MLK in Tainan | 長週末在台南

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Going to Taiwan means non-stop eating from the moment you step off the plane. Since moving to Okinawa, going home to Tainan is a breeze. I can go back every weekend if I want to, the only downside would be weight gain. We came back this time for my middle school friend’s wedding, and it happens to be during a long weekend. Still four days and three nights in Tainan is not enough. Oh how much I love Tainan!

回家過著茶來伸手飯來張口的日子,一下飛機馬不停蹄的開始吃吃喝喝,回沖繩後還有點不習慣呢!搬來沖繩後回台南真的非常方便,每個週末回來都不是問題,只是我可能會很容易發福。這次因參加朋友婚禮回台灣,恰巧碰上美國長週末,但四天三夜在台南實在太短,但我們完全不浪費時間,我愛台南啊!


Tango Ma La 天鍋麻辣

https://www.facebook.com/tangomala/

This hot pot restaurant belongs to the popular bbq restaurant Tanzuo Mali from Tainan! You can consider me a loyal patron of this restaurant. This spicy hot pot place is only 15 minutes away from Kaohsiung airport, my mom made a reservation for as soon as we landed (gotta love my mom!), that way I can go to Tainan with a full stomach. They have very fresh ingredients and we highly recommend these two broths. 

台南碳佐麻里旗下開的麻辣火鍋店,我已經變成忠實客戶了!自從知道小港機場開車不到15分鐘就有好吃麻辣火鍋,下飛機後我不用特別提,我媽就會安排來這吃飯(媽咪最好!)一定是先在這吃飽飽再上路回台南,這裡的火鍋怎麼這麼好吃!特別喜歡這兩種湯底:泡泡雞白鍋和紅金麻辣湯。

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知味料理館

Address: 700台南市中西區中成路28號

When in Tainan you cannot miss this authentic Taiwanese food! Booked this restaurant 6 months ahead of time! You can taste the delicacy in each dish, perfect freshness, sweetness, and texture. Definitely worth the wait! (OMG, my best friend is married now!)

回台灣當然不能錯過這種道地台灣味。為了吃到知味,六個月前已先訂好!前阿霞飯店廚師開的餐廳,菜色是最合我胃口的台南味,甜度、香味、口感超完美,這餐等的好值得。我們點的每道都是經典台南菜,非常感謝好友莊乃介紹,也終於見到好友的老公(天啊,我的伴娘結婚了!)台灣菜好好吃!

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I was determined to come to Bar TCRC after visiting their associated Bar Home last time. Made the reservation 30 days in advance! The interior design is a little bit old school, puts you in the mood for an Old Fashion. I ordered a customized cocktail, while UN ordered Mai Tainan, which is a plum-flavored drink, he likes how it tastes. So happy to check off this Tainan bar on my list, and I even ran into my friend here!

上次去了Bar Home,下定決心一定要訂到本店!三十天前在Facebook上預約,我認真算好日子,一早起床立刻訂位置,應該是近期內最認真訂位的店了!有點old school裝潢,點杯Old Fashion應該不錯,但實在是太久沒點客製化調酒,很想嘗試一下。UN點的是Mai Tainan,有酸梅湯的味道,UN非常愛這味。這次總算嘗試到這家有名的台南酒吧,還在這巧遇我朋友!

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Tainan Art Museum 台南美術二館

https://www.tnam.museum

This has become our must visit place in Tainan. One ticket gives you admission to two art museums, and there are various performances throughout the year. If you visit Tainan, the parking is very convenient, and it’s nearby many historical sites and delicious Tainan cuisine. Every time someone asks me about Tainan, I recommend visiting Central Western District, my playground and my backyard. 

這裡已變成我們回台南必來的地方。憑門票能到一館參觀,館內也有不定期的表演。來台南玩的旅客們,這裡停車方便,周圍有許多有名古蹟和台南美食。每次介紹台南時,中西區是我非常熟悉也必推薦的地方,尋找美食時同時能看到許多古蹟,而且不需要擔心找不到車位。

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Wedding 好友婚禮

This is UN’s first Taiwanese wedding, he definitely enjoyed the food. We were stuffed from the 10-course meal. Thank you M for inviting us to witness your Big Day! May you and your family be filled with joy!

