The Dirtiest One

 Well, I have to admit that my passport is very dirty because it has been to many countries, but the dirtiest page is this one!

Shame on Philippines

No idea why there are so many falsehoods about Philippine government vessel attacked unarmed Taiwan fishing boat. It's not an unintended incident, but a real murder! Shame on Philippines, trouble maker & grasping liar.

Ultracker Real Rate

What is “Real Rate”? It is one of FAQ at trade shows in which Ultracker participated, and I was so scared to this abstract question before because it is extremely hard to describe the principle to visitors. To take this 16-channel DVR for example, it can do 120 FPS (frames per second) @ 640 x 480 (or 240 FPS @ 640 x 240), the highest performance. Each channel averagely can do 7.5 FPS (120 / 16 = 7.5) but can be set up to 15 FPS. If the total FPS is over 120, the system would share the total performance according to the ratio of working or non-working hour rate, and the result is called “real rate”. In fact, this model is two 60 FPS @ 640 x 480 independently for 1~8 channel as well as 9~16 channel (60 + 60 = 120). Clear? Watch the photo & use some imagination.

Dandelion

 Recently, I found there are some yellow flowers in the park near by my home. Oh, they are dandelions! It reminded me of “Tanpopo (Dandelion) Omuraisu” in Japan as well as “Springtime A La Carte” by O. Henry.

 After re-reading the short, colorful, tasty, and aromatic story, I learned that dandelion is edible~

 She is a true soldier of fortune, this dent-de-lion—this lion's tooth, as the French chefs call her.

 Dandelion has been used in herbal medicine to treat infections, as well as bile and liver problems in Taiwan and China.

 According to folklore. if you can blow off all seeds of a dandelion globe with one blow, you are loved for sure. If some remain, you are loved with reservations. If lots of seeds still remain, sorry, you are not loved at all.

 In fact, I would not collect dandelion from parks, where are kinds of dogs’ toilets, but grow some in my balcony. After one month about, it's time to harvest.

 This is my dandelion potato salad, tastes like a springtime fanfare♪

By the way, I just purchased two Now Foods Dandelion Root from iHerb (coupon code: ZRW435). One costs USD 5.08 only, and is good for your body, especially in spring.

http://www.iherb.com/?rcode=zrw435

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2013/04/dandelion.html

Lao-Deng Dan-Dan Noodles

 A-Mao has been Lao-Deng Dan-Dan Noodles' customer for more than 10 years. Thanks god for their food is as good as usual because some of my favorite flavor was changed or phased out forever. I still remember that we, Cheng Kung Senior High School Wind Ensemble, asked for as hot as possible spicy for stupid funning. Though Lao-Deng has new recipes, only Dan-Dan Noodles was ordered when going to there alone. The texture of noodles is sleek, but the sesame sauce & peanut powder provides deep taste & irregular but joyful mouthfeel with light stimulus of sichuan pepper. Then, happy sweating!

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2008/12/lao-deng-dan-dan-noodles.html

New Decoration

Chuan Wang Beef Noodle Soup

 Chuan Wang is the winner of the first Taipei Beef Noodle Festival. "Low oil, rich flavor" is their slogan, but it is strange to A-Mao that the subtitle "Boutique" is trumpeted. This one is beef noodle soup with half meat & half tendon. The taste of soup is delicious because of good materials, and the toppings is extremely tender. Then, don't forget to add some pickled cabbage, chopped spring onion or chili oil. A nice bowl, and it seems to be suit for Japanese, but I started missing traditional Taiwanese ones after all.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2008/12/chuan-wang-beef-noodle-soup.html

Menu of Chuan Wang

Ching Kuang Rice Vermicelli Soup

 One of my most favorite roadside stands is Ching Kuang Rice Vermicelli Soup (or Bee Hoon Soup), located in Ching Kuang Market which is the oldest notable goods market in Taipei. When A-Mao was being a trainee for Shanghai Commercial & Savings Bank, this bowl was light to eat in summer & warmed the body in winter. Though the vermicelli is a little bit thick, but its texture is just softer than al dente, and the soup is filled up with flavor of pork bones. Their fresh & juicy pork uteri scalded & pork diaphragm scalded is highly recommended also. With or without the sauce, delicious!

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/01/ching-kuang-rice-vermicelli-soup.html

Ching Kuang Market

Zhonghua Meat Pies and Porridge

 Thanks Communist Party of China for that they won the Chinese Civil War. With Kuomintang, therefore, the various Chinese delicacies were brought to here to enrich Taiwan food culture. Zhonghua Meat Pies and Porridge is one of A-Mao's favorite old stores. The dalian huoshao is rectangular-shaped and like a XL-size pan-fried dumpling. Stuffed with pork & yellow garlic chives, it is crispy outside and substantial inside. As for the beef pie got a red point—there is pork pie also, but pig got no point, XD, the stuff is mixed with aromatic spring onion. Very delicious, but be careful that it is incredibly juicy.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/01/zhonghua-meat-pies-and-porridge.html

Peace has broken out!

