Ben's Guide to Taipei and Taiwan

闔家牛排 hé jiā niú pái (Roughly translates as Entire Family Steak) This is a formal western style steak restaurant that does an excellent steak with a baked potato on the side. The only thing they are lacking is an English menu and signboard in front. Location : Minsheng E. Rd. Sec. 3, No. 119, 1F / 台北市民生東路3段119號1樓 Main Restaurant Page: http://taipeiguide.blogspot.com/2006/09/restaurants-in-taipei.html

The barbequed meat which comes out fresh from the kitchen on metal skewers is delicious. They had beef, lamb, pork, chicken, shrimp and more. Unfortunately there were two things that make me unable to recommend this restaurant. First, besides the BBQ there is not much else to eat. There is a very small soup and salad bar. Second, when busy the service suffers greatly. The waiters bring the BBQ out of the kitchen and are supposed to distribute it amongst the tables. What ends up happening is they always begin at the tables nearest the kitchen, and the food is gone by the time they reach the back of restaurant. I had to complain a couple of times before food started to find its way to my table. Location: Nanjing E. Rd. Sec. 5, No. 6, 2F /臺北市,南京東路,五段,6號,2樓 / Nánjīng Dōng Lù 5 Duàn 6 Hào 2 Lou It is located near the Guangfu N. Rd. Intersection / 光復北路口 / Guāngfù Běi Lù Kou in the same building as The Living Room . Main Restaurants Page

This food was ok, but expensive for the quality and quantity. Four of us went to dinner and the bill came to $2000 or $500 per person and this did not include any drinks. They have an English language website: http://www.tandoor.com.tw/ Taiwan Fun's Review Main Restaurants Page

Pricing: $680 from 11:00 - 13:50 $580 from 14:10 - 16:30 $760 from 17:00 - 21:30 This is one of my favorite buffet restaurants. The price depends on the time you eat. As with all buffets that include alcohol, I stick to the beer. The wine is Carlo Rossi which in the US can be bought by the gallon. The food, on the other hand is delicious. From roast beef to sushi, the selection is incredible, and the quality is quite good too. Driving south on Roosevelt Rd. cross the bridge to Xindian and immediately turn right. By MRT you can walk from the Dapinglin Station. Come out of Exit 1 (or 3 or 4) and cross the street and walk about one block. EDIT 7/2008 : I continue to eat here on occassion. The quality of the food remains consistent and this remains my favorite buffet restaurant. On my last visit I see they have changed from Tiger Beer and now serve Hsing Dao Beer. The beer tap seemed to pour a bit easier than the old Tiger tap. I also noticed that the cheap whiskey has disappeared. Main R...

English speaking scooter rentals (long and short term) and service in Taipei: http://www.bikefarm.net/ I haven't used them so can't say anything good or bad.

Scooter Maintainance: http://www.forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?t=35386 This link takes you to a list of maintainance terms translated into Chinese and Pinyin.

Second-Run Discount Theaters: http://www.forumosa.com/taiwan/viewtopic.php?t=57497 Unless otherwise noted, I have not confirmed any of these addresses, I have only provided the translation to English / Pinyin. Following the link to Forumosa, there is also a list of of theaters in Taipei County. 西門戲院　　　(02)23814361　台北市中華路1段144號5F Ximen Theater, Taipei City, Zhong Hua Rd, Sec. 1, No. 144, 5F Ximen Xìyuàn, Táiběi Shì, Zhōnghuá Lù, 1 Duàn,144 Hào 奧斯卡戲院　　(02)23611691　台北市峨嵋街115號3F Oscar Theater, Taipei City, E Méi St.,No. 115, 3F ào sī ka Xìyuàn, Táiběi Shì, é méi Jiē, 115 Hào 大世紀戲院　　(02)23633909　台北市羅斯福路三段325號 Da Shi Ji Theater, Taipei City, Roosevelt Rd., Sec. 3, No. 325 Dà Shì Jì Xì Yuàn, Táiběi Shì, Luósīfú Lù, 3 Duàn, 325 Hào 朝代戲院　　　(02)25571300　台北市民權西路136號4樓 Chaodai Theater, Taipei City, Minquan W. Rd, No. 136, 4F Cháodài Xìyuàn, Táiběi Shì, Mínquán Dōng Lù, 136 Hào 湳山戲院　　　(02)27023130　台北市通化街24巷1號 Taipei City, Tonghua St., Lane 24, No. 1 Táiběi Shì, Tōnghuà Jiē, 24 Xiàng, 1 Hào 東...

