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Recent Posts: Motherly Notes
Motherly Notes 注音班, 國小一年級班來了! Zhuyin Class, First Grade Chinese Class
Book Review: 神奇酷數學 1-8 Murderous Maths
Book Review: 妖怪出租 1-4 Rent A Monster
如何用唱歌來教中文：Use Karaoke to Teach Chinese
Magazine Review: 新小牛頓 Newtonkids!
Need to Correct Your Chinese Pronunciation and Tones?
Book Review: 樂讀456 系列 : 神奇柑仔店 1-8
Book Review: 故事奇想樹 系列 Whimsical Trees Set
Magazine Review: 泛亞 地球公民 365 兒童版 The Earth Kid
Book Review: 小兵故事百匯 72本, 3套 (Little Soldier Stories Parfait 72 Books, 3 Sets)
Category Archives: General
Book Review: 妖怪出租 1-4 Rent A Monster
Age：6+ Purchase link: 妖怪出租 套書 1-4 This is a set by the same author as 神奇柑仔店 series. The stories are very fun and finished by my kids in record time. We love lighthearted reading. My kids alternate between these fun … Continue reading
如何用唱歌來教中文：Use Karaoke to Teach Chinese
Using karaoke to teach Chinese is very powerful. It’s how many adults learned Chinese and it’s how older children learn Chinese. I have countless friends who have learned Chinese through singing with friends. I’ve learned so many phrases in other … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Karaoke Mandarin, learn chinese, learn mandarin, Sing in Chinese, teach chinese, Teach Mandarin
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Magazine Review: 新小牛頓 Newtonkids!
Age: 5-7 with parent, 7+ independent This is a neat set of science magazines fit for first to third grade level in Chinese. 99% of the magazine has zhuyin but there are a couple lines in their comics section that … Continue reading
Need to Correct Your Chinese Pronunciation and Tones?
I wanted to continue discussing commonly asked topics about the Chinese journey. I’ve noticed many many many kids in my class able to speak in Chinese and some very fluently but yet do not have the proper tones down or … Continue reading
Posted in Big Kids, Chinese Classes, General, Reading (Chinese), Teaching Methods
Tagged Chinese Pronunciation, Reading Chinese
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Book Review: 三采 西方經典童話 20 本 Suncolor Western Classics
Age 8+ Purchase Link: 西方經典童話套書（1～20冊） I’ve been tracking down sets of classics for a while now. One that has detailed stories and close to the original zhuyin colorful illustrations excitingly written for the 3rd to 5th grade child comprehension questions … Continue reading
Book Review: 皮克西隨身繪本 100本 Pixi Mini 100 Picture Books
Age 5-9 I really really really like this set of 100 little books. It’s out of print but I still felt the need to share it. It’s portable and it’s oh so cute… There are 100 little books from easy … Continue reading
Book Review: 跑跑薑餅人 漫畫系列 城市大逃亡， 無限爆笑科學 Gingerbread Comics, Cities and Science
Book Purchase Links: 跑跑薑餅人城市大逃亡1：倫敦 跑跑薑餅人城市大逃亡2：北京 跑跑薑餅人1：無限爆笑的科學 跑跑薑餅人2：不可思議的科學 Age 6+ At the start of first grade or a mature kindergartner, you can start with some comics to develop confidence in non-zhuyin reading. This is a new set published starting in 2019 … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Books Review, Comics, General, Reviews of Books, Toys, Etc.
Tagged Chinese Children Comics, Suncolor, 三采文化
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Book Review: 我愛瑪婷 52 本， 26張 CD. I Love Martine Series Chinese Version
Book Review: 我愛瑪婷 52 本， 26張 CD. I Love Martine Series Chinese Version Age 3-6 This is totally 1970’s style set of 52 picture books with 26 CDs. The CDs are read verbatim with the book! Those that don’t want … Continue reading
Book Review: 电话里的童话第2辑 注音版（套装全13册）Simplified 簡體版
Age 3-6 Although the set calls itself a “bridge book” set, I find it better to call it a picture book set. It’s part of the Christian Andersen Awards series of books. Their awarded books are a hit and miss … Continue reading
Book Review: 小老虎和小熊 系列 (簡體 Simplified)
Age: 3-7 This is a set to read to your toddlers or have the early readers go at it themselves. It has pinyin and also has great warm stories about a bear and a tiger and their adventures together. The … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Books Review, General, Picture 0-5, Picture 5+, Picture Books, Reviews of Books, Toys, Etc.
