The places in Taipei the guidebooks miss.
The places in Taipei the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
Qing Tian 76 on Qingtian St in Da'an is the 1931 Japanese professor's house serving Showa-era tatami-floor set lunches in a quiet residential lane.
Why locals love it: A 1931 Japanese professor's house in Da'an now serves Showa-era set lunches on tatami floors, hidden in a residential lane off Qingtian Street.
Tip: Phone reservation required. Closed Mondays.
Wisteria Tea House is a 1920s japanese timber house turned into taiwan's pro-democracy gathering place and now serves aged oolong from the cellar.
Why locals love it: A 1920s Japanese timber house turned into Taiwan's pro-democracy gathering place and now serves aged oolong from the cellar.
Tip: Open 10:00-22:00, closed Mondays. Reservation by phone; two-hour minimum.
Liu Shan Dong Beef Noodles: 1949 Shandong-lineage beef noodle counter on Kaifeng Street near Taipei Main, tiny street-level room locals defend.
Why locals love it: 1949 Shandong-lineage beef noodle counter on Kaifeng Street near Taipei Main, tiny street-level room locals defend.
Tip: Open 08:00-19:30, closed Sundays. Cash only.
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle on Emei St in Ximending is the 1975 standing-counter mianxian stall drawing second-bowl regulars from the pedestrian streets.
Why locals love it: A standing-counter mianxian stall in Ximending that draws second-bowl regulars from the surrounding pedestrian streets, since 1975.
Tip: Cash only. Pile on chilli and black vinegar from the condiment table.
Halal Chinese Beef Noodles Da'an is a 60-year halal beef-noodle counter tucked in an alley off yanji street, northern-style dumplings and lazy-susan dining.
Why locals love it: A 60-year halal beef-noodle counter tucked in an alley off Yanji Street, Northern-style dumplings and lazy-susan dining.
Tip: Open 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:30, closed Mondays. Cash only.
Yu Pin Yuan Iced and Hot Tangyuan is a linjiang street stall pushing bib gourmand-listed iced sesame-syrup tangyuan, eaten standing on a back-alley counter.
Why locals love it: A Linjiang Street stall pushing Bib Gourmand-listed iced sesame-syrup tangyuan, eaten standing on a back-alley counter.
Tip: Cash only. The iced version is the summer order.
Shin Yeh Shuanglian is round-table taiwanese banquet cooking in zhongshan since 1977, the family-table standard locals book for new-year reunion meals.
Why locals love it: Round-table Taiwanese banquet cooking in Zhongshan since 1977, the family-table standard locals book for new-year reunion meals.
Tip: Phone reservations. Service charge added.
Kao Chi on Yongkang St in Da'an is the 1949 xiaolongbao counter that runs the shorter queue alternative to Din Tai Fung two doors down the street.
Why locals love it: Yongkang Street's second xiaolongbao counter, opened 1949, shorter queue than Din Tai Fung two doors down.
Tip: Walk-in; phone reservations for six plus.
Mountain and Sea House on Ren'ai Rd is the restored Japanese-era mansion in Taipei reviving 1930s Taiwanese banquet cuisine for a quiet local crowd.
Why locals love it: A restored Japanese-era mansion on Ren'ai Road in Taipei reviving 1930s Taiwanese banquet cuisine, often missed for the louder Le Palais.
Tip: Closed Mondays. Reserve through the operator's site.
Rong Rong Yuan is a 1949-wave sichuan-hunanese counter tucked off hangzhou south road, mapo tofu and dan dan canon for locals who skip the yongkang queues.
Why locals love it: A 1949-wave Sichuan-Hunanese counter tucked off Hangzhou South Road, mapo tofu and dan dan canon for locals who skip the Yongkang queues.
Tip: Walk-ins only; turnover is fast.