C Y N T H I A L U V S ♥.♥

Posted on 03 October 2014 ♥

Woke up at about 6am though our alarm was set at 9am and I'm the kind who can't get back to sleep after waking up suddenly! Nua-ed till 9am before going to prepare and head out to McDonald's to get some breakfast which is about a 5mins walk from our hotel.

Wanted to dine in but my tummy was giving me problems so we takeaway it back to the hotel to eat!

I had the ala-carte pancakes and had the hashbrown from Mom's Chicken McMuffin meal!

A McMuffin meal and the 3 pcs pancakes was only NT112 (SGD4.80)?!?! So much affordable than the outlets in SG but theirs is slightly thinner and less fluffy! :(

Went to Tamsui, 淡水 after our breakfast at about 10+ in the morning!

Took the metro over to Tamsui station which was 10+ stops away from Jiantan station which is a 30mins ride or so.

We went to 淡水老街 which was only a 3-5mins walk away from the Tamsui Station and we stupidly went down the stairs and go up another stairs when we could just cross the traffic light. Shouldn't follow the signs blindly, I realized some of the signs are quite misleading, like teaching you to walk the long way! >:(

We could have reached the above place by crossing the traffic light but we pigu yang went down and up the long flight of stairs. ~_~ Oh well, take it as morning exercise! ^_^

Most shops weren't opened at about 11am, would be better to go there after 1pm I guess! Since it was our last second day, we wanted to start the day earlier which is why we went over so early!

Walked around before we started buying some food!

Views were great without any filters needed, very pretty though it was a tad sunny unlike the pictures.

Good thing about being early is that it's hardly crowded so it was easy to walk around without having to squeeze through crowds.

Saw these fried squids and decided to get one serving to share which is NT120 (SGD5.15).

It was fried till it was so crispy and so hard that it became so difficult to bite it! We gave up after having one small piece each because our teeth really hurts from chewing on them!

Brought the remaining pieces back to the hotel and mom tried to eat a piece again and eventually gave up because it was so hard to bite and teeth really hurts very badly after that! Wouldn't recommend buying it unless you've really strong teeth because we couldn't finish the rest and had to throw the whole bag away! U_U

Also got a sour plum drink (酸梅汤) after walking for awhile, it was NT30 (SGD1.30) for a big cup. It contains 乌梅、山楂、桂花、甘草、冰糖 which we couldn't really accept the taste, still prefer the usual syrup kind in SG. The 酸梅汤 have this very thick bitter aftertaste which wasn't very pleasant. Didn't manage to finish it too! >_<

Walked around to get some 铁蛋 and 鱼酥 which is famous in Tamsui to bring back to SG.

Not all shops were opened at about 11.30am thus, we just randomly enter one of the shops and get the following! ^_^

Got a total of 6 packs of the 鱼酥 and 虾酥, it was buy 5 and they give you a packet of the prawn crackers for free! We got them in Original, Cheese and Spicy flavours, total for 6 packets was 250NT (SGD10.80).

Tried the cheese fish crackers (鱼酥) when I was home! It was surprisingly good, didn't expect much because I thought it would just taste like prawn crackers. It does taste a little like prawn crackers but better and you don't stop at one piece after starting! Mom tried and agreed it was good as well! Yay, good buy!

Got 4 packets of the 铁蛋! Got them in Garlic, Spicy and Original flavours! They do have other flavours available too. It was 65NT (SGD2.80) each and 4 for NT250 (SGD10.80).

阿婆铁蛋 is the most famous brand for the eggs but it was 150NT (SGD6.45) for a pack which is about the same size as the one we got and it wasn't opened yet when we was there thus we just randomly got the above brand!

Tried the original flavour, just a more chewy and Q version of braised egg! Not bad!

Also bought the Yam Pastry (芋头酥) at NT250 (SGD10.80) for the above box of 8 pcs, individually packed. Something similar to the popular 紫晶酥, not any cheaper than 紫晶酥 though!

Yam crust is flaky and soft with different filling like either the pure kind of yam, yam and mochi or yam w egg yolk! I ate the one w egg yolk and seriously gives me the feel of mooncake! I finds it averagely priced and taste wise, it's not bad, worth a try! :)

Walked around after spending NT750 in a shop buying all of the above, we saw a pastry shop which sells Napoleon Pie 拿破崙派 which mom's eyes went *-* when she saw them on display! They do gives free sampling and she likes it after giving it a try!

大溪拿破崙派

新北市淡水區公明街17號（淡水老街）

Here it is, we got 2 boxes of it. Can be stored outside for 2-3 days and can last 2 weeks in the freezer so it was great since we were heading home the next day! 150NT (SGD6.45) each!

This is how it looks, from their FB Page!

Crust has a really crispy texture, matched with really moist and soft chiffon cake in 2 flavours and a layer of raisins and walnuts! A great choice for people who don't really like sweet pastry!

