Getting from Taipei 101 to Raohe night market is more complicated than we expected. While it is deceptively close on the map we have to exchange the subway a couple times before we finally arrive at right station. As we exit we are surprised at the crowd of people at the subway entrance and the loud agitated voices coming from loudspeakers. It is the first time but definitely not the last time we think it might be something related to the tensions between China and Taiwan but it is something more fun, a very loud but engaging Chinese street theater opera. Not what we expected at the entrance of a night market.
What we expected was the nearby Songshan Temple, we wonder if it is open to enter. We shouldn’t have as most temples here seem to be open much longer than comparable European ones. And they are much easier to enter than the ones in India with no one begging or trying to scam you at the entrance or inside. it is an older temple constructed in 1753, legend says it was founded by wandering monk who came upon a group of Matsu, the local sea goddess, devotees.
The interior is bright and colorful and we really enjoy exploring. In fact it might be not enough guidance, we go inside and almost get lost and are not sure if we are getting into some restricted areas. But we follow the locals and all is well, it is quite a beautiful temple.
As in most temples in Taiwan we see flowers, lots of them, almost everywhere. This is different from what we remember from Hong Kong, but a nice addition really that we enjoy.
And then we throw ourselves into the night market, it is very busy despite the late evening hour. Maybe more people had the same idea as us, come in the evening to avoid the day heat. There are lots of snacks on offer with a few with English signs but others we cannot even guess what they are.
Our first planned stop in the night parket is the Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun, a very popular kiosk with a line snaking in front of it. With good reason as this restaurant is Michelin recommended. So we wait also in the line and are treated to a view on how the buns are made. And when we get them they are so hot that we cannot eat them for about 1/2h, that is fresh food…
Waiting for the buns to cool down we explore a bit outside the night market. Another attraction in the area is the Rainbow Bridge which is supposed to light up at night in rainbow colors, well not today it seems.
Returning in the night market area we continue by unending numbers of stalls selling various foods, we really cannot decide what to buy and also haven’t found the other item we really wanted to try and dread at the same time. As the food stalls get sparse there are some clothes and novelties stands but then the food stalls start again and we decide to return at a slower pace and make our choice. We are getting tired and the crowds are relentless and of course we are also hungry and want to buy something.
We settle on some donuts for breakfast next day and then find our goal, the stinky tofu stand we are looking for or so we assume as it is slightly off in location. We order somehow the stinky tofu and sit down to eat, while it is not as stinky as we thought it is more spicy than we expected and we do not have that much water with us so we decide to take the remains back to the hotel to eat in the morning. Likely we were not the most liked people on the subway ride home….
Last but not least we are buying sticky Mochi rice balls. This is both to try and also it seems that they can be transported easily. And they are cheap. With our hands full we are back at the night market entrance and it is time to return to the hotel to eat a bit from the bounty and pack our luggage. Tomorrow we are renting a car and it is time to explore the rest of Taiwan.
