Gourmet Heaven Taipei

Burgers topped with cranberry and Camembert, aromatic and savory butter tea, fish and chips drizzled with South African chutney…. Tuck in your napkin and take a seat at the table as we rack up the ways to devour international cuisine in Taipei.

Over the last decade, waves of immigrants and visitors have come to Taiwan and crossed paths with legions of Taiwanese who have trotted the globe and developed new tastes. The results can now be sampled at restaurants all over town.

In Taipei, you have upscale restaurants serving gourmet sushi or down-home Tibetan eateries featuring nomadic staples. Five meals, five restaurants, the food of five different continents, and just one day – that’s all it takes to sample a slice of this culinary heaven.

First Stop: Brunch at Kiwi Gourmet Burger –“Burger” Redefined

Hidden in a tiny, shaded alley off Shida Road, Kiwi Gourmet Burger (KGB) was opened by two New Zealand expatriates. But to call this a mere burger joint is quite deceiving, for they serve some of the best fare I’ve ever tasted.

For first-timers, restaurant co-owner Matt Blackburn suggests the CC Burger and The Tower. While waiting, I couldn’t help but admire the hip yet cozy bistro-like environment, complete with soft lighting.

Just when I thought I knew all that there is to know about a patty and a bun, the CC Burger redefined my idea of a burger. “CC” stands for cranberry sauce and Camembert, a soft and creamy French cheese. The lean cut of beef, which may be a little dry on its own, is perfect when savored with just the right mix of creamy Camembert and the slightly sweet and tart cranberry sauce. Being from Los Angeles, where cranberries only come twice a year on a slice of turkey, this was both Thanksgiving and Christmas on a bun!

Don’t fret if you aren’t a fan of meat; KGB also provides great vegetarian alternatives, including The Tower, a Taipei 101-inspired sandwich layered with every delicious grilled vegetable imaginable. Zucchini, eggplant, bell pepper, mushrooms…you name it. Not only that, each burger on the menu can be ordered with a chicken or vegetarian lentil and walnut patty. Slightly crispy on the outside, moist on the inside with crunchy walnut bits, the vegetarian patty is undeniably tasty and will make you reconsider meat!

And then…the salads. My favorite dish, in a way, was the simplest – a spinach salad garnished with apples, walnuts, and Gouda cheese, and dressed with a tangy apple vinaigrette. Seemingly plain, but this was the perfect refreshing treat for my taste buds.

Kiwi Gourmet Burger

Add: 5, Lane 114, Shida Rd., Taipei City

Tel: +886-2-2363-6015

Hours: 12 noon ~ 11 pm

Website: www.kgbburgers.com

Lunch: Samdon Tibetan Restaurant – A Taste of the Himalayas

A hop and a skip away from KGB is an entirely different yet equally exciting frontier for your palate. Situated in an alley featuring purveyors of all types of international cuisine, Samdon Tibetan Restaurant is a standout. Run by a native Tibetan, this restaurant serves traditional Tibetan dishes and offers a rare glimpse into the little-understood Tibetan culture.

This small, dimly lit restaurant features simple yet fascinating Tibetan decorations. Seated in the cozy lounge area with my legs crossed on a traditional mat, my heart followed the beat of Tibetan pop music as I anxiously waited for my much-anticipated meal.

I’ve heard much about these Himalayan specialties, especially the region’s savory butter tea and that staple of the Tibetan diet, tsampa – a parched barley cake made with scented, dried paste that has a doughy consistency. Some may consider this a bit exotic, but this nomad staple passed down for generations was a must-try. Using my fingers, I broke off a small, slightly sticky piece of tsampa and dipped it into the aromatic and warming butter tea. To my surprise, the interesting texture of the barley cake paired with a sip of the butter tea was a match made in nirvana. Another must-try is the Tibetan momos, a steamed dumpling stuffed with juicy seasoned beef.

Rich and distinct with culture and tradition, the Himalayan cuisine here easily stands out amidst the already impressive array of international cuisine in Taipei.

Samdon Tibetan Restaurant

Add: 18-1, Lane 13, Pucheng St, Taipei City

Tel: +886-2-2362-0211

Hours: 11:30 am ~ 2:30 pm; 5:30 pm ~ 9:30 pm

Website: www.samdon588.htm.tw (Chinese)

Afternoon Tea: Wedgwood – Where Tradition Meets Innovation

A culinary tour of Taipei would not be complete without afternoon tea in the uniquely Taiwanese adaptation of the British tradition. In Taiwan, drinking tea is an integral part of the culture, just like the eating of rice, and doing so in the afternoon is a great way to relax and have a chat with some good friends.

