Panda Picks Apple. Permanent Ink on Gauze, 6 x 15", 2008.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Cast Art
The sedatives must have still been lingering from the surgery because my uncle naively agreed to let me sign his cast...
Panda Picks Apple. Permanent Ink on Gauze, 6 x 15", 2008.
Panda Picks Apple. Permanent Ink on Gauze, 6 x 15", 2008.
MOS BURGERS!!!!!!
Considering how much MOS BURGER I eat in Taiwan, I think it's time for post dedicated just to some Mos. Even though they are just burgers, for some reason I feel like it might be one of the things I miss the most once I go back to California. Maybe Mos for dinner tonight then?
Teriyaki Chicken Burger. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the dryness and lack of flavor but I've heard great things about it so maybe I just got a bad egg.
According to the elders, when I was 4 yrs old or so, I spent a summer in Taiwan and every day after day care, I HAD to eat Mos Burger Fries. That was back in the day, when there was only one Mos in all of Taiwan.
My favorite item on the menu. A fried shrimp burger with a lot of thinly chopped lettuce and some crazy sauce that tastes like thousand island/ tarter sauce/ mayo. Every burger is made to order so the shrimp is always still steaming hot when you break the fried exterior.
The classic Mos Burger. Love it too. The patty is very dense and flavorful. Fits nicely with a thick tomato slice and a chili-like sauce.
A potato patty. My dad loves this one but I am not too interested. I eat it sometimes just for kicks.
Witness the joy that MOS brings to children all over the world.
Teriyaki Chicken Burger. I was thoroughly unimpressed with the dryness and lack of flavor but I've heard great things about it so maybe I just got a bad egg.
According to the elders, when I was 4 yrs old or so, I spent a summer in Taiwan and every day after day care, I HAD to eat Mos Burger Fries. That was back in the day, when there was only one Mos in all of Taiwan.
My favorite item on the menu. A fried shrimp burger with a lot of thinly chopped lettuce and some crazy sauce that tastes like thousand island/ tarter sauce/ mayo. Every burger is made to order so the shrimp is always still steaming hot when you break the fried exterior.
The classic Mos Burger. Love it too. The patty is very dense and flavorful. Fits nicely with a thick tomato slice and a chili-like sauce.
A potato patty. My dad loves this one but I am not too interested. I eat it sometimes just for kicks.
Witness the joy that MOS brings to children all over the world.
Monday, August 25, 2008
IRON BOARD COOK!
Hit up some teppanyaki this weekend with Diana. We went to one at the bottom floor of the huge shopping mall between Vieshow theatres and ESLITE. The seating was a bit cramped but the experience and food was great. Highly recommended for everyone. Now sit down and let's go teppanyakiiing!
Bean sprouts and chicken start getting some heat. Check out the pile of awesome garlic there. Wonderful.
The lamb gets tossed in the mix, as well as our green onion and pickle omelet.
WHOA!!!! Cover your eyes viewers. Don't want to get splashed with scalding oil! Teppanyaki sure is intense!
Our lamb and bean sprouts served and ready for consumption. Everyone had very strong flavor and depth though I never felt it was too oily. Mr. Omelet is still getting prepped up in the back. He is eager to get in on this action.
Garlic chicken and Mr. Omelet join the party. Time for another bowl of rice! (Why am I referring to the omelet as "Mr. Omelet" you ask? I do not know. Just go with it.)
It's times like these when I look around and realize how truly wonderful life can be.
Bean sprouts and chicken start getting some heat. Check out the pile of awesome garlic there. Wonderful.
The lamb gets tossed in the mix, as well as our green onion and pickle omelet.
WHOA!!!! Cover your eyes viewers. Don't want to get splashed with scalding oil! Teppanyaki sure is intense!
Our lamb and bean sprouts served and ready for consumption. Everyone had very strong flavor and depth though I never felt it was too oily. Mr. Omelet is still getting prepped up in the back. He is eager to get in on this action.
Garlic chicken and Mr. Omelet join the party. Time for another bowl of rice! (Why am I referring to the omelet as "Mr. Omelet" you ask? I do not know. Just go with it.)
It's times like these when I look around and realize how truly wonderful life can be.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Night Market Raid
This weekend my cousin took me out on another Taipei night market run, this time to Shipai and Shilin. I've been to these markets plenty of times this summer, but it's a different experience when you have some veterans in your company.
