Travel Archives ⋆ Page 2 of 11 ⋆ Leia Khu

Tawi-Tawi Travel Guide and Tips for First-time Travelers

Posted on August 2, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

A tropical paradise wedged between the Sulu Sea and the Celebes Sea – Tawi-Tawi is a volcanic island group scattered at the southernmost tip of the Philippines. The pristine azure waters circling this secluded wonder is teeming with rich aquatic life which makes it an unforgettable diving spot for sea lovers. Although it is one of the most feared island provinces in the country due to the high threat of kidnapping and terrorism, it is home to congenial and peace-loving people whose unique and diverse cultural heritage, extending back to the 13th century, is still preserved up to this modern day. Tawi-Tawi is a promising tourist destination for those who dare to embark on a spellbinding adventure and explore all the delicious indigenous food they have to offer.

HOW TO GET THERE BY LAND
Bus transfers from any point in Mindanao via Iligan to Zamboanga City are available.

Iligan to Zamboanga City
Total hours on the road would be about 12 hours if you include stopovers and waiting time. Make sure to plan your trip carefully. The bus ticket is 700 PHP one-way.

For night commuters, the best time to depart from Iligan is 7 in the evening.

HOW TO GET THERE BY SEA
Aleson Shipping Lines sails from Zamboanga City to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi thrice weekly – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

HOW TO GET THERE BY AIR
Cebu Pacific Air flies to directly to Bongao, Tawi-Tawi from Zamboanga City daily. A great deal would be around 3000 PHP for a roundtrip ticket. Connecting flights from Manila are also available.

WHERE TO STAY
Since Tawi-Tawi is not a primary destination for both local and foreign tourists, there are limited options when it comes to accommodations. Most of them don’t even have any online presence. A night in Tawi-Tawi will set you back 1500 PHP. Do manage your expectations when it comes to amenities and aesthetics.

Beachside Inn
Sowangkagang, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Contact Number: 09204815447

Rachel’s Place and Restaurant
Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Contact Number: 09495071001

Sandbar Lepa Beach Hotel and Restaurant
Pasiagan, Bongao, Tawi-Tawi
Contact Numbers: 09177243214, 09359790413, 09206109477

HOW TO GET AROUND
The main mode of transportation on the island is the tricycle. The fare is 15 PHP per ride.

WHAT TO SEE AND DO

Climb Bud Bongao
Photo grabbed from Yahoo! News

See Tawi-Tawi’s Provincial Capitol
Photo grabbed from Yahoo! News

Island Hopping (link to follow)
Eat, eat, eat! (link to follow)
Dive

WHERE TO EAT
Apart from the in-house restaurants of hotels, here are some of their food places in Bongao:

Mardo’s Restaurant
DJ Snack House
M&O Fastfood Cafe

Here’s a vlog about my trip to Tawi-Tawi with Porsche of THEYANGONE
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SFWmyGWToI&w=560&h=315]

TRAVEL TIPS AND REMINDERS

Tawi-Tawi is relatively safe and peacefully but the presence of insurgents makes security unpredictable. Register at the tourism office and listen to authority.
Tawi-Tawi is the earliest home of Islam in the country. Dress modestly.
The consumption of pork is prohibited by Islamic dietary laws so it is not available anywhere on the island.
While the cellular and broadband reception of leading network providers is present in Tawi-Tawi, it can be patchy or absent in some areas – even in Bongao. So keep that in mind.
Establishments do not accept debit/credit cards. Bring cash at all times.
Some areas of Tawi-Tawi lack access to fresh water. You may need to purchase water for bathing, brushing your teeth, and, of course, drinking.
Douse yourself with sunscreen before heading out your hotel door.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to JCI Lepa Tawi-Tawi for their warmest welcome and hospitality. Thank you for showing me around and making me feel like I’m right at home.

The Pig and Palm

Posted on July 17, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

After enjoying my first Michelin-starred restaurant in Taipei, my good friend Jude Bacalso took me to The Pig and Palm – a casual dining restaurant owned by Michelin-starred chef and restaurateur Jason Atherton for our first meal back in the Philippines. Who says no to that? No one.

