Recently, many international visitors have come to Taiwan for work or sightseeing, with Taipei being the top choice for foreigners in the city. If you want to experience local life in Taipei, consider exploring the streets and alleys with a local guide. Not only can you taste various delicious foods, but you can also immerse yourself in authentic Taiwanese culture. So today, I’ve decided to take you on a journey to explore the food and attractions near Shandao Temple, generously sharing all the must-try places with you.
Affordable Eats – Authentic Tainan Yi Mian
This is one of my favorite places to eat. Although the shop doesn’t have a sign, there’s always a steady stream of customers, mostly office workers on their lunch breaks. The signature dry Yi Mian is only NT$45, and they also offer soup Yi Mian and squid soup noodles. When ordering the dry Yi Mian, connoisseurs often add fried tofu and fish ball soup. If you haven't tried this meal, don’t say you've visited Shandao Temple!
Student Favorite – 93 Tomato Beef Noodles
This place is so popular among students that you can see them lining up at the door by 11:30 AM, even though the shop doesn't open until 12:00. They serve large bowls at reasonable prices, featuring thicker, firmer knife-cut noodles. The broth is based on braised beef, enhanced with tomato soup for added flavor—delicious and not overly greasy. Finishing a bowl will definitely leave you feeling satisfied. Their pork ribs and scallion pancakes are also very popular, so if you have room, be sure to give them a try! On weekends and evenings, they also offer a special menu with Mu Shu Fried Noodles, which is a great choice if you find the weather too hot for soup noodles.
• Michelin-recommended soup - Shuangyue Food Shop
Shuangyue Food Shop, another popular restaurant with long queues, has received multiple Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendations. Among Michelin-rated establishments, Shuangyue is relatively affordable. Their soups are delicious, inexpensive, and offer a wide variety of choices. Various chicken soups, each with its unique characteristics, include Lingzhi and Polygonatum Root Stewed Chicken Soup, Clam Stewed Chicken Soup, Sesame Oil Stewed Chicken Soup, and Burdock Root Stewed Chicken Soup. If you don't prefer chicken soup, you can opt for dry noodles or glutinous oil rice. The Love-Hate Spicy Cheese Noodles are both numbing and fragrant, yet not overwhelmingly spicy. The editor believes this is definitely a must-try when visiting Shandao Temple area.
Super Popular Bento – Qingdao Pork Ribs
Isn’t it the worst when you open a bento and find neon-colored curry or frozen mixed vegetables? No need to worry! The bento shop I'm about to recommend has none of those issues. Their pork ribs have a crispy skin, tender and sweet meat, and flavorful seasoning, plus they're larger than those at other famous rib rice places! The daily side dishes are also generous, and if you dine in, you can enjoy braised pork to accompany your rice. Additionally, aside from the pork ribs, I recommend trying their salmon fillet and lion’s head meatballs!
Refreshing and Sweet – Royal Beef Noodles
Located next to the Legislative Yuan on Qingdao East Road, Royal Beef Noodles offers a broth that is light yet rich and flavorful, providing a delightful thickness. The beef is all sourced from Taiwan's yellow cattle, slow-cooked to tenderness, and the noodles have a nice chewy texture. The subtle aroma of beef fat and the slightly spicy broth complement each other perfectly. Enjoying a bowl of beef soup on a cold winter day is truly comforting!
Popular Breakfast - Fu Hang Dou Jiang
When visiting Shandao Temple, how could we not introduce Fu Hang Dou Jiang! It's the only soy milk shop recommended by Michelin and is a highly recommended must-eat breakfast spot in Taipei. The shop opens at 5:30 AM, yet some people start queuing as early as 5:00 AM. The editor's favorite is the thick shaobing (flatbread) with egg - biting into the crispy exterior with the tender egg is incredibly satisfying. The caramel sweet flatbread is a children's favorite, with melted malt sugar filling that slowly oozes out without being overly sweet. The editor highly recommends it. Overall, it's an excellent choice, which explains why it's crowned as tourists' favorite breakfast spot.
• Stylish Afternoon Tea - Xing Bo Coffee
After a satisfying meal, you might need a place to rest. The editor would like to introduce you to a world champion coffee shop, Xing Bo Coffee! The founder, Mr. Wu Zelin, has won the Taiwan Coffee Master Competition three consecutive times since 2013. In 2016, he finally won the World Barista Championship (WBC). Shortly after, he opened this Xing Bo Coffee shop.
Besides coffee, the shop also offers tea drinks. However, there's one cake in the store that I must recommend - it's called "Wrinkly," a half-baked honey cake. The cake is moist and full of a fluffy, airy texture. The sweet aroma of honey gently surrounds your mouth and nose. When paired with coffee, it's an absolute perfect match.
