Anho Rd may be one of the most up-market areas in Taipei, but that doesn't mean you can never get your money's worth there. If you are not into pompous facades and faux grandeur, Ching Xiang is a nice place to have good Hakka and Sichuanese cuisine. The frequent flow of Japanese tourists staying in neighboring Far Eastern Plaza Hotel testifies to Ching Xiang's attraction, which comes from genuinely good food instead of expensive decor.
Chef Wu has run the restaurant for three years, before which he worked as either a cook or restaurant manager for more than 30 years. At Ching Xiang, he wears both hats. In times of recession, Wu said, this is a way to survive without resorting to using substandard ingredients at the expense of the quality of the food.
Despite the restaurant's no-frills interior, there's one thing really spectacular to it -- the menu. There's a category for virtually everything -- from cold plates, tofu and tapanyaki to hotpot. The "egg" section alone lists nine dishes, which is "just part of what we make. If there's any other kind of egg dish you can think of, just tell us. The menu's flexible," said Wu.
PHOTO: DAVID VAN DER VEEN, TAIPEI TIMES
Although the restaurant specializes in Hakka and Sichuanese cuisine with Hakka stir-fry its most popular item, Wu, a Hakka trained in Sichuanese cuisine, doesn't mind blending the two styles or adding a Taiwanese flavor, "as long as it tastes good," he said.
Hakka-style sauteed fish (NT$380) is both tasty and nicely presented. The fish is sauteed with herbs and chili peppers, which take the excess grease from the fish, creating a light yet delightfully spicy taste. Good timing while cooking gives the fish a crispy gold crust that combines nicely with the herbs on top.
Pork ribs with spring onion (NT$350) also wins a prize for presentation with the generous portion of pork surrounded by a ring of crispy green vegetables. The lean part of the pork has a tender texture while the fat is so smooth it is far from repelling. It's a great find for meat-eaters.
For desserts, Ching Xiang recommends fried yam (NT$150), a good complement to the dishes. Purported to relieve the effects of diabetes, anemia and hypertension, yam's popularity has surged in Taiwan in recent years. The purple rolls are fried until they are crispy on the outside while the filling remains soft and sticky. Sweet but not cloying, it's a choice dessert for health-conscious diners.
That US assistance was a model for Taiwan’s spectacular development success was early recognized by policymakers and analysts. In a report to the US Congress for the fiscal year 1962, former President John F. Kennedy noted Taiwan’s “rapid economic growth,” was “producing a substantial net gain in living.” Kennedy had a stake in Taiwan’s achievements and the US’ official development assistance (ODA) in general: In September 1961, his entreaty to make the 1960s a “decade of development,” and an accompanying proposal for dedicated legislation to this end, had been formalized by congressional passage of the Foreign Assistance Act. Two
Despite the intense sunshine, we were hardly breaking a sweat as we cruised along the flat, dedicated bike lane, well protected from the heat by a canopy of trees. The electric assist on the bikes likely made a difference, too. Far removed from the bustle and noise of the Taichung traffic, we admired the serene rural scenery, making our way over rivers, alongside rice paddies and through pear orchards. Our route for the day covered two bike paths that connect in Fengyuan District (豐原) and are best done together. The Hou-Feng Bike Path (后豐鐵馬道) runs southward from Houli District (后里) while the
March 31 to April 6 On May 13, 1950, National Taiwan University Hospital otolaryngologist Su You-peng (蘇友鵬) was summoned to the director’s office. He thought someone had complained about him practicing the violin at night, but when he entered the room, he knew something was terribly wrong. He saw several burly men who appeared to be government secret agents, and three other resident doctors: internist Hsu Chiang (許強), dermatologist Hu Pao-chen (胡寶珍) and ophthalmologist Hu Hsin-lin (胡鑫麟). They were handcuffed, herded onto two jeeps and taken to the Secrecy Bureau (保密局) for questioning. Su was still in his doctor’s robes at
Mirror mirror on the wall, what’s the fairest Disney live-action remake of them all? Wait, mirror. Hold on a second. Maybe choosing from the likes of Alice in Wonderland (2010), Mulan (2020) and The Lion King (2019) isn’t such a good idea. Mirror, on second thought, what’s on Netflix? Even the most devoted fans would have to acknowledge that these have not been the most illustrious illustrations of Disney magic. At their best (Pete’s Dragon? Cinderella?) they breathe life into old classics that could use a little updating. At their worst, well, blue Will Smith. Given the rapacious rate of remakes in modern