the time after breakfast! The hotel staff will take you to Lungshan Temple, which is said to be the most powerful spiritual spot in Taipei.

After a 20-minute subway ride from the hotel, we came across a colorful gate right next to the MRT Longshan Temple Station exit. In 2018, Lungshan Temple was recognized as a national monument. Along with the National Palace Museum and the National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, it is one of the three most famous scenic spots in Taiwan.

After passing through the gate, there is a waterfall designed to purify the bodies and minds of visitors. Purify your mind before entering the temple.

Lungshan Temple is built in the style of a classical Chinese palace and consists of a front hall, a main hall, a rear hall, and left and right guard gates. The smoke from incense sticks, which used to waft thickly, became subject to air pollution control measures, and the number of incense burners, which used to number seven, was reduced to one. There is no end to the number of people praying around the gorgeous golden incense burner.

The dragon on the roof is the temple's lucky charm. The elaborate whiskers, scales, and gorgeous waves of color are unique to Taiwanese temples.

More than 100 deities await at this spiritual place of blessings!

At Lungshan Temple, visitors enter the temple grounds through the Dragon Gate and leave through the Tiger Gate. It is also customary to cross the threshold of the Dragon Gate and enter with your left foot. A whopping 100 or more deities are enshrined at Lungshan Temple, so it is best to decide what you want to wish for before visiting the temple.

The Holy Heavenly Mother is a divine figure. This deity is said to safeguard voyages and bring blessings for safety at home and good health.

The next most popular attraction among tourists after the principal object of worship is this cute old man with a beard. This is Yue Lao, or the old man under the moon. He is the god of marriage. Many people enter the temple and head straight for Yue Lao. The red string of marriage is also available free of charge, so be sure to take it home with you and cherish it.

Temples are very familiar to the people of Taiwan, a source of comfort in their souls and daily lives. There is always a large crowd of people praying earnestly. Even first-time visitors are welcomed with open arms at Lungshan Temple. Travelers, too, can visit the temple with peace of mind.

Since there are so many deities, see what the fortune sticks have to say about what’s on your mind. First, ask if you may draw a fortune.
Throw two jiaobei, red wooden half moon-shaped cups, on the ground. If the front and back match, the answer is "Yes!" This is a sign that you may draw a fortune.

The two of us had both sides, meaning the deity says “Go ahead!”

The red sticks sticking out of the large jar are the fortune sticks of Lungshan Temple. We were surprised because they look quite different from the fortune sticks found in Japan.

Check the number on the fortune stick and take a paper fortune from one of the boxes lined up along the wall. There is a fortune-telling booth with explanations, but services are mainly in Chinese. Since this fortune was given by the deity, take it home and treasure it. Taking the time to interpret it slowly, as if reading poetry, can add to the lingering memories of your journey.

One of the hotel staff members who accompanied us was a pastry chef who skillfully crafted candy sculptures the night before. From the professional demeanor we saw, she’s showing a more relaxed side on this “Taipei holiday.”

We will check out a restaurant specializing in breakfast, because you simply cannot skip breakfast when in Taipei!

Located about a 10-minute walk from MRT Minquan West Road Station, Mei Zhen Doujiang Breakfast Restaurant is in an unusual spot, with a temple gate indicating its location. Residents living nearby have been visiting this spot continuously since early morning.

They grill the batter on a large griddle for each individual order. The sound of the oil, the wafting savory aroma, and the steam seem to wake up our still sleepy bodies.

Enjoy an old-fashioned Taiwanese breakfast! Clockwise from left: Taiwanese-style danbing crepe, salty soy milk soup, and fantuan rice. Drinks include cold barley tea and doujiang, a soy milk drink.

Taiwanese rice balls called fantuan are made of glutinous rice, between which is thinly fried eggs and zha cai pickles. The glutinous rice is slightly salty, and the fillings are generously sized.

Try the salty soy milk soup, a breakfast item also gaining popularity in Japan!

Salty soy milk soup is made with warm soy milk, zha cai pickles, chili oil, and torn fried bread that melts in your mouth. The mildness of the soy milk is gently accented by the chili oil. It was perfect for a peaceful morning wake-up.

