Experience Taipei cuisine at Michelin star restaurants

[Wanderlust Tips September 2019] The Michelin guide is a collection of dining venues for food connoisseurs, it plays an important role in showcasing the reputation of local cuisine and attracting tourists. With a diverse culinary culture, Taipei – Taiwan’s capital is home to many restaurants that have been awarded the prestigious gold star by Michelin as well as featuring in their prestige Michelin guide. Wanderlust Tips will take you to four popular restaurants honoured in the Taipei Michelin handbook 2019.

LE PALAIS – MICHELIN THREE-STAR RESTAURANT

Located on the 17^th floor of the infamous Palais de Chine Hotel in Taipei, Le Palais is well known for its fine Cantonese cuisine and many other traditional Chinese specialties. Among the famous chefs here, not to be missed is Ken Chan – an expert in Cantonese cuisine with 20 years of experience in Taiwan. Ken Chan is one of the leading talented chefs who created the exquisite flavours of the excellent Cantonese delicacies at Le Palais.

In addition to the menu of delectable dishes, friendly dedicated service and distinctive culinary experiences are always top priority for the restaurant. The lavishly-decorated dining room is infused with a touch of tradition with the ceramic art, calligraphy and paintings, making a modern and elegant space. After seven years in operation, Le Palais has achieved a lot of success and is currently the only Michelin three-star restaurant in Taipei in 2019.

Address: 17th Floor, Palais de Chine Hotel, No. 3, Section 1, Chengde Road, Datong District, Taipei, Taiwan

Phone: +886 2 2181 9985

Website: www.palaisdechinehotel.com

Opening hours:

• Lunch: 11.30 am – 2.30 pm
• Dinner: 5.30 pm – 9.30 pm

Price: TWD1,100 – TWD2,800 (VND825,000 – VND2,100,000)

Popular dishes: Cantonese dimsum, Cantonese crispy roast duck and baked egg custard tarts.

MOUNTAIN AND SEA HOUSE – MICHELIN ONE-STAR RESTAURANT

Taiwan’s topography encompasses the vast sea, alluring valleys and imposing mountains, so the food here is plentiful with an array of signature flavours. With the hope of creating impeccable Taiwanese dishes, Mountain and Sea House’s chefs collect all of the fresh ingredients and utilise traditional cooking methods. Thanks to their local products, the restaurant’s menu changes according to the season.

From the outside, this Michelin one-star restaurant resembles a charmingly opulent villa in the 1930s featuring the romantic architectural style of Meiji Taisho from Japan along with delicate interior decoration and sophisticated tableware. Thus, diners can embark on an unforgettable culinary journey in a unique space. Despite its ode to history, Mountain and Sea House always adheres to state-of-the-art cooking practices to improve and make progress for the restaurant.

Address: 94, Section 2, Ren’ai Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan.

Phone: +886 2 2351 3345

Website: www.mountain-n-seahouse.com

Opening hours:

• Lunch: 11.30 am – 2 pm
• Dinner: 5.30 pm – 9 pm

Price: TWD980 – TWD4,680 (VND735,000 – VND3,500,000)

Popular dishes: roast suckling pig, deboned chicken braised in pork tripe and fried rice with mullet roe.

DANNY’S STEAKHOUSE – MICHELIN ONE-STAR RESTAURANT

With around 40 years of experience in preparing steak, chef Danny Deng is well known as “the godfather of steaks in Taiwan”. Danny’s Steakhouse – his most outstanding steak restaurant has received a “Certificate of Excellence for 2015 – 2019” from Tripadvisor. Additionally, the Michelin culinary magazine also highly praises the one-star restaurant for its quality and service.

Diners here will enjoy prime cuts of Australian wagyu beef – that has been naturally dried to retain a certain amount of water and softness. The steaks are grilled perfectly over lychee wood to your request and then rested properly before being served. People accompany their steaks with homemade sourdough, French fries and delicious desserts. Aside from Danny’s Steakhouse, Danny Dang is the owner of many other restaurants. For instance, Danny & Company, Top Cap Steakhouse, Wok, iPasta – Fresh, Muchoyaki in Taipei and Capstone Steakhouse in Kaohsiung.

Address: 58, Lequn 3^rd Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan

Phone: +886 2 8501 1838

Opening hours:

• Lunch: midday – 2 pm
• Dinner: 6 pm – 9 pm

Price: TWD1,250 – TWD3,400 (VND935,000 – VND2,550,000)

DIN TAI FUNG – MICHELIN’ S BIB GOURMAND

Dimsum is an extremely popular and beloved dish not only in Taiwan but also in Hong Kong and China. It is undeniable that Din Tai Fung has been the driving force in bringing Taiwanese Dimsum to the world, notably, the famous Xiao Long Bao. Located at Xinyi Street, the first Din Tai Fung store drew the attention of diners thanks to its lavish decoration. Although the restaurant is crowded with diners, they always put the needs of guests first with the well-prepared tables and friendly service.

Din Tai Fung has now become the most successful Dimsum restaurant chain in Taiwan with an array of famous branches in both China and foreign countries including England, America, Japan, Korea and Singapore. In Taipei, you will easily find an array of different branches. Notably, the most popular branch is located at the foot of the Taipei 101 Tower. This is also the branch that has received the highest compliments from tourists for its original taste.

Address: No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road, Daan District, Taipei, Taiwan

Phone: +886 2 2321 8928

Website: www.dintaifung.com.tw

Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm (9 am – 9 pm on weekends and holidays)

Price: TWD350 – TWD450 (VND260,000 – VND340,000)

Popular dishes: Xiao Long Bao, Shumai, marinated chicken in wine, double-boiled chicken soup, snow mushroom soup and braised beef brisket noodle soup.

Lan Anh | Wanderlust Tips