Unsung Eats: 5 best places to eat and drink in Taipei
Fresh takes on Taiwan’s famed fried chicken and breakfast, to tea cocktails and artisanal coffee, here are our Taipei foodie picks
Taipei is a special destination for foodies. Besides its famed night markets, iconic beef noodles and a growing constellation of Michelin-starred restaurants, the city’s real soul is in its hidden corners, where you’ll find craft beer paired with mala fried chicken; sweet potato coffee, created by a latte art champion, no less; wild teas poured like wine and Dongpo pork with a black tea soy milk cocktail served inside a hidden VHS-lined bistro.
Chicken Bar by Weekend
American and Korean fried chicken have serious competition. In 2020, inspired by their love for the traditional salt-and-pepper chicken of Taiwan’s night markets, chefs Jeek Pan and Chester Lin joined forces to create Chicken Bar.
The restaurant, which has a retro design and laid-back vibe, serves crispy, aromatic and deeply satisfying fried chicken tossed with spices, garlic, mala and a peppery kick that lets Taiwan’s own fried chicken heritage shine.
Location: Several locations, but we recommend the main shop at 74, Section 2, Keelung Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan
Must order: Mala hotpot fried chicken with a Taiwanese draught beer; fried cauliflower for vegetarians
Gabee Coffee
Barista Van Lin opened Gabee Coffee in 2004; a month later, he won the Taiwan Latte Art Championship. Since then, he has also written a Chinese-language book on coffee.