Saturday, December 6, 2014

Tasting Taipei, Splurge Section

As evidenced by the bulk of my expenses, the number one priority of our Taiwan trip was FOOD! Here are two of the restaurants we went to where meals were beyond our budget of NT$200 (about Php300) per meal.

No. 7, Lane 50 Xining South Road,
Wanhua District, Taipei City
Daily 1130AM to 10PM
Contact Number: 02-2311-8822


Somebody told us that the food at Modern Toilet was crap. We weren't discouraged...what can you expect, it's a toilet! What she didn't tell us though was that it was going to be expensive (meals from NT$230 up to NT$380, or Php345~570; and steaks up to NT$580, about Php870).

Each of us ordered a meal because we were very hungry. And because we had no choice. The menu clearly stated "Each customer is obliged to order a minimum of NT$90 or more once seated" and our butts were already on the toilet seats (aka chairs).

 
 Classic Theme Meals (NT$240~260, about Php360~390) come with rice, drink (black or green tea), and ice cream.

Au Gratin Meals (NT$260~270, about Php390~405) come with soup, drink (black or green tea), and ice cream.

 
Here's the ice cream

The meals were okay: the quantity can really stuff you, the taste was alright (not wow, but not bad either). The poo–shaped ice cream did not taste like crap but it was nothing fancy either. The kiwi fruit juice (add NT$130 to the meal; NT$180 if bought separately) though was awesome (and awesomely expensive too)!

The restaurant itself was colorful and unique. Bathtubs were used as tables, toilet bowls as chairs. Plates, bowls, and drinking glasses were shaped liked squat toilets, bathtubs, and urinals. The food cover was shaped like poo. But—and this is a big BUT—Modern Toilet's toilet wasn't modern...they had the squat type toilets while the typical toilet bowls were used as chairs and as a sink! Oh, the irony.

Should you eat at Modern Toilet? The food isn't worth its price, in my opinion. But if you just want to experience having a meal at a theme restaurant, then go ahead. Just be sure to make a reservation as Modern Toilet is often full.

If eating an expensive meal while sitting on a toilet bowl isn't worth your time or your money, here's a place that will be worth your time and money (and you get to sit on a proper chair). I warn you, at this place, you might be tempted to order a lot and will spend your budget for two meals for just one big meal.

B2 Fuxing SOGO Department Store,
No. 300, Section 3 Zhongxiao E. Rd., Taipei City
Sunday to Thursday 10AM to 930PM
Friday and Saturday 10AM to 10PM
 Din Tai Fung has nine branches in Taiwan and several branches around the world.


Any branch of Din Tai Fung in Taipei is always full during peak meal hours. Either book a table, or line up and wait for your turn, or be like us—eat dinner at 530PM.

 No dinner crowd yet

Here are the lovely and delicious things we gorged upon:

Pork buns, 2 pcs NT$80

 
Shrimp fried rice with egg NT$200
Pork chop fried rice NT$200
Spicy pickled cucumber NT$65
Stir fried water spinach NT$170

Shrimp and pork wonton with house special spicy sauce, 8 pcs NT$160
Shrimp and pork dumplings, 10 pcs NT$230
Veg and pork dumplings, 5 pcs NT$90
Pork xiao long bao, 10 pcs NT$200

The total bill was a whopping NT$1800 (including 10% service charge) for the four of us (I think we ordered enough to feed six); that's NT$450 (Php675) each. But, boy, it was all worth spending next day's breakfast and lunch money!



Taiwan Series:
Tourist Visa for Taiwan
Taiwan Preparations
What's in a (Business) Name? Taiwan
Wisdom from the Road #20
Welcome to Taiwan
Taipei Accommodation: Fun Taipei Backpackers
Free Taipei Tourist Stops
Jiufen
Wisdom from the Road #21
Taipei: An Artist's Playground
House Visits: Shilin Main Presidential Residence and Lin Family Mansion and Garden
Life in Mini
Time to Count My Money, Taiwan
Tasting Taipei, Starting with Breakfast
Tasting Taipei, Splurge Section (you're here!)
Tasting Taipei, Shilin Market
Tasting Taipei, Random Food Finds

4 comments:

  1. OMG! Xiao Long Bao! Is the taste the same as the one in Choi?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can't say...it's been almost two years since I had eaten xiao long bao in Choi City. Anyway, the xiao long bao in Din Tai Fung was so good that we ordered another 10 pieces!

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  2. I can't wait to go to Taiwan. Din Tai Fung!!! <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Din Tai Fung! Eat double, one for you and one for me!

      Delete