If you’re looking for Japanese food there’s one area in all of Taipei I’d 100% recommend you to go, Zhongshan.
In the area surrounding Zhongshan station, you’ll find many Japanese restaurants, ranging from Ramen only restaurants to full sushi and sashimi service.
Linsen North Road, not far from Zhongshan station, on lane 119 and others around it you’ll also find many Japanese restaurants. Why are there so many Japanese restaurants around here?
Well, Zhongshan, and more specifically Linsen north road, is full of Japanese businessmen that, after working hours, go out to drink and dine. You’ll even find Japanese High Dining at the Okura Prestidge Hotel.
But why did I choose Mijian as the best Japanese Restaurant in Taipei? Well, it’s because of the different concept they offer.
All you have to do is make a reservation, get there, sit down and enjoy the food.
As it’s mentioned in the video there’s no menu available, so if you have allergies to something or have some condition such as celiac disease I’d recommend you check with them before going there.
You can use Facebook to get in touch with them.
I was there in, October 2019 and at the time they only accepted cash, the price per person is 1,200 NTD.
If you want to take your own bottle of wine you can, all you have to do is pay 100 NTD to get a glass.
They don’t have a big selection of alcoholic drinks, you can pretty much get Sake or juice, a glass of Sake will cost you 200 NTD.
So, what’s the address of the best Japanese Restaurant in Taipei?
Address: 中山北路一段140巷3號1樓Taipei, Taiwan 104
All in English would be, Zhongshan North Road, Section 1, lane 140, number 3, floor 1.
Other Recommended Japanese Restaurants in Taipei
Chu Sui Izakaya
You should come to this restaurant especially if you’re looking for a traditional Japanese Omelet.
The exact address is Zhongshan District, Nanjing East Road, Section 1, No 44. This restaurant is within walking distance from Zhongshan station.
Look for the big white lanterns. If you’d like the idea of sitting outside and enjoy some good Japanese BBQ with a glass of beer or Sake then this might be a good choice for you.
They also have indoor sitting. This is the address, No. 35號, Lane 135, Section 1, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, 10491
Linsen North Road, Lane 119
This one is not a specific restaurant but a specific area, go to Linsen North Road, which is near Zhongshan station, go to Lane 119 and adjacent ones and take a look at all the restaurants there are.
You’ll find many Japanese restaurants, take a look at their menu and choose the one you like best.
Raise your hand if you like JAPAN!!!!! Yeah, me too, who doesn’t right?
If you’re like me and you’re wondering which are the most famous, common or easy to find types of Japanese food then this is a post for you.
Let’s get right into it, this is a Japanese Food Guide
1-Sushi
This could be the most famous Japanese dish in the whole world right? Well at least one of them. They come in different colors and different flavors, and one thing is for sure, you’ll be left asking for more.
The dish is said to have originated in South East Asia. It was until the Edo period in Japan (1603-1868) that the dish was made popular all over Japan. Sushi rice is vinegared rice, with a little bit of salt and sugar.
Sushi ingredients and shapes vary widely, but the most common ingredients are seafood, vegetables and some times tropical fruits.
How healthy is Sushi?
It depends. If you go for the more traditional type then the main ingredients will be raw fish and rice, both are naturally low in fat and high in protein and carbohydrates. The latter is only in the rice.
When vegetables are added to Sushi, vitamins, and minerals are being added. Some seafood is high in omega 3 fatty acids which may have a good effect on cardiovascular health, so yeah Sushi is healthy.
Unless you go for the not so traditional Sushi, you know the ones that are made with fried shrimp and a lot of mayonnaise, that’s not healthy.
The best Sushi restaurants in Japan
I think it would be a Titanic task to go to every single Sushi restaurant in Japan and make the final decision on which are the absolute best. I certainly did not do that.
But here’s a list of the best Sushi restaurants in Tokyo, Osaka, and Fukuoka, based on public reviews.
2-Sashimi
The cousin of Sushi, it’s similar to Sushi but not quite the same, mainly because there’s no rice. It’s possible to be served Sashimi and rice, but on separate plates.
The most common way to eat Sashimi is by dipping it in soy sauce and putting it in your mouth, it’s that simple. Sashimi is not just seafood, there is also beef Sashimi and even beef liver Sashimi.
Just like in Sushi there are different varieties. What is there in Sashimi? It’s just fresh raw fish or meat, there’s a lot of variety in the way it’s cut. It can be very thin slices, thick or in cube shapes.