Even if there are other customers at the tables in front of the kitchen workspace, the turnover is fast, so you will be able to sit down after a short wait. It is a common in Taiwan for people to order their food to go and bring it home or to the office. The busy staff did not speak Japanese, but they gently handed us a menu in Japanese.

Right next to the shop is Beianfu. The temple, built by private hands in 1960, enshrines Wang Ye, who is said to expel disease.

A restaurant beneath rows of lanterns is a rare sight even in Taiwan.

A delicious Taiwanese breakfast near a deity and surrounded by friendly locals. It looks like this will be a great day.

High-grade salted mullet roe, a delicacy at a very reasonable price

Salted mullet roe is one of the most popular souvenirs in Taiwan. These are salted Taiwanese mullet ovaries made using a method handed down from fishermen in Nagasaki. Delicacies that are expensive in Japan can be purchased reasonably in Taiwan.
We stopped at Yongjiuhao, a veteran shop established in 1915 with a history of more than 100 years, in Taipei's wholesale district Dihua Street.

The restaurant is quite simple, with an orderly lineup of salted mullet roe. When we gave them our budget, the staff took items from the refrigerator and laid them out for us to see. It is kind of exciting to also be able to have the items you select boxed up.

This size costs NT$600! We were surprised at how affordable it was. Vacuum-packed and safe to bring to Japan. Cut it into thin slices, lightly sear it with sake, and garnish it with slices of garlic and radish for a snack to go with sake or appetizer. We highly recommend it as a souvenir for those who likes to drink and for yourself at home!

It’s fun to check out all the shops in Taipei's largest wholesale district!

The wholesale district Dihua Street is lined with shops selling a variety of goods, including dried foods, Chinese herbal medicine, teas, confections, and sundries, as well as restaurants and cafes. The shops extend for nearly 1 km.

This is a retro street whose look is unified by the use of bricks. Enjoy shopping, strolling, and the good old mood of Taiwan in a relaxed atmosphere.

At Grandma's Kitchen, there were a variety of nylon accessories commonly known as fisherman's net bags.

Fisherman's net bags are known as grandma shopping baskets by the locals. When the retro cuteness became a big hit among Japanese tourists, Taiwanese people began to take notice again, realizing their stylish side. The net material is safe to get wet, so one local man said he uses these bags for the sauna, for laundry, and for sorting documents.

Coin purses and small pouches are also available. Retro yet pop, lightweight yet sturdy, they make great simple souvenirs.

The chili pepper snacks have a big impact in both packaging and flavor!

Across the street from Grandma's Kitchen, we found a cute bus stop and an statue with chili peppers on it.

This is DoGa Crispy Chili Taipei Dihua Street Shop, a specialty snack shop that opened in 2022. The shop, developed by a chili specialty shop, sells snacks in colorful packages.

Hearing that the snacks are from a chili specialty store, we wondered how spicy they are. You can also try samples, so try finding something you like.

The original products from the chili specialty store follow particular policies they have about both flavor and food safety. The snacks are made with plenty of chili peppers that have had their seeds carefully removed, with no pesticide residue. They are packed in small portions and come in five flavors, including plum and tom yum goong. Taiwanese souvenirs include not only sweet snacks; spicy snacks are also an option.

A lifestyle store featuring good things from Taiwan

A specialty shop featuring foodstuffs and sundries unique to Taiwan. Inspired by a visit to Dean & DeLuca in New York, the manager launched the shop for ethnic Chinese people and those who love to cook. In addition to foodstuffs, there are also sundries that have long been favorites of Taiwanese households. The hotel staff are holding an MJ Boli Cup, a miniature glass used in Taiwanese restaurants. This is a design by Maji Treats.

These piggy banks are a familiar sight in Taiwan. They are made of translucent plastic. Maybe you can save lots of money, as there is no way to take the money out!

Foodstuffs and sundries are displayed in an easy-to-see manner. You might just lose track of time just looking at them all.

Note the sophisticated designs of the products, all made with the finest ingredients and no additives!

MJ Honey Kumquat Gummies are a Taiwanese candy we saw for the first time, yet they somehow felt immediately nostalgic. These gummies are made from kumquat juice and honey from Pingtung in southern Taiwan. No preservatives, fragrances, or coloring agents are used.