Located at the MSY Tower in Cebu Business Park, The Pig and Palm is the 16th restaurant of the internationally renowned British chef who once worked alongside with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. Atherton’s critically-acclaimed restaurant group, The Social Company which he co-manages with his wife, Irha, operates in UK, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Australia, Dubai and New York.

As the name suggests, the menu of this 80-seater restaurant mainly revolves around pork. Jason Atherton together with Manila-born chef Tim de la Cruz developed modern European dishes with a Filipino twist using only the freshest ingredients sourced from local farms.

Their breakfast selection is to die for!

Let’s start off with their avocado toast. This fantastic warm toast is topped with a solid smear of avocado and two perfectly poached eggs – an excellent match for my foamy cappuccino. I finally understood why avocado toast has amassed a cult following on Instagram. I was once a doubter but now I’m a convert. It’s definitely something one should try at least once in their lifetime.

Their open faced smoked bacon sandwich topped with perfectly seasoned scrambled eggs and house baked beans is basically everything you want for breakfast served on a piece of warm, crunchy toast.

Another thing Jude and I tried was their maple bacon sandwich stuffed with fried egg and tomato chutney. Think of it as a hearty gourmet breakfast burger that can be enjoyed at any time of the day.

Pig and Palm also has a bar that serves signature cocktails in true hipster fashion.

Coff Medicine is a caffeine-fueled drink that comes in a medicine bottle which you have to pour yourself into a well-chilled cocktail glass. It makes a great pick-me-up to liven up your mood and energy. Dill or No Dill is a refreshing sweet and sour gin-based cocktail with botanical and fruity notes and comes in a glass with a sprig of dill pinned on the side. This cocktail makes a great digestif and is, of course, dill-icious!

Should you find yourself in Cebu, make sure to include Pig and Palm in your itinerary. Service and portions are satisfactory. Food is great for sharing, drinks are fantastic and the atmosphere is relaxed. Brunch averages 150~250 PHP, all-day dining will cost 300~500 PHP per dish and drinks around 250 PHP each.

Restaurant Hours
Tuesday – Friday 7:30am – 12am
Saturday – Sunday 8am – 12am

Bar Hours
Tuesday – Thursday 12pm – 12am
Friday – Saturday 12pm – 2am

Din Tai Fung in Taipei 101

Posted on April 10, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

A five-time awarded Michelin-star restaurant, Din Tai Fung is internationally known for their outstanding xiao long bao (小籠包 soup dumplings).

A mecca for foodies, no trip to Taipei is ever complete without making a stop here.

It is located at the base of Taipei 101, a prime multi-level shopping center that features an observatory deck where visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Taipei’s cityscape.

With over 40 branches all over the world (there’s one here in the Philippines), customers wait in long queues just to have a taste of one of the world’s top ten gourmet restaurants as rated by The New York Times. Diners can stroll around shops in Taipei 101 while waiting to be seated.

Thankfully, with their fast service, it didn’t take too long to get our queue number.

Jude is so “gigil” and can’t contain her excitement!

Curious dine-in guests can peer through the glass-fronted open kitchen and watch the cooks prepare the food right before their eyes.

Food gets expedited quickly here so no diner will ever be “hangry”.

If you’re someone like me who has never heard of xiao long bao before, these are steamed buns that have a delicate handmade dough with a savory meaty soup filling.

Photo credit: http://thesmartlocal.com/

It is a culinary wonder how these magical buns are engineered in a way that it is able to hold the soup and meat with its thin, pillowy soft dough. Eating these dumplings do require patience, restraint and maybe a wee bit of practice because you don’t want to get your tongue scalded with the piping hot soup.

Here’s an instruction card on how to eat it:

Photo credit: https://www.jeffersonscher.com/

Besides xiao long bao, Din Tai Fung serves many other delicious Taiwanese dishes from appetizers to side dishes to desserts.