這是UN第一次參加台灣婚禮,UN吃喝的非常開心。好友婚禮食物真的好好吃,大魚大肉讓我們飽到說不出話來。謝謝好友M邀請我們見證一場好美的婚禮!祝你們幸福美滿,也祝你們超可愛女兒健康平安長大!

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Qing Ping Seafood 慶平海產店

Address: 708台南市安平區安億路462號

Eating at a place like this you can’t count calories or worry about your cholesterol level. You simply just enjoy. The menu is the display of fresh seafood, the chef will cook these according to your desire, or you can get his recommendation too! Someone once asked me what is Taiwanese food. My response was “Taiwanese eat a lot of seafood!” What comes to mind when I think of Taiwanese food are catfish pasta, mullet roe, and crab sticky rice. All made from fresh seafood. I never skip going to a seafood restaurant whenever I’m back in Taiwan. 

我最愛這種能毫不顧忌是否膽固醇過高,以大量吃超新鮮海鮮為目標的店。店裡有一片海鮮任你挑選,廚師會依食材選擇料理方法,當然你也能選擇自己喜歡的吃法!曾經有朋友問我台灣食物是什麼,我毫不考慮立刻回答「台灣食物有很多海鮮」。鱔魚意麵、烏魚子、紅蟳米糕,我想到的全是和海鮮相關的臺菜,廚師會用最棒的烹煮方法,完全不會失去鮮味。這種海產店是當我想吃台灣食物時絕不可錯過的餐廳,當然每次回台灣我一定會來。回來台南四天,天天嚷著要來吃海鮮!為什麼烏魚這麼好吃!

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Garden Night Market 花園夜市

Address: 704台南市北區海安路三段533號

To UN, the answer to the previous question is very different. UN’s idea of Taiwanese foods is night market street foods like stinky tofu, giant fried chicken cutlet, sausage sticky rice, etc. UN must visit a night market and order stinky tofu every time he’s back in Taiwan. My mom of course would take him there with no questions asked. I’m very repulsed by the smell of stinky tofu, they named it that for a reason. I prefer to let UN roam free in the night market by himself!

(臭豆腐實在有夠臭!)那次朋友問台灣食物的問題,我的答案UN不是很滿意。UN對台灣食物印象是夜市裡的臭豆腐、豪大大雞排、大腸包小腸這類。UN每次回台灣必逛夜市和吃臭豆腐,這些食物讓他有童年回憶!當然UN一開口,我媽也二話不說直接帶UN去,但我怕臭豆腐的氣味,實在很想在花園夜市放生UN!

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I must stop writing about food, for I’m getting hungry just looking at the pictures again. Please follow me on Instagram to check out all the foods that I eat on my trips. Anyone who asks me about recommendations for Taiwan, I always bring up Tainan. Can’t go wrong with the food capitol of Taiwan! A while back I made a list of food places to visit in Tainan for my friends who were visiting Tainan, and this time we got to revisit those places ourselves. My Tainan friends please help me add to my list of recommendations! Conclusion: even though lots have changed in Tainan, the food is just as delicious. Time to purchase another ticket back to Taiwan again! 

今天先介紹到這,不然會寫不完(我肚子好餓!)可以追蹤我的Instagram,看看我們去哪吃吃吃吃吃!每次只要朋友提起想來台灣玩,我一定特別推薦台南。畢竟美食之都怎能錯過!前陣子幫來台南玩的朋友們列了一份台南美食清單,這次我們也親身體驗一下,也讓台南女婿(UN最愛稱自己台南女婿)好好體驗這裡的美食。台南的朋友們,幫我看看還有哪些應該加進去!總結:雖然台南變好多,但美食一樣好吃。該是時候買機票回台南囉(不是才剛回來嗎?)怎麼辦我好想吃烏魚腱和烏魚標喔!

