The Storm Gods have treated us well. Transited through HKG just before the typhoon hit and locked the airport down.
Weather.com had been threatening inclement weather for the 2 months before/after our two week visit. We’ve not had to open an umbrella yet in the full week since we landed. Fingers crossed for streak to continue for another week.
What kind of ham is that? Like Yunnan-style ham? I’m more interested in dried roe. Taiwan does produce dried roe in the style of bottarga. Do you have any idea what it’s called in Chinese? I want to find it in Kaohsiung. If I can’t then I will try in HK.
Hainan chicken crisps are from Malaysia but I’m going to try them anyway. Will be there soon. I specifically wait until the typhoon season ends.
We passed by a small “shop” in Lukang today selling dried roe. There was also a large table with roe sacs in various states of readiness soaking up the intense sun. I think my wife said these were Milkfish roe.
Pretty sure these would be available in Kaohsiung.
The eldest son of my wife’s best university roommate is getting married Sunday. We had to brave the elements to join in my first Taiwanese wedding party.
Over 10 years ago, I’d had dinner at the Taipei Fish Market. The market was a humble wet market, with a couple of restaurants that will prepare the seafood you select. I recall that I was very impressed with all the live seafood finning in the tanks, and the quick jump from the water to your table.
The Taipei Fish Market has moved upscale in the ensuing years. Housed in the same building, there is now a fancy supermarket for upscale groceries. A refurbished fish market with state of the art live tanks, cook-to-order food stations, sushi section, beer/wine/beverage, etc… and comfortable seating areas throughout so we can nosh on the beautiful prepared seafood and cooked items.
Definitely a move from the wet market days. The prices were “reasonable”, so says my wife.
On this trip, we’d already hit wet markets in Kaohsiung, Tainan, Taipei and a few in between. This “market” was a change of pace, although frankly, I prefer the more street versions.
You are very right. The Taipei Fish Market is now run by the Mitsui Food and Beverage Enterprise Group, a Taiwanese group. The market was transformed in July, 2012. Mitsui is considered in the highest esteem for Japanese cuisine within Taiwan.
We have spent hours window shopping the supermarkets in the basement of Japan department stores. That probably explains why we found this market appealing.
I’m a zombie. Took me 25 hours to get here*, and without any sleep. (*From the moment I left my house until the moment I arrived at my lodging in Taiwan.)
Arrived at HKG at 6am local time, my connecting flight was 2 hours later. It was freezing on the plane but as soon as I stepped out the heat hit me.
It’s been a long time Hong Kong, it’s good to be here again, albeit briefly. I will return at the end of the trip, though. Various water dispensers in a row. One on the far right is hot water. People need it for tea and cup noodle soup. I waited until everyone left so I could take a photo. A continuous stream of people queuing to fill their thermos and noodle cups.
My nice fruits and sandwiches were binned. Forgot I could not bring any into the country. I was sad watching my food got binned. Will look for new fruits when I go to the market or fruit shops. But this is one of the things I hate about holidays in Asia… the heat.