With dishes averaging around NT$200 (approximately 300 PHP), Din Tai Fung gives a dining experience worth more than what you pay for.

Definitely worth the long queue!

Open hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 11:00 A.M. to 9:30 P.M.
Friday – Saturday: 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Thanks to Jude Bacalso as well for introducing me to this place and to Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for my memorable trip to Taiwan!

Also, special thanks to Sir Allan Sze of Goldlink Travel and Tours for treating us to this gourmet dim sum on his birthday.

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm
Pear picking at Dong Rong Farm
Grape Picking at Zheng Hsiung Farm

Grapes Picking at Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm in Miaoli, Taiwan

Posted on March 12, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

On my fourth day in Taiwan, we were off to pick grapes at Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm in Miaoli County.

Started around 1950′s, viticulture is relatively new in Taiwan. Vineyards are scattered around Taiwan but about one-third of the grape production comes from Miaoli County.

Just like the pears in Dong Rong Farm, the grapes are sealed with waxed bags to protect them from the elements.

Picking grapes is easy peasy. Just open the bag to check if the grapes are ready for harvest. Once they are, just snip the bunch off the vine.

The grape variety grown in Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm is known as Kyoho. It was first cultivated in Japan and was later on brought in Taiwan during the 1960′s.

Kyoho, literally meaning giant mountain grapes, was named after Mount Fuji because of its size.

It is a crossbreed of two grape species namely the American Ishiharawase (Vitis labrusca) and European Centennial (Vitis vinifera). The Taiwanese farmers retained its Japanese name in Chinese characters and pronounce it as Chufeng.

Zheng Hsiung Organic Grape Farm has garnered awards for having the best grapes in Miaoli County for 3 consecutive years. These are hands down the best grapes I’ve had in my life! They have a thick, smooth, blackish-purple peel with a soft, sweet, succulent pulp.

These enormous grapes are known to have great health benefits.

They are rich in iron, vitamin C, thiamine, potassium, dietary fiber, resveratrol and many more. Consuming this fruit is good for the kidneys, heart, brain and overall digestion. They can be eaten as is or blended into a delicious, refreshing smoothie – no need to add sugar because grapes are already sweet!

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Pear Picking at Dong Rong Farm

Posted on March 10, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

Situated in the cool mountains of Dongshi District in Taichung, Dong Rong Farm is known for their mouthwatering organic pears.

Pear trees can produce fruit for up to 100 years. Did you know that pears have been cultivated for over 4000 years and they are actually related to apples, strawberries, apricots and peaches? Amazing, isn’t it?

For our D.I.Y. activity in this Taiwanese pear farm, we harvested grafted pears.

In Dong Rong Farm, pear fruits are carefully wrapped in waxed paper bags which acts as a natural barrier to protect them pests and diseases – a labor-intensive yet cost-effective solution that keeps the fruits free from chemicals.

To harvest these grafted pears, bags are simply untied to reveal the fruits inside. You know these pears are of the highest quality because they are smooth, vibrant in color, have no sunburn injury and are in perfect condition.

A perfect day starter, it is said that “a pear a day keeps the pounds away”.

Pears are a good source of dietary fiber and contain vital vitamins and minerals.

These fresh organic pears are the most luscious pears I’ve had in my life! These sweet, crunchy and juicy pears are best eaten when chilled. As the Greek poet Homer called it, indeed, pears are “a gift from the gods”.

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Making Mosquito Repellent at Forest 18

Posted on February 10, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

Forest 18 is home to over 800 eucalyptus trees in 4000 hectares of land – making it the largest eucalyptus forest park in Taiwan.

Situated 400 meters above sea level, it lies somewhere in the mountains of Nantou County and has a stunning view of the Baguashan Drought Irrigation Reservoir which locals fondly call “Mingjian Shangri-La” or “Little Sun Moon Lake”.

Nature lovers will surely enjoy here just by walking around and basking in the greenery of the forest. The subtle sound and refreshing scent of the cool air will leave you feeling relaxed and invigorated.

