Taiwan Day 16 (28 Dec Taipei-五分埔-公馆夜市)

Weather: Bright & sunny in the morning. Turned cloudy by noon.

Breakfast offered by One Star Hotel was to be taken at Dante Cafe nearby. Not too bad, better than what Miyi offered. Other than sandwiches, we could choose the type of coffee we want including latte or cappucino.

After breakfast & dilly dallying checking out specialty stores around where we stayed, we headed for五分埔, a wholesale centre/ parade square. VERY BIG!!! Within the big square, there were many lanes and several intersections. I was confused as to which I've walked haha!! Anyway, I think I didn’t cover the entire area! One can get a top at NT100 each, or at some shops 2 pieces for NT150. CHEAP!!! Where to find??? Hahaha!! But, most of the clothes on display were meant for winter wear, so I didn’t buy a lot. Just a long sleeve top at NT100 and a pair of pants at NT150. That was it. Sad!! Unsatisfied! Hahahha!!

Lunch at local eatery which sold cold noodle at 五分埔 area. It’s actually noodle topped with sesame oil and groundnut sauce. GOOD!! We saw some locals add wasabi sauce on their noodle but we didn’t try hahaha!! Also ordered soup. NT 135 for 2 plates of noodle and 2 bowls of soup. The picture here didn't show how the noodle was served but basically they wrapped the plate with plastic bag before pouring the noodles on it - saved them from washing but not environmental friendly leh... ;(

Took a break for dessert. The 包心粉圆 was SUPER 'Q'!

Headed back towards Taipei Main Station and continued to shop at the underground shopping mall at the Station. Bought 2 pairs of shoes at ONLY NT300 haha!! That's like S$7 per pair!!! Haha!!

Went back to rest at hotel before we headed for another night market at 公馆Metro Station. From Exit 1 of the Station, you will reach公馆夜市. Turn left and you’ll see shops selling merchandise as well as food (restaurant types). Go straight up against the traffic and you’ll find small lanes with street hawkers & local eateries.

We saw a queue at a small shop so we also joined the queue hahah!! Didn’t know what they were good for, so we asked the 2 young chaps in front of us. Unfortunately, they were also first time customers hahah!! Anyway, we ordered curry chicken rice and thai style pork noodle and a plate of vegetable. NT175 for these 3 dishes. Not too bad!
-> Thai style noodle

-> Curry chicken rice. Think it was their specialty cos we saw quite a no. of people ordering this dish. Taste of curry was similar to japanese curry. Chicken was very tender!

We continued our search for snacks. There were 2 lanes of street hawkers (about 50m each per stretch, rather short). A MUST try would be the fried boneless chicken cutlet on the 2nd lane further away from the Station. It was also right opposite a big signboard that displayed "排骨大王". You would surely see a long queue! Along with the fried chicken were some fresh vegetables (lettuce, cabbage strips) which you can choose to top with either mayonnaise or sweet & sour sauce. Choose the latter cos it was really appetizing & tasty!!! VERY GOOD!!!!! While we were queueing, there was a local TV crew filming that stall ;). Actually it was not cheap – NT65, but it was good!!

-> 大肠包小肠NT35

If you wanna walk some more, there is also the 师大夜市 nearby, but further from the same metro station. It is near the National Taiwan University, so I think there should be more food & merchandise hehe... We didn't venture to that - quite tired already hehe...