We arrive at Shipai with one goal in mind and nothing else.
The premier MEAT BUNS in Taipei, if not the WORLD! We hurriedly make the necessary payment. No time can be wasted.
These Bao Tz mean business. No inessential dough, amazingly crunchy cabbage for being inside a cooked bun, flavorful meat, and an extra thick fried dough at the bottom, just the way I dig it.
Fresh-squeezed watermelon juice to wash it all down.
With the primary objective accomplished, we hit up Shilin for some more goods. First, some cold noodles. Great stuff.
Fried tempura.
MORE fermented tofu.
"What Jordan? You STILL want to eat more!?!! Are you maaad...?"
"No..I just have an enviable superhuman appetite now get out of my way while I consume this delicious oyster omelete."
Some half sweetened green tea to finish what the watermelon juice started.
After shopping around the market for a bit we found our last destination for some ICE desserts to chill things out. Check out this peanut shaved ice. A peanut buttery liquid is frozen into cubes. The cube then goes through some intense shaving to somehow end up in this awesome formation. Tastes like cold peanut butter, that is really really gooood.
Sigh....I tried my best to fight it, but after some immoral cajoling by my cousin, I broke. Good news is that my skills still remain and I managed to keep things under control. Picked up this cutey with one coin. Respek.
We arrive at Shipai with one goal in mind and nothing else.
The premier MEAT BUNS in Taipei, if not the WORLD! We hurriedly make the necessary payment. No time can be wasted.
These Bao Tz mean business. No inessential dough, amazingly crunchy cabbage for being inside a cooked bun, flavorful meat, and an extra thick fried dough at the bottom, just the way I dig it.
Fresh-squeezed watermelon juice to wash it all down.
With the primary objective accomplished, we hit up Shilin for some more goods. First, some cold noodles. Great stuff.
Fried tempura.
MORE fermented tofu.
"What Jordan? You STILL want to eat more!?!! Are you maaad...?"
"No..I just have an enviable superhuman appetite now get out of my way while I consume this delicious oyster omelete."
Some half sweetened green tea to finish what the watermelon juice started.
After shopping around the market for a bit we found our last destination for some ICE desserts to chill things out. Check out this peanut shaved ice. A peanut buttery liquid is frozen into cubes. The cube then goes through some intense shaving to somehow end up in this awesome formation. Tastes like cold peanut butter, that is really really gooood.
Sigh....I tried my best to fight it, but after some immoral cajoling by my cousin, I broke. Good news is that my skills still remain and I managed to keep things under control. Picked up this cutey with one coin. Respek.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
One Oh One
You can only wonder aimlessly through night markets buying cheap gadgets and eating greasy snacks so many times before your heart screams for something more, or just for you to take a break. So last night, Diana and I decided to try something cRaZy: Taipei 101....
Ladies and gentlemen...the tallest building in the world....sideways...
Going up the fastest elevator in the world. I think we took 89 floors in like 3 seconds, no joke. At 1.5 seconds, my left nipple pounded fists with my knee for the first time in my life.
A view of the Taipei citiscape from the 89th floor. Pretty crazy huh?
Just kidding. That was a picture of the ceiling in the elevator. THIS here is the actual view of Taipei from up top.
Learning stuff.
A straight drop all the way down through 89 floors of Taipei 101's stairwell. Diana thinks it's funny for some reason. I was shaking so much I could hardly take the picture.
For Children Only.
Rebel for life..
101 turned out to be a lot of fun. The wind on the top outside floor was ridiculous. It almost blew my shirt off, no joke. Anyway, we finished off the night with some Starbucks and Mceedeeeeees, the finest of Taiwanese cuisine.
Ladies and gentlemen...the tallest building in the world....sideways...
Going up the fastest elevator in the world. I think we took 89 floors in like 3 seconds, no joke. At 1.5 seconds, my left nipple pounded fists with my knee for the first time in my life.
A view of the Taipei citiscape from the 89th floor. Pretty crazy huh?
Just kidding. That was a picture of the ceiling in the elevator. THIS here is the actual view of Taipei from up top.
Learning stuff.
A straight drop all the way down through 89 floors of Taipei 101's stairwell. Diana thinks it's funny for some reason. I was shaking so much I could hardly take the picture.
For Children Only.
Rebel for life..