IKEA B&Q Hardware Stores Costco Warehouse Stores Shopping Malls: Asiaworld Plaza Breeze Center The Living Mall The Miramar T aipei 101 Hypermarkets: Carrefour & RT Mart Computers & Home Appliances Grocery Stores & Supermarkets

Intercity Buses: http://taipeiguide.blogspot.com/2007/10/buses-from-taipei-to-other-cities.html Taiwan High Speed Rail: As of January 2007 the Taiwan High Speed Rail is open for business. I haven't tried it out yet, but it looks to be a great way to travel to South Taiwan. Official Website in English: http://www.thsrc.com.tw/en/index.htm Regular rail system Here is a map and list of train stations in Taiwan: http://www.romanization.com/trainstations/index.html Taiwan Railways Administration: http://www.railway.gov.tw/en/index/index.aspx See also: http://service.tra.gov.tw/en/ Domestic flights are available to various locations. All Taipei flights are from Songshan Domestic Airport. No domestic flights are available from Taoyuan Taiwan International Airport (CKS).

This is very good and reasonably priced Thai Food. The decor is simple but tasteful, with Thai designs and colored backlighting. I especially enjoy their green curry chicken and the shrimp cakes, but all the food is good. They have some special dishes for $100 but most dishes are in the $150 range. A typical meal may cost about $300 per person. They have Singha Beer to give you an authentic taste of Thailand. They are located on Nanjing East Road, Sec. 5 on the Northeast corner of the Guangfu North Road intersection. Main Restaurant Page

Traveling by scooter or car, cross the river from Central Taipei going towards Beitou and Yangmingshan, going north on Chengde Rd.(承德路 Chéngdé Lù) Staying on the main road, there will be brown street signs directing you to Xin Beitou and Yangmingshan. From Xin Beitou there is access to Yangmingshan. Basically stay on the main road unless directed by the signs. When you reach Xin Beitou, the MRT station will be on the right hand side and you will be on Daye Rd (大業路 Dàyè Lù) which connects with several roads. To continue to Yangmingshan take Quanyuan Rd. (泉源路 Quányuán Lù) which is ahead and to the left. Continue on and you are in Yangmingshan. Follow the signs for additional options. If you follow Zhongshan Rd. (中山路 Zhōngshān Lù) the park will be on the right hand side which has an adjoining museum and public hotspring. There is no shortage of private spas to choose from if you want something nicer. The public hotspring is built on a hill with several pools. The hottest pools are on top ...

They feature deep dish pizza but it is a mediocre pizza. The fried chicken is also decidedly average. Their commitment to being good enough can be seen by spelling their name wrong on the front door. It reads "Aunt's Su" instead of "Aunt Su's". Monday through Friday they have lunch and dinner buffets. It is located opposite of Sun Yet Sen Memorial (國父 紀念館 guó fù j ì ni à n gu ǎ n ) on Guang Fu South Rd. between Zhongxiao East Rd. and Renai Rd. Main Pizza Page

JP Pub is a small pub with a friendly owner and a Foosball Table. The pub is located in an area which caters to Japanese expatriates, and there are some suspicious looking places, but this one is fine. The owner speaks some English, but in general Chinese or Japanese will get you a lot farther. Located near Linsen N. Road at Zhongshan N. Road, Sec. 2, Lane 77, No. 3, 2F / 中山北路 2 段 77 巷 3 號 2 樓 / Zhōngshān Běi Lù, 2 Duàn, 77 Xiàng, 3 Hào, 2 Lóu Main Pub List

