Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner... Taipei, Taiwan!

Taipei threw another 'Typhoon Day' at me, I remained unfazed by that government weather decision. I still refused to class 'convenience store' food as a plausible choice because I wanted to stay true to 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner' as a blog series. There was one thing for me to say! Another day of closures? I wasn't going to let this blog series fade away, Taipei deserved better! 

Sure, the search for breakfast in Taipei was getting to be absurd! The previous day saw me greeted by a shuttered breakfast spot as the first day of closures turned my plans upside down. I wanted to wish the impending typhoon well but honestly those loyalties weren't on an even level! No, they were not! After clocking the 'Presidential Office Building' and some rather shady business, I had pounded pavement with many '7 Eleven' stores crossing my path. I remained resolute to find something that resembled 'breakfast'. The weather really had turned in a bad direction with continuing rain showers, I grew more hungry by the minute, I was growing hangry once again! I didn't want anything fancy nor from any famous chains such as '鼎泰豐/Ding Tai Fung' because that wasn't in my Taiwan foodie plan whilst I was in Taipei! I knew in that moment that I wouldn't take another problem-free 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner' for granted ever again! I just wanted something to eat and my breakfast timings were slipping away. 天哪!  

From out of the blue I saw a restaurant that was open, that was enough for me! I wanted some Taiwanese dumplings and nothing more! Breakfast, I am going to call it something like that because it was not a normal situation! Those meat filled dumplings were absolutely delicious with a soupy filling, I was in heaven and no famous brand name was adorned on that restaurants' door! I warmed up with some hot tea, I knew that was the right drink for the moment to have. Those dumplings found me, I was happy to fill the void because my stomach felt empty! Forced to ditch the apps, I had to let go and forgive Taipei because it wasn't her fault. That almost non-existent breakfast didn't need to have a time placed upon it, those dumplings were my lucky charm because they were Taipei's little secret, I wasn't playing! Feeling refuelled by those delectable dumplings, I realised that not being hung up about the venue was the way to go! Yes, my timings were all over the place, I had to run with those changes! Taipei tried me! 

Keeping to the same track without looking at my mobile maps, I found it hard to believe that I found my lunch-time serving by chance! Taipei's 'Huashan 1914 Creative Park' suited the grey and dismal skies that Taipei was serving up to me, it was actually a mood! Originally opened in 1914 as 'Taihokou Winery' under Japanese rule, I stood knowing nothing because researching in the moment didn't feel important. The history of the building felt important to know but during my actual visit I enjoyed walking around the many concrete buildings. Mostly all of them were shut due to the government closure measures, I had to get the best of that tourist attraction from the outside in. As the rain carried on, I was able to run for cover once again. Taking a brief break from the relentless rain showers, it was something of a day I hadn't expected to be. The feeling of being 'locked out' rapidly became normalised during that October 2024 moment! Lunch was served up soggy with a side of more rain, I wanted more substance for dinner later on! 走吧, T!

Sure, I had business to take care of but those dealings didn't last forever! Choosing to walk towards my evening meal felt correct. I checked those maps twice and thrice, I got my life as I walked through those wet Taipei streets. I had a real love for the city during those post-lunch settings, I had a real love for Taipei during that moment. I knew that Mandarin stood before me on those street and store signs but the freeness in the air washed all over me, allowing me to breathe freely without any judgment passed. The day had been a hot rainy mess, it actually had been just that in every sense. As the wind grew more ferocious, I met with the safety of Taipei Station where I used that transport hub as some kind of sanctuary. Getting back to Ximen for an early night was my only request, I knew what I needed to do. Even the shopping centre inside Taipei Station felt cosy, it exuded a sense of warmth and formality, I had love for Taipei! 愛你!

Ximen ensured that finding my evening meal wouldn't be a chore, I did deliberate but I knew that I wanted to try some Taiwanese style food. Yes, I had looked at menus galore, I wanted to celebrate the day with something nice to eat, needless to say the blog had been hard to formulate! I made my choice, I took a seat at that bar seating area with much amazement. The heat from the open kitchen griddle had me feeling all hot and bothered but a bottle of Taiwan Beer sorted those heated settings out immediately. I ordered the prawns and tofu because being on an island, I wanted to try something from the ocean. I loved seeing my dinner prepared before my eyes. The energy in that restaurant was fast paced with the cooks cheffing up a storm beyond the patrons very eyes, I didn't feel as if I was in a tourist establishment. Honestly, it felt great to be back in Ximen, the day had been full-packed and I needed an early night. I wasn't ready for that news report! The typhoon had been upgraded and was about to make landfall! 

My dinner was served up with a side order of drama as catastrophic winds hit the southern coast of Taiwan! I had originally planned to visit Kaohsuing that day but something told that my unplanned day Taipei was my safest bet, it had been that! The news reporters were barely able to complete their segments as the winds battered places near Kaohsuing, it was clear that I had much to process whilst I enjoyed my evening meal. This typhoon had been abnormal, it had actually caused some serious damage to the south but in Taipei we had been spared! I felt safe in the knowledge that the scenes from the news reports didn't impact my overall plans, some flights had been cancelled but I had been given grace. I ate the rest of my food, paid my cheque and left for my hotel. The day had been an interesting one, I wanted to get out of the rain for the last time that day. Calling it a night after I had finished my meal was a winner, I still hoped that my coastal tour would take place the following day! That 'Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner' was a chore! 

On The Road... Again?

Desperately Seeking Adventure