The best AhGei in Danshui

Pretty much everybody who has been to Danshui knows about the AhGei (tofu stuffed with bean thread noodles, then topped with a zingy sauce). Most people who go to Danshui to try the snacks make a stop at one of the AhGei places along the old street of Danshui where all the rest of the snacks are. Like the always busy and far too cramped one near the Turkish ice cream shop. But what you probably dont know is where the locals go to have theirs. Its up the hill and towards the famous junior high school. I wish I could give you an address, but if you are really interested I can find that out for you.

Chicken Burrito in Shilin

Not sure if you know about this one, but if you are in Shilin night market and you happen to walk along the lane where the temple is, you will find a nice man, with a small stand and a long line selling small pizzas (dont look very good) and burritos (taste great). They are simple, not fancy, but very yummy. He used to have a spot in the Shida night market, but moved up to Shilin a couple or so years ago.

Taro stuffed fried pastry

Up on the North coast of Taiwan, North of Keelung there is a place called Yeh Liou. Yeh Liou is famous for the queens head rock and other interesting rock formations. Outside of the park (which you have to pay to get into) are some food stands. Mostly they sell corn, squid and fried goodies, I was looking and found this pastry. I love taro so I decided I had to try it. It was about 25 NT and well worth it. With a little bit of thick soy sauce on the outside and some chili sauce it totally hit the spot. I recommend it to anyone who likes to try new snacks and happens to be up in that area.

Bao Bing and Fruit Milk in Longshan

I dont know the name, but it always has a line, It has the best Papaya Milk in town in my opinion, though I have to try it more places to decide. Its shaved ice is very popular, with a good amount of sweet mango and condenced milk, the tables are always full.

Biff's Pitas

Biff's is in the same alley as the Noodle Shop I reviewed just recently. Biff's is worth a try for more that one reason. It's convenient (right in the night market), the food is ultra fresh and healthy as well. Fresh cooked and seasoned chicken a nice tasty sauce and plenty of salad vegies top it off. The price is right at 120 for two or 65 for one, though it used to be 100 for two, still you cant complain and its good to suport someone who wants to make good fresh and healthy food. They also have fries with a tasty powder on them. We usually eat them for our band practice and you can easily make your order and then walk around the night market if you are going to make a big order.

Mah Jiang Mien (Sesame Paste Noodles)

For most of my time in Taiwan I have been going around the Island sampling the noodles from as many shops as I can. I think it would take a lifetime to eat at every one. I will say one thing though, It is very hard to find a really good bowl of Sesame Paste noodles. The one I frequent is right by my house in the Shida night market restaurant area. Its just a small noodle stand, but its famous. A full meal there costs me 105 NT and has always been the same. A large bowl of noodles, a plate of green leafy vegis, pork ball soup and a boiled egg. If you want to know exactly where it is I can help you out with that. The point is that their Mah Jiang is DARK. Most places, or a lot of them add peanut powder to the Sesame sauce, which makes it a bit sweet and not at all as good. Let me know if you know where to get dark sesame paste noodles in Taipei or anywhere in Taiwan, I want to make a map of the good places. I know some...

The Shyabu Shyabu on Roosevelt just north of Shida Road

Its the one with the Yellow sign, anyhow you can find them in about 15 locations around Taipei and Taipei county as well as in other cities in Taiwan. First of all their prices are fair, its not all you can eat but its never easy to finish one pot by yourself, so it might as well be all you can eat. I usually share a pot or take half of it home to eat another day. I like the amount of vegetables they give you and its a good enough amount of meet. they also give you a shrimp and an egg for free as well as your choice of rice, noodles or bean thread. I really like thier soup, right from the begining it tasts good and it always makes me feel nice if I am not feeling that great. I never go alone, but its a good place to go with a friend. They also have a good selection of sauces to mix around. Just writing about it makes me hungry. I really like thier fish and my only compaint is their fish hot pot is does not give you the proper selection of fish, so I usually get a fish and meat pot to share or to take some home. If you get it this way they will give you 4 different kinds of fish, thats what I like. So, go and tell me what you think.