Taipei street food

I know that I didn't give Taipei nearly the airtime it deserved here--I've been a little burnt out from all of this traveling and eating lately and haven't updated the site nearly as much as I should have. Within about an hour of arriving, Taipei became one of my all-time favorite food cities. I didn't eat a single meal indoors, it was street food street food street food, rain or shine.



The place in the first picture is a dumpling stand in Shida night market. These are the dumplings they sell, sheng jian bao. When I lined up to get my dumplings I had to take a number and I was 58 away. Not 58 people, but 58 groups. The sheng jian bao, small pork dumplings sprinkled with sesame seeds, were so juicy and delicious that I barely complained about the fact that I was standing the rain, eating them with grease running down my face.


Chou dofu--deep-fried "stinky" fermented tofu. Apparently deep-frying them takes away some of the stinkiness.


Black sago (tapioca) icey dessert with fresh tofu (I loved this)


Gua bao, Taiwan-style braised pork served in a steamed bun with pickled greens. It's things like this that really make me pity these anti-cilantro folks.


Niurou miantang (beef noodles) from Laopai Niurou Lamian Da Wang as recommended by EatingAsia. I don't think this picture truly conveys the enormity of this bowl--it was difficult to finish, even for my big fat face. Served with pickled mustard greens.


Hujiao bing, "black pepper cake." Juicy pork marinated in soy and sugar with a very generous helping of scallions inside an unleavened bun. Heaven.