The first of a new occasional series of tips and suggestions on where to dine, eat and drink around Asia.
THE best gastronomic experience I had in Taiwan was not in a big or well known restaurant but a tiny one which specialises in dumplings and simple foods. In fact, I loved it so much, I insisted on going there again on the way to the airport.
There was no English menu until recently. However, the Chinese menu is set in a list with numbers that never change.
The restaurant that won my palate as well as my heart is called Ding Tai Fung. It is actually quite well known among the local residents.
In the front of the restaurant and looking in at the window, you can actually see the cooks rolling out the dough to stuff the dumplings in a tiny work-area with large steamers billowing vapours as well as a small kitchen in the back of the ground floor.
Fortunately, the success of the restaurant has allowed the owner to expand to include the three floors above the main area. Quality has not been compromised.
