Gastro Monkey // 美食家

Not much makes me happier than an amazing bowl of beef noodle soup. There are two that I really love in Kaohsiung: 港園 and 牛老二. At 港園, their star is the clear broth beef noodle soup.  For those who are just learning about beef noodle soup, there are two kinds.  The first type has a darker broth which has soy sauce added and can be often referred to as 紅燒牛肉麵, or "hong sau." This kind can also be found listed as 四川牛肉麵, or "Szechuan niu rou mian." This is based on the Szechuanese people who fled to Taiwan after the war. Wanting that taste of home, they did what they could with local ingredients. So, while the main basis of beef noodle soup in Taiwan is the Szchuanese style from China, it has developed and become a star in its own right in Taiwan. The history of it all is a bit complicated, but worth digging an d researching. The best websites seem to be in Japanese, but if you are lucky enough to find a print book, those are even better! The other ...

This is currently my favorite beef noodle restaurant in Taipei. It was on my list for a while (like so many other places, but always so many places and so little time!). So what makes it so special in a city like Taipei? I judge by noodles, broth, and meat. Some people care about the location, cleanliness, and service also, but I'm willing to overlook most of that for a fantastic bowl. Which is exactly what this is, at Fuhong Beef Noodles. Incredibly simple, extremely beefy, and supremely hot and satisfying. For now, this is it for me. Of course, I intend to keep up the search because there are just too many shops there and I think unless I lived in Taipei and had nothing else to do, I wouldn't be able to get to every single beef noodle restaurant! Bowl of beef noodle soup (medium size) with some seaweed and pig ears Accoutrements:  辣牛油 or "spicy butter," 辣椒粉 or special chili sauce, 辣椒醬 another chili sauce, and pickled veggies As soon as I sat down I ...

I feel like it's been a while since I posted about beef noodles, so it's time for another. This restaurant has been on my list for a while. I had attempted to go there before, but it was closed. They are one of the few restaurants that close between lunch and dinner, so plan accordingly! I feel like I have seen this place on someones blog or Instagram, or even just random browsing on Instagram. I am glad though, that this last trip out I was finally able to try it.  While most places in Taiwan I feel, have pretty good service, and are generally friendly, Furong is not one of them. They are of the please order right away and eat and don't dawdle. Good thing their beef noodles are pretty good! I would definitely come back for another bowl (although I would have to say my favorite is currently another place that I have been meaning to blog about, so I would be more likely to go there before attempting to come here). The next time you're in Taipei, give it a try and let...

Based on quite a few recommendations, I made my way over to 穆記小吃牛肉麵. It's located in a small neighborhood a ten minute walk away from the Taipei 101 MRT Station. All of the reviews have been stellar, although I have to say, each beef noodle shop has their own collection of followers who all proclaim that theirs is the best. How much is bias based on eating there since youth, or it being their first beef noodle experience, I can't say. What I do know is that this isn't exactly on my top 5 list.  Have you watched that scene in Sex and the City where the door greeter/waiter yells at Carrie, "Singles at the counter! Singles, counter!" That's how I was "greeted" when I entered the shop. Except instead of a counter, I was seated a banquet table with two other families. Everyone ate quietly aside from the slurping. I was given a quick minute to order, and while waiting for my food, was yelled at for taking a picture of the employees working. So, I only...

Almost ten years ago, my uncles talked about this fantastic beef noodle soup restaurant as we were driving to Kaohsiung. During that drive, they discussed the pickled veggies, how they were the best at any beef noodle restaurant. They were so good that people would use up the entire container, so they added so many chilies to it that people would have no choice but to limit their quantities. What can we do to make those pickled veggies more edible? It wasn't that the chilies are bad, they are just too spicy for normal people. My uncles aren't normal. They are descended from my Szechuanese grandparents and are no strangers to fire. That's how hot these chilies are.  I was in my mid twenties at the time, but I felt like a little kid. That's how much anticipation built up while they discussed their eating strategy. Plus, beef noodles have always been my favorite thing to eat. They park in the lot next to 85 Sky Tower and I make a mental note of our path from that p...

[If you missed out on the first part, here is the link to Part I ] The second part of our trip started with a homemade breakfast at the hotel (which I would consider more of a B&B than a hotel). Sorry, no pictures are available as I was relaxing too much and enjoying myself. Not that I can't enjoy myself while lugging around a camera, but it's nice to also just be in the moment.  This section looks like there aren't as many food pictures, but don't forget to scroll down and see! There's food that you can get in the mountains that just taste so much better because of the locale. I do think though, that if you have time while visiting Taiwan that you make at the very least a day trip to visit the Alishan National Forest. If you're lucky, and the weather is nice, you get an amazing view. If you come during February-March, you should be able to see the cherry blossoms there. In the winter when we were there, they were very much bare. This tree has ...