Showing posts with label Coffee / Tea / Dessert. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coffee / Tea / Dessert. Show all posts

Friday, January 13, 2012

Taipei | Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House 春水堂 人文茶館

Chun Shui Tang Cultural Tea House 春水堂 人文茶館
No. 200, Section 2, Zhongcheng Road, Taipei, Taiwan (Shin Kong Department Store Building B 3F)
台北市士林區忠誠路二段200號 (新光三越B棟 3F)
http://chunshuitang.com.tw/

Price: $ (but really expensive for bubble tea)
Recommendation: 5 Stars

Known as the first tea house to ever invent the internationally renowned boba milk tea 珍珠奶茶 (Yes, bubble tea is a Taiwanese creation!), Chun Shui Tang offers not only a wide selection of the best quality teas but also various Taiwanese snacks. It's a great spot for a chill afternoon hang out with friends!

Chun Shui Tang 春水堂


Chun Shui Tang's signature lou wei 招牌滷味 is a must order besides their bubble tea. Lou wei is a classic Taiwanese snack made by simmering savory ingredients into a soy-based sauce with spices. Our plate had tofu 豆干 and black pudding 米血, which were soaked in a stew-like secret recipe sauce. Once I had a bite, I couldn't put my chopsticks down and stop eating this!

Signature Lou Wei 招牌綜合滷味
Tofu & Black Pudding 豆干 & 米血

"Pearl" Shumai 珍珠燒賣
meatballs covered with rice

It was Jennifer's first time trying chicken gizzards. Props to her!

Braised Chicken Gizzard 雞胗

Spicy Noodles with X.O. Sauce 頂級X.O.醬辣拌麵

Normally, bubble tea shops makes their tea from tea bags or, even worse, tea powders. The drinks are very sweet and unfresh, and they often taste like packaged beverages. At Chun Shui Tang, the awesome tea house carries many of the best teas in the market and carefully brew each drink from tea leafs as customers make their orders.

Ever since a waiter recommended Tieguanyin Milk Tea 鐵觀音奶茶, it has become my favorite choice of bubble tea. Tieguanyin is a premium variety of Chinese Oolong tea and is locally grown in Taiwan. Because tea drinks are freshly brewed, my Tieguanyin milk tea came last among all of our orders. Just like artisan coffee shops, on top is a beautiful layer of milk foam. Immediately after a sip of the tea, a strong aromatic Oolong sweetness filled my mouth and ended with a slightly bitter aftertaste. It was excellent!

The pearls (boba) came in a separate cup. According to the waiter, it is so that I will have the same amount of tea as those who didn't order pearls. It's all about the Fairness!

Tieguanyin Milk Tea with Pearls 鐵觀音奶茶加珍珠

Pearls 珍珠

Last time I saw Melissa was when we were babies! Okay, maybe I am exaggerating but it's been a while - since elementary school!

Melissa!




also in various locations in Taiwan

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Taipei | Boulangerie Le Goût 那個 麵包

Boulangerie Le Goût 那個 麵包
No. 58, Lane 188, Ruiguang Road, Taipei, Taiwan
台北市內湖區瑞光路188巷58號

Price: $$
Recommendation: 4.5 Stars

Located in Neihu's hidden alley, Boulangerie Le Goût is one of the most loved and desired bakeries in Taiwan, selling recipes and breads directed by Taiwanese Master pastry chef Wu Paochun 吳寶春, who won 1st place (2010) and 2nd place (2008) at the Coupe du Monde la Boulangerie, an international, invitational artisan baking competition held in Paris, France every couple years, a.k.a the Olympics of Baking!

This comfortably designed shop bakes a wide variety of tasty breads and pastries by using local delicacies as well as the best ingredients around the world. The mouth-watering bagels, croissants, and rolls are presented beautifully with a touch of the chef's inspiration and creativity. More importantly, many of their products are sold out by late afternoon, especially Master chef Wu Paochun's award winning creations.

Boulangerie Le Goût


On the wall of Le Goût showcases different breads from all over the world, including the butterfly decorated bread that earned Wu Paochun the world championship.

Showcase of Breads from all over the World

deciding what to buy

pastries!

Spread with glowing cod roes from Japan, the Mintako French Baguette is toasted to perfection and has a great texture. The strong savory taste of cod roe works perfectly with the crunchy baguette. Definitely a favorite!

Mintako French Baguette 明太子法國

Dum dum dum! The award-winning Longan and Wine Bread of Wu Paochun (2nd place)! The costly bread at NT$ 400 (~ US$13.5) uses Wufung's longan, red wine, and natural grape yeast with a base of wheat germ flour. A bite of this doughy delicacy comes a mesmerizing red wine aroma and taste. The fresh and lightly sweetened longans are generously diffused within the bread and surprisingly delicious!

Longan and Wine Bread 桂圓酒韻

Longan and Wine Bread 桂圓酒韻


Unfortunately, when I visited Le Goût, the champion "butterfly" bread is sold out - which gives me another reason to return to this awesome bakery shop!
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