Shinrin-yoku
is a Japanese practice which means

walking in the woods and immersing oneself in nature or simply “forest bathing”. Benefits of forest bathing include reduced stress, improved mood, increased energy level, improved sleep, boosted immune system and more.

And in case you’re wondering what’s behind the name of Forest 18, the Chinese word for “eighteen” is 十八 (shí bā) which sounds like spa. So Forest 18 just means Forest Spa which, if you ask me, is a very fitting name.

Koalas typically live in eucalyptus woodlands so it should be no surprise to find the place decorated with these cuddly, tree-hugging marsupials.

Forest 18 has a restaurant that serves delicious Muslim-friendly dishes using the freshest organic ingredients cooked with no oil and little to no salt.

Hot Pot

Steamed Fish

Fruit Salad

Sweet Potato Casserole

Forest 18 also offers fun D.I.Y. activities for all ages. When we were there, we made mosquito repellent!

Each of us was handed with an empty pump bottle, a Popsicle stick, 4 bottles of essential oils, stickers and

measuring cups filled with water and emulsifier.

Here’s their very own recipe for mosquito repellent:

6 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
6 drops of mint essential oil
6 drops of lemon grass essential oil
2 drops of tea tree oil
10 ml of sweet almond oil as emulsifier
80ml of water

First, add 30ml of water to the emulsifier. Stir while gradually adding another 30ml and then 20ml of water. Just keep stirring until its color turns opaque white and its texture becomes

thick and smooth like that of a lotion. Once the desired consistency is achieved, add all the essential oils and stir once again until everything is well-combined. Transfer the mosquito repellent lotion to the empty pump bottle and place the stickers.

This all-natural, non-toxic mosquito repellent moisturizes your skin while keeping you protected from those nasty bites which can lead to life-threatening diseases such as dengue. Reapply as needed.

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm

Dragon Fruit Picking in Taiwan

Posted on January 28, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

On the second day of my leisure farm tour, we traveled all the way to the fourth smallest county in Taiwan to visit Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm.

Just located alongside of Douyuan Road, Erlin Township in

Changhua County…

Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm is probably the smallest one in size among the organic farms that I’ve visited in Taiwan. With only about half a hectare to work with, it’s incredible how they managed to fully utilized every square foot of this land to produce different dragon fruit varieties.

Did you know that dragon fruit is actually a fruit of a climbing cactus plant that is native to Central America? Dragon fruit plants have fleshy stems which can grow up to 20 feet long. Since its discovery it has made its way to Asia and other parts of the world.

Harvesting them is very easy. Once they’re ripe and ready for harvest, they can be removed from the plant by cutting them off with the use of garden shears or by just simply twisting them off.

This beautiful exotic fruit got its name after its outer skin which resembles dragon scales.

Dragon fruit is a tropical superfood that is rich in phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. It is said to boost the immune system, lower blood glucose levels, prevent cancer and among others.

The flesh of the dragon fruit comes in a spectrum of colors that ranges from white, pink, bright magenta to dark purple.

Dragon fruit is quite bland actually but it does have a hint of sweetness.

Its texture is quite similar to that of a kiwi. I love the crunch that comes from the seeds and it is really good to eat when chilled.

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association for this fun and educational experience!

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Rice Harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm

Posted on January 26, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

Fairy Story Village Organic Farm is a

certified organic farm-stay bed and breakfast

surrounded by pastoral landscape

in Yilan County.

Photo courtesy of http://nickhow.pixnet.net/

They offer a rejuvenating escape in a bucolic setting and is an ideal getaway spot for families, health conscious travelers and for all those who just want to experience a rural lifestyle.

Photo courtesy of

http://www.camemberu.com/

Fairy Story Village Organic Farm

is run and managed by the warm and hospitable owners, Wu Li Chu and her daughter Shandy. This mother-daughter pair grow rice, mulberry, roselle, various seasonal fruits and vegetables in their 5-hectare farm located

near Meihua Lake Scenic Area and is only a 10-minute drive from Luodung Night Market.