A-Xiu Traditional Qie-A Noodles

 Now "tradition" or "taste of the old days" is one of keynotes of Taiwanese food industry, but it doesn’t mean definite delicacy. One afternoon in Wanhua (or Bangka), Taipei City's oldest district, A-Mao encountered A-Xiu Traditional Qie-A Noodles, which seems to be introduced by gourmet TV shows before. Seeing that there were many eaters, A-Mao ordered Qie-A Noodles & pork heart. Its biggest selling point is that noodles is traditionally to be"cut" into a pudding shape; but, the whole bowl is normally delicious. As for the pink pork heart, however, A-Mao really loves it. Really fresh, tender & juicy!

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/02/xiu-traditional-qie-noodles.html

A-Xiu (Hide) Traditional Qie-A Noodles

Northern Noodles Ji-Yu-Yuan

Because of Petekobe's article, A-Mao went to Ji-Yu-Yuan to experience what is noodles from the north part of China. Assorted beef noodle soup (or ngiu chap noodle soup) and pork dumplings (or jiaozi) was ordered. It was not lunchtime then, but their business is really good. Good look! The soup tasted fine, but it was dressed too sweet, and it is a minus that there was basil. Overcooked assorted beef made A-Mao sad, and the noodles was very normal. In fact, nothing about the north……

But the pork dumplings, filled with cabbage & spring onion also, changed his first impression. The stuff was seasoned fresh & juicy, whereas the mouthfeel of dumpling dough is sturdy. Next time, A-Mao will still order dumplings, whatever pork or leek ones. Their spring onion pancake smelled so good, and the other customers’ steamed dumplings & hot and sour soup looked great. Will not go for their noodle soup anymore.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/03/northern-noodles-ji-yu-yuan.html

The head store of Ji-Yu-Yuan

Oyster Vermicelli Near by Taoyuan Jingfu Temple

 Oyster vermicelli is a popular light repast in Taiwan. Nevertheless, now it is hard to find a one which is traditional and without unnecessary ingredients, such like egg flower, quail's eggs or various cheap balls. This bowl with lots of oyster & pork intestine is served near by Taoyuan Jingfu Temple. Although the vermicelli isn’t handmade, its taste and aroma is rarely wonderful! Don’t forget to add some black vinegar & special hot sauce.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/03/oyster-vermicelli-near-by-taoyuan.html

Oyster Vermicelli near by Taoyuan Jingfu Temple

The Taste of NTPU

 The A-Mao is missing siu laap (or siu mei ) of "Hong Kong Jia-Hong" so much because its fantastic taste was accompanying his college life at NTPU (National Taipei University). These days, he told about this store with You & Ling, his classmates before and now a couple having an adorable girl, and Yun, a member of NTPU Winds Orchestra also. And all of them have the same, inerasable memory. This is rice with roasted chicken leg, Ling's beloved one, which looks so great, whereas A-Mao's most favorite is rice with roasted duck & crispy roasted pork. Cantonese-speaking chefs provide the other delicious Cantonese cuisines, too; however, the only drawback is that rice would be out of control on occasion.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/04/taste-of-ntpu.html

Hong Kong Jia-Hong in Taipei

Recommendation from Petekobe

Mao likes the trilingual blog of Petekobe and is very interested in which Taiwanese food is fit for this Japanese guy, who rarely enjoys the smell & taste of stinky tofu. Petekobe highly recommends this North Noodle & Rice Store, and A-Mao was curious whether or not it is definitely good to eat, in terms of a local point of view. Well, the sour and hot soup a little bit seemed like the bowl in his childhood. Regarding the beef roll, A-Mao was touched beyond words! Perfect harmony of pancake, stewed beef, sweet noodle sauce & spring onion. Hmm……there is no border among gourmet, but the language barrier.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/04/recommendation-from-petekobe.html

North Noodle & Rice Store

Qiao-He-Zhen

 When it comes to delicacies near by Ultracker, Qiao-He-Zhen is the 2nd to none! Even choosy honcho A could not pick fault before……Anyway, this store distinguishes itself by flavor of Chinese herbal medicine, and you can smell it from far away. The chili pomace oil with rare aroma of nuts on the table is not too hot but outstanding and goes so well with noodles & lou mei. Beef soup noodles (without stewed beef which is overcooked) & lou mei seasoned by lots of spring onion is highly recommended.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/04/qiao-he-zhen.html

