SUMMER snowflake ice and jumbo squid - photos!

After several attempts I finally made it back to my favorite squid shop to take some photos.

Night shots of the shop:


Fried jumbo squid before / After, bite sized & ready to be served!:


Cute little fried dessert balls:


These were like mini donuts. They were sugar coated, crispy on the outside and soft inside. What a combination!


Although I was quite full I had to take in the famous snowflake ice. I managed to try 2 other flavors this time. I did not get the names so I will try to describe the flavors.

This tasted like a 7-UP (or Sprite) slurpee:


Brown sugar ice with red beans:


The popular green tea with red bean:


All the flavors were great. The 7-UP/Sprite slurpee like ice brought back childhood memories. They used to have 7-UP/Sprite slurpees way back in Canada. Good memories!

The green tea flavor was strong yet not too sweet. Worth a try if you like green tea!


As I walked from the Japanese restaurant to my favorite squid shop I passed a new building. Here is the new & improved Guang Hwa Computer Market (光華商場/Guānghuá Shāng Cháng):



Shop name (店名): SUMMER snowflake ice (夏日雪花冰(光華店))

Address (地址):
No. 2-2, Xinsheng South Road, Sec. 1, Lane 12, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
台北市中山區新生南路1段12巷2號之2
Xīnshēng NánLù, yì Duàn, shíèr Xiàng, èr Hào Zhī èr, Zhōngshān Qū, Táiběi Shì

Telephone (地址): (02) 2394-8328
URL (網址): http://tw.local.yahoo.com/biz.html?bizid=644160ecb83daf8e&sid=152959585&city=%E5%8F%B0%E5%8C%97%E5%B8%82&b=13&sort=-rating
Menu (菜單): Chinese
Operation Hours (營業時間): 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Another web site (Mobile01 in Chinese) talking about the fried squid, chicken and other delicious bites: http://5i01.com/waypointtopicdetail.php?f=189&t=445699


MRT (捷運/Jiéyùn) Directions:
Take the blue MRT line (Banqiao-Nangang; 板橋站-南港/Bǎnqiáo-Nángǎng) to Zhongxiao Xinsheng station (忠孝新生站/Zhōngxiào-Xīnshēng Zhàn). Take exit 1, turn right, walk a few meters and then take a left. Walk into a small dark lane with DVD signs above. You will soon reach a lane with a lot of food stalls.

Bus services: I took service 505 back home. Only a 10 minute wait and another 10 minute ride. Some other buses that serve the area:

SUMMER snowflake ice and jumbo squid

My weekend ended with a cool note.

I made my way back to the Guang Hwa Computer Market (光華商場/Guānghuá Shāng Cháng) area to satisfy my craving for snowflake ice (雪花冰/xuěhuā bīng) and jumbo fried squid. It turns out my favorite squid shop also sells snowflake ice. I did not have my camera with me so I will try to get photos next time. Note some people in the shop speak English. There is a tall and very friendly lady who speaks English very well. She provides great service and recommendations of what are the best items they have to offer.

This time, I managed to try 3 flavors, green tea with red bean, milk with red bean and peanut butter, of snowflake ice. All 3 flavors were really good, both in taste and smell. I love that chewy feeling of the ice in the mouth. Oh, so good! I must go back and try the other flavors. I find it to be a super way to beat the summer heat. They have seating inside the shop where you can sit down, avoid the heat and enjoy your cool dessert.

Since this shop is my favorite place to get jumbo fried squid I had to have a bag. I love the jumbo squid as the amount of batter is just right and has just the right amount of chewiness. I had some seasoning, garlic and herb leaves added to maximize the taste and experience. What a nice ending to a great weekend!


