Lu Wei : Taiwan Street Food Delicacy

"lu wei" (魯味) is a typical Taiwanese street food that has an assortment of vegetables and meat that are boiled and served with spices.

A casual nite out with Liya... we ventured out looking for something cheap and satisfying and of course, Taiwan has a great selection of street food... we opted for something filling, fast and a combo of many different things ... hence, Lu Wei, a smoregesboard of veggies and meat, thrown in together, and cooked in a nice broth... real COMFORT FOOD... in fairness, it is usually YUMMY but on this particular nite - Liya happened to pick a really bad resto... SAD SAD SAD... it was SOOOOO TASTELESS that no amount of spices added could save it!!! Oh Well!!!

what I wouldn't give for....

the following HEAT BUSTERS!!!
Counter Clockwise from the Top: Halo-Halo, Mango Bing, 4 Treasure Ice, & Scoopery Ice Cream

2009 Taiwan Culinary Exhibition

The Annual Taiwan Culinary Exhibition celebrates it's 20th Anniversary with another lavish display of, mouth watering and feast to the eyes, culinary creations. Held once again at the Taipei World Trade Center (Hall 1) - it runs from the 20th thru the 23rd of this month, AUGUST.

In addition to promoting Taiwanese delicacies and cooking, the major function of this delicious event is to advance the development of local, tourism and cultural industries. Hoping that more foreign tourists will also be able to have a better understanding of Taiwan gourmet paradise.
We were BRAVE ENOUGH to join the masses of foodies all eager to SEE and hopefully, TASTE some of the Newest and Best Creations from both Local and International Chefs participating in the event. Some of the Highlights for marketchow and myself are:
-Debut of the TRI-MOUNTAIN NATIONAL CUISINE
-The World Culinary Contest
-Giant Grouper Gourmet
-Fine Dining Exhibit - Gold Medal Dishes
-The Suzhou Water Country Riverboat Banquet
-LOHAS Back-to-Basics Banquet
-Five Star Chefs’ Live Show - Cooking Classes

MORE DELICIOUS PHOTOS HERE

Century Egg, A Delicacy. Really???

For the life of me, I cannot seem to get used to the taste of this Chinese delicacy known as Century Egg. Just as I cannot get used to eating the Philippine's Balut, I pretty much feel the same for this egg... the mere mention of this egg as part of my meal to be makes my stomach do somersaults... I mean I can take the gelatinous part of the egg, but when you get to the center of it, the yolk... ICKY!!! The color alone, charcoal black, is already a turn off when it comes to something you want to put in your tummy... then for some reason, to me, it really tastes like it has been a century in the making - and not not be eaten... But they love it here - so hell, to each his own....

But yes, I do still eat them especially when am a guest at other people's home... it is just the POLITE thing to do... as long as I eat, as little as possible, and the bathroom is close by in case I need to make a run for it...

So when having me over for a meal - PLS HAVE MERCY - no Century Eggs -- bring on the SALTED DUCK EGGS instead!!!

It's Big Alright... But It Ain't Stupid!

Rainy Saturday Nite... hunger strikes -- craving for some cold comfort food to warm the soul, or at least the tummy.... and we found just the answer for our cravings... "Stupid Big Bowl"...

Yes, you read that right! "Stupid Big Bowl" indeed -- that is the name of this little restaurant in the Roahe Night Market.. I too, had to asked David a couple of times if the name really is that... Though the bowls and portions are definitely big (and much to my delight -- colorful, too!), there really is nothing stupid about the dishes... they were quite tasty and filling...
The 6 available choices!
The MENU boasts of 6 different flavours of soup only to choose from... depending on your choice -- selections of meat, veggies & other wonderful, though not easily identifiable, goods are thrown in together - much like Shabu Shabu but already cooked and prepared to everyone's delight and satisfaction...

Taiwan Burrito... or is it Lumpia... or Crepe???

...who cares... it IS Delicious!!!!

Yesterday, Saturday the 18th I was able to TASTE what I think is, something fresh and different... and combines two of Yilan's BEST offerings: Taro Ice Cream & Candied Peanut...

Not sure what the name is - as most just refer to it as, Wassen hen bing chiling (peanut and ice cream), very original.... and simple... but there is nothing simple in the making of this delicious treat.... as a matter of fact, each and everyone made took a lot of laborious preparations... even though the two main ingredients, -- taro ice cream and the candied peanut -- are already pre-made....
Shaving the candied peanut alone took so much labor, and if one has to make so many of these a day to make a living - you will have one really tired vendor at the end of the day.... an ample amount of shaved peanut are put on the lumpia wrapper, then two scoops of Taro ice cream... and add a sprinkling of cilantro for additional flavor and aroma, too... the results is one heavenly treat... total delight to the taste pallet...
Am told that this was first invented here in YILAN - a few years back... so it became one of their most famous delicacy.... and it is apparent as all the little towns surrounding Yilan that we went to had their own offerings of this refreshing treat....

Bawan : Taiwan's Meat Balls

Bawan is Taiwanese for Rou Wan and is also known, amongst foreigners like me, as Taiwanese Meat Ball.

This Taiwanese delicacy is such a popular street food, and is actually one of David's most favorite street style dishes. They are basically dumplings stuffed with meat, mushrooms, and bamboo shoots, with the glutinous outer part is of sweet potato flour or steamed rice dough (for me, the BEST PART of the dish!). There are also regional variations to this dish but for the most part it is consistent to the ingredients above.
The sauce, am told, is made of 3 different kinds of things... no one - to date - has been able to tell me what they are, but it is definitely good.
This one above we drove around looking for in Yulin, for about 20 minutes, we specifically stopped by this area to taste this - which is the town's special dish -- and it was worth looking for, indeed!

Stinky Tofu

Before moving to Taiwan, I was warned by many Chinese friends who have come here for a return visit, a tour, or just passing through to beware of one of the most popular street food, Stinky Tofu or Chou Doufu, as they are called here!!! I was told that they can be found just about anywhere there is a night market, or neighborhood street food vendors.
Well, they were right in both counts... it is indeed stinky, though not as in BAD STINKY... it is an acquired smell, hahahahahaha.... and Yes, they can be found just about everywhere..... But one thing they failed to warn me is how addictive they are... if you can get over the initial smell, they are actually good -- filling and satisfying... after all, food just like beauty is very subjective...

Though Chou Doufu can be found in alot of Asian countries - in Taiwan it is the unofficial national snack food and is universally loved. It is very commonly served on roadside stands and in night markets. It is primarily served dry (deep fried) or, less commonly, wet (with goose blood and Sichuan mala soup).

Though most of my Taiwanese friends love to eat it with a lot of chili sauce (photo on top right), this is how I like it -- simple... Chou Doufu, pickled veggies, chopped garlic and sauce (a mixture of soy sauce with added vinegar, sugar, and other stuff I do not even know)....