Taoyuan

Bistrot Latini
No. 128 Shin-pu 6th Street
03-3463461
$150 NT and up
11-8
Shin pu is off of Da Xing between Jing Guo and Jung Jeng

Recently renovated, Latini offers simple but well-cooked Italian food. The owner and head chef, Dan Wu, speaks English and is very helpful and friendly. Try the pumpkin soup and panini. Also offers a good selection of fancy coffees.. including espresso with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Popcorn chicken is a local speciality sold from street corner stalls.

Cong dra bing pronounced tsong draw bing is a scallion pancake that the vendor cooks on a griddle and fluffs up before searing on scrambled egg and a variety of toppings like bacon and fresh basil. The traditional sauce they put on top is soy-based, but you can ask for spicy. Absolutely delicious. Usually a daytime snack, sold on the side of the street by SK II downtown or by Nova computer store.

Carrefour
Jing guo road
near Da Xing on Jing Guo

In addition to the obvious groceries, this French-owned grocery store has a food court on the top floor with good options. Sushi express, 8 things Japanese with 7 small side dishes, a Thai restaurant, Meet Fresh, McDonalds and several noodle soup and fried chicken places.