Tagged 簡體繪本, 簡體橋梁書, 小老虎和小熊
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Taiwan Eats: 八月堂 Hazukido
I don’t usually eat sweets or bread. I don’t really care for bread for that matter. Usually it’s easy for me to take a bite and say “bye bye” real fast since it doesn’t do well for my weight anyway. … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Food Other, General, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Hazukido, Taiwan Bread, Taiwan Eats, 八月堂
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Taipei Eats: 銷魂麵舖 Spicy Noodle
I found this in 新光三越 (Shin Kong Mitsukoshi) A11 美食街 (food court basement level) … um… with a crazy line during the weekend. I vowed to come try it when it’s not as busy during the week. There’s still a … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 銷魂麵舖, Shin Kong Mitsukoshi, Spicy Noodle, Taiwan Eats, Taiwan Restaurants, 新光三越
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Taiwan Eats: Mazendo 麻膳堂
This place is supposed to be known for their spicy noodles but the GEM I found is their Hainan Chicken RICE!!!!!!!!!! Their rice has a lemongrass flavor scented through and not oily. The chicken was better than what I remembered … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 麻膳堂, Hainan Chicken Rice, Mala Noodles, Mazendo, Taiwan Eats
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Taiwan Eats: 晶華冠軍牛肉麵 Regent CBN Champion Beef Noodles
This place won championship in beef noodle competition in 2015. It may or may not fit your taste depending on what type of beef noodles you like. I found it kind of cheesy they have “Champion Beef Noodles” right smack … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 牛肉麵, 臺灣牛肉麵, Regent CBN Beef Noodles, Taiwan Eats, 晶華冠軍牛肉麵
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Taiwan Eats: 一蘭 拉麵 Ichiran Ramen
Noodles were great. Soup was great. Extra plate of meat wasn’t so great. Just get their traditional Char Siu. Don’t get the extra $148 plate of 燒肉. It wasn’t tender. Didn’t love that. Otherwise, everything was great! I ordered 10 … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Taipei Ramen, Taiwan Eats, Taiwan Restaurants, 拉麵, 一蘭
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Taiwan Fun: 華山1914創意產業園區 Wooderful Life
This is an “indoor” … “a/c filled”… “pretty place”… “with lots to do”… for kids age 3-8ish. There are easy things like go fish and harder stuff like Chinese checkers in a gated area within Wooderful Life located in 華山1914… … Continue reading
Posted in General, Kids Play, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 華山1914創意產業園區, Games for Kids, huashan, Taiwan Fun
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Taiwan Eats: 大三元 3 Coins (Michelin 1 Star)
This place was awarded Michelin one star last year. It’s very very traditional cuisine and has a Cantonese flair …. but is it really Cantonese? Not really. The taste is more like Taiwanese Cantonese fusion? The duck is crispy on … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 3 Coins, 米其林, Michelin Restaurant Taipei, 大三元
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Taiwan Fun: Yilan Scallions Farm 到宜蘭拔蔥
This is an activity we did in Yilan. We went to a green scallions farm and pulled out long scallions called 三星葱. Then we made scallion pancakes. They have: rainboots so your feet don’t get dirty in the farm while … Continue reading
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Taiwan Fun: 國立傳統藝術中心 (宜蘭) National Center for Traditional Arts (Yilan)
We were craving something that’s not mud but yet cultural and fun to shop and walk and clean and pretty for our last stop in Yilan and we went here. There are a LOT … A LOT OF DIY here … Continue reading
Taiwan Fun: Yilan Crayon Factory DIY
We went to 宜蘭 and this was one of the activities that the driver had planned for us. We went to the Crayon factory (there’s only two there and this is the one that most people with kids go to … Continue reading
Posted in General, Kids Classes, Kids Play, Single Classes, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Crayon DIY, Marker DIY, Yilan DIY, 宜蘭 DIY
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Taiwan Eats: 肉割烹 ゆう-Nikukappou Yuu
If you love beef and love marbled melt in your mouth beef from Japan (Omi beef)….Come here. Highly recommended. It’s about ten courses of amazing. There’s only space for about ten guests per dinner sitting. Menu is fixed but you … Continue reading
Posted in General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged A5 Meats, 肉割烹 ゆう-Nikukappou Yuu, Japan Meats, Omi Beef, Taiwan Eats
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Taiwan Eats: Kiki Restaurant Kiki 餐廳