Mom rated it a 9.5/10! She really likes it! I think it's quite nice but not my kind of favourite pastry. Worth a try though! ^_^

Also got a box of their Almond pastry since we could mix and match. 3 boxes for NT400 (SGD17.20)!

Have yet to give it a try but it smells really buttery! Anything buttery must be good! ;D

Decided to head back to the hotel to put down thing things first since we didn't want to be so 狼狈 carrying so much stuffs while shopping elsewhere.

Last photo in Tamsui before we took the metro back!

Went back to put down the things and rest for a bit before we head out again to Taipei Main Station because we wanted to get more things from Kuang Nan Wholesale Store, one of my favourite place to shop after going there on Day 1!

Kuang Nan Wholesale Store (光南大批發)

No. 40, Xuchang St, Zhongzheng District Taipei City (台北市許昌街40號)

10:00 - 22:30

Directions:
Taipei Main Station (Exit at Z4, which is the exit for Shin Kong Mitsukoshi). Walk towards the back of the building and you will see this!

So glad to find the place immediately unlike the first time when we walk rounds and rounds just to find the Z4 exit!

Some of the stuffs we got this time round!

Got more of the body scrubs which even mom finds it good and it was the last 3 bottles so we got it all. It was NT269 (SGD11.55), slightly cheaper than getting online in SG since it's from Taiwan.

Colgate in Charcoal which I first tried and love it, makes the teeth sparkling clean but have yet to see it in SG! Can't remember the exact price though! >_<

Also got a Jelly Mask at NT299 (SGD12.85) because mom wanted it after seeing it on the TV advert! Told ya she was glued on the TV every single day in Taiwan!

And a conditioner from Ma Cherie, I think they had new stocks when we went that day because we didn't see it the first time we went. It was slightly cheaper than SG but I couldn't remember the price!

Bought alot of the Snyder's Pretzel Pieces which was quite nice! It was NT25 (SGD1.07) each and we got a few of the cheese flavours which mom likes and 2 packs of Creamy Caramel and 2 packs of Honey Mustard and Onion!

Some other snacks! The salted pretzel and Kumquat Dried Fruit was from another supermarket, not from Kuang Nan.

The 'french fries' which consist of Yam, Sweet potato and purple sweet potato crackers was quite yummy but not to be eaten excessively because they are harder than usual crackers so your teeth might hurt from biting too much pieces!

Went to one of the buildings nearby, Taipei City and bought 2 strawberry cream puffs and a chocolate lava cake from this pastry shop, Brownie Sweets which is located at B1 because all their cakes and all looks so good!!

Here's the items that we bought!

Puff is really crispy as compared to my favourite puffs from Beard Papa in SG. Cream wise, it's a little over on too much whipped cream thus the strawberry taste wasn't strong but they are overly generous with the cream filling! At least 2-3 times more than cream in Beard Papa's puffs but the cream filling of Beard Papa is still way better!

It was NT40 (SGD1.70) each, I think it's worth it given the size of the puff and filling! Would be more suitable for people who love cream!

Chocolate Lava cake which mom ate it all but she said it was really dry so not recommended though it looks quite pretty! Also NT40 (SGD1.70)!

Went to explore the supermarket after buying the puffs, Jasons Market Place and bought 10 bottles of milk teas and coffee because it was on promotion, 2 bottles for NT48 (SGD2.05), usual price is NT30 (SGD1.30) each!

Got 4 bottles of milk tea which even mom who never ever drink cold milk tea love it! It's really flavourful and tasty, one of the best bottled milk tea! What a pity that they expire 15 days from production so we couldn't buy alot back!

Also got 2 bottles each of their Latte, Black Coffee and Milk Coffee. Never tried any of it as we bought it for my brother but their milk tea is seriously good!

Swear the auntie in me came out when I was paying. We bought so many bottles and the cashier asked me if I need a bag (请问需要袋子吗?). If I was in SG, I would reply nope, I will carry them all on my head but in Taiwan, whereby they are much more environmental friendly so they always charge for the plastic bags. Thus, I ask if I need to pay for the bags (请问需要还钱吗?) and the cashier say no need so I say OK, give me one please, thanks! (好的，给我一个！谢谢!)

HAHAHA FUCK LAH I AM DAMN AUNTIE, LAST WARNING! And my mom literally LOL and laughs like mad! Okay lah, at least I was polite okay! I even use a 环保袋 to carry all the stuffs including those bought earlier on, damn gay I cannot.

Had a meal at the foodcourt aftermath! Mom ordered the Thai Tanghoon set which consist all of the below at NT180 (SGD7.75).

Way too much curry powder thus, the whole bowl of Tanghoon just tasted like curry powder overdose. Mom couldn't stop rolling eyes every mouth she try to eat in order not to waste food and kept whining about how could they cook this way etc while I was just amused by how irritated she was!

She finished up the prawns while I tried to eat as much tanghoon as I can which was ALOT of it and it wasn't yummy at all! Xiaorage 有没有!

