I interviewed Tina who is from Taipei, Taiwan. I found her on trip advisor where she offers a food tour of Taiwan to travelers. Her company Taipei Eats got great reviews so I thought I’d send her an email and see if she’d be willing to answer some questions so I could grasp a better understanding of Taiwanese native enjoys to eat and maybe get an insight into some dishes I’m not familiar with. In the “About” section of the page, it says: “Our culinary walking tour will lead you on a journey to discover the authentic taste of traditional Taiwanese cuisines. Our tours include food and drink tastings, combined with cultural knowledge of these off-the-beaten-path streets. You’ll experience delicious tastings from renowned local restaurants while receiving an insider’s view into the culture, history, and architecture that defines Taipei”

In a few days, Tina responded to my email and answered all of my questions. Tina is originally from and still currently living in Taipei, Taiwan. Some popular dishes include beef noodle soup, thick soups, stir-fry, braised pork rice, steamed buns, steamed rice cakes (both sweet and savory), and a big variety of “xiaochi” which literally means “small eats.” Xiaochi is an important variety of street food made for snacking with or without a big meal to follow. Tina like me loves a little bit of sweet and salty combinations so her favorite food growing up was “Gua boa”, which is a sweet and salty fluffy bun. I asked Tina to describe in detail a favorite Taiwanese dish and she responded, “Oyster vermicelli. The vermicelli is a tan colored wheat noodle, it’s been toasted for another layer of flavor and texture. It is cooked in a stock laced with bonito flakes and dried shrimp. The oysters have been coated with sweet potato flour so the size doesn’t shrink and has more of a “Q” texture, Taiwanese love.” Living and growing up in Taipei Tina never felt compelled to cook so she only eats out. Tina explained to me that a typical Taiwanese dinner would consist of a few stir friends, rice and soup. Her favorite ways to finish up a delicious Taiwanese meal with a refreshing bowl of shaved ice. Another dessert she loves is boba milk tea because it reminds her of her childhood. She ended the interview by telling me that, “There is a huge variety of Taiwanese food that goes beyond night markets and soup dumplings. We also have a great selection of seafood.”

I was eager to learn more about Tina so I sent her some follow-up questions. A Taiwanese dish she eats regularly is what they call “Lu rou fan” which is just braised and minced pork rice. Tina enjoys toppings on her shaved Ice I didn’t expect like Pearl barley, red bean (azuki bean), peanuts (soft boiled and sweetened), rice balls, mung bean, and condensed milk. Taiwan offers a large selection of seafood and some of Tina’s favorites are oyster omelets or luffa and clams. You can find any about any of these foods at a night market in Taipei.