Shop name (店名): SUMMER snowflake ice (夏日雪花冰(光華店))

Address (地址):
No. 2-2, Xinsheng South Road, Sec. 1, Lane 12, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
台北市中山區新生南路1段12巷2號之2
Xīnshēng NánLù, yì Duàn, shíèr Xiàng, èr Hào Zhī èr, Zhōngshān Qū, Táiběi Shì

Telephone (地址): (02) 2394-8328
URL (網址): http://tw.local.yahoo.com/biz.html?bizid=644160ecb83daf8e&sid=152959585&city=%E5%8F%B0%E5%8C%97%E5%B8%82&b=13&sort=-rating
Menu (菜單): Chinese
Operation Hours (營業時間): 12:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Another web site (Mobile01 in Chinese) talking about the fried squid, chicken and other delicious bites:
http://5i01.com/waypointtopicdetail.php?f=189&t=445699


MRT (捷運/Jiéyùn) Directions:
Take the blue MRT line (Banqiao-Nangang; 板橋站-南港/Bǎnqiáo-Nángǎng) to Zhongxiao Xinsheng station (忠孝新生站/Zhōngxiào-Xīnshēng Zhàn). Take exit 1, turn right, walk a few meters and then take a left. Walk into a small dark lane with DVD signs above. You will soon reach a lane with a lot of food stalls.

Shilin Night Market & Jiantan hiking trail

Taipei Shilin Night Market (台北市林夜市/Táiběi Shìlín Yè Shì)

The weekend started with a night at the famous Taipei Shilin Night Market. A friend told me about snowflake ice (雪花冰/xuěhuā bīng). It was described to me as shaved ice made with various liquids like milk, egg, tea, coffee and others. The ice is shaved, layered and looks sort of like snowflakes.

A particular shop was recommend as a 'must try'. With some help I managed to get a bowl of green tea with red bean (NT$70). It is difficult to describe the feeling of this special ice. It was sort of a mix between ice from a popsicle and ice cream. When I tried to bite into a spoonful it felt chewy. A very unique experience!

My green tea & red bean snowflake ice:


The shop:



Shop name (店名): Xinfating Crushed Ice and Fruits (辛發亭/Xīnfàtíng)

Address (地址):
No.1 Anping Street, Taipei City
台北市安平街1號
Ānpíng Jiē yī Háo, Táiběi Shì

Telephone (地址): n/a
URL (網址): n/a
Menu (菜單): Chinese
Operation Hours (營業時間): 12:00 pm - 12:00 am

MRT (捷運/Jiéyùn) Directions:
Take the red MRT line (Danshui-Xindian line; 淡水/Dànshuǐ - 新店/Xīndiàn) to Jiantan Station (劍潭站/Jiàntán). Take exit 1 and walk along Wenlin Road (文林路/Wénlín Lù). After the Yangming Theatre turn left into a very narrow street, Anping Street.



Jiantan trail (劍潭山親山步道/Jiàntánshān qīnshān bùdào)

After taking dessert I decided to explore the area. I walked over to the Jiantan trail entrance to see how far it was from the MRT station. It turns out it is about 5 minutes walk if you take exit 2 of the MRT station. It was too dark to walk the trail so I was planning for the next day.

I noticed there were bus stops at the trail entrance. I noted down which buses from my area stop there (they have some major landmarks in English for each bus at the bus stop).

The next day I headed out for the trail. I took the bus and it was my first ride I planned on my own. The bus system is very similar to Singapore except for the payment system. You either pay when you get on or off the bus. One needs to look at a Chinese sign above the driver's head to find out. Alternatively, you observe other passengers to see if they pay when they board or alight the bus.

After a 15 minute bus ride (I felt it was much faster than taking the MRT from my place) I arrived at the trail entrance.


I found the beginning of the trail to be quite difficult as there are steep steps. Once you get further up it was much easier.

Just about at the top:


I noticed there were lots of temples on this mountain. There were sounds of music being played, insects and people talking all around. Did not seem like a quiet place to me.

View of the Grand Hotel from the trail:


Not a very difficult walk overall. Took about an hour to walk it quickly and exit at Beian Road (北安/Běiān Lù).


You can walk towards Grand Hotel (圓山大飯店/Yuánshān Dà Fàndiàn) along Beian Road and eventually get back to the Jiantan MRT station. The area is referred to as Yuanshan Scenic Area (圓山風景區/Yuánshān fēngjǐng qū) as shown in the map above.


MRT (捷運/Jiéyùn) Directions:
Take the red MRT line (Danshui-Xindian line; 淡水/Dànshuǐ - 新店/Xīndiàn) to Jiantan Station (劍潭站/Jiàntán). Take exit 2 and walk along Zhongshan N. Rd. Sec. 5 (6th Ave.) towards the Grand Hotel.