Some Sashimi, like octopus Sashimi, is cooked due to its chewy nature.
Is Sashimi Healthy?
Considering that Sashimi is pretty much raw, sometimes it might be slightly boiled to avoid risks of infections, it’s safe to say is healthy as there’s no oil or breading added to it.
This staple dish from Japanese cuisine actually has its roots in northern China. The most accepted theory is that Ramen was introduced to Japan by Chinese immigrants in the late 19th century in Yokohama, China Town.
After the end of world war 2, Japan had one of the worst rice crops ever recorded, and the USA, they were occupying Japan at the moment, introduced a lot of cheap wheat flour to the market to help cope with the lack of food.
It was like this that Ramen became a very popular dish in Japan, and bread too.
The dish is made out of noodles, soup, which is usually made of stock based on chicken or pork, and is also mixed with other ingredients such as onions, baby sardines, tuna flakes, among other things.
There’s also vegetable-based broth for vegetarians
Is Ramen Healthy?
Well, I would say this is a bit more difficult to settle since ramen bowls can be so different from each other in terms of ingredients.
There are a couple of publications out there that have tried to answer this question and they conclude that even though is not easy to make a final conclusion, Ramen tends to be high in sodium, low in protein and high in carbs.
The above doesn’t sound super healthy to me, to anyone who’s trying to build muscles and lose weight you should stay away from carbs and eat protein. Although I don’t think eating Ramen from time to time is bad.
4-Okonomiyaki
Okay, now we’re moving into the not so popular Japanese food, although this one is still fairly renown, Okonomiyaki, or how I call it, the Japanese pancake.
This is yet another type of Japanese food where ingredients can vary greatly from region to region in Japan.
The basic batter for the pancake is made out of flour, grated yam, water, eggs, and shredded cabbage, those are the basic ingredients, after that, it all depends on which style you get to choose from, it could include fish or even noodles.
In Osaka, where the dish is supposed to have originated, the dish is cooked like a pancake. It’s pan-fried and two spatulas are used to flip it and then cut it into pieces before serving.
This is more of Japanese snack, very popular street food as well. This ball shape appetizer is made of wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special molded pan.
The filling of Takoyaki is usually minced or diced octopus, pickled ginger and green onions. The balls are brushed on top with Takoyaki sauce
Takoyaki is said to have originated in Osaka, by a street vendor named Tomekichi in 1935. Something that’s very particular about this dish is that it requires a specially shaped pan to cook it.
Is Takoyaki Healthy?
Let’s see, Takoyaki is made out of batter that contains eggs and wheat and in the inside has octopus and a few vegetables, oh and it requires some oiled to be cooked.
The only ingredients you might argue are not healthy is the wheat and the oil, but come on Takoyaki is not a big dish, some small bite-size waffle-like snacks won’t ruin your diet.
6-Ebifurai
Okay let’s make this clear right away, Ebifurai is deep-fried so is not healthy but man they’re good.
This dish is popular in Japan and in many Japanese restaurants around the world, the most common shrimp used for it is the black tiger shrimp and is said to have originated around the year 1900.
Cooking this is easy, some restaurants will straighten the shrimp out and pull the digestive track out, then they coat the shrimp with flour, beaten egg and bread crumbs, then they deep fry the shrimp.
You can find many variations or similar dishes in other Asian countries such as Korea and the Philippines.
7-Oden
This might be one you haven’t heard of if you haven’t been to Asia, is not just popular in Japan, is also popular in Taiwan and China.
Oden consists of different food that’s been boiled in a mildly flavored broth. It’s considered to be a winter food for some, but you can find this food year-round in Japan.
It’s common to find Oden in night markets offered by street sellers. There are also restaurants and pubs selling it, you can even find it in convenience stores.
The way you usually go about ordering or buying this dish is by selecting only the food you’d like and put it in a small bowl or paper cup and add some of the broth, then you’ll be charged based on what you got.
Common ingredients are eggs, radish, konjec, processed seafood cakes, tofu, and corn.
Is Oden healthy?
It really is, first of all, everything is boiled in a broth that is almost water, and the ingredients are eggs, seafood, and vegetables, this is what you call a low in fat and high in nutrients dish.
In Taiwan Oden is also popular and you’ll find it in most convenience stores such as Family Marts and 7-11
8-Yakisoba
I do enjoy eating this one very much. It’s both tasty and cheap, Nomadic Matt recommends it as a budget dish in his Japanese travel guide.
