Travel is the healthiest addiction.
Welcome back again to my blog on Taipei part 2 : WAN HUA
Hope you enjoyed reading my blog on Zhong Zheng.
Wan Hua District known in Chinese as 艋舺 (Monga) is the oldest district in Taipei. It was also the first district to undergo economic development. There are still many old buildings waiting to be explored here.
There are also many temples in this area which were built during the prosperous days from the Qing Dynasty. This district is divided into 3 sections: North area where XiMenDing is, the central area where Lungshan Temple and Bopiliao located, and the southern part is where mainly are residential buildings.
I made a few visits over here during these 10 days here, there are many changes since my last visits. New buildings appeared on the site of my favorite old school PoYa departmental store. Some shops are missing, like my favorite Paris Strawberry shop is also gone. Perhaps they did not make it through Covid.
BoPiLiao Historical Block (剝皮寮歷史街區)
BoPiLiao Historic Street; traditional shopping; and local snacks.
Most shops here are closed on Mondays.
We came on the morning of Saturday, the crowds' strength was just a handful, most shops were not open yet.
Though we finished the street within 10 minutes, we walked around the perimeter of the place too.
The main attraction of this place is the red brick buildings with big traditional ancient wooden doors.
This ancient street was once a prosperous trade center during the Qing era. Due to its perfect river along Tamsui River, trading vessels flooded in during those days.
Today, Bopiliao is a view for us to see what happened during the past. Locals are very friendly that they are willing to tell you about the stories from their past generations who stayed here.
The atmosphere here is very good, the perfect place for a leisure walk and taking beautiful pictures.
The famous LungShan Temple & HuaXi Night market are nearby too.
ChuanYe Meatballs (川業肉圓)
Just 2 minutes' walk from BoPiLiao and 5 minutes' walk from LungShan Temple. This centenarian was originally from QuanZhou and is now currently proudly run by the 4th generation.
It is located along the stretch of old buildings which are well preserved, the owners here also put in a few wooden supporting beams to maintain the shop.
Though they do sell various soups, noodles and rice, the main star of the menu is the meat ball.
We ordered a fried meatball and also a steamed meatball. The transparent and rubbery skin of the meatball is made of sweet potatoes flour and 5 grains flour which tastes very chewy and special.
The fillings are well marinated, which consist of pork meat, mushrooms and leek. The whole meatball is drained over by the Chinese red yeast rice wine (红糟酒) which most Chinese women ate during confinement.
The staff are very friendly; they answered my questions happily. The place is clean & bright, cutleries are sterilized.
As mentioned earlier, this shop is originally from QuanZhou but how come it will end up in WanHua?
According to the history of the shop, the founder of the shop seeks divines' advice on how to prosperous the business. It was advised that Monga (the old name of WanHua) is the place where most QuanZhou's migrants were staying so the founder moved his whole family over and settled down here ever since.
LungShan Temple
LungShan Temple was constructed by the Fujian immigrants in the 18th Century.
It is one of the most popular temples in Taiwan that receiving tributes from the Chinese Buddhist from all over the world. Even curious non-Buddhist visitors come along, clicking away their camera on this ancient beauty. What a pride of Taiwan!
The LungShan Temple has survived several natural disasters and a few wars.
During WW2, Monga area was air raided and parts of the main hall was damaged, but the statue of The Goddness of Mercy was 100% intact. This miracle sign spread throughout the nation where people start ro flocked in to seek blessings.
The Marriage God (Yue Lao) too, attracted devotees from many single ladies and men seeking blessing for finding the other half.
Various conservations were done throughout the years to maintain the building. Few constructions are done to improve the surrounding like parks, retails outlets and even F&B joints. There is an underground mall nearby selling Buddhist related products and antiques shops.
The temple consists of 3 halls in the front, middle and the back. All halls are lavishly decorated with beautiful dragon engravements and Chinese arts.
