A Foodie's Guide to Yongkang Park in Taipei

Nestled amid Taipei’s towering high-rises is a slice of genuine foodie heaven. A walk down bustling Yongkang Street (home to Yongkang Park) offers a tour of Taiwan’s most iconic and delectable dishes. 

As a result of this thriving culinary culture, many of the small businesses that once surrounded Yongkang park are not so small anymore. For example, the now world-famous Din Tai Fung restaurant once served up its first-ever basket of xiao long bao soup dumplings in this very locale; now, wait times for the eatery can exceed two hours.

That said, the neighborhood is also home to dozens of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Here are our top picks for where to find foodie favorites in Yongkang park.

For Beer: Zhang Men Brewing Company 
A quick trip to Taipei might leave visitors with the impression that the ubiquitous Taiwan Beer is the country’s only domestic brand. However, Yongkang Park is home to a crafty, small-batch brewery of its own: Zhang Men Brewing Company. This cozy tap room established its home base in Yongkang Park in 2014. Since its opening, the brewery has developed an impressive array of Taiwanese craft beverages that will impress any beer lover. Some fan favorites include the single-hop pale ales, the osmanthus ale and the Taiwan pepper ale. If clients are hungry, suggest they grab something to eat off the brewery’s locally inspired bar snack menu, which offers steamed dumplings and Taiwan specialty sausages. 

www.zhangmen.co

For Bao: Din Tai Fung
No proper review of Taiwanese cuisine is complete without adequate mention of the country’s dumpling superstar, Din Tai Fung. Yongkang Park gave way to the xiao long bao revolution in 1958 and has been serving impeccably constructed soup dumplings ever since. As the original location, this branch tends to amass a bit of a crowd. Be sure to download the official Din Tai Fung app to keep track of the queue while you’re off exploring the neighborhood.

www.dintaifung.com.tw

For Noodles: Yongkang Beef Noodles
Taiwanese cuisine highlights rich, complex flavors, and clients can experience all of them (and more) in a big bowl of comfort food from Yongkang Beef Noodles. The Michelin Guide-recommended hot spot has been serving its beloved bowls for more than 50 years. Choose from a variety of broths, ranging from simple and mild, miso-like flavors to rich, spicy bases.

For Scallion Pancakes: Tian Jin Onion Pancake
The scallion pancake is a Taiwanese staple, and for good reason. When this textured, savory dough meets a piping hot skillet, something magical happens. Tian Jin Onion Pancake has it all: a flaky outer crisp, a chewy center and layers of flavor throughout. Choose from eight different fillings, from ham and cheese to Taiwanese basil and egg. (Spoiler: There is no wrong choice.) 

For Shaved Ice: Ice Monster
While the term “shaved ice” may conjure an image of jagged, crunchy ice drenched in a viscous, fruity corn syrup, don’t fret; this is not how Taiwan operates. The country’s lush agricultural landscape lends itself to an impressive selection of seasonal fruits, all of which are selected for timely freshness by the shaved ice masters at Yongkang Park’s Ice Monster. In the heat of Taiwan’s warmer seasons, there is no better way to cool off than with a bowl of freshly sliced mango served over thin layers of lightly flavored ice. In fall and winter, check out Ice Monster’s warmer dessert menu for unique, cozy dishes such as steamed rice porridge and sesame soup with handmade dumplings.

www.ice-monster.com

For Tea: Ping Tea
Tea shops in Taipei are never more than a stone’s throw away. Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble milk tea, after all. With all the variety of specialty drinks in Yongkang Park, it won’t take long for boba lovers to find what their hearts desire.

However, there’s one shop that does it like no other: Ping Tea. Whether you’re craving a fruity concoction of pineapple and passion fruit or a more traditional black milk tea with pearls, Ping Tea will not disappoint. Its sweet and crunchy brown sugar bubble tea is particularly mouthwatering.

www.m.facebook.com/pingtea0910