Yakisoba is basically a mixture of ramen style noodles combined with tiny pieces of pork and some chopped vegetables such as cabbage. It’s also mixed with something similar to oyster sauce, that’s how it gets its flavor and color.
This is a very common street food dish and you can also find it in some restaurants.
Interesting fact, Yakisoba can sometimes be served on top of a hot dog.
Is Yakisoba healthy?
A portion of Yakisoba for one person will be around 250 calories. It’ll be heavy on carbs and will contain a bit of protein thanks to the meat in it, some nutrients might be added if you mix it with vegetables.
As part of a balanced diet, eating Yakisoba once or twice per week shouldn’t represent any major health risk.
9-Dango
Aha!!! I bet this is one you don’t hear about every day, or maybe yes I don’t know who you are.
This sweet Japanese food is said to have its origins in Kyoto. Four to five balls are served in a skewer just like in the picture above. Dango is made from mochiko, which is rice flour.
You can find Dango in Japan year-round, although some special flavors can only be found during some seasons. There are different varieties of Dango, they’re mainly differentiated by the main ingredient which provides the flavor.
Some popular ingredients are eggs, green tea, red beans, potatoes, and chestnuts.
Is Dango healthy?
You might be thinking, okay if this is dessert then it must not be good, well think again, desserts in Japan and other Asian nations are not the same as western desserts.
Even though they might be a bit high in calories, there are some options which are very low in fat and high in nutrients, Dango is one of those options, so don’t be afraid to eat it.
10-Sukiyaki
This is also known as hot pot. It’s supposed to be a winter dish but you can find it in many restaurants all year round. Something peculiar about this dish is that you have to cook it yourself.
You will usually be asked what kind of flavored broth you’d like and they’ll put it in a pot in front of you, then they’ll light the fire, you wait for it to start boiling and then you throw the ingredients in.
You will also get to choose what you want to eat, you can choose seafood, different cuts of beef and different types of vegetables.
There is one thing that makes sukiyaki different from a traditional hot pot, like the one you can find in China and Taiwan, which is that, after the food is done cooking, you’ll have a bowl of raw egg next to you where you’re supposed to dip the food a little bit.
Is Sukiyaki healthy?
Well, it is, it’s a bunch of meat, seafood, and vegetables put in a pot and boiled, this is a dish low in calories and fat and high in protein and other nutrients.
Although, in some sukiyaki and hot pot restaurants is common to get free rice and ice cream, so be careful with that.
This is one you either love or hate, or maybe is one that you will definitely hate and only if you eat it many times ( I don’t know why you’d do that) you’ll love.
This is made out of fermented soybeans and is -hear this- a breakfast dish, nothing is better than the taste of fermented soybeans at 7:00 a.m., right? In a 2009 survey, 70% of Japanese people said they enjoy eating it.
And some who said they dislike it said they eat it anyway for its nutritional value. Natto is sticky and slimy, is usually served with rice or green onions.
Is Natto healthy?
I think this might be the healthiest food in the list, Healthline called it super healthy and nutritious, if they did then it’s settled I guess. Natto is high in protein and other nutrients, the fermentation process actually decreases its antinutrients.
12-Onigiri
If you don’t like Onigiri then don’t talk to me ….. It’s one of my favorite Japanese food. Onigiri is also known as rice balls, although they have a triangular shape.
Onigiri is pretty much that, white rice formed into triangular shapes and often wrapped in seaweed, traditionally onigiris were filled with salted salmon, but nowadays you can find them coming with many different fillings.
My favorite one is Tuna. You can find Onigiris all over convenience stores, it’s a very popular food. For Onigiri, white rice is the norm, although it is possible to find, in some restaurants, onigiris made with other types of rice, including fried rice.
Is Onigiri healthy?
Okay, we all know how white rice is not the healthiest of all types of rice right?
There are exceptions though, there are onigiris that are filled with bbq meat and even mayonnaise, I would try to stay away from those.
Now onto the last one in this Japanese food guide.
13- Dorayaki
This is very similar to a pancake, with a sweet red beans paste on the inside, it doesn’t taste bad, but I must say I’m not a fan of its flavor.
According to information found in wikipedia, The original Dorayaki consisted of only one layer. Its current shape was invented in 1914 by Usagiya in the Ueno district of Tokyo.