MJ Dry Noodles (Taiwanese mazesoba noodles) are even popular in Taiwan. You can also customize the noodles by adding your favorite ingredients to make savory Dan Noodles or Garlic and Chili Pepper Noodles.

Maji Treat's original bite-sized MJ Mango Cakes. The soft biscuit is filled with dried mango and a sweet and sour paste made from stewed Irwin mangoes from Tainan.

MJ Dried Irwin Mango is a luxurious dried Irwin mango experience. These mangoes are packed with rich and delicious flavor.

MJ Alisan Drip Coffee is made in Alishan, a famous tea-producing area in Taiwan. This coffee offers refreshing fruit, chocolate, and nutty aromas. The harvest is limited, and very little of this coffee is distributed overseas.

Lucky Poe Divination Soap is a unique soap that resembles the cups thrown to the gods at Lungshan Temple. There are three types available: luck with business, luck with love, and general good luck. And if you remove the top of the package, you can use it as a good luck charm!

Reduce swelling in your legs and feet with a blissful foot massage!

Swelling in your legs and feet is a concern when travelling. This massage spa is a 7-minute walk from the hotel. We chose the one-hour foot massage package. First, we soaked our feet in footbaths with essential oils and sea salt for 10 minutes.

Just as we were warming up in the footbath, our massage therapists made their appearance. They relaxed our necks and shoulders for about 5 minutes.

Sitting down in moss green sofa chairs, our foot massages begin. The store has bottoms you can borrow, so there is no problem if you visit the spa in a skirt. Will the foot massage be painful? We were a little nervous.

It not only stimulates pressure points in your feet but also improves blood circulation and lymph flow. If somewhere on your feet hurts, ask which pressure point it is. Lack of sleep and overeating can also cause pain, they said.

The massage is finished with rhythmic tapping of the feet. Did our legs become thinner?

Our legs felt so much lighter after the massage! With improved circulation in our legs and feet, we feel like we can walk anywhere.

Regulars—men and women—continued to visit the spa while we were there. The menu listing package options is also available in Japanese. If you have a headache, injury, or are pregnant, let them know before the massage.

Hotel-made sweets as souvenirs for special people in your life

Pâtisserie Premier Sweets on the first floor of the Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei offers freshly baked bread and original sweets made with ingredients unique to Taiwan.

Located right in front of the front desk, there is also a cafe space.

The Taiwanese Vanilla Pineapple Cake is an original sweet made by the pâtisserie. It features a pineapple filling made with 100% Taiwanese pineapple, the sweet aroma of Taiwanese vanilla, and a rich butter flavor. In addition to a gorgeous box of 12 pieces, there are also smaller portions available, making them perfect for a variety of occasions, such as celebrations, small gifts, or as a sweet treat to spoil yourself with.

The crisp, light texture and refreshing pineapple flavor are what you would expect from a hotel. Only a limited number of items are sold to ensure that only the freshest items are available. If you must have something, we recommend making a reservation.

We bought pineapple cake as a treat for ourselves and enjoyed it in a park near the hotel.

Enjoy an elegant stay in Taipei with the same comfort as a domestic trip in Japan

JR-East Hotels, which operates hotels throughout Japan, opened its first overseas base, Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei, in Taipei in August 2021. Located on Nanjing East Road, which runs east–west in Taipei, the hotel is a 3-minute walk from the Nanjing Fuxing subway station and a 10-minute drive from Taipei Songshan Airport! The location is very convenient for both sightseeing and business.

At Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei, the staff welcome you with a smile. They will provide you with attentive assistance regarding any concerns you may have during your trip.

Chief concierge Mr. Wakao attends to guests with his casual attentiveness and warm personality. The two gold key badges shining on his collar are the hallmark of the concierge's authority, Les Clefs d'Or. Mr. Wakao is the only Japanese member of the 26 individuals recognized in Taiwan.

The lobby is furnished with sofas, making it a great place to meet people.

The atrium in the lobby is an unusual element for such hotels located in an urban setting. Natural light pours into this travel space where modern and classic elements coexist.

Each floor overlooks the interior of the hotel.

Relax after a long day in this comfortable space with a view of Taiwan

These deluxe twin rooms are located on floors four through eight. Old photos of Taiwan are hung on the walls of these spaces, unified by their natural beige and wood green tones. Our room is fully equipped with spacious beds 110 cm wide, a bathtub, shower stall, washlet toilet, refrigerator, and hair dryer.

