What to Buy from Taiwan: Traditional Snacks and Food Gifts

If you want to go along the coast where there is no train access, you really have to rent a car or hire a driver/ transport. Taitung is a long and narrow county, it is not recommended to rent scooter/motorbikes. Taxis are available at train stations and airports but they are really only economically feasible to get your around Taitung City or to and from your accommodation. Taxi fare beyond Taitung City is quite expensive, just from Taitung Airport to your Taitung City Hotel can cost almost NTD$250-$300, and that is only a minute ride. Flight from Taipei Songshan Airport to Taitungis around NTD$3000 (USD$104) roundtrip. This full fare price is most often valid for a year for the exact same route, refund fee is around $NTD150.
The home of teacher Raino Popovich who in 1826 opened the first school in Karlovo where lessons were taught in Bulgarian. Visitors can try printing something on the old printing press in the house. Karlovo is on the northern railway line between Sofia and Burgas, and there's also a line 台東 名產 coming in from Plovdiv in the south. From Sofia there are three fast trains and three suburban trains , though delays are common. From the east on the same line there are trains from Kazanlak and Sliven (2.5 hr). Finally there are six daily suburban trains from Plovdiv (1.5 hr).

Sweet and savory with a thick sauce, the bits of pork belly are so tender they practically disintegrate in your mouth. It’s comforting Taiwanese food and something I could see myself eating everyday. So vital are xiaochi to the Taiwanese food experience that many people travel to Taiwan just to enjoy these tasty snacks at night markets. Personally, it’s one of my favorite things about Taiwan. Drunken Duck is a very popular open-air beer house in Taichung. It’s somehow really popular with business travelers who visit factories around the city.
The small shop, built using planks of wood, is crowded with patrons. We bought one and ate it somewhere else as we were lazy to wait for a seat. We added cheese for this lean meat version and the meat is smoky and not oily as lean meat is used. Can’t really remember much about the wafu sauce, but overall a pretty delicious bun. With the indigenous tribes in the region, these deep ocean fishes are cooked in their traditional ways. It looked like the chef had stuffed fish with cloves of garlic and other condiments, then doused in a thick layer of sea salt to bake.

Beware of burning hot steam inside, and don’t forget to add soy and/or spicy sauce before you walk away from the stall! The picture above is a model showing what’s inside before being rolled into a ball and cooked. Sticky rice slow cooked with pork, soy sauce, ginger, brown sugar, garlic, and shiitake mushrooms.
Simply add these expert-approved foods to your next shopping list. Scooter rental places can be found right across the train stationIf you plan to use taxis, try to get a written Chinese version of the places or addresses that you’re headed to. Finally, my favorite option is always torent a scooternear the train station and find your own path. Lantan Lake is the nearest place where you’ll find somewhat proper hiking paths and cycling roads.
Aside from deals on treats, you can also shop for local cooking ingredients and snacks here. Shifen Old Street is a scenic destination where you can experience buying lanterns in various colors, write your wishes on them, and send them to the sky. If you’re lucky, you can even catch the train that passes hourly. Aside from keychains, there are also miniature lanterns and nightlights.

The Balkan Mountains is to the north, with some summits higher than 2000 m above sea level. This is the wildest part of the range with very beautiful landscapes, part of the Central Balkans National Park and it merits a hiking tour of a few days. For a quicker trip, you can travel to next door Sopot and take the cable car up the mountain range , or drive the scenic serpentine road up to Troyan. There are buses from Plovdiv every hour, with a journey time of one hour. Two buses a day come in from Pleven via Troyan, providing the only connection in from the north.
It’s usually served with a spicy vinegar dip on the side. Maybe just across the alley, in the ever-present dim sum shops we call “Shanghai Xiao Long". Make time, too, for a trip to one of the atmospheric teahouses – Jiufen Teahouse is one of the best, occupying a gorgeous old mining bureau’s headquarters dating back over 100  years .

If Chicken Rice is what you are after, don’t think twice and go to Stall 61. Both the portion size and the plumpy chicken chunks on offer here will be highly appreciated. Next to it, Stall 60 sells drinks, juices, and soy (gluten-free?) Ais Kacang for  a nice and cooling dessert.
Some popular toppings for shaved ice in Taiwan include fruit syrups, condensed milk, and red bean paste. In just under a week, this tailor-made trip to The Essentials of Taiwan allows you to explore Taipei and nearby national parks. Expect waterfalls, panoramic walking trails and thermal springs, all while enjoying the amazing food scene, a blend of Chinese & Japanese cuisines.
Some places even allow buyers to bid so you can set the price, it can even be cheaper. Everyday essentials includes quite a lot of items that you can buy in full at the Batam shopping center. Some shopping centers that you can go to include Mega Mall, Kota Berlian Mall, BCS, and Nagoya Hill.

Treat yourself if you’re a spicy food lover, or gift it to someone who appreciates setting their stomach on fire. If you’re looking for something to induce acid reflux or an unpleasant morning on the toilet, look no further. If I could eat  spicy stuff, I’d use it with every meal. I’ve lived in Taiwan for over 5 years and have tried most snacks from Taiwanese supermarkets.
From green onions to cilantro, bean sprouts to pickled mustard greens. GetyourGuide- From day tours, to cooking classes, food tours and  guided day tours. These attractions showcase the best of Taitung’s unique culture and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination in Taiwan. Keep an eye out for brands like Wei Lih (維力), TTL (台酒), Man Han Da Can (滿漢大餐), and Prince Instant Snack Noodles.