Impulsive Christmas Trip to Aso | 聖誕節直衝熊本阿蘇

我和UN一如往常,坐飛機前會到那霸機場國內入境大廳旁的Pork Tamago Onigiri買豆腐口味和原味飯糰。拿好食物,一出店門口有位先生從店裡出來超貼心幫我們照相。當下沒太多交流,幾句日文表達謝意。我們到隔壁便利商店買牛奶,我嚷嚷著怎麼剛才沒和那人自我介紹多聊幾句。這位先生就突然出現,以為他也是來買飲料,結果竟然是幫我們付飲料錢。我和UN都驚呆了,完全不知道如何報答這位先生。我們聊了一下,知道彼此名字。非常感謝Shimizu San!

Getting Pork Tamago Onigiri (tofu and pork is our fav) at Naha Airport has become our travel routine. As we got out of the shop this time, a nice gentleman followed us out and offered to take our photos for us.  We had a brief conversation and said our “arigato” and went on our way next door to buy some milk at Family Mart. Just as I was regretting not having more conversation with that gentleman, he showed up again next to us. We thought he also came to buy something to drink, but instead he came to buy us our drinks. His kindness surprised us in this holiday season. We chatted a little longer and exchanged names. Thank you very much Shimizu-San!


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(Please scroll down for English translation!)

最近沖繩好冷(大概華氏65度,我的東岸朋友們應該會殺我),我們衝動訂好機票來福岡泡溫泉!原本說好12月待在沖繩,但實在是經不起誘惑,懷念九州溫泉生活!朋友K一家人大推阿蘇,加上我們家常買阿蘇牛乳和阿蘇水,你覺得不來看一下怎麼行呢!這次自駕到熊本阿蘇,下雨過後的風景美呆了,簡直是在夢幻仙境裡開車。

大觀峰

UN每次設計的網美行程都會被我打槍。原先計畫在溫泉旅館裡悠閒泡溫泉和參觀一些不需腳力的景點,我卻在收拾行李時臨時提議去爬山。這類事每次旅行一定發生,我就是傳說中的難搞旅伴吧!好險UN人好願意奉陪!

阿蘇山

阿蘇山,世界最大活火山之一。2016因火山爆發,阿蘇五岳關起來,世界唯一能近距離看到火山口因火山隨時可能爆發禁止遊客進入。雖然往阿蘇山路上已知道此事,我們還是堅持一路開到被擋住的心態上山。直到距離火山口一公里處被擋住,畫面像是世界末日般被火山灰覆蓋。入口佈滿警告牌,反覆廣播警告遊客注意安全,警察車也擋住禁止民眾。僅有一家非常冷清的紀念品店開著,店外被黑灰蓋住,想像Stranger Things被underworld的怪物侵襲,就是那種感覺。

溫泉旅館

UN此行主要目標:泡溫泉!但最吸引我的是旅館提供的懷石料理,好吃到讓我每餐必吃兩碗飯。非常喜歡傳統和室,睡前工作人員會把床鋪好。我們好像小丸子、多啦a夢,實在是太可愛了!

馬肉

熊本是馬肉發源地。雖然不是第一次吃馬肉,但吃馬肉時旁邊有人騎馬還真的是第一次。那感覺太怪了,我們還是想騎馬的啊!

Lately it’s been getting kinda chilly here in Okinawa (~65F, my east coast friends please don’t kill me). Originally we agreed to stay in Okinawa for Christmas and New Year, but we impulsively purchased tickets to visit onsen in Fukuoka, because Kyushu onsen life is irresistible! Our friend K is from Fukuoka and highly recommended Aso to us! We love buying Aso water and Aso milk, so it’s destined that we visit Aso. We rented a car and drove to Aso, Kumamoto. Driving in the misty mountain roads after the rain is beyond magical. 

Daikanbo

UN’s planned insta-friendly itinerary inevitably will be amended by me. His original goal for this trip is to soak in hot spring at our onsen ryokan and visit a couple easily accessible sites. But as we were packing, I suggested we go hiking. Yes, this happens all the time. I guess I’m the annoying travel partner. Good thing UN is nice and accommodates my spontaneity!

