Taipei Day 8 - 29 Aug 2009

This is our final day in Taipei. Took a cab to Neihu for about NT250 as we wanted to try the Five Cents Driftwood Restaurant (Wu Jiao Chuan Ban Can Ting). The MRT actually runs to Neihu via the brown line, but the hotel staff warned that it was always out of order, which we saw the notice when we took the same line.

Neihu is not far from the city. The ride there took about 20mins max with smooth traffic.

The restaurant was bizarre both in and out, but it had an interesting wavy structure. Think Howl's moving castle with more plants and seats outside?



We had to walk up a short winding path leading towards the entrance. The opening of the doors resemble the ancient chinese wooden gates with 2 round metal rings as manual "doorbells".

Once inside, you'll get to see many sculptures, and items for display all around the restaurant for sale.

The whole building consist of 4 levels. The basement which has a pool/ pond with gondolas and glass stage, Level 1, which we were ushered to, level 2 and 3 were similar to level 1.






We were told by the cabby that the food here was so so, but we thought it was quite decent. We paid NT280 for a set meal (around 3pm) which had appetisers of braised peanuts, preserved passion fruit infused vegetable, winter melon soup, stir fried beef fillet with asparagus and pineapple, rice, and a drink (additional NT30 is charged if the fixed drink is changed) and dessert of mochi. Our drink was yuen yang (coffee + tea) bubble tea. The winter melon soup was really nice, tasted so home cooked. The beef was tender and tasty, with really sweet ripe pineapples and baby asparagus. The meal was satisfying and we enjoyed it.



Following the meal, we headed to Miramar Entertainment Park where there is shopping, supermarket and the ferris wheel. Explored the shopping center, then proceeded for a late dinner at Du Xiao Yue (below).


A friend recommended this restaurant and so we decided to try it. This place served local Taiwanese cuisine and it was really good.

Dan Tsi mien (aka Dan dan noodles) with huge duck egg was really good. The soup was yums!.

The lu rou fan (minced pork rice) was the best I've tried in Taipei so far. The meat was braised nicely, the fragrance of the spices filled the air, and it wasn't just fats but quite alot of minced meat. Was really pleased with this rice dish.

We also had the grilled milk fish abdomen which was one of the tops on their menu listing. The fish was grilled perfectly, the grayish layer was the abdominal fat, oh so yummy!

We could see the layer of the duck egg via the longitudinal cross section.

The prawn roll dish which was one of their tops did not leave an impression, could have skipped the calories. The deep fried soft shell crab was crispy and meaty. J finished the whole serving!!!

We also tried the deep fried oysters with salt and pepper which I preferred over the soft shell crab but the oysters were a tad bit too small.

Overall, Du Xiao Yue is a popular restaurant which serves decent Taiwanese fare. Be sure to be there early as a queue forms later in the evening.

Hmm... heading back to Singapore the next afternoon... having mixed feelings as there's still much to explore in Taipei... We shall be back :)

Cheers!
E