This is a chain opened by 藍心湄. It’s not like something that’s ultra ultra special but the taste is so good! For those that like spicy food, this is the place to come. The menu is expansive and the food … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Kiki Restaurant, Taiwan Eats, Taiwan Restaurants
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Taiwan Fun: 野柳地質公園 Yeliu Geopark
This place was sooooooooooo freagin beautiful. However, it was SOOOOOOOOOOO HOT!!!! OMG, I was melting!!!! Yes, I did the whole Taiwan thing and was carrying an umbrella the whole time because my skin was burning. Kids were whining one minute … Continue reading
Posted in General, Kids Play, Other Taiwan Attractions, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 野柳地質公園, Taiwan Fun, Taiwan Scenery, Yeliu Geopark, Yeliu Park
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Taiwan Fun: 九份老街 JiuFen Old Street
If you love shopping for local items and walking through old styled streets, this is the place for you. This place as been used as the background for movies like “A City of Sadness” and “Spirited Away” so it’s popular … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Food Other, General, Other Taiwan Attractions, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged JiuFen Old Street, Taiwan Fun, Taiwan Scenery, 九份老街
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Taiwan Fun: 十分 Shifen Old Street
This is the famous place where you can light up paper lanterns and let them float into the sky like the Taiwan idol dramas. The strip of shopping is about only half a mile long. You will find lantern shops … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Food Other, General, Kids Play, Night Markets, Other Taiwan Attractions, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged shifen, shifen old streets, Taiwan Fun, Taiwan Scenery, 十分, 十分老街, 放天燈
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Taiwan Eats: Palais De Chine (Michelin 3 Stars) 君品酒店 頤宮 (米其林 3 星)
Seems like I’m always eating… but this one is a must go and repeat! Must go and repeat! Must go and repeat! Chinese Site: https://www.palaisdechinehotel.com/tw/restaurant.php English Site: https://www.palaisdechinehotel.com/en/restaurant.php Couple things to note: It’s Dim Sum on steroids. Reservations are hard… … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 頤宮, Michelin Restaurant Taipei, Palais De Chine, Taipei Michelin Restaurant, Taiwan Eats, Taiwan Restaurants, 君品酒店
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Taiwan Fun: 貓空纜車 MaoKong Gondola
We went on the Maokong Gondola. Some things to note: It’s a 25 minute ride up and 25 minute ride down if you want to ride down. You can take a taxi down for 75 nt a person or negotiate. … Continue reading
Posted in General, Kids Play, Other Taiwan Attractions, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 貓空纜車, Maokong Gondola, Taiwan Scenery
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Taiwan Eats: 海底撈 Hai Di Lao Hot Pot
I love hotpot and Taiwan has the best hot pot places. This particular chain though is from China and I can’t say enough good stuff about it. First of all, the meat is delicious. Second, they have a bagillion sauces … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Hai Di Lao, HaiDiLao, Taiwan Eats, Taiwan Hot Pot, Taiwan Restaurants, 海底撈
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Book Review: 棕色的熊、棕色的熊，你在看什麼, 從頭動到腳, 變色龍捉迷藏, Brown Bear, From Head to Toe, Chameleon, Eric Carle
Age: 0-3 with parent Please visit our Facebook group for more information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ Purchase Link: 棕色的熊、棕色的熊，你在看什麼 從頭動到腳 變色龍捉迷藏 Everyone in the states has Eric Carle. Case closed. Ha ha… just listing a few that I found in my storage. We … Continue reading
Book Review: 蔬菜躲貓貓 Veggies Hide and Seek
Age: 0-2 Please visit our Facebook group for more information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ Purchase Link: 蔬菜躲貓貓 Tupera Tupera is an author we’ve been attracted to. For babies, the books are direct and simple and great for babies. There’s humor and cuteness. This … Continue reading
Book Review: 誰吃掉了 Who Ate It?
Age: 0-2 Please visit our Facebook group for more information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ Purchase Link: 誰吃掉了 This is by a really famous Japanese author and both my kids just loved this book because they loved finding the fruit or vegetable or food … Continue reading
Book Review: 親愛的動物園 Dear Zoo
Please visit our Facebook group for more information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ Age: 0-2 Purchase Link: 親愛的動物園 This is a popular book in English. Lift the flaps and voila! I haven’t seen any kids not like this in English or Chinese so I … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Books Review, General, Picture 0-5, Picture Books, Reviews of Books, Toys, Etc.