Mount Aso 

Mount Aso, one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. Due to volcanic eruption in 2016, Mount Aso is now closed off-limits to visitors. The only place on earth where you can be within 1 km away from an active volcano that can erupt any minute. Although we already knew about the closure, we still wanted to get as far as possible. When we got to the entrance of the volcano, it looked like a scene from the apocalypse; the sun is obscured from the clouds, and everything is covered in black volcanic ash. The entrance is fenced off with lots of warning signs cautioning visitors from trespassing the fence. There is also recorded announcement on megaphones with similar warning messages in multiple languages. Police cars with flashing sirens patrol the area to ensure visitors follow the rules. The only place that is opened is the lone souvenir shop, which is also covered in black volcanic soot. It literally looks like the place is in the underworld in Stranger Things under attack by monsters. 

Ryukan

UN’s main goal for this trip: soak in onsen! But I’m more interested in the delicious traditional Japanese keiseki meals provided by the ryokan. So delicious that I asked for two bowls of rice every meal! I absolutely love our Japanese style room. The staff will make our bed for us every night and morning. I feel like we are in a Japanese comic book, super kawaii! 

Horse Meat 

Kumamoto is known for horse meats. Although it’s not my first time having horse meats, it is my first time eating it while people do horse riding right outside. What an eerie feeling. Is it weird I still want to ride horses?

Thanksgiving In Fukuoka|感恩節在福岡

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Thanksgiving is a binge eating holiday. Therefore, we now lack the courage to step onto the scale! There’s so much good food in Fukuoka. We needed about 10X the stomach capacity to enjoy all the foods we wanted to eat. UN loves ramen, and I like mochi and nabe (hot pot). We had those everyday we were in Fukuoka!

大家感恩節好嗎?依美國習俗,感恩節就是要大吃特吃,但此刻的我們,不敢站上體重計!福岡讓我們吃到撐,撐到希望自己有十個胃,把想吃的都裝進肚子裡!UN愛吃的拉麵,我愛吃的大福和火鍋,在福岡那幾天,我們天天至少吃一次。集合我們最愛的食物,我們怎麼可能不愛這。

Hakata 博多

Ate from sunrise to sundown, didn’t even make time for any sightseeing. We must have had 10 meals a day, no joke. Our dinner was motsunabe (beef intestine hot pot) and ramen, followed by yatai (street food stand). Hakata is about 15 minutes subway ride from the airport, and we managed to slurp down a bowl of ramen before our flight back to Okinawa.

從早吃到晚的行程,完全沒參觀任何景點。不誇張,我們每天至少吃五頓,兩人還堅持必須一人點一份(外加一堆小菜、甜點),晚餐通常以一份牛腸鍋、兩份拉麵,然後以屋台小吃為結尾。博多車站離福岡機場約15分鐘車程,離開當天還不忘先吃碗拉麵再走人。福岡太迷人了,怎麼辦我好想念這裡!如果下次有在這裡轉機,可以搭車速奔博多車站,那裡有好多美食!

Restaurant List | 餐廳清單

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Motsunabe 牛肚鍋

吃了幾家Google Maps擁有千人評論的牛肚鍋店,老實說大同小異,但唯獨這家(Motsunabe Rakutenchi)讓我們印象深刻!不是因為他味道特別出色或份量最多,是因為地點特別!外觀看起來有點老舊,店裡特別狹窄,乾淨這詞可能不太搭這家店。但也可能因為客人們在狹小空間用餐,店員和客人們互動特別熱絡,算是非常特別的經驗!

Tried a few motsunabe places that had rave reviews on Google, they are tasted similar. We want to give a special mention to this one (Motsunabe Rakutenchi) not because of its food, but rather its location. Although it doesn’t look like much from the outside, inside hallway is narrow, and I wouldn’t say it’s clean. But the atmosphere is very cozy, and the staff were friendly. A great experience overall!

Nabe List 火鍋清單

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Ramen 拉麵

這是UN最愛吃的食物,也愛博多拉麵的豚骨湯頭!我們剛搬來日本時,第一餐UN就要求吃拉麵!

UN calls himself a ramen head, especially loves Hakata tonkatsu ramen! Our very first meal in Japan was ramen per UN’s request!