101 turned out to be a lot of fun. The wind on the top outside floor was ridiculous. It almost blew my shirt off, no joke. Anyway, we finished off the night with some Starbucks and Mceedeeeeees, the finest of Taiwanese cuisine.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Burger Bonanza
I've accumulated a small collection of burger photos recently though we're missing a MOS burger, which I eat on a regular basis. Most of the employees there recognize my brother and I -- as the guys who can't read the menu but always order a ridiculous amount of food. Anyway, here's some other burgers I've met in Taiwan:
One of my coworkers is a vegetarian and graciously purchased this honey lemon vegetarian burger for me at lunch one day. I don't think the burger alone will be able to change my future eating habits, but it was definitely tasty. I bet most people wouldn't even be able to realize the absence of meat in the burger. However, I was definitely not full afterward, though I did indeed feel very healthy. It was good enough for me to want to go back, though next time I will probably have to buy 2 or 3.
If you remember the MEI ER MEI breakfast sandwiches I posted awhile ago, this is from the same place. My uncle just discovered they have hamburgers too! And MAN it's pretty good. I can't tell you what the patty is made from (I should probably look into that) but it's got a lot of taste and tenderness. It's sandwiched with an egg and some kind of onion and ketchup mix that makes for a very unique and fulfilling burger.
So I took my brother to the airport this past weekend for his return flight to the United States of America. And during his last couple hours in Taiwan, what does he want to eat? Despite the many mouth-watering foods at the airport that he will never find in the U.S. my brother without hesitation goes for a BURGER KING WHOPPER*!!!!???? Why??! WHY??!!!!!
*Despite the pure stupidity of his decision, it should be noted that it was very evident through the way he ate it that he thoroughly enjoyed the burger without regret. Maybe it's his way of transitioning back to the reality that is Davis.
One of my coworkers is a vegetarian and graciously purchased this honey lemon vegetarian burger for me at lunch one day. I don't think the burger alone will be able to change my future eating habits, but it was definitely tasty. I bet most people wouldn't even be able to realize the absence of meat in the burger. However, I was definitely not full afterward, though I did indeed feel very healthy. It was good enough for me to want to go back, though next time I will probably have to buy 2 or 3.
If you remember the MEI ER MEI breakfast sandwiches I posted awhile ago, this is from the same place. My uncle just discovered they have hamburgers too! And MAN it's pretty good. I can't tell you what the patty is made from (I should probably look into that) but it's got a lot of taste and tenderness. It's sandwiched with an egg and some kind of onion and ketchup mix that makes for a very unique and fulfilling burger.
So I took my brother to the airport this past weekend for his return flight to the United States of America. And during his last couple hours in Taiwan, what does he want to eat? Despite the many mouth-watering foods at the airport that he will never find in the U.S. my brother without hesitation goes for a BURGER KING WHOPPER*!!!!???? Why??! WHY??!!!!!
*Despite the pure stupidity of his decision, it should be noted that it was very evident through the way he ate it that he thoroughly enjoyed the burger without regret. Maybe it's his way of transitioning back to the reality that is Davis.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The Japanese Place by My Aunt's House
Aunts took me out to yet another awesome Japanese place. And once again I neglected to record the name of the place. It's close to the Luxy/Sogo area. For now, just know the decor of the place is awesome with a huge bar and private rooms, they update their menu constantly, and the food looks and tastes exquisite. Let's get dirty...
This is a unique take on the classic LIANG MIEN in Taiwan, made from peanut oil, sometimes peanut butter, soy sauce and other stuff. The manager claimed you will find nothing like their interpretation of it anywhere in Taiwan.
Very refreshing and the texture was great. The Alfredo-type sauce was combined with a peanut buttery spice and a dab of hot oil to create a surprisingly pristine flavor.
This was actually the first dish served, I just didn't want it to be the first pic in the post because it's kind of intimidating. Also, we had already ate 90% of the dish before I remembered to take pictures. It's some kind of raw fish bombed with a ton of spices and oils. Looks like it'd be painful to eat but was actually more refreshing than the noodles.
Fresh uni on a soft bed of rice, centered on a fried leaf(aloe?) with strings of daikon. My mouth is still convulsing with pleasure right now, 3 days later.
Another great roll. Look at the intricacy and color of the inside contents.
A half eaten shrimp/rice/leaf puff. My camera hand simply couldn't overpower my mouth's desire for a bite.