Qiao-He-Zhen

Hsu Pan Fried Stuffed Dumplings

 Fell in love with Hsu-Ji sheng-jian-bao, or pan fried stuffed mantou, more than 10 yeas before, A-Mao was a high school student, and then 3 pieces cost 10 NTD. Before leaving the R.O.C Air Force Band, he presented it to the other brothers in the army, and then 5 pieces took 20 NTD. Now, under financial tsunami, 5 pieces cost 30 NTD! The price is always increasing. But things not changed are thin bun dough, crunchy bottom, aromatic sauteed sesame, juicy stuff made from cabbage & pork as well as a crowd of buyers. Hsu sheng-jian-bao was inlaid into A-Mao's memory at random and is his old lover. Sometimes both of them would be in a flood of people to think of passing time.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/04/hsu-pan-fried-stuffed-dumplings.html

To take a number~

Liu Shan Dong Noodle Shop

 Before finishing travels or business trips abroad, always thinking of visiting Liu-Shan-Dong Noodle Shop to eat a bowl of beef soup noodles (without stewed beef). The mouthfeel of thin noodles is nicely firm—they provide thick ones also, rich beef soup is not oily, and garlic sprouts makes aroma more distinguished. A-Mao’s way to taste is to enjoy the 1st third in the origin, the 2nd third with some suan-cai (or Chinese sauerkraut), and the final third with a dash of dou-chi (or fermented black beans). And then the tongue would be like surfing on waves.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/04/liu-shan-dong-noodle-shop.html

Liu
Liu Shan Dong
Dong

Way to Use Bird's-Nest Fern

 Shoots of bird's-nest fern is as delicious as healthy; besides, it is a good garnishment. This is fried rice with smoked duck surfing on green waves.

Medusa: rice with fried gluten & shiitake in soy sauce decorated by scalded bird’s nest fern.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/04/way-to-use-birds-nest-fern.html

Bird's Nest Fern

Lao-Jian-Zhong Dan-Dan Noodles

日本人ぺてこべさんは、老鄧担担麺に関するA-Maoの記事についてのコメントを論評しました：僕は、老建中担担麺のほうがうまいと思います。従って、A-Maoは試食するために老建中麺店に行かずにはいられなかった。通常この種類の麺は繊細さです。しかし、このボウルは大きいで、砕いた山椒の存在感で十分です。調味が少しあまりに甘いとしても、麺のテクスチャーがあまりに柔らかいが、老建中担々麺は本当に悪くありません。

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/05/lao-jian-zhong-dan-dan-noodles.html

Lao-Jian-Zhong Noodle Store

Cafe de M&L

 In recent times, A-Mao often dreams of Spaghetti of Scallops with Sea Urchin Sauce of Cafe de M&L, which is a rare good restaurant in Taoyuan. Ingredients are fresh, spaghetti is al dente, and urchin sauce is so delicious. Especially for added raisins—looks like "cockroaches", XD, it brings marvelous flavor.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/08/spaghetti-of-scallops-with-sea-urchin.html

Baby Swallow in Front of caf'e de M & L

Agora Daqu

Agora is a new baijiu enterprise in Taiwan and really good at marketing. One day A-Mao, a guy enjoys beer, wine & sake mainly, found this small, cute bottle of Daqu which is one kind of sorghum spirit. It is so economical that 100ml containing 58% alcohol costs 50 NTD only. After being uncapped, the aroma is like ripe apples. Sip by sip, the taste is soft and smooth. A brand-new nice experience! And, A-Mao went to bed.....

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/09/agora-daqu-in-taiwan.html

I Love Catmint

Zen-Ji Stewed Eel Thick Soup

 

Several yeas ago, ex-lover guided A-Mao to Zen-Ji Stewed Eel Thick Soup in the Keelung's Miaokou Night Market; this year, subsequently, A-Mao took current dear to taste this charming canzonet. Though sea eel is fried in advance, the delicious soup is not oily at all and as smooth as possible. Even though there is lots of fishbone, to consume it seems not to be inconvenient because eel is sliced well. Not to mention that coriander & black vinegar play important supporting roles. With a bowl of rice, it is an unforgettable flavor, integrated with feeling about love.

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/12/stewed-eel-thick-soup.html

Zen-Ji Stewed Eel Thick Soup

Wu-Jia Ding-Bian-Cuo

 When it comes to Keelung's Miaokou Night Market, Wu-Jia Ding-Bian-Cuo is A-Mao’s must. Cuo, the white stuff, is made from rice. Because its texture is really good, the performance of delicious pork nuggets, shrimp nuggets and vegetables (daylily, cabbage & bamboo shoot) seems to be normal. In addition, the soup is light but fantastic. Highly recommend!

Related post: http://264marketer.blogspot.tw/2009/12/wu-jia-ding-bian-cuo.html

Wu-Jia Ding-Bian-Cuo