A perfect manifestation of tradition and innovation is the Wedgwood Tearoom, located in the trendy eastern district of Taipei. Around the world, Wedgwood is synonymous with exquisite china, but here in Taiwan it has taken on a certain novelty.

The English tradition can be experienced, Taiwanese-style, at the Wedgwood Tearoom. The wide, spacious windows of the tearoom, located on the ninth floor of a SOGO Department Store, provide a glimpse of the diverse and hybrid architecture of Taipei, and the matching tablecloths and tea sets are reminiscent of parlor ambience. At the same time, the designs on each teacup are also uniquely Eastern.

This East-meets-West synthesis permeates every aspect of Wedgwood. While sipping the most traditional English afternoon tea, I savored the flaky crust of a Danish and its red bean mix-ins. I had started my afternoon tea with an English afternoon tea staple, the finger sandwich, and finished off with refreshing cubes of dragon fruit.

Wedgwood offers a relaxing afternoon tour of Eastern and Western traditions in the simplest yet most authentic form.

Wedgwood Tearoom

Add: 9F, 300 Zhongxiao E. Rd., Taipei City

Tel: +886-2-8772-0130

Hours: Lunch 11 am ~ 2 pm; Afternoon Tea 2 pm ~ 5:30 pm; Dinner 6 pm ~ 8:30 pm

Website: www.wedgwood.com.tw (Chinese)

Dinner: South African Fish House – A Feast on the Wild Side

Without flying halfway around the world, you can now taste traditional South African cuisine in the heart of Taipei, down an alley off of Guangfu South Road. Opened by Jerry Chen, a local entrepreneur who spent a number of years in South Africa, South African Fish House features an array of mouthwatering delicacies. Heavily influenced by English, Dutch, German, and other influences due to the country’s colonial history, South African cuisine is truly a melting pot of many great culinary traditions.

One such example is a Dutch stew called potjiekos, which literally translates as “small pot food” because it is a stew traditionally prepared outdoors in a cast-iron three-legged pot (a potjie). Succulent and carefully spiced pork is first sautéed, then simmered with cabbage, potatoes, and carrots for over six hours. The result? Juicy melt-in-your-mouth bites that soothe the soul.

Another favorite is their fish and chips, which come with a twist. The crispy battered hake was surprisingly grease-free and appealing, but what made this dish to-die-for was the dollop of South African chutney, made with twelve different fruits. What an unexpected yet perfect melding of sweet and salty flavors! The sweet, piquant fruit creation enlivened my taste buds in a way that the fish alone could not.

From the handcrafted animal-print menus to the earthy décor, expect to be surprised, in a good way. A subtle mix of creams and browns framed with lively forest-green vines, the restaurant exudes a soothing appeal. With a menu that challenges your taste buds and an atmosphere that takes you to the African jungle, the South African Fish House will not disappoint.

South African Fish House

Add: 345, Xinyi Rd., Sec. 4, Taipei City

Tel: +886-2-2703-1099

Hours: 11 am ~ 1 pm

Website: www.south-africa.tw (Chinese)

Final Stop: Late Night Fun at The Brass Monkey

Located right off the intersection of Nanjing East Road and Fuxing North Road, The Brass Monkey is more than just your typical American bar. The brainchild of six owners hailing from different national backgrounds, this sports bar seeks to bring a sense of enjoyment to locals and foreigners alike.

When night falls, the neon monkey sign lights up and folks line up for a variety of reasons –some come for a relaxing night of drinks with friends, some gather to watch sports, and some even hit the dance floor. But that’s just the beginning…. The Brass Monkey also features unique events such as US college football brunches and pub-quiz nights. With an outdoor area, a main hall decked out with widescreen TVs, a dance floor, and a game room with everything from chess sets to a foosball table, this brass monkey definitely has a reason to be confident, for there is really something here for everyone.

The Brass Monkey

Add: 166 Fuxing N. Road, Taipei, Taiwan

Tel: +886-2-2547-5050

Hours: 4 pm ~ 1 am (Mon.~Wed.); 5 pm ~ 4 am (Thurs.); 5 pm ~ 2 am (Fri.& Sat.)

Website: www.brassmonkeytaipei.com