Taipei Dongmen: Parks and Eats
Dongmen means “east gate”. In the 1960s, it marked the border between city and farmland. Taipei now extends much further east than this, but hints of open space remain in grand public spaces like Da’an Forest Park and the campuses of Taiwan’s top universities.
The area is best known for foodie alley Yongkang Street, whose terminus is marked by the original Din Tai Fung. Thanks to its popularity there are now many upscale restaurants and cafés in the area, but don’t worry for your wallet: there are also traditional markets and cheap student eats.
Attractions
NTNU Art Museum • 師大美術館
129, Heping E Rd Sec 1 • 台北市大安區和平東路一段129號The National Taiwan Normal University (NTNU / Shida) is one of Taiwan’s major art universities. Their new museum usually has a couple small exhibits on.
Da’an Forest Park • 大安森林公園
A 26-hectare park in the middle of Taipei. The Ecological Pond is a popular spot for birders with many ducks, egrets, and herons. If you’re lucky you may even spot the colourful Taiwan barbet.
Shops
I Jy Sheng • 一之軒
53, Shida Rd • 台北市大安區師大路53號A bakery with several branches around Taipei; this is their original store. They have a “snowy” take on mung bean gao fluffier than the traditional. Their mochi and chiffon cakes are also worth a try.
Lai Hao • 來好
11, Lane 6, Yongkang St • 台北市大安區永康街6巷11號Look, it’s really touristy. However it’s genuinely great place to browse a curated selection of Taiwanese brands like Yi Fan Canvas Bags, inBlooom, and IWI (International Writing Instrument Co). A good stop if you don’t have time to visit each individual brand or ship stuff from Pinkoi (Taiwanese Etsy).
Risounoheya • 理想の部屋
8, Lane 74, Wenzhou St • 台北市大安區溫州街74巷8號Tiny stationery shop specializing in MT washi tape. A must visit if you’re hunting for limited or rare MT. They’re tucked into an alley near the gymnasium of the National Taiwan University (NTU / Taida), and a short hop on the bus from Yongkang St proper.
Snacks
A Nice Holiday • 一沐日
8, Lishui St • 台北市大安區麗水街8號Bubble tea for topping lovers! The clientele is fairly local but they are busy enough to have a numbered order system. I recommend the osmanthus lemon juice with “house special jelly” (hun-kue, or gardenia tapioca jelly) or the “tai-oan” milk tea (light milk tea with mini mugwort kue, think mini mochi balls).
ForTeaCo (Formosa Black Tea Co) • 台灣紅茶公司
2F, 186, Xinyi Rd Sec 2 • 台北市大安區信義路二段186號2樓The Formosa Black Tea Co is a storied tea exporter of eight decades. This is their only location outside of their main factory, a collaboration with bakery SunMerry. There is a bit of seating to enjoy their teas and tea ice cream.
Smoothie House • 思慕昔
15, Yongkang St • 台北市大安區永康街15號The famed mango shaved ice place. If you happen to spot a short line definitely worth trying. Fresh mango is only available during mango season, but their taro azuki peanut shaved ice is good too. It’s a little pricey, but one bowl will feed at least two people.
Taro Dessert • 芋芋甜點舖
5, Lane 76, Xinsheng S Rd Sec 3 • 台北市大安區新生南路三段76巷5號If you love taro, enjoy taro soups and cakes at this succinctly-named shop by the NTU (Taida) gymnasium. For non-taro-loving companions, there’s matcha ice cream with dango and the like.
Tenren’s Tea • 天仁茗茶
1, Lane 10, Yongkang St • 台北市大安區永康街10巷1號One of Taiwan’s big tea exporters, operating since 1953. This location has loose leaf tea, for proper tea enjoyers, and also a counter to buy bubble tea at.
溫州街蘿蔔絲餅達人
181-1 Heping E Rd Sec 1 • 台北市大安區和平東路一段186之1號Bing (flatcake) shop with four options: daikon, scallion, egg, or azuki. There is always a line.
Restaurants
Chifanshitang • 喫飯食堂
5, Alley 8, Yongkang St • 台北市大安區永康街8巷5號For a proper, non-touristy traditional Taiwanese meal. If you can’t speak Mandarin there are helpful photos and display dishes but I cannot 100% guarantee comprehension. Bring at least four people.
Din Tai Fung • 鼎泰豐
277, Xinyi Rd Sec 2 • 台北市大安區信義路二段277號This is the flagship store, but it is not the original store! That distinction goes to No 194 on the opposite side of the road, which only does takeout now. The flagship store is acknowledged as the best, even within Taipei, but it has the line ups to go with it. Thankfully there are many shops in the area catering to Din Tai Fung’s wandering customers. Service available in English and many other languages.
Fong Sheng • 豐盛食堂
1-3 Yongkang St • 台北市大安區麗水街1之3號Traditional Taiwanese restaurant with charming old-school decor. No English signage and bring at least four people. Maybe more.
Liao Jia Beef Noodle • 廖家牛肉麵
98, Jinhua St • 台北市大安區金華街98號Famous beef noodle soup restaurant open for exactly four hours (10 am to 2 pm) every day. Expect a line up.
Taihelou • 泰和樓
61-20, Hangzhou S Rd Sec 2 • 台北市大安區杭州南路二段61之20號Northern-style food. Most famous for its suancai (pickled cabbage) hot pot, but don’t miss their xiaolongbao, jiucaihe (chive pockets), and other dumpling-adjacent things.
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