Bus services: From my place I can take either the 277 & 612 to get to the Jiantan MRT station trail entrance.

Hot pot & cold cup

Last night was a fun and interesting mix of hot and cold.

Hot pot:
We started off with a very popular Mala Yuanyang Hot Pot (馬辣鴛鴦火鍋). You need to make reservations in advance as the place tends to be fully booked at night. We had a mix of the popular Angus beef (frozen), mutton, seafood (some frozen), cheese balls, noodles and vegetables. The beef was so good we must have ordered 30 dishes! It is buffet style so you "eat until full" (吃到飽 - chī dào bǎo). Have a go at mixing and matching various sauces to dip your food into. They have a variety of sauces to choose from. Drinks (hot & cold) are included. Save room for dessert as they have Häagen Dazs© & MOVENPICK© ice cream, 8 flavors each. You can have the ice cream in a cup or cone! There are also fruits, cakes, jelly and other desserts to choose from. Note there is a 2 hour time limit so plan out your meal carefully. You may feel rather hot while eating but bring a jacket if you like to keep warm as the air-conditioning is very strong. You will feel cold after a few cups of ice cream....brrr!

The restaurant from across the street:


Only managed to take a photo of the beef:



Restaurant: Mala Yuanyang Hot Pot (馬辣鴛鴦火鍋)

Address (地址):
No. 86, Dingzhou Road Sec. 3, Taipei City
台北市汀州路三段86號
Dìngzhōu Lù, sān Duàn, bāshíliù Háo, Táiběi Shì

Telephone (地址): (02) 2365-7625
URL (網址): http://www.mala-1.com.tw/
Operation Hours (營業時間): n/a

Gongguan Night Market (公館夜市/Gōngguǎn Yè Shì)

MRT (捷運/Jiéyùn) Directions:
Take the green MRT line (Danshui-Xindian line; 淡水/Dànshuǐ - 新店/Xīndiàn) to Gongguan Station (公館站/Gōngguǎn Zhàn). Take Exit 4, walk southwest towards Dingzhou Road. You will see the signboard when you reach the intersection with traffic lights.


Cold cup:
I heard about this place called Dancing Cows Ice Cream. The shop is run by an American and his wife. I was told they served the best green tea ice cream. I had to give it a try (even after having a few bowls of ice cream during dinner) as they open until 11 pm. It was just 1 MRT station away and a 10 minute walk from the dinner venue.

All the ice cream flavors we tried were good. We had green tea, dark beer, Oreo, Coffee & Cheese. Personally, I loved the dark beer...burp! All the flavors tasted like the real thing. If you love ice cream give this a try. You can have your ice cream in a cup or cone. We chose cups...cold cups. It was a nice way to finish the evening. In case you are wondering, the green tea ice cream was really good but my personal favorite is still the best for me.

We tried all but one of these flavors:


Note, they moved from their earlier Shidan Road location. I had a hard time finding it as I was given the old address. Give the shop a call if you have any difficulty finding the place. Both husband and wife speak English. They were a lot of foreigners and students in the area as there is a university nearby. Hope the information below helps.

The shop sign along with road signs:



Shop: Dancing Cows Ice Cream (搖滾牛冰淇淋)

Address (地址):
No. 66, Longquan St., Daan District, Taipei City
台北市大安區龍泉街66號
Lóngquán Jiē, liùshíliù Hào, Dà'ān Qū, Táiběi Shì

Telephone (地址): 0932 335 307 (+886 932335307)
URL (網址): http://www.dancing-cows.com/
Operation Hours (營業時間): open till 11 pm (Sun-Thu) and 12 am (Fri & Sat).

Shida Road Night Market (師大路夜市/Shīdà Lù Yè Shì)


MRT (捷運/Jiéyùn) Directions:
Take the green MRT line (Danshui-Xindian line; 淡水/Dànshuǐ - 新店/Xīndiàn) to Taipower Building Station (台電大樓站/Tái-Diàn Dàlóu Zhàn), take Exit 3, and walk north along Shida Road. Turn right at Yunhe St. (雲和街/Yúnhé Jiē).