Tagged Dear Zoo, 親愛的動物園
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Member Post: Super Speed Teaching Chinese (learn 1500-1800 characters in 6 months) 六歲半小男孩在半年內認1500-1800字的心得分享 (by Jon. Lin)
To learn more, join our Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ The following is a post from our group member in our Facebook Group. She’s ONE AMAZING MOM but as all Chinese mothers are, she fails to ADMIT THAT. I will try to … Continue reading
Posted in General, Reading (Chinese), Teaching Methods
Tagged learn chinese, learn mandarin, member post
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Book Review: 過年立體書 New Years 3D / Pop Up Books
Please visit our Facebook group for more information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ Ages: 2-Adult Having Chinese New Years being known to my kids is something I will start working hard on because in the last few years, we haven’t done enough or nearly … Continue reading
TaoBao Agent vs. TaoBao Direct Cost Differences Example
There’s a lot of talk about the use of Taobao Agents and it was brought to many people’s attention that TaoBaoRing or (recent name change to 42 Agent) has been the best one to use. Let’s talk about what is … Continue reading
Posted in General, Reviews of Books, Toys, Etc.
Tagged 42 Agent, Taobao, Taobao Agents, Taobao Ring
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How To Navigate 淘宝 Taobao Checkout
This article is written to help people navigate buying from Taobao directly to avoid using Agent Fees. The site will always be in Chinese only but if you follow the below screens, you may be able to save yourself a … Continue reading
Posted in General, Reviews of Books, Toys, Etc.
Tagged How to Buy on Taobao, Taobao, Taobao Agents, 淘宝
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CiPu 喜舖 Kids Ergonomic Backpack (3 in 1) – It’s like Tumi for Kids!
Here’s my introduction video: I recently started using this backpack for my older child (6 years old) and she just absolutely loves it! The straps and back are researched and designed to be ergonomic for kids so it redistributes the … Continue reading
Posted in Big Kids, General, Kindergarteners, Reviews of Books, Toys, Etc.
Tagged Backpack, CiPu, 喜舖, 書包
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Book Review: 還要睡幾個晚上才到聖誕節? How Many Sleeps Till Christmas?
Age: 2+ with parent, 5+ independent http://www.MotherlyNotes.com Please visit our Facebook group for more information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ Puchase Link: 還要睡幾個晚上才到聖誕節? – How Many Sleeps Till Christmas This is a story about a little bear who can’t wait til Christmas and wakes … Continue reading
Book Review: 閲讀123 / Reading 123 嬉遊民間故事集 – Chinese Folk Tale Collection
Age 6+ Purchase links: 奇幻蛇郎與紅花 – Snake Lord and the Red Flower 一個傻蛋賣香屁 – The Dummy Who Sold Farts 機智白賊闖通關 – The Smart Liar 黑洞裡的神祕烏金 – The Treasure in the Dark Hole This is a set from 閲讀123, Reading 123. Previous posts on other … Continue reading
Posted in General
Tagged Chinese Children Books, Chinese Children Bridge Books, 閲讀123, 黑洞裡的神祕烏金, learn chinese, learn mandarin, 奇幻蛇郎與紅花, 嬉遊民間故事集, 機智白賊闖通關, 一個傻蛋賣香屁
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C-Pen 2.0 百科掛圖 – C-Pen 2.0 Encyclopedic Picture Boards
I received C-Pen’s NEW product recently and have been holding off a review until I’ve played with it a little. Uh WOW. First of all, my daughters flipped through every page with 尖叫聲 because it’s well…. HELLO KITTY Even my … Continue reading
Book Review: 寫信給耶誕老公公 : My Penpal, Santa
Age: 3+ with parent, 5+ independent http://www.MotherlyNotes.com Please visit our Facebook group for more information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ Purchase Link: 寫信給耶誕老公公 – My Penpal, Santa This isn’t a book about adventures of Santa but a book about a little girl who writes … Continue reading
如何加快小孩閲讀的速度? How to Increase Reading Speed (Chinese/English/etc.)
I’m getting this question so often now. Somehow people like to gauge reading level by speed. So many parents are so in a rush to have their child reading faster. You can’t just force them to read faster. You can’t … Continue reading
Book Review: 瑪德琳系列 Madeline Series
Age: 2+ with parent, 5+ independent Please visit our Facebook group for more information! https://www.facebook.com/groups/motherlynotes/ Purchase links: 瑪德琳、瑪德琳的親愛小狗、瑪德琳的耶誕節 – Madeline series of 3 books 瑪德琳+大象巴巴 Madeline and Barbar the Elephant Who doesn’t love Madeline? I don’t think I need to … Continue reading
Member post: Amazing Twin Boys Who Are Reading Chinese and English At Least Two Years Above Grade Level (Sin Yee T.)
