A distinctive feature of Taiwan’s culinary landscape, the rechao (熱炒, literally “hot-fry”) joint is a perennial favorite with its fresh seafood, bargain prices and unpretentious atmosphere. I usually avoid such places, however, for several reasons, not least of which are the sometimes dirty surroundings, questionable hygiene standards, and inebriated men playing drinking games at a deafening volume while smoking like chimneys.
Located in the heart of Taipei’s East District (東區), Xanadu (鮮納肚) has restored my faith in rechao restaurants. Though boasting the typical trappings, including beer girls, it is an updated and much tidier version.
The interior is orderly and brightly lit; the utensils look clean. There is no fishy smell and smoking is not allowed until 9pm at the earliest, according to the restaurant’s very sociable proprietor.
Photo: Ho Yi, Taipei Times
Many of Xanadu’s dishes are made from offal. Popular dishes include sauteed pork liver (香煎豬肝, NT$100), which is delectably tender and doesn’t leave a metallic taste in the mouth like other restaurants’ versions do.
The extensive seafood menu includes sashimi platters of salmon, tuna, swordfish and squid that cost between NT$100 and NT$190 per dish.
The dragon balls (鹹酥龍珠, NT$150), or octopus mouths fried with scallion, chili and peanuts, come recommended, though they could be habit-forming.
Photo: Ho Yi, Taipei Times
Xanadu’s shuizhu pork slices (水煮肉片), boiled strips of pork and vegetables served with oil and spices, is a localized version of a Sichuan specialty. By localized, I mean the dish lacks the numbing quality of the Sichuan peppercorn. The dish comes in three sizes, with the smallest (NT$300) enough for a group of three.
The open seafood display offers options that are often not on the menu. Ask the waitstaff for recommendations, but treat the response with a healthy dose of skepticism. On a recent visit, my dining partners and I ordered a crab that cost NT$1,000 on the recommendation of our server. It turned out to be very disappointing.
Just after 6am, I walked up to the ticket gate at Taipei Main Station and entered the Taiwan Railway platform without scanning any ticket; instead, I flashed the Sanrio Fun Rail pass on my phone to the gate worker and was admitted. I found my train and prepared to board. My destination? This very same station. I was embarking on a 13-hour journey on one of two round-the-island trains operated by ezTravel. They run each day, one counterclockwise around the island and one clockwise. They differ in a number of ways from an ordinary Taiwan Railway train and can make for
Jason Han says that the e-arrival card spat between South Korea and Taiwan shows that Seoul is signaling adherence to its “one-China” policy, while Taiwan’s response reflects a reciprocal approach. “Attempts to alter the diplomatic status quo often lead to tit-for-tat responses,” the analyst on international affairs tells the Taipei Times, adding that Taiwan may become more cautious in its dealings with South Korea going forward. Taipei has called on Seoul to correct its electronic entry system, which currently lists Taiwan as “China (Taiwan),” warning that reciprocal measures may follow if the wording is not changed before March 31. As of yesterday,
The Portuguese never established a presence on Taiwan, but they must have traded with the indigenous people because later traders reported that the locals referred to parts of deer using Portuguese words. What goods might the Portuguese have offered their indigenous trade partners? Among them must have been slaves, for the Portuguese dealt slaves across Asia. Though we often speak of “Portuguese” ships, imagining them as picturesque vessels manned by pointy-bearded Iberians, in Asia Portuguese shipping between local destinations was crewed by Asian seamen, with a handful of white or Eurasian officers. “Even the great carracks of 1,000-2,000 tons which plied
On Thursday, former Taipei mayor and founder of the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) was sentenced to 17 years in prison and had his civil rights suspended for six years over corruption, embezzlement and other charges. Seven others related to the case were also handed prison sentences, while two were found not guilty. It has been a bad week for the TPP. On Tuesday, prosecutors charged Chinese immigrant Xu Chunying (徐春鶯) with suspicion of taking part in Beijing-directed election interference. Xu has strong links to the TPP, which once offered her a party list legislator nomination. Tuesday also
RSS