Is Dorayaki Healthy?
Well, this is a very sweet pastry, there’s a lot of sugar in it, white sugar, since we all know how bad white sugar is for our bodies then the answer to the question would be no.
Although, if you’re in the mood for cooking, here’s a healthy Dorayaki recipe I found online
There is something about Hong Kong that, in my opinion, makes it very special.
It’s like no other city in Asia. It definitely should be in your list of cities to visit if you’re in this hemisphere of the world.
Before we start this list of things all tourists have to do while in Hong Kong, let’s talk a little bit about this small and amazing part of the world.
Is it a country?
No, it’s an autonomous territory, although China is working to change that.
It used to be a British colony up until 1997, when it was given back to China but remained an autonomous territory.
Hong Kong is a global financial hub. The center of the city is highly developed with skyscrapers, shopping malls and foreigners everywhere.
As developed as it is, you’ll still be able to find traditional Chinese night markets and some traditional and picturesque gardens.
Let’s dive in!!
Things to do in Hong Kong
1 Stroll around the avenue of stars.
This avenue is located alongside Victoria harbor. This is the place you’ll also want to go to get a good look at the city’s skyline.
This avenue commemorates all of the iconic movie stars of the Hong Kong film industry. You’ll see some statues around, the most recognizable one being a Bruce Lee statue.
The avenue of stars was under remodeling for the past 3 years.
It was until a couple of weeks ago, late January 2019, that fully opened for the public again.
This is really the time to go there.
The views are really worth it. Plus is a perfect spot to sit down and see the sky turn dark and the buildings coming to light.
Is it easy to get to the avenue of stars?
Yes, it is.
The closest metro station is Tsim Sha Tsui station.
Once you’re out of the metro station all you have to do is walk for around 9 minutes. Just use Google maps and you’ll get there, or just ask locals to point the way for you.
The exact address: Avenue of Stars, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong
The avenue of stars is on Kowloon island, opposite to Hong Kong island. The best view of the city is definitely from Kowloon side as most of the big buildings are on Hong Kong Island side.
I’ll explain a bit about Hong Kong’s geography at the end of the post.
2 Visit Lantau Island
Why do you want to go there?
Because is away from the city. It’s mountainous, there’s a lot of fresh air, and they have one of the nicest Buddha statues and surroundings I’ve seen.
But is not just about going there and seeing a Buddha statue, there’s really no fun in that, right?
To get there from Kowloon or Hong Kong island, you’ll have to take the metro and then get on a gondola/ cable car.
This is where the fun starts, you can even choose a gondola with a crystal floor if you want to. It depends on how much you want to pay.
The cable car will drop you off at Ngong Ping Village.
It’s a tiny village full of restaurants and souvenir stores. You can eat there, do souvenir shopping and take some photos.
The Lantau Buddha or Tian Tian Buddha will be just 7 or 8 minutes away, by foot, from this tourist village.
To get to Ngong Ping Village and Tian Tian Buddha, you have to make your way to Tung Chung metro station.
Once you’re out of the station you have to walk for around 8 minutes and get to Ngong Ping Cable Car Tung Chung Station. Just follow your Google map or ask someone to point the way for you.
I didn’t reserve tickets online.
I just got there and bought them. To check prices and many other activities and restaurants on Lantau Island please click here.
3 Go To Victoria Peak
Oh, this is a must, one of the best spots to see Hong Kong in all of its splendor.
And what a better way to get to the top than by using the old and iconic Tram.
Why should you go? well simply because it provides you with the most amazing views of the city.
It doesn’t matter if you go during the day or at night, the view will equally be beautiful, just pray for no fog.
Oh, and it gets the most crowded during the weekends in the evenings because both locals and tourists want to see the sunset.
Have in mind that this place is visited by some 7 million people every year. This is one of the major tourist attractions of Hong Kong.
Will the Tram drop me off directly at the top? No, it will drop you off at the Peak Tower.
The Peak tower is a leisure center and shopping mall, you will be dropped off inside the Peak Tower and then you’ll have to make your way up to the viewing platform.
It’s called Sky Terrace 428.
On the viewing platform there will be some telescopes, so make sure you take some coins with you so you can use them.
View of Victoria Harbor from The Peak
How Do I get to the Victoria Peak (Also called Mount Austin)?
If it’s your first time I would definitely recommend you to use the Tram, you will love it or hate it.