Yakiniku House is a Japanese barbeque. It is very good as long as you don't mind cooking for yourself on the charcoal grill that is brought to your table. There is a ventilation fan over each table so it is not smokey. You can get assorted thin sliced meats or seafood. The seating is split between ordinary tables and sections where you remove your shoes and sit on the floor, but there is a sunken area to put your feet if you don't like sitting cross legged. The salmon rice soup is very good. Service is good too. Located on the 11th floor of the living mall. The Living Mall Main Taipei Restaurants Page

Shandao Temple is not particularly noteworthy, but it is near the main station area. Get off at Shandao Temple MRT Station, one stop east from Main Station on the Blue Line, go out Exit 6. Taipei Site Seeing Index: http://taipeiguide.blogspot.com/2006/05/sites-in-taipei-city.html

Dr. Sun Yat Sen’s House is a very small walled in park near Taipei Main Station. If you are near Taipei Main Station (MRT & Train Station) , this is a nice escape from the city around you. There are fishponds and you can walk through Dr. Sun’s house. From Taipei Main Station (train station) go out the East exit, cross one street and you will hit a white wall. Follow the sidewalk around to the opposite side and there will be an entrance on Zhongshan North Road . There is not much inside the house; it’s the courtyard that makes it worth visiting. All of the signs are in Chinese but be aware that no photography is allowed inside the house, but don't worry you won't be missing out. Taipei Site Seeing Index

Sun Yet Sen Memorial / 國父 紀念館 / Guó Fù J ì ni à n Gu ǎ n There is a nice courtyard and park, which are the best features. Inside you will find an art exhibit and a big statue of Dr. Sun. Located near the Sun Yet Sen. MRT Station on the Blue Line. The memorial itself is not such an overwhelming attraction, but it is the center of a very nice park which offers an excellent view of Taipei 101. Taipei Site Seeing Index: http://taipeiguide.blogspot.com/2006/05/sites-in-taipei-city.html

This is more of a large pedestrian thoroughfare lined with shops than a traditional night market, but of course there are some street stalls as well. The Red House Theater is a dinner theater across the street. The building is backlit in red so it really stands out at night. They have a good gift shop if you are trying to find souvenirs to take home. Go to the Ximen MRT Station , which is one stop west of Taipei Main Station . If you are on the Red Line, you can bypass the chaos of the main station by transferring at CKS Memorial Hall to the Pea Green-Ximen Line. Taipei Site Seeing Index: http://taipeiguide.blogspot.com/2006/05/sites-in-taipei-city.html

The Grand Hotel / 圓山大飯店 / Yuán Shān Dà Fàn Diàn This lives up to its name; it is a towering pagoda style structure with a view of the city. It is starting to show signs of age, but is still very impressive. There are no doubt more luxurious hotels, but none with as much character. Take the MRT to Yuanshan . From there you can take a taxi for $70. The Grand Hotel's Website: http://www.grand-hotel.org/newsite/html/e/ca01.htm Taipei Site Seeing Index: http://taipeiguide.blogspot.com/2006/05/sites-in-taipei-city.html

CKS (Chiang Kaishek) Memorial Hall and National Concert Hall 中正紀念堂 Zhōngzhèng jìniàn táng This is a great example of Chinese architecture in the center of the city. It is easy to get to and can be seen quite quickly. Although it is very impressive and should be on your list, there’s really not that much to see beyond the exterior. Inside you will find a statue of Chiang Kaishek and some honor guards. This is also a gathering place for public events such as New Year’s celebrations and political rallies. On Either side of the courtyard are two towering red pagoda style buildings. One is the National Theatre Hall and the other is the National Concert Hall. By MRT it is located on the Red-Danshui Line 2 stops south of Main Station . Get off at CKS Memorial Hall Station , exit and you will be right there. Main Taipei Site Seeing Index