In a Nutshell
Starting the day off with breakfast at Somebody Café (贰拾陆巷), followed by The Red House (西门红楼) – a Western-style red brick octagonal building, a historic theatre of Taipei. Next was Manka Lungshan Temple (艋舺龙山寺) – one of the top four attractions amongst tourists, established in the 1700s, followed by Dazzling Cafe (Pink) - who rose to fame with their signature honey toast! Next up was Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall (国父纪念馆) - built in memory of the founding father of the Republic of China. Walked down to Long Time Ago Cafe (梦游咖啡馆) - famous for their pretty latte art; had a manicure session at East Metro Mall (东区地下街), and back at Ximending for dinner!
Started the day off with breakfast at Somebody Cafe (贰拾陆巷). This cafe combines with art and focuses on black and white doodles. Ordered the Playground Brunch, which comes with hashbrown, streaky and back bacon, assorted toast, Spanish omelette and some mixed vegetables; as well as a cup of hot latte. Around the the corner is The Red House (西门红楼), a historic theatre in Ximending built in 1908 during the Japanese occupation. Designed by Japanese architect, Kondo Juro, the building is originally used as a market, but later as a theatre from 1945 onwards. Today, it has became a part of the gay scene in the neighbourhood and is the site for the annual gay New Year's Eve countdown. However, it is currently being framed up for renovation.
Somebody Café 贰拾陆巷
No. 65, L2, Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City
台北市万华区成都路65号2楼
Opening hrs: 10am-10pm
Subway: Ximen Station Exit 6 (line 5 blue)
#1: Somebody Cafe, located at the 2nd floor.
#2：The black and white doodles of the cafe.
#3: Playground Brunch, NTD240 = SGD10.90, topped up NTD80 = SGD3.60 for a cup of latte.
The Red House 西门红楼
No. 10, Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City
台北市万华区成都路10号
Opening hrs: 11am-9:30pm (Tue-Thu, Sun), 11am-10pm (Fri, Sat)
Subway: Ximen Station Exit 1 (line 5 blue)
#4: The Red House, sadly being framed up now.
Next I went to Mangka Lungshan Temple (艋舺龙山寺), a temple built in 1738 by the settlers from Fujian during Qing dynasty in honour of Guanyin. It serves as a place of worship and a gathing spot for Chinese settlers. However, the temple today is no longer how it is like back then. The building has been destroyed by numerous earthquakes, fires and wars. It has been consistently being rebuilt and renovated. The damages caused many precious artifacts and artworks to be lost.
Mangka Lungshan Temple 艋舺龙山寺
No. 211, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
台北市万华区广州街211号
Opening hrs: 7am-10pm
Subway: Longshan Temple Station Exit 1 (line 5 blue)
#5: Entrance of Lungshan Temple.
#6: Be greeted by this beautiful mini waterfall!
#7: Lungshan Temple.
Following after, Dazzling Cafe. Dazzling Cafe quickly gained popularity with its signature honey toast, which consists of a cube of soft milk bread - toasted, filled with toast cubes, and topped with various ingredients like ice cream, fruits and sauce; depending on whichever flavour that you choose. It is founded by Janet and her twin brother, Johnny, who discovered it during their trip to Shibuya, Japan, and decided to bring the idea back to Taiwan. The first cafe opened in Taipei and was very well received. Now, Dazzling Cafe has various branches around Taiwan, and even in Hong Kong and Singapore; each with its own theme and decor.
I had the Black Chocolate Honey Toast and a Caramel Latte. The coffee was really good and the toast comes served with custard, a scoop of dark chocolate ice cream, chocolate shavings, strawberries and sour cherries, and a side of honey. The toast is buttered, sugared, and then toasted to golden brown of perfect crispiness. After you are done taking photos, the server returns to help cut up the toast.
Dazzling Cafe (Pink)
No. 11, Alley 7, Lane 205, Zhongxiao East Road Section 4, Da'an District, Taipei City
台北市大安区忠孝东路4段205巷7弄11号
Opening hrs: 12pm-9pm (Mon-Fri), 11:30am-9pm (Sat, Sun)
Subway: Zhongxiao Dunhua Station Exit 1 (line 5 blue)
Instagram: @dazzling_cafe
#8: Dazzling Cafe (Pink).
#9: Black Chocolate Honey Toast, NTD240 = SGD10.90.
Next I went to Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall (国父纪念馆) just walking distance away, which apparently was nothing much. It was built in memory of the founding father of the Republic of China, Dr Sun Yat Sen, and was completed in 1972. I then walked to Long Time Ago Cafe (梦游咖啡馆). It was the filming location for Rainie Yang (杨丞琳)'s movie, 极光之爱. This place is popular for its pretty latte art and my Iced Matcha Latte comes served with a cute pig stencil! I also had a Chocolate Mousse cake which was prettily plated and taste really good!
Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall 国父纪念馆
No. 505, Section 4, Ren Ai Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City
台北市信义区仁爱路4段505号
Opening hrs: 9am-6pm
Subway: Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall Station (line 5 blue)
#10: Sun Yat Sen Memorial Hall.
#11: The statue of Dr Sun Yat Sen.
Long Time Ago Café 梦游咖啡馆
No. 9, Lane 21, Section 1, Anhe Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
台北市大安区安和路1段21巷9号
Opening hrs: 11am-9pm
Subway: Zhongxiao Dunhua Station Exit 4 (line 5 blue)
#12: Long Time Ago Cafe.
#13: This cafe is just so cozy! The servers are really nice too!
#14: Iced Matcha Latte, NTD160 = SGD7.25. Chocolate Mousse, NTD120 = SGD5.45.
#15: Loving my Timberland boots! It pairs so well with any background!
I then headed to East Metro Mall (东区地下街) to fix my nails as the polish is starting to chip off. I previously had black polish with gold glitters, but was sad that they don't have any black metallic shades, so settled with a dark metallic silver to match my outfits and accessories. And then back to Ximending for dinner! I was looking for 玉子烧, which is tamagoyaki topped with mayo, seaweed powder, ebiko and bonito flakes, but wasn't able to find it. So I settled down in one of the local food stall for some oyster vermicelli and oyster omelette.
East Metro Mall 东区地下街
Zhongxiao East Road Section 4, Da'an District, Taipei City
台北市大安区忠孝东路4段
Opening hrs: 24hrs
Subway: Zhongxiao Dunhua Station (line 5 blue)
Ximending 西门町
Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City
台北市万华区成都路
Opening hrs: 24hrs
Subway: Ximen Station (line 5 blue)
#16: Local food stall.
#17: Oyster Vermicelli (small), NTD50 = SGD2.25.
#18: Oyster Omelette, NTD60 = SGD2.70.
#19: Mango Milk from Hot Star Iced Tea (豪大冰茶), super good! NTD145 = SGD6.60.
Expenses for the Day
Somebody Cafe Playground Brunch: NTD240
Hot Latte: (top up) NTD80
Black Chocolate Honey Toast: NTD240
Caramel Latte: NTD130
Long Time Ago Cafe Iced Matcha Latte: NTD160
Chocolate Mousse Cake: (minus NTD30 for cake and drink seet) NTD90
Manicure: NTD350
Oyster Omelette: NTD60
Oyster Vermicelli (small): NTD50
Mango Milk: NTD145
4-in-1 USB Cable: NTD150
Total Expenses for Day 4: NTD1,695 = SGD77.05
Previous Total Expenses: SGD1,121.21
Current Total Expense: SGD1,198.26