The closest MRT station is Central station, use exit J 2, from there you’ll walk for about 13 minutes until you reach the lower Peak Tram station.
Buy a ticket and get in line, wait for the tram to take you up to the Peak Tower.
Here’s a link to the Lower Peak Tram Station, also known as Garden Road Stop.
For adults is 13 USD, round trip ticket, it also includes access to the Sky Terrace 428. Round trip tickets for children, with access to the Sky Terrace 428 sell for 6 USD.
While you’re at the peak tower whether it’s at night or during the day, you can also do other entertaining activities, like eating.
Which takes me to the following.
4 Have Dinner at Bubba Gump, by the window.
Dinner or Lunch. What a better way to enjoy Hong Kong’s amazing view than by having a nice meal by the window.
And if you like Shrimp, just like me, then you’ll have even more reasons to visit this place.
Now, since you’re in Hong Kong, one of the biggest and most bustling cities in Asia you might not want to have a full western meal.
I understand that, but the view from this restaurant really is spectacular and the food and the drinks are good.
This restaurant is located in the Peak Tower. So if you’re going to the Sky Terrace to get a good look at Victoria Harbor, you might want to consider paying this place a visit. Here’s the link to their menu
If you’re not in the mood for eating, there’s something else you can do while you’re at the Peak Tower.
5 Visit Madame Tussauds
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is part of the renowned chain of wax museums that were founded by Marie Tussaud of France.
In this museum you will find a wide arrange of statues, going from sports legends, celebrities, political figures, and European Royalty.
People usually go to the museum to look at how similar the statues and the real persons are, and to take photos of course.
Now let’s go to a place away from the peak and the crowds. This is a place you will surely find to be relaxing. Among all of the huge buildings and noise of the city, you’ll find Nan Lian Garden.
This is a classical Chinese garden. It’s not ancient- it opened its door in 2006- but it definitely makes you feel like you’re in one of those old times Chinese movies.
The garden opens from 7 am to 9 pm every day. It was designed having the Tang Dynasty style in mind. You’ll find rocks, trees, wooden formations, hills, water structures, and little bridges.
The exact address is Nan Lian Garden, 60號 Fung Tak Rd, Diamond Hill, Hong Kong. The closest metro station is Diamond Hill station, once you’re out of the station just walk for 7 minutes.
As you’d expect, anywhere where there are tourists there are souvenir stores, and this place is no exception.
However, even the souvenir stores in here have a very calm and tranquil vibe, you’ll also find a tea house inside the garden.
Something is worth mentioning is that the administration really makes an effort to keep this place calm and quiet.
Even though you can enter free of charge, there is a limit of how many people can enter the park at the same time. For more details click here
7 Visit Jumbo Floating Restaurant
If you’re looking for a special – pricey- place to have a nice Cantonese, seafood focused meal in Hong Kong , then you should definitely check this restaurant out.
This is an iconic spot of the city, floating in the middle of a river, even Queen Elizabeth the second has visited this place. This restaurant opened its doors in 1976.
Getting here, you can either take a taxi, which will take only 17 minutes from central Hong Kong.
Or take the metro and make your way to Lei Tung station on the South Island line.
Whether you take a taxi or the metro, you’ll still have to walk a little bit to get to a small pier, where a small ferry will cross you over to the restaurant.
The ferry ride is free. If you’re wondering how expensive is this place well.
Here’s the menu for you to take a look for yourself menu
And here are some pictures of the food
If you have the time and the budget for it please include it in your list of things to do. It’s a really nice place.
8 Go Hit The Night Life at Lan Kwai Fong
Where is the party in Hong Kong? well, in different places, but if there’s a place in town where a lot of tourists, expats, and locals get together to eat and drink that’s
Lan Kwai Fong.
This is a small square of streets, narrow lanes packed with Bars, nightclubs, and restaurants in the heart of central Hong Kong.
The area starts coming to live at around 3 pm and business close until 6 am. The closest Metro station is Central Station, exit D2.
This place gets crazily crowded during Halloween, Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
During these celebrations, you’ll encounter Police control -barricades and police force- in the area to control the crowds and avoid another tragic incident like the 1993 human stampede that killed 21 people.
And the locals take it all the time simply to get from one side to the other because is reliable and efficient.
There are 3 points in the city where you can get on the Star ferry, Tsim Sha Sui star ferry pier, Central star ferry pier, and wan chai star ferry pier.