Hi Members of Motherly Notes! Once in a while I find a gem in the group and I pester invite them to share their teaching methods with us because I find it truly valuable to the community to know how miracles … Continue reading
Book Review: 魔數小子 – Marilyn Burns Brainy Day Collection – Math Set (25 Books)
Age: 4+ with parent or independent if they know zhuyin, 5+ independent Where to Puchase: 魔數小子 – Marilyn Burns Brainy Day Collection This is a set of math picture books great for smaller kids to an introduction of “concept” of … Continue reading
My Journey in Teaching My Children Chinese (Teaching Children Chinese From Age 0-5)
Note: The above video physically shows you some main points I listed below. I didn’t go over everything in the video but I think it’s the ideas that needed a video. Also, I’m not a professional blogger and this is … Continue reading
Posted in Chinese Books Review, General, Reading (Chinese), Reviews of Books, Toys, Etc., Teaching Methods
Tagged learn chinese, teach chinese, 學中文, 教中文
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Book Review:刷牙小小兵勇闖蛀牙王國 & 把飯吃光光好棒！Tooth Kingdom Invasion, Finish Your Food!
Age: 3+ with parent, 5+ independent Although there isn’t a whole bunch of technical terms, the message is very strong and clear through the crazy pictures. You should brush your teeth. This book is full of cuteness and at the … Continue reading
Yen 紫艷 at W Hotel －Oh My Duck…
You want duck? Go to W Hotel. Yummy duck and yummy dim sum. Not like crazy out of this world but definitely satisfying as the quality standard is there. Their duck is served wrapped by their servers. Their dim sum … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 紫艷, Taiwan Eats, W Hotel Taipei, Yen, Yen Restaurant Taipei
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鼎泰豐(信義) The Original Din Tai Fung (Xinyi)
So I always contemplate whether I want to go to another location of Din Tai Fung but always end up going to the original one. There’s always a long wait but the trick is to get there early. We went … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Din Tai Fung, 鼎泰豐, Taiwan Eats, XinYi, 信義
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思慕昔 Smoothie House Ice
You really really really need to at least drop by one of their locations for snowy ice. Been around and famous for a long time. The first time I went there was the one on 永康街 because it’s conveniently next … Continue reading
Posted in Food, Food Other, General, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Smoothie House, Taipei Mango Ice, 思慕昔
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山嵐 拉麵 Yamaarashi Ramen
The ridiculous thing about Taiwan is this… you walk along the small streets and you are overwhelmed with crazy yummy looking places. You walk into one of these and you get knocked out with great tasting food everywhere. This little … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Taiwan Eats, Yamaarashi Ramen, 山嵐 拉麵
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Royal Thai Massage 泰晶殿
You guys didn’t think I’d leave Taiwan without trying their Thai massage right? So when in Taiwan， you must go massage … why? Because a place like this actually costs around $76 USD for 2 hours… and everything is included … Continue reading
Posted in General
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大道18號 18 Days (熱炒店 – Quick Fry Restaurant)
Taiwan is not Taiwan if you don’t go to a quick stir fry place. This is what they call 熱炒店. This particular one is a cross between a street style 熱炒 and restaurant style. The taste is pretty spectacular. Most … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 18 Days Stir Fry Taiwan, Taiwan Eats, 大道18號
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饒河夜市 Raohe Night Market Taipei
I was told by locals how this is the night market to go to. I went to Shilin, TongHua, and a couple other smaller ones and I do find I like this one the best. It wasn’t too long, it … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Night Markets, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 饒河夜市, Night Market Taipei, Night Market Taiwan, Raohe Night Market
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態芮 Taïrroir – Michelin One Star Taipei
So I was able to go back and book something here… yay. The decor is nice. It’s more simple than RAW Taipei – Michelin One Star Restaurant for the decoration. Food was however different. Both had Taiwan fusion done right but … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 米其林, Michelin, Taïrroir, Taipei Michelin Restaurant, 態芮
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老媽拌麵 Lao Ma Noodles
When in Taiwan, it’s so hard to just walk around and NOT eat! Everything looks so good! Today after our 90 minute foot massage, we were walking in the neighborhood and I saw this gem. Um, I love spicy and … Continue reading
Posted in Food, General, Restaurants, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged 老媽拌麵, Lao Ma Noodles Taipei
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KidsAwesome Children’s Museum of Taipei 奧森兒童博物館
This space is called Kids Awesome because…. it’s AWESOME. It’s for ages baby to third grade (max third grade). Most kids in there were about 4-8 and they had great things such as a zipline, ball space, rocket space, etc. … Continue reading
Posted in General, Kids Play, Visiting Taiwan
Tagged Children's Museum of Taipei, KidsAwesome, 奧森兒童博物館
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