Author Alice Herait As an aficionado of culinary programs, I didn’t hesitate before watching the “Somebody Feed Phil” episode on Taiwan. I’m not a fan of this show. I find Phil’s childlike expressions and lack of criticism about the food he eats cringy and annoying. But I would never miss a Netflix documentary on my host country, where I’ve been living in for the past five years, even more so if it is related to its table delicacies. My mind got blown 10 minutes into the episode, when Phil and his guest Janet Hsieh (謝怡芬), also a food show host, sat at RAW, a 2-Michelin-star restaurant. Everyth ..read more

Author JA Editor Tzu Hsuan Chan Food in Kaohsiung Are you in Kaohsiung ready to indulge in some delicious food but not sure where to start? Then you absolutely can’t miss this section on eateries around the Kaohsiung MRT. Why not begin your culinary journey with snacks near the Kaohsiung MRT? As the main mode of transportation in Kaohsiung, each MRT station is surrounded by countless delicious snacks. Whether you’re craving savory bites to satisfy your hunger or sweet treats for an afternoon delight, the snacks around the Kaohsiung MRT will surely meet your needs! Kaohsiung Arena Sta ..read more

Author Dodo Editor Tzu Hsuan Chan Taiwan Attractions | 5 Unique Temples Worship and Blessings Await! Today, we’ll take you on a temple tour across Taiwan’s attractions! Visiting temples to pray for blessings is a leisure activity often done by Taiwanese people during holidays and festivals. Taiwan is home to many unique temples, such as the world’s only Glass Matsu Temple in Changhua, the Stonegate Coral Shell Temple that resembles an undersea dragon palace, the majestic Zhongliao Golden Dragon Mountain Fahua Temple on the Golden Dragon Bridge, the largest maze in Taiwan at the Yunli ..read more

Author Dodo Editor Tzu Hsuan Chan Sanduo Commercial District Travel Guide With the rise of the Taipei-Kaohsiung one-day living circle, bustling Kaohsiung, known as the gateway to the harbor, has become exceptionally lively. Not only have renowned Western artists performed consecutively at the Kaohsiung Arena, but distinctive shopping districts scattered throughout the city have also become popular gathering spots. In addition to the Pier-2 Art Center, E-DA Theme Park, and Taroko Park Kaohsiung, the Sanduo Commercial District, adorned with numerous department store ..read more

Author Chris Van Laak Photographer Chris Van Laak, Mei&Mei, Daiju Azuma  My first breakfast in Taiwan was a big disappointment.  It was about seven years ago; I was traveling in Asia and had no idea Taiwan would soon become my new home. A Taiwanese friend had told me that “traditional Taiwanese breakfast” is great and that breakfast shops serving it are ubiquitous in Taipei. Having “breakfast” for breakfast sounded exciting to me, even though I had just gotten used to the absence of any breakfast-specific options in many places I had visited in Asia.  A few weeks before I ar ..read more

It is time to appreciate a ubiquitous feature of Taiwanese cities. No matter what derision is sent their way—“they are ugly”; “they’re a relic of the past that is no longer needed”—the window cages (鐵窗) attached to most older apartment buildings are an essential trait of Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung and all other Taiwanese cities. They are not going to disappear anytime soon—luckily. Nearly all units of many apartment buildings have window cages. In the 1980s, the Taipei City Government had other plans though. The global image of the city was perceived as bad, and for some reason window cages w ..read more

Author Joel Haslam Photographer BG Hut Editor Chih Yi Chen (Chelsea) The Rise of the Euro It may be finding Wingspan in Target, Ticket to Ride on Saturday Night Live, or the eager friend at a party encouraging you to play Werewolf or Codenames; everywhere you look, board games are on the up. Forget your childhood copies of Monopoly and Scrabble, board games have come a long way since then. With the advent of crowdfunding platforms like Gamefound and Kickstarter, board gaming has grown into a multimillion-dollar business. Settlers of monopoly.(Photo・Maria Lin Kim） Since the explosion of the ‘ga ..read more

Author JA Editor Chan Tzu Hsuan Taiwan, with its excellent geographical location, harbors numerous unique hot springs due to frequent tectonic activities. The cool weather of autumn and winter provides the perfect opportunity for soaking in warm, soothing hot springs, instantly relieving accumulated fatigue. Explore Taiwan’s collection of exquisite and distinctive hot spring resorts, akin to immersing oneself in a secluded paradise, indulging in the blissful relaxation offered by natural hot springs. This autumn and winter, embark on a rejuvenating hot spring journey for a truly fulf ..read more

Author Chris van Laak Photographer Jason Chen There are plenty of dining options to discover in Taipei, especially at the upper end of the spectrum, where young chefs create new experiences. Getting the best out of century-old traditions is one thing they seek to master, while experimentation and discovering new frontiers is the other. Some Michelin-starred innovators in the kitchen descended on Taipei last month for the International Chefs Summit 2024. In between exploring Nanmen Market and the Dadaocheng area with My Taiwan Tour, two of them sat down with Taiwan Scene for an interview. They ..read more

Author Chris van Laak Photographer Chris van Laak Sisig, a Filipino favorite made with various pork cuts and chicken liver, will “win the hearts and minds of the world.”  This was in 2017 and the late Antony Bourdain had just proclaimed Filipino food the next big thing. The statement by the very much missed American celebrity chef and documentary maker was obviously an exaggeration. Nobody expected all the world to start craving the distinct sweet and sour taste of Filipino food. Still, at least in the US, articles about mouthwatering Pinoy cuisine kept on coming, including in the New Yor ..read more