September 15, 2012

My breakfast

Xiao Long Bao

There is this cart near where my brother lived for a few months when he studied at 台大. Even back then, I eyed the cart selling 小籠包 for $7NT each. I am happy to report that this little buns are indeed quite tasty. Sadly, I had to share two of them. :(

Across the tiny street

Across the 小籠包 people are the weird sushi roll people. Well, they sell other things, too, but my mom's friend bought me these. The first bite was not bad. As you can see, they have 肉鬆 ("pork floss"), cucumber, and rice (of course). You can see bits of ham or imitation crab. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to say I'm not a fan of this plate. I will perhaps come back to try their cold noodles though.

My Lunch in 宜蘭 (Yilan)

Store front on a rainy day

Their neighbors sell ice cream burritos!

Menu is simple - just two items

The loading dock

Get Saucy

So, I found myself in Yilan tagging along with my mama who has not yet left Taiwan. We were just passing through, unfortunately. My mom's friend brought us to this store. Despite the rain, there was quite a wait for the green onion pancake. This 蔥油餅 Cong You Bing, $25NT if you add egg and $20NT without, is unlike what I have had in the past. Unfortunately, I don't really mean this in a good way. Fried, check. Tasty sauces, check. Green onion, check. Is it that once you've had 三星蔥油餅 (San Xing) you can never go back? I. Don't. Know. It's...something is just off. When you eat 三星蔥油餅, something happens. You reach a state of nirvana in which you stop wanting anything because you've reached this ultimate happiness where fresh, fragrant green onions mate and intertwine with delicious dough that has a fried, chewier texture. Is it fair to compare this two types of 蔥油餅? Probably not. Anyway, I was kind of sad because San Xing is part of Yi Lan, and it's like it was just out of my reach. Further down the street, I ordered some fresh milk with grass jelly ($35NT). I love milk here in Taiwan. Either my mind is tricking me, or there appears to be a lack of lactose! :)

Me and me ma

Complete Meal

My after-lunch snack

Green Onion bread

Honestly, I'm doing this post a few days later. I can't remember that well. I do, however, remember some of the delicious edges of this bread. Mmm, how can I describe? The bread had this baked buttery skin that has a delicate crunch that you get to enjoy before you make your way to the center. This bread was a gift, so I do not know the price. My mom friend tells me this bakery (Pon?) is very good. Unfortunately, I think they only have shops in Yilan.

My after-dinner snack in 新竹 Hsin Chu

Unassuming stand

Popcorn Chicken with Basil ($40NT)

Last Bite

50 degrees

I'm skipping over dinner. I had dinner with my family, but I don't remember what the restaurant was called. It was fancy. The prices were silly. The braised pork ribs were delicious. Moving on...

After dinner, my cousin whom I haven't seen in over six months wanted to take me everywhere to keep me well fed. After strapping on my slightly-loose helmet, I hopped on behind my cousin and held her, mmmmmm, pretty tightly as we took the 8-10 minute trip to buy milk tea and popcorn chicken ($40NT). Wow, the fried chicken was tender. Now, the basil wasn't fried crispy, but it's not a big deal. Oolong 奶茶 from 50 嵐 accompanied this snack as a way to balance savory with sweet. If this combination didn't mean calories heading straight for the thighs, this meal...all day, e'erday.

I EAT TOO MUCH HERE WHAT IS GOING ON.