Photo courtesy of http://taiwan.zizaike.com/h/1600

Guests who want a taste of organic food can enjoy a farm-to-table dining experience at their restaurant which features a relaxing view of the garden.

Their specialties include handmade mulberry pasta and hot pot all made with fresh ingredients handpicked from the farm.

Photo courtesy of http://taiwan.zizaike.com/h/1600

They have 6 charming wooden cabins surrounded by trees that help you connect with nature and enjoy the fresh air at the shared courtyard.

Photo courtesy of Jude Bacalso

Accommodating up to 4 people, each cabin is fully air-conditioned, has WiFi access and comes with a 32-inch LCD TV, bath tub and small fridge.

The place is clean and cozy.

I am particularly in love with the loft bed! #iwokeuplikethis LOL

Photos courtesy of Jude Bacalso

They have fun D.I.Y. activities such as scallion pancake making, fish feeding and rice harvesting. But in order to appreciate and experience the beauty of harvest, we tried the traditional method of harvesting rice. Each of us was handed a conical hat for sun protection and a small scythe to cut the ripe rice.

I was immediately reminded of a traditional Filipino song entitled “Magtanim ay Di Biro" that describes the

difficulties of the life of a farmer. In case you want to listen to the English version, watch this video:

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZY5dfIOHUfw]

And just before we left Fairy Story Village Organic Farm each of us came home with a box of organic rice!

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort

Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm

Rice Puff Making at Tea and Rice Resort – Yilan, Taiwan

Posted on January 4, 2017January 21, 2019 by xerox

During my 5-day tour in Taiwan, I was able to visit three leisure farms in Yilan County and one of them is Tea and Rice Resort.

Photo courtesy of http://young100.ilc.edu.tw/

Located at No. 48, Section 2, Yongxing Road in Dongshan Township, Tea and Rice Resort was once a warehouse that has been partly converted into a museum that serves as a learning center for kids and even for adults!

Tea and Rice Resort offers fun interactive activities such as mushroom planting, bento making and rice puff making to promote agricultural awareness and to achieve a better understanding about the importance of agriculture in the community.

They also offer a farm-to-table organic dining experience at their restaurant to showcase their farm fresh produce.

They have a wide range

of tea, rice and other agricultural products available at their shopping center.

We were given a brief tour of their museum and had an introductory course on rice processing before we proceeded to making our very own rice puffs.

The first step of processing rice is to feed the grains of unhusked rice into a rice huller to remove the chaff. Here, Jaison Yang of Travel Warehouse volunteered to load the rough rice into the rice huller. Once turned on, the two

abrasive rollers turn at different speeds to remove the chaff before it passes through the machine as brown rice.

The brown rice is later fed into a rice miller to remove the bran layer turning it into white rice. The whole process surprisingly took little time.

Jude Bacalso, Cebu Daily News editor, placed a kilo of white rice into the rice puffing machine which was then sealed

tightly

so pressure can build up inside. As the machine was heating up to puff up the rice, we were all asked to stand back and cover our ears. Just right before the machine released all the pressure, the guides shouted “BE PO NGA!” which is a warning that something will explode. Sure enough, we heard a loud bang that sounded like a gunshot.

The rice puffs were gathered and transferred into a ginormous mixing bowl…

and brown sugar syrup was added to make it sweet and sticky.

Photo Courtesy of Jude Bacalso

We then popped them into heart-shaped pans and let them sit for a couple of minutes to cool and…

Ta-dah! This crunchy snack reminded me so much of a Cebuano treat called ampao that I wanted to take it home with me to show family and friends. But alas, I wasn’t able to because I devoured it immediately. It was irresistibly good.

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm

What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan

Posted on December 24, 2016January 21, 2019 by xerox

Although it is impossible for me to sample everything that Taiwan has to offer in a span of 5 days, these are my favorites out of everything that I tried when I was there.