麻膳堂 MAZENDO (萬華桂林店)
Located in the building of Carrefour Hypermarket in GuiLin which is a short walking distance from HuaXi Night Market. The choice of food is vast, we ended up with this because we want to eat light food.
We ordered xiaolongbao, gyoza and fried pork chop. Xiaolongbao will taste better if the skin is thinner, no complain for gyoza & fried pork chop.
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| One look already can tell the skin is thick. |
After this meal, we will proceed to do some shopping in Carrefour and here are some of our loots;
Bonus photo: Mobile Goose Meat Seller.
HuaXi Night Market
A famous night market that is very well liked by the locals and tourist. The indoored night market is a perfect place to look out for authentic local Taiwanese food.
3 decades ago, the former name of HuaXi Night Market was "Snake Alley". It was famous for snakes and turtle delicacies which Chinese believed that there are many health benefits and even enhances male virility. Many locals and tourist come all the way here to view the killing of snakes, draining of blood and slurping down the stews.
As years went by, people grew to be anti-animal abuse and support animals' rights. The business for snakes' delicacies started to dwindle, and people call this place HuaXi Night market. Today, there is still a small handful of snake business running here.
This place was not only famous for snake meat during the old days, but it was also famous for its red-light district and adult videos street. Until today, the oldest trade of the world is still living in the other side of the night market.
As we strolled further, we realised that this sheltered night market is divided into 2 parts (similar to Japan's shogentais), the first part of the night market is made up of mostly of massages, hair salons, nails salon.
This is the infamous "Snake Stew" shop which we happened to saw 2 similar shops at the first section of the night market. As we cross the road to the other section of HuaXi market, this area is mainly food street, and our dinner is at the end of the street.
Wang's Broth (小王清湯瓜仔肉)
Heard this is the mafia of Monga so we are here too. The queue formed fast so it is good to come earlier, eat earlier, digest earlier so can eat more later.
It is our first visit, and it shall not be the last time either. I just added this place onto my "must eat" list.
We finished everything we ordered.
Steamed minced pork with pickle broth
Boiled chicken
Stewed pork belly
Cabbage
Braised Tofu
Lu Rou Fan
The braised products are well braised under slow fire for many hours to reach such deep and intense taste and texture - soft and tender where the fats just melted in the mouth. These braised products are so mouth-watering and irresistible.
I am a Hokkien, I cook this dish regularly too, so I know this is not an easy dish.
This is my nephew who happened to be in Taipei with his family for a holiday too. And he has a deep friendship with my man!
This cute boy is my grandnephew, he is very smart and playful.
Though the meeting was over a dinner and a cup of coffee after meal, we had great fun bonding together.
Finally, we are the last section of WanHua - XiMenDing, though we are at the final lap of this blog, but this section will be very long and full of great photos and food.
XiMenDing
XiMen means west gate in Chinese, is the hippest place of the city. It was built as an entertaining area when Taiwan was under the Japanese Colony, and it still maintain that atmosphere. It is a must come place for me when I can do all my needed shopping at one go, usually I will choose a boutique hotel here so that it is easier for me and my friends to go for many rounds of shopping after returning to our room to drop our loots.
Perfect place for families outing, couples on dates, friends gathering or even lone strolling.
XiMenDing is literally built on retails shops, cinema, restaurants, cafes, bubble tea bars, street food etc. Even at the nights where the night market comes alive, it is still as busy as the day. XiMenDing doesnt sleep. Many people like to compare this place with Tokyo's Shibuya, but to me I doubt they are comparable as each has its own difference charm and character.
Here to share our adventure for this trip where I start from exit 6 of XiMen station...
PS: 10min walk from XiMen station, there is ChengZhong Market (城中市場), Which I will cover on my next visit to Taipei. Heard that this pkace has been around since the Japanese era. Today, it has many shops selling food, fashion, household and etc..
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| mask is compulsory on all public transports and some private establishments. |
Pride Flag of Taipei
Easily spot along HanZhong street, which is just outside of the exit 6 of XiMen MRT.