Ramen List | 拉麵清單

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Unagi Rice 鰻魚飯

Simply passing by, didn’t realize this place is a popular unagi restaurant. Japanese rice is so delicious! Unagi was flavorful and tender. This is now on my must-eat list in Fukuoka!

純屬路過,進去後才發現這是有名的鰻魚飯!不得不說,日本人也太會煮飯了吧!以前不愛吃飯的我,現在都能把整碗飯吃光。當然鰻魚也好香、好嫩,被我列為去福岡該吃的店!

Unagi List 鰻魚清單

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Yatai 屋台

We learned how to pick the right yatai! Don’t be fooled by the long lines. Don’t do what we did! LOL* Yatai food with beer complement these breezy autumn nights. Highly recommend oden, great appetizers!

我們抓到選擇屋台的小技巧!千萬別被超長隊伍吸引,但這好像是盲從夫婦該做的!天氣很冷,但每次屋台食物配上啤酒,太誘人了!必點關東煮,非常開胃!

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Dazaifu & Ichiran Ramen 太宰府 & 一蘭合格拉麵

The ume mochi is quite extraordinary! The warm feeling of soft mochi with sweet red beans was a delight for the palate. We nearly tried all the ume mochi stands there.

Ichiran ramen needs no introduction! These pentagon-shaped bowls are specific to this branch here at Dazaifu. “Five-angle” sounds similar to “passed” in Japanese, students would line up here to eat the ramen during exam times. There aren’t that many seats, so the wait can be long, more time for the students to study while waiting for their ramen!

我們太愛梅枝餅(梅ヶ枝餅)了!不管歷史流傳下來還是生意噱頭,我們就是愛這種麻糬加紅豆,衝動到品嚐了幾乎每家的梅枝餅。這東西實在是太合我胃口,下次要買多點帶回沖繩吃!

一蘭拉麵當然好吃,無需多解釋!這裡的一蘭是五角形拉麵碗稱合格拉麵,門口拉麵販賣機有合格袋裝零錢。筷子五角形叫合格著,這噱頭似乎有點過頭,我們發現其實很多日本餐廳都有五角形筷子設計。裡面位置不多,和UN等了約20分鐘。我想考生排隊等拉麵的時間讀書,好好利用時間,還有一碗好吃拉麵,好像不錯耶!考生們加油!

Food List 食物清單

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Hells of Beppu & Sand Bath 別府地獄溫泉和海濱砂浴

Soaking in hot spring on a cold day makes you go “ahhhh”. Japanese has a word for it called “kimochi”. Beppu is about two hour train ride from Hakata station. At Beppu train station you can purchase bus pass and admission tickets to Hells of Beppu. Beppu is known for having the second most natural hot springs in the world, behind Yellowstone National Park. In front of the station is a free hand spa. You can also opt to drive in Beppu, parking is very convenient.

There are a total of 7 hot springs, most have foot spas that’s included with admission, and a couple have actual onsen for bathing. You can bring your own towel and soak your tired feet in hot springs at these scenic spots. Sand bath is a one of a kind experience! While waiting for your turn to be buried in hot sand (warmed by steam from hot springs), you can once again enjoy the foot spa right next to it.

冬天泡溫泉真的好舒服!從博多車站坐火車到別府,約兩小時。下車後能到服務中心買巴士票和地獄溫泉的入場卷,車站前面有溫泉泡手。如果自駕,每個景點都有停車場。

全世界第二大天然溫泉產地,僅次於美國黃石公園。在別府小路裡,到處能看到溫泉熱水冒出來的熱煙。當地也有蒸汽餐廳,用溫泉蒸汽煮出來的食物。餐廳裡還能邊吃飯邊泡腳,非常適合冷天來。

來別府一定要參觀地獄溫泉!共七個地獄溫泉參觀點,有些地方能進去泡溫泉,有些景點提供足湯。帶自己的浴巾,方便在不同景點泡腳擦乾。大推砂浴,非常特別的經驗!等砂浴時能到旁邊的足湯泡腳看風景。

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