Hot Pot

A notable Japanese influence on the Taiwanese cuisine, hot pot dishes are sometimes called shabu-shabu in Taiwan and they are very popular throughout the country. Literally a hot pot filled with water, ingredients are cooked by placing them into the pot piece by piece as the water boils.

Because Taiwan has an abundant array of the freshest, organic ingredients, this dish requires no condiments as it already possesses natural flavors that would make it delicious as it is.

Taiwanese Tempura
Photo credit: Jude Bacalso

Another Japanese-influenced grub is the Taiwanese tempura. Although it is more of an oden than it is tempura, these ready-to-eat steamed fish cakes are available in most Taiwanese 7/11 branches. They come in different variants and are served with sweet sauce or hot sauce. Lobster roll and fish tofu are not to be missed.

Bubble Milk Tea

Taiwan is the birth place of bubble milk tea so it only makes sense to have it when you are there. Although I have not tried it at some artsy cafe, I did grab a bottle of bubble milk tea from a convenience store and it was really good.

Oolong Tea

A soothing cup of oolong tea is must when visiting Taiwan. Very similar to green tea, it has a rich fragrance with smooth and refreshing finish. There are several varieties of oolong tea and depending on how it was crafted, it can taste light, robust, fruity, floral, earthy, and/or smokey.

Another reason to drink oolong tea apart from its taste is its health benefits. Oolong tea is not only rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals; it is said to reduce obesity and stress, boost the immune system, control diabetes, improve mental health performance, reduce high blood pressure,

lower the risk of getting cancer and promote healthy bone, skin and dental health.

Marigold Infused Water

I’ve always thought that marigolds are merely ornamental plants that repel mosquitoes and other garden pests. Turns out it’s more than that. Marigold has been highly valued for its therapeutic uses. It has antibacterial, antibiotic, antidepressant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antiseptic properties which make it a very useful plant. It is also rich in antioxidants that help fight and prevent cancer. At Forest 18 Farm, they infuse their water with marigold leaves and it tastes so refreshing!

Taiwan Beer

Taiwan Beer is an award-winning pale lager that has its distinctive flavor coming from the best locally grown Formosa rice. Its mild and smooth taste makes it

pretty wonderful on its own or a good accompaniment to any kind of food.

Gao Jha
Photo credit: Jude Bacalso

Unique to Yilan County, gao jha is a specialty street food sold at Luo Dong Night Market. This seemingly plain, unpretentious snack is anything but simple. It is made up of minced chicken, pork, and shrimp meat which is simmered in chicken stock for several hours until it forms into a paste. Once cooled, it is cut into squares, dipped in cornstarch and then deep fried until golden and crispy.

Gao jha has a crunchy crust with a soft and gooey inside that is bursting with exquisite, complex flavor. Be careful though as you bite into these tasty treats because they are served scalding hot!

Mulberry Pasta

A signature dish of Fairy Story Village Organic Farm in Yilan County, this savory pasta is made with organic mulberry sauce then topped with crunchy pork floss and chopped spring onions. Definitely one-of-a-kind!

Xiao Long Bao

Xiao long bao are steamed buns that have a delicate handmade dough with a savory meaty soup filling. It is a culinary wonder how these magical buns are engineered in a way that it is able to hold the soup and meat with its thin, pillowy soft dough. Eating

these dumplings do require patience, restraint and maybe a wee bit of practice because you don’t want to get your tongue scalded with the piping hot soup.

I got lucky to have had them at Din Tai Fung, a Michelin star awarded restaurant famous for their xiao long bao. This deserves its own post (link to follow).

Thanks Taiwan Leisure Farms Development Association and Ma’am Jane Syjuco of Everbright Travel Agency for this fun and educational experience!

Read about my Taiwan Travel Guide here
Rice puff making at Tea and Rice Resort
Rice harvesting at Fairy Story Village Organic Farm
Mosquito repellent making at Forest 18 Farm
Dragon fruit picking at Xing Ke Dragon Fruit Farm