Taipei Log Day 4 Part 2 - Longshan Temple

After our hike to Gao Ji, we settled down for lunch past 1.30pm. We ordered too much food on our visit to neighbouring Ding Tai Feng 2 days ago, so we did not want to make the same mistake.

Gao Ji having a relatively unknown name overseas, we did not know what they specialise in so we asked the waitress what is more popular at their restaurant. She told us to wait while she get a more senior waitress.

I shot KW a look of irritation..... this is exactly what happened at Ding Tai Feng as well, waitresses somehow do not entertain such questions and they tend to say "everything is popular". They could not give recommendationsfor some strange reason.

When the senior waitress arrived, she tried to help and ask us whether we wanted dim sum or cooked dishes. We were non-commital because we would like to know whether they are better in dim sum or cooked food. She then mentioned that their more popular dishes are printed in red on the order chit.

I wanted to dismiss the waitress since we did not notice the order chit earlier, we were only going thru the menu thus far. But KW was adament and asked what would she recommend. She merely read out some of the items in red print and we thanked her while we made our decision.

We ordered a dried noodle each, a xiao long bao and a braised pork ribs




During lunch, KW commented that the waitresses at Gao Ji seems old and ugly, while the waitresses at Din Tai Feng were all young and pretty.... yeah, he was right. I guess this must be the retirement job for a Din Tai Feng waitress.

The noodle was alright but we were surprised that the xiao long bao was better than Din Tai Feng's. The skin was not as tough and the filling more delectable. The pork ribs too a while to come but it was well worth the wait. It reminded me of my mum's pork ribs although mum's was slightly sweeter with the use of more hoisin sauce. The pork ribs here was cooked extremely well making it juicy and flavourful.

ME: I don't get it..... the queue outside Din Tai Feng is so long while the tables here are only half filled. The food here is better and prices more reasonable, why do you think its not popular?

KW: i think its their Din Tai Feng's name.... and maybe the menu offered there as well

ME: .....and the waitresses too



After lunch we headed for the CKS Memorial Station, to catch a train to Longshan Temple. Our original intention was to buy some mooncakes from I-Mei at Yong Kang Street but since we found an outlet near our hotel, we may buy from there instead.

The walk to CKS was another 1km or so. Was quite impressed with that station, cos it looks grander with a very high ceiling as compared to other stations we have come across. I got no time to snap photos, cos the train (on the left) arrived already



Outside the station was a park and it was filled with retirees.... i told KW that in Singapore, this place is called People's Park :)

In the park was a fountain. Dunno why everyone was gathered around it cos it looks so....... boring.



It was when we were walking away when suddenly the crowd screamed in delight and started running away from the fountain



The Longshan Temple is a old temple with a very traditional architecture. They even had a man made waterfall at the entrance.



After our visit, it was too early to head for the night market so we took a tour around and decided to take a rest in the park together with all the retirees. With the magazines in my backpack, my legs were really giving way at this point in time.

While resting in the park, we heard this couple arguing a few metres from us. I don't think it was a real argument but they were trading verbal blows to and fro at the top of their voices. I had always wondered whether popular hokkien vulgarities in Singapore were used in Taiwan as well, and was overjoyed when i heard the word cheebye traded over and over again.

After a good rest, we headed for a nearby shop and wanted to try this tau huey shop. I ordered the iced bean curd with red bean which was yummy.



There was a blind singer singing in the park, her voice was so clear and she drew such a large crowd. I was really impressed and made a donation.

Across from the park was a street selling chinese medicine and herbs. We were not looking to buy anything so we only browsed quickly. Along the street, vendors were setting up their stalls for the night market, but as it was only 5pm, most of the shops were still not up yet



At the end of that street, i came across the first oyster mee sua stall i've come across in Taipei. I would have thought oyster mee sua was a popular dish, but apparently its not