Source: http://www.discoverhongkong.com
All 3 piers are reachable from metro stations, Tsim Sha Sui Station, Central or Hong Kong Station and Wan Chai Station respectively.
For information on the timetable and the fares please click here and you’ll see their official website
10 Relax at Hong Kong Zoological And Botanical Gardens
Maybe, during your stay in Hong Kong, there will be a day when all you’ll want to do is relax, no lines, no crowds, no going up and down the metro system, just relax.
That’s exactly what you can do at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens.
And if you’re staying near the central station, all you’ll have to do is walk a bit and you’ll get there.
Fountain Terrace Garden
This garden has historic value, it was founded in 1864 and then it opened its doors to the public in 1871.
You can walk around the Magnolia gardens, Bamboo gardens, Azalea gardens and more.
The garden opens every day from 5 am to 10 pm and you can enter free of charge. For more details about the garden please visit their official site, click here
The closest metro station is Central Station, take exit D1 and then walk for 9 minutes, just follow your Google maps.
The Zoological and Botanical Park is near the lower tram station.
11 Visit The WWF Hong Kong Visitor Center
Would you like to cooperate with a nice cause? The worldwide fund of nature has been working to preserve animal lives and reduce the impact of humans in the environment for years.
There is a WWF visitor center near the lower terminal of the tram to Victoria Peak.
This is pretty much a store. It sells different products of every day use like, pencils, notebooks, supermarket bags, candles, towels and more.
All done from recycled materials, as they state it in their products, they focus on giving consumers a sustainable choice.
If you have 15 minutes to spare when you’re coming down the peak stop by, maybe you’ll find something you like.
12 Get on Hong Kong’s Observatory Wheel
Looking for a different angle to see the city? if that’s the case then you might wanna check this out.
Very touristy indeed but fun, unless there’s a huge line to get on.
If you’re lucky you’ll just have to wait a couple of minutes to get on.
The Wheel is located in central Hong Kong, it has 42 gondolas, including a VIP one with leather seats, all gondolas have air conditioning.
Here’s the exact address, Hong Kong Observation Wheel, 33 Man Kwong Street, Central, Hong Kong.
Prices, for adults, is 2.55 USD, for children aged 3-11 years old is 1.30 USD, for more details on prices please visit their official website.
Where To Stay in Hong Kong?
Hong Kong Map
Hong Kong can be divided into 4 different areas, Hong Kong Island (Central, East, South), Kowloon, Lantau, and New Territories.
As you can see on the map, the whole area is very well connected with metro lines, roads, and ferries.
But of course, there are some areas where it makes more sense to stay than on others.
The most convenient area would be Hong Kong island, preferably near central or Hong Kong metro station.
You’ll be in the heart of the city, near Victoria Peak, Lan Kwai Fong, the botanical garden and many shops and restaurants.
Kowloon is also a good area to stay, it will all depend on your budget.
I found a nice cheap hotel near central station called Mini Hotel Central. This is the exact address 38 號 Ice House St, Central, Hong Kong. The location is perfect, but the rooms are very very small.
Are The Visa Requirements the Same as China’s?
No, Hong Kong is an autonomous region. It has its own set of Visa requirements and has a whole different immigration system to the one of Mainland China.
And f*** me there is my country among the countries that need a visa(Nicaragua).
Having a third world country passport is a little bit of work, but every hour I put into that application was worth it.
I can’t wait to go back, even if that means I have to apply for a Hong Kong Visa.
Cost of Living in Hong Kong
It’s no secret that Hong Kong is one of the most expensive cities in the world. That’s why I’ll show you a list of different average prices for different items in Hong Kong.
The average daily price for traveling in Hong Kong is USD 126
USD 26 is the daily average you’ll spend on food
A room for a couple goes for around USD 116
In the following tables, you’ll find more information about the cost of transportation, food, and accommodation in Hong Kong, these are just average costs, it will all depend on what type of traveler you are.
Conclusion
Hong Kong is beautiful, vibrant, safe, expensive and totally worth it.
If you have the time and money and please consider it as one of your next destinations.
The best area to stay at is central, in Hong Kong island. Even though you’ll find yourself surrounded by crowds of people, there are still some spots in the city where you can enjoy some quiet time surrounded by nature.
Oh and, getting a Hong Kong visa – in case you need one- is a bit of work but not impossible to get.
The food at this place is fantastic. The quality of the presentation of the food plus the taste makes you instantly say OH MY GOD!!! I seriously don’t know what is it they do in the kitchen but it’s definitely unique.