I don't remember what this is but I remember it was very juicy and citrusy(?), with a pleasantly fishy aftertaste.
This guy looks pretty damn cool but lacked in the taste department. Too dry though the blackened exterior was something new. The fish roe on top was also a highlight.
Took a break from the rolls for some fried chicken dipped in sweet & sour sauce. Nothing crazy but freshened up the palette.
I don't know what that sauce is but bamboo should not leave home without it. The bamboo itself was very crisp and burst with warm juices upon impact.
This was when my camera started pissing me off with the whole no battery escapade so I could only get this landscape shot. The centerfold of this dish was the inside, which was stuffed with mashed yam/sweet potato that worked wonderfully with the bbqed skin of the chicken. The chicken itself was more tender than my buttcheeks.
O MAN, best fish I remember eating in a while. After your teeth break the exterior of the brittle skin and the taste buds catch a whiff of the fried aroma, the fish meat detonates with precision, launching layers and layers of warm fish soup and oil in all directions as the actual flesh massages your gums. And this repeats with every mouthful and very chew. It's like eating a....fried peach, that tastes like fish. MMMM...
Another roll ordered at the end to fill up the stomach. Everyone was thoroughly impressed with this one, but to me it just tasted like the regular Hot California Roll back in the US, just embellished a little more. Enjoyable but not as enlightening as the others.
And maaaan what a great ending to the meal. Here we have some kinds of sesame/vanilla gelatin. Simply amazing. The texture is something at the halfway mark between jello and yogurt. It's not too sweet, just enough to tame the chaos from the rest of the meal. Actually, the sesame reminds of a cookie and creme flavor, but more refined. My aunt gave me hers so I got two. SCORE!
This is a unique take on the classic LIANG MIEN in Taiwan, made from peanut oil, sometimes peanut butter, soy sauce and other stuff. The manager claimed you will find nothing like their interpretation of it anywhere in Taiwan.
Very refreshing and the texture was great. The Alfredo-type sauce was combined with a peanut buttery spice and a dab of hot oil to create a surprisingly pristine flavor.
This was actually the first dish served, I just didn't want it to be the first pic in the post because it's kind of intimidating. Also, we had already ate 90% of the dish before I remembered to take pictures. It's some kind of raw fish bombed with a ton of spices and oils. Looks like it'd be painful to eat but was actually more refreshing than the noodles.
Fresh uni on a soft bed of rice, centered on a fried leaf(aloe?) with strings of daikon. My mouth is still convulsing with pleasure right now, 3 days later.
Another great roll. Look at the intricacy and color of the inside contents.
A half eaten shrimp/rice/leaf puff. My camera hand simply couldn't overpower my mouth's desire for a bite.
I don't remember what this is but I remember it was very juicy and citrusy(?), with a pleasantly fishy aftertaste.
This guy looks pretty damn cool but lacked in the taste department. Too dry though the blackened exterior was something new. The fish roe on top was also a highlight.
Took a break from the rolls for some fried chicken dipped in sweet & sour sauce. Nothing crazy but freshened up the palette.
I don't know what that sauce is but bamboo should not leave home without it. The bamboo itself was very crisp and burst with warm juices upon impact.
This was when my camera started pissing me off with the whole no battery escapade so I could only get this landscape shot. The centerfold of this dish was the inside, which was stuffed with mashed yam/sweet potato that worked wonderfully with the bbqed skin of the chicken. The chicken itself was more tender than my buttcheeks.
O MAN, best fish I remember eating in a while. After your teeth break the exterior of the brittle skin and the taste buds catch a whiff of the fried aroma, the fish meat detonates with precision, launching layers and layers of warm fish soup and oil in all directions as the actual flesh massages your gums. And this repeats with every mouthful and very chew. It's like eating a....fried peach, that tastes like fish. MMMM...
Another roll ordered at the end to fill up the stomach. Everyone was thoroughly impressed with this one, but to me it just tasted like the regular Hot California Roll back in the US, just embellished a little more. Enjoyable but not as enlightening as the others.
And maaaan what a great ending to the meal. Here we have some kinds of sesame/vanilla gelatin. Simply amazing. The texture is something at the halfway mark between jello and yogurt. It's not too sweet, just enough to tame the chaos from the rest of the meal. Actually, the sesame reminds of a cookie and creme flavor, but more refined. My aunt gave me hers so I got two. SCORE!
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