Relax by the bright windows offering a view of the city. There is a desk and chair by the window, so you can work at the desk while enjoying the view.

Rooms are equipped with basic amenities such as shampoo, conditioner, and body soap, as well as tea bags and mineral water. Pajamas and an iron are also available, allowing you to travel with minimal luggage.

The pâtisserie & cafe on the first floor as viewed from an upper floor. These can be used for afternoon tea or for meeting someone.

There is a lounge on the 2nd floor for the exclusive use of Executive Floor guests. Check-in and check-out are also done there. The lounge is open from 10:00 to 22:00. You can also enjoy afternoon tea, light meals and sweets, and alcoholic beverages in this special space.

There is a swimming pool on the 9th floor. This is an extraordinary space where guests can go to feel refreshed (reservation required). In addition, there is a fitness gym as well as a spa & sauna. We recommend using these facilities to work up a sweat during your stay.

Buffet-style dining with locally produced Taiwanese cuisine as well as Japanese and Western flavors

On the morning of our third and final day, we decided to enjoy a breakfast buffet at the hotel. All-day dining Brilliant on floor B1F of the hotel offers a wide variety of dishes including Taiwanese, Western, and Japanese cuisines.

Brilliant's famous Morning Steak. You might be surprised to have steak in the morning, but this red meat is cooked at a low temperature until medium-rare, making it thick yet tender. You will have plenty of energy after this meal.

Taiwan's national dish! Everyone loves Lu Rou Fan, a minced pork and rice dish, and you can top it with your favorite ingredients. Brilliant uses a rare cut for this dish, of which only 220 grams can be taken from a single pig. Top it with marinated boiled eggs and pickles for a real homestyle flavor.

There is also a noodle section. Lightly seasoned soups and noodles topped with the vegetables and condiments of your choice.

The chef prepares nine different egg dishes before your eyes!

At the egg station, the chef prepares nine different egg dishes, from classic items such as omelets and fried eggs to stylish Eggs Benedict.

There is a smoothie bar, something uniquely Taiwanese given the abundant fruits and vegetables here. Fresh, nutritious smoothies are available, including Guava & Lemon, Komatsuna Green, and Orange & Carrot.

Eating well in the morning is true to the Taiwanese lifestyle. This might be the secret to people’s energy and smiles.

Studying at five-star hotels in Taipei, Kevin Chan (left), the hotel's head chef, and Skyey Chang (right), the restaurant manager, now work at Hotel Metropolitan Premier Taipei. Perhaps it is the delicious food and the smiles of the people who prepare and serve it that make people fall in love with Taiwan.

Walk around the cute retro streets to find great photogenic spots

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• Taipei 101, a landmark in Taipei, is 507 meters tall. Until 2007, it was the tallest building in the world.
  Located a short walk from Taipei 101 is Four Four South Village (also known as Military Dependents Village), which was once a housing complex for civil servants and military personnel. Recently renovated and completely transformed, it has become a popular spot to take photos of the retro style buildings.

Four Four South Village is an oasis in the middle of the business district. Look at the cute old building with their brightly colored doors and window frames!

Lined with cafes and shops, this is an area where visitors can also enjoy shopping. You can find plenty of photogenic spots just by strolling through the old streets.

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• Here is Taipei 101 as seen from a back alley a short distance away from Four Four South Village. This is the best spot to capture Taipei's lived-in cityscape and the modern tower in a single photo.

Enjoy Taiwanese-style afternoon tea

Although the Minsheng Community near Songshan Airport is a bit far from the subway and train stations, it is a traditional, quiet residential area popular among creative professionals. The owner of CI Design Tea is also an interior decorator by trade, which is clear when you see the stylish tables and chairs in the shop. Large window panes reflect the day's sky, creating a quiet sense of openness while still being indoors.

Enjoy Taiwanese tea in a cafe-style setting with tables and chairs. The first time for anything can make you nervous, but we decided to enjoy the Taiwanese tea experience without pretension by following the lead of those around us.

