Gastro Monkey // 美食家

GoTo Cook Website: http://gotucook.wixsite.com/cookingclass If you didn't already know, The Boyfriend likes to cook. So, I thought it would be fun to try something new this trip - a cooking class! It actually didn't occur to me to even look for a cooking class taught in English in Taipei until I started reading A Culinary History of Taipei ... which is a great book if you're interested in learning more about food. I was leaning more towards bugging family to teach me or The Boyfriend. If you don't want to bother family though, there is Calvin Tu! Calvin is a great instructor, and is passionate about what he does. His teaching method is great regardless of if you are a dabbler (like me), or if you have much more skill (The Boyfriend). He is very adaptable, and instructs in either Mandarin or English. He went to Le Cordon Bleu, and was a chef in Australia before moving to Taiwan.  On the website, you can take a look at the different menu options that range fro...

One of my favorite places to relax in Taiwan is Wulai. At some point in my life, I realized that it's harder to slow down and just breathe. Wulai allows me to do that with the marvelous natural hot springs, fantastic local produce, and small town living. A lot of foreigners like taking a cab to get to Wulai (actually, most foreigners like going to Beitou for hot springs and is probably more tourist friendly), but I think taking the bus and holding on for dear life is part of the fun. And, you appreciate it more when you make it there after not plummeting off a cliff amrite? In Wulai itself, you don't need a car. There's the bus stop, and the main town. It's a small town. Some places you have to search for the bus stop on the way back, but it's the same general spot so it's easy to find. It also comes and goes regularly so if you miss one, just wait for the next.  The majority of food vendors and restaurants are along the main street. It is impossible to mis...