Taiwan become the first country in Asia to legalized same sex marriage in 2019.
A rainbow was constructed at the exit 6 of XiMen station on 25 September 2019 to symbolized Taipei City's respect for human rights and the intensive effort to promote sex equality and gender friendliness. Gradually, it became of popular attraction of the Taipei city in WanHua district.
Just after the Pride Flag, this is one of the many entries into the busy heart of XiMenDing.
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (阿宗麵線)
Topped on my "must eat" list, I have been returning for more since my very first visit.
Since 1975, this legendary shop has been a familiar face in XiMenDing.
It still tastes the same as ever. Silky and smooth noodles with fish flavoured broth, there is a self-service counter where you can help yourself with the parsley, vinegar, chilli or garlic.
There is no table seating here though there are some stools which are usually reserved for old, pregnant ladies or young children.
Most of the time, the abled bodies ones ate by standing around the shop.
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| The last visit, I paid NTD40 for a small bowl. |
Fong Da Coffee 蜂大咖啡
Another mafia of the town, this classic old timer has been standing here since 1956. Very popular with locals and tourists, queues are expected.
It is our first visit and shall not be the last , I have added it into my "must eat" list.
Beside this place is in old schooled designed, they also sell various old-time food that enhance the age of the place.
We ordered coffee, walnut cookie and sandwich that came with reasonable price, nice ambience and "million dollar" nostalgic feel.
Nishi Honganji Relics(西本願寺)
Originally constructed as the "Taiwan Brach" of Kyoto's Nishi Hongan-Ji shrine
Walking around the XiMenDing area, it is easily to stumble upon this relic of a Japanese looking bell tower at the side of the pedestrian walkway.
瓦崎燒烤火鍋 西門店
An average hotpot & BBQ shop located at the level 2 of ChengDu Road, so it is quite "hidden".As we came on a weekday, so the price is considered good.
The big bowl of pig's blood is my man's favorite, no longer available in Singapore!
The meat are well marinated which is expected for all similar shop.
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Though the ice cream's bar is using the name of Cold Stone Creamery & Hagen Daz, but I don't think they are taste like these ice cream brands. Nevertheless, it still tastes fine to me.
There are too many choices of hotpot & BBQ shops here so next round if I want to eat, I will try other shops.
海產張小館 HAI CHAN CHANG restaurant
This hidden gem has been operating here for decades. It is located in a small alley, quite a distance from the main road. The must come place for true blue Taiwanese home-cooked food that has been run by the same family for decades. I just added this shop onto my "must eat again" list.
The shop front is simple and not attractive, the interior is also simple but very clean. The staff attitude is very welcoming and friendly. The basis of the dishes here is mostly stir fried, which is our favorite! There is English menu available, so it is ok for foreigners, but staff have a limited on an English conversation.
Overall, this is such a pleasant dining experience for us. I will come back again next time.
魚池貳壹
I think the English name for the shop is "Fish Pond 21".
Coming to Taiwan, never leave without buying at least a cup of bubble tea. The trip is never complete without adding at least a cup into your stomach. Bubble Tea was invented since 1980s and today it has become a worldwide sensation that there is even one shop in Aalborg. There are few choices on the boba which is very nice, chewy and fragrance! The taste of the tea is also such a sensation to our happy stomachs!
We have come to the end of this blog on Wan Hua, coming up next will be on Shi Lin where the famous night market is located. While the blogs on Da An, DaTong, TamSui will be on their queues for publishments.
We visited Europe recently like The Netherlands & Belgium recently : Amsterdam, The Hague , Rotterdam , Kinderdijk , Naarden ,Muiden , Haarlem , Nijmegan, Brussel, Bruges and Antwerp
Feel free, you are most welcome to browse through my other blogs to France, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia and cruises etc. I will be deeply blessed if you can like my facebook page:: followblueginger
Lastly, thanks for dropping by.
Wish you good luck.
Cheers
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