The owner and Chef -Alan who is half Spanish and half French- is very friendly, and really cares about providing his clients with the best customer experience.
His wife -Alice- also works there taking orders, interacting with customers and overall just making sure you have a good time.
Their menu is really unique. There are things you can always find on their menu and others that are not always there because they’re seasonal.
Or just not there because they couldn’t get the fresh ingredients for it on that day.
Sometimes you can even get abalone, also goat cheese and foie gras.
This is really the place to go if you’re looking for a party for your taste buds, and the drinks here are also great. Wine, Rum or cocktails, they don’t disappoint.
If you go to this restaurant I’m pretty sure you’ll have a good time. The place is elegant and cozy at the same time. Music is good and people are always having fun in here.
This restaurant is located in Da An district, this is the exact address No. 4號1樓, Lane 109, Section 1, Anhe Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
is it pricey? it’s all relative really, the quality of this place as a whole is great and you need to pay for what you get.
The price of their tapas will vary depending on what you order. It might go from NTD 150 TO NTD 350 for 1pc. You can take a look at their tapas menu here
They don’t serve Paella
1 litter of sangria will cost you $1,100 NTD, you can see their drinks menu here
La Caja de Música
This is another amazing restaurant, totally different from Ole. It has a whole different concept that truly sets it apart from the rest of Spanish restaurants in Taipei.
When you visit this restaurant you’ll feel like you’re having dinner at home but with good quality food that most of us can not make ourselves.
The place has a certain charm, is definitely not what you would refer to as fancy, but the hell with that they don’t need it.
The owners – Ramses and Luis- are two very friendly Spanish guys that have been living in Taipei for a while now.
They truly make an effort to give their customers the best possible experience.
This place has tapas and also regular size dishes that will make you full.
Very good selection of tapas and they also serve paella for 2 or more people. Take a look at some pictures.
Overall the quality of the food is good, very good, if I had to recommend something to you I would say, don’t leave without trying their mushrooms and cheesecake, they’re pretty unique.
They also have a very good selection of cocktails, wine and sparkling wine. This restaurant is more affordable than the first one I mentioned, and I guarantee you’ll have an amazing meal here.
Something that makes La Caja de Música even more awesome is that they have live performances from time to time, sometimes they have flamenco nights and others they have something else.
The location of this restaurant is a little bit odd, it is definitely in the center of the city, reachable from zhongshan station and Taipei main station, but is a little bit hidden in a random lane.
This is the exact address, No. 18, Alley 3, Lane 138, Chang’an West Road, Datong District, Taipei City, 103
So don’t worry if you’re making your way to this restaurant and you feel as if you’re getting lost, you’re not, just follow Google maps and you’ll get there.
My last recommendation for Spanish food in Taipei
Tapas and Wine Yasaiya
Okay, so maybe some people will say that this is not authentic Spanish food, because the owners are not from Spain and the cooking staff is not Spanish either.
A friend of mine even refers to this restaurant as Japanese tapas, the owners and part of the staff are Japanese.
When I asked a Spanish chef about this restaurant, he told me he doesn’t think it is authentic Spanish food, but even if that’s the case, I must say that their food is okay, and they have a couple of dishes is worth going for.
Like their mussels in white wine
And I also like that in their menu they have Paella for one, they don’t cook the Paella in the traditional way most of us are used to seeing, instead they have this sort of oven where they cook portions upon orders.
Something I really like about this restaurant is its location, it’s reachable from Zhongshan Station or Songjiang Nanjing station, is located on one of the lanes next to Linsen north road (The red district of Taipei).
The area around Linsen north road is full of Japanese restaurants, KTV’s, street food, and different bars, it makes for a very interesting part of the city to go out to for dinner, especially if you’re a tourist.
Here’s the exact address of this restaurant, out of the three restaurants I’ve mentioned in this post this is the most affordable one.
In their menu they also offer things that you wouldn’t normally see in most Spanish restaurants, like Pastas and flat bread.
林森北路119巷60號, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, 10491
Conclusion
In no way I intend to make a comparison among these 3 restaurants, they’re all different, each has a different concept and they all have something unique, these are not 3 apples you can compare.
Whichever you choose to go to, I can assure you food will be good and the service will be great. There are other Spanish restaurants in Taipei, I’ve been to almost all of them, but these 3 are the ones I keep going back to.
