DAY 2 TAIWAN in TAICHUNG, Feng Jia Night market, the birth of boba milk, and visiting Miyahara

This is my second day in Taiwan, well my first day to finally walking around the city, Taichung. I book my stay via agoda, stayed in Twin star hotel (a 3 stars). The room is spacious for two people, the twin beds are quiet big, bigger than in Hongkong or Japan, although it's a bit harsh for me. The lighting is enough, but I think it will be better if it is a bit brighter. The cleaning point is standard for three stars. It feels an outdated hotel, but the staffs there were friendly. I wake up early at 7AM to get some breakfast. There is not many varieties, only some main dishes, noodle, some breads and porridge. The drink variation also isn't much, only have water, hot tea, hot coffee and hot soya milk (This one is recommended to try, it's a bit sweet yet so dense and flavorful). The breakfast option is always the same when I stayed there. Their potato fries and fried fish cake tastes delicious.

There is no waiter to serve you. After having some breakfast I went back to my room, took a bath and get ready to go outside. Just beside the hotel, there is a mall named Taroko mall, there is a supermarket carefour on the basement floor. I went shopping there for 1 hour, buying a lot of snacks and desserts to bring back to my country. For me, it's better to buy snacks in super market where local buys too, than in a touristy store, which obviously will be more expensive (Most of the time, it taste average too). I tried to buy something that can't be found in my home country. You don't need to prepare a bag, because they will provide you plastic bags when shopping in Taiwan.

I went back to my hotel room to put down the groceries. I already secured souvenirs that I will give to my family. My next destination is the famous Miyahara store. It is actually a dessert (ice cream) store that also sell chocolate, cookies, Taiwan pineapple cake and any other snacks. The shop feels like we're in a ghibli studio or Harry Potter's world. Miyahara was once an ophthalmology clinic back in the day, but it is a popular tourist attraction today

The store is crowded with tourist, both locals and foreigners. You can see people tried to take several photos there. They're more busy taking selfies than buying what is sold in the store.

The building isn't that big, and it's only one floor, you can't go up to the second floor. There are long queues during the day for people who want to buy the ice cream. The price is not that expensive, although there is a lot of cheaper ice cream store in Taichung than this. My attention is more focused on the waffle ice cream that the store also provided. You can buy it and take a way or dine in the cafe, near the store. Honestly, the taste is great, but not that special. I've tried much more delicious ice cream and waffle anywhere else. One waffle with ice cream cost me about $5.

After enjoying my waffle ice cream, I went to Yizhong street.Yizhong Street is a shopping area and night market near many cultural and educational institutions. I bought several clothes there, it's diverse, there is a clothing shop who sell way expensive clothes ($100 per piece) and average one (between $20-$50). The quality of the clothes there is higher than what you can find in wufenbu (Taipei famous shopping district), yet wufenbu will give you much more style and varieties as well as cheaper price. I also went to Sunshine Plaza Outlet.

I can't believe it's already late in the afternoon and my stomach starts ringing asking to be fed. My next destination is Chun Shui Tang. Location: Siwei Street, West District (12min from Taichung train station) Open 8AM-10PM .

If you're one of the bubble tea lover, or boba drink, you should visit this restaurant. It's the origin of Boba tea. The owner invented the most famous drink around the world resembling Taiwan, the bubble tea. They still sell the classic bubble tea from years ago. (It's really classic, there is nothing sophisticated like xing fu tang or tiger sugar or other boba drink in Taiwan) The taste is quiet simple too, pretty light, not that creamy, just like instant milk tea drink, Max tea, but with black tapioca balls. The tapioca balls is chewy, but it's just like in any other boba. The price is also not cheap, about $4 for the drink. (Honestly it is something that you order just because of the curiosity than the taste). Yet, I suggest you to visit this restaurant because they don't only sell boba tea, but also Taiwanese dishes, and it tastes delicious. If you want to eat in this restaurant, prepare yourself to wait in line, because this restaurant is busy with customer, especially in lunch time. Their red braised pork belly is one of their popularity dish among locals.

After that I continue my shopping and strolling around the city. When it's evening, I went to Feng Jia Night Market for culinary tour! It is one of the most popular night market in Taichung. How to get here: Xitun District (20min from Chaoma Bus Station or take bus #25 or 35 to Feng Chia University stop. Open 4PM - 1AM.

Taichung 08.00-18.30 Sun Moon Lake 2hr bus travel, Boat & Ropeway, Ci En Pagoda (慈恩塔), Nine Frogs Stack (九蛙疊像)

There is a wide varieties of street food in Feng Jia Night market, as well as many small restaurants. It's close Feng Chia University, so many store keeper there is actually a part time university students in Feng Jia. My recommendation street food is the onion pancake, the grilled wagyu beef, and the sweet nougat (peanut candy). I also tried some mochi ball with ice that taste a bit sour and sweet, you can add more sugar on top. The mochi is hot, but served with shaved ice (that taste interesting). Didn't realize it was pass 10 o'clock at night and many stores begin to close down. I also went back to my hotel. This conclude my second day in Taiwan or my first city tour in Taichung.