Taoyuan

Bistrot Latini
No. 128 Shin-pu 6th Street
03-3463461
$150 NT and up
11-8
Shin pu is off of Da Xing between Jing Guo and Jung Jeng

Recently renovated, Latini offers simple but well-cooked Italian food. The owner and head chef, Dan Wu, speaks English and is very helpful and friendly. Try the pumpkin soup and panini. Also offers a good selection of fancy coffees.. including espresso with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Popcorn chicken is a local speciality sold from street corner stalls.

Carrefour
Jing guo road
near Da Xing on Jing Guo

In addition to the obvious groceries, this French-owned grocery store has a food court on the top floor with good options. Sushi express, 8 things Japanese with 7 small side dishes, a Thai restaurant, Meet Fresh, McDonalds and several noodle soup and fried chicken places.

Cong dra bing pronounced tsong draw bing is a scallion pancake that the vendor cooks on a griddle and fluffs up before searing on scrambled egg and a variety of toppings like bacon and fresh basil. The traditional sauce they put on top is soy-based, but you can ask for spicy. Absolutely delicious. Usually a daytime snack, sold on the side of the street by SK II downtown or by Nova computer store.