This set of small confections is called kaimen jian xi jingdian chashi zu. It comes with a popular mung bean cake, black tea galette, and many other treats, so ordering a set for two or three people seems to be just right. “Kaimen jian xi” means "the beginning of good things" and is used in Taiwan to celebrate the New Year and new beginnings.

For our tea, we chose the Riguang Jin Xuan. It is a Jin Xuan oolong tea and is from Nantou, the tea capital of Taiwan. With its refreshing green flavor and soft, milky fragrance, Jin Xuan tea will change your perception of oolong tea.

Comparing the various confections, Taiwanese-style afternoon tea is a great way to chat with friends or family.

Original blends of Taiwanese tea can be enjoyed at home.

A modern bar like those found at cafes. Take-out confections are also available here.

Loose leaf tea and tea utensils are also available for purchase. The lineup includes a variety of canned and vacuum-packed products.

There is a gift box that comes with a set of three varieties of tea. The owner personally visits tea plantations and carefully selects tea leaves for their products that can be enjoyed safely and with peace of mind. These products also make a great gift to enjoy fragrant, mellow Taiwanese tea in a pot at home.

Have you heard of pepper buns, a popular snack in Taiwan?

Hujiao bing, or pepper buns, are one of Taiwan's most popular flour-based snacks. These savory buns are generously filled with a meat filling, stuck to the inside of a jar, and baked with charcoal. We came to the Zhongshan area because we had heard that Xiao Hei Charcoal Baked Pepper Buns are very popular.

We were lucky enough to be able to buy some just before they were sold out due to their huge popularity.

The sweet fragrance of flour, a generous amount of white sesame seeds, and an old-fashioned charcoal bake create a wonderful aroma!

The savory-smelling dough is stuffed with a juicy meat filling and contains lots of Sanxing scallions from Yilan, Taiwan. Taiwan's top brand of scallions, their soft and creamy flavor adds sweetness to the spicy meat filling. Do not underestimate this bun as a cheap eat. In addition to the plane bun (pictured) for NT$45, there are also cheese, super spicy, kimchi, and other flavors available.

We asked the owner why the bun is so tasty. “I don’t think we use anything different from other shops. Maybe our proportions are just a little different?” the owner answered with a humble smile.

A luxurious fruit parlor in fruit heaven

Mango shaved ice, a must-eat when you visit Taiwan! Mangoes are available at the market from April to August, but you can taste fresh mangoes all year round at Jason’s Fruits Store.
The Mango Shaved Ice pictured here features shaved ice topped with fresh mango and mango ice cream (NT$260 for a single, NT$320 for a double). A sweet, sour, and tropical delight.

The Fruit Snow Tower (NT$260 for a single, NT$320 for a double) comes topped with all Taiwanese fruits. Served on a plate is melon topped with your choice of sorbet, mango, pineapple, and other colorful Taiwanese fruits.

As fresh fruit is readily available in Taiwan, it is often eaten as a snack, after-dinner dessert, or to replenish energy during the work day.

A wide variety of homemade sorbets are also available. The available flavors, which include mango, passion fruit, strawberry, melon, banana, and more, are like eating fresh fruit.

Processed items made with fresh fruit are also available.

This fruit store, with its extensive knowledge, also has a selection of fruit on display. There are also processed items such as handmade jams and dried fruits available.

Most raw fruits are prohibited from being brought into Japan. For those who want to share the deliciousness, we recommend buying small jars of jam as souvenirs. Here are the sour and creamy cherimoya, mango, and citrus sulkata.

A hot night market where you can enjoy traditional Taiwanese food

On our last night in Taiwan, we wanted to visit a night market. We started our night market tour at the entrance on the bustling west side of Minsheng Road, where the Shuanglian subway station is located.

Ningxia Night Market is a popular night market. A large number of stalls line the 300- to 400-meter-long street, offering a chance to enjoy traditional Taiwanese food. Not only tourists but also Taiwanese people visit the restaurants for dinner and late night snacks. Some of the food stalls have been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand.

Another feature of the Ningxia Night Market is that many stalls have introduced cashless payment systems.

The market is not that big, but even on weekday nights, it is bustling with people! Come hungry when you visit.

At Ningxia Night Market, you can enjoy dishes only found in Taiwan such as chicken rice, oyster omelets, and watermelon juice.