Walked around the basement after the unsatisfactory meal and found a shop selling 紫晶酥 which is also a yam pastry with mochi filling!

It was NT280 (SGD12) for 9 pcs that are packed 3 in a pack. We picked the mixed flvaours which has 3 紫晶酥, 3 芋头酥 and 3地瓜麻糬酥.

Had already tried 2 of the flavours and all are quite nice, less sweeter than the one we bought from Tamsui but I like this better as I don't really like sweet yam! First time trying and I think it's worth a try as it's only $1.50 each!

Decided to head back our hotel since we didn't have anything else to buy!

Passed by Gakuden Bakery on the way home and bought 2 of my favourite yam bread for our breakfast the next day! There was a sushi shop beside the bakery and I couldn't resist getting a plate of salmon sashimi back!

Introducing to you one of the yummiest salmon sashimi at a low price!

It's from the sushi shop beside GAKUDEN樂田麵包屋 at Taipei Main Station! Didn't took note of the sushi shop name but we saw alot of the outlets in Taipei, wherever we go!

8 thick slices of the salmon sashimi was only NT120 (SGD5.15)! Was so surprised when I had my first bite because I thought it will just taste like usual salmon sashimi but it was really fresh though it was already evening when I bought it. Literally melts in your mouth, damn good! Super regret for getting only a plate! It should be really good because I wasn't even hungry at all when I was eating and a lady before me bought 4 boxes of it!

It tasted even better than some of the higher priced salmon sashimi in SG, shocking but really damn good! I cannot stop raving about it while eating it! One of the best sashimi that I've eaten and I'm missing it now!!

Rested for awhile before going for a nap from 7pm till 8+ because it was raining so we couldn't go out for dinner, might as well get some sleep as I woke up crazily early!

It was still drizzling when we head to Shilin Night Market at 9pm but we just suck it up and went to satisfy mom's fried oyster craving!

Walked past 宏冠土魠魚羹 which we had it during day 1 and decided to go in for a meal since it was our last night in Taiwan!

宏冠土魠魚羹士林分店

電話：02-2880-1160

地址：台北市士林區大南路84號

Ordered the exact same thing except that for the fish soup, we ordered it without the beehoon to leave stomach space for Fried Oyster!

The Luroufan (鲁肉饭) was still damn good! Didn't wanted to order it because rice makes me too full for other food which I wanna eat but seriously no regret! SO FREAKING YUMMY, I am really missing Taiwan now!

Also had the Salad Fish Roe which I didn't take picture of because I was more engrossed in eating! Bill was the same, NT150 (SGD6.45)

Super affordable yet super satisfied meal at 宏冠土魠魚羹 as usual!

Walked around before heading to the basement for some Fried Oyster since it was still drizzling even after we finished eating.

Settled at Zhong Chen Hao which was one of the more crowded stalls even at almost 10pm and plus the staffs are super good at promoting and all!

I'm actually scared of walking around B1, staffs from most stalls are a little pushy in terms of they really will try to pull you into the shop and I am the kind of people who feels bad saying no!

We ordered the 鸡蛋蚵仔煎 at NT55 (SGD2.36). They are super generous with their sauce which I major love it and the amount of oysters, we had like more than 15 oysters in our serving?!?! What a sweet surprise! :D

It was really quite yummy and really worth the money since they gave so much oysters! Another satisfied meal! ^_^

Walked over to 阿忠冰店 which was also on the same level because I accidentally ate the chili bits which mom added to the Fried Oyster and my throat was burning, no joke!

Also because I missed the big bowl of dessert filled with my favourite fruits!

Still as yummy at NT150 (SGD6.45) and we're the kind of people who eat cold dessert despite cold weather! #Dontcare #LastNightInTaiwanLiao

Walked around the night market because we were too full!

Mom managed to get a pair of not bad quality black shoes at only NT200 (SGD8.60) because there's a few shops which sells their footwear at only NT200 for clearance and guys' tops/pants at only NT100! Didn't manage to find anything for brother so we only got the pair of shoe! Cashier was super black face though, not really my business anyway!

Kept seeing these cock waffles which everyone are so engrossed in and kept spamming pictures at the night market so I joined them too! HAHAHA didn't buy though, tummy too full!

Blurry pictures though ~

Also got a pack of the Fried Chicken Cutlet because it was so good that we couldn't not buy when we walked past and got a bowl of Pig's Blood Soup, 猪血汤 which I've been wanting to try!

It was almost the last bowl when we bought it because it was almost sold out already! Doesn't look good but it tasted pretty yummy, just beside the chicken cutlet stall! It was only NT35 (SGD1.50) for like 18 pcs of Pig's Blood! Soup was a tad too oily but it was still good if you just eat the ingredient, without too much soup!

That marks the end of Day 4 which is also our last 2nd day in Taiwan :(

We were so full that we couldn't sleep after reaching our hotel room so we went to soak our legs in the Jacuzzi! SHIOK, maximized the use of our room! ^_^

Labels: Dessert, Food, Shopping, Travel