Prologue｜Beyond “Delicious”
The theme of this journey is the “50 Best Gastronomic Journey.”
Our destinations: the world’s gourmet capitals—Paris, Barcelona, and Taipei.
In each city, we’ll visit the most talked-about restaurants of the moment, immersing ourselves in the local scents, the uniqueness of regional ingredients, and the philosophy of each chef.
Our first stop: Taiwan.
Before heading to Paris on a red-eye flight, we’ll take a short walk through Taoyuan to get a taste of its culture and landscape.
We travel to savor.
A single dish can transform the scenery of a trip and etch itself into memory.
This is the beginning of a journey in search of that special experience that lies beyond “delicious.”
A plate that becomes a memory—this is what will make this journey unforgettable.
Gastronomy Journey｜Day 1
Fukuoka → Taipei: The Journey Begins
Departure morning.
The first thing that caught my eye was the towering kazari-yamakasa display at the center of Fukuoka Airport’s international terminal.
Soon to be renovated, this might be the last time I see this familiar scene—oddly comforting, like a small ritual marking the start of the trip.
After checking in, I spent some quiet moments in the lounge, enjoying a late breakfast while gazing out at the departure lobby before the crowds.
It was a surprisingly peaceful start to the trip—almost too calm.
The flight board read: “12:15 Taipei / Taoyuan.”
I would be flying with EVA Air.
Seeing the green and white livery of the aircraft through the window helped me mentally shift into travel mode.
Though it’s a short flight, the plan is to explore a bit of Taoyuan before catching the red-eye to Paris.
It’s going to be a full day of movement, but that only heightens the excitement of the journey.
Our global gastronomic adventure is finally taking off.
In the Air: When the Theme of the Journey Speaks to You
The flight from Fukuoka to Taipei takes about two and a half hours.
On the seat-back monitor, a dotted line traced our route—Kyushu gradually fading behind us as the main island of Taiwan came into view.
Seeing this always brings that quiet moment of realization: the journey has truly begun.
With “gastronomy” as our theme, I passed the time watching a food-centric film—it felt like the perfect prelude to the days ahead.
People around me dozed off, but I stayed awake, soaking in the subtle ambience of the cabin and letting the excitement flow through me.
Game-Changer in the Sky: Bluetooth Transmitter “AirFly”
One thing that made this flight particularly comfortable was the AirFly Bluetooth transmitter.
Airplane screens typically require wired headphones, but with AirFly, I could enjoy movies and music through my own wireless earbuds.
Pairing took seconds.
Audio was crisp and lag-free—enhancing immersion even on a short flight.
Especially when watching food-themed content, good audio makes all the difference.
If you want to start your journey on the right foot, this gadget is a must.
A travel essential—check out AirFly here:
▶︎ [Check out AirFly on Amazon]
A Taste of Taiwan at 30,000 Feet
EVA Air’s in-flight meal, even on a short-haul route, was impressive.
Braised beef, fried tofu, a soy-marinated egg, and bright yellow pickled daikon over rice—accompanied by stir-fried veggies and a tangy marinated salad.
The meal also came with a small but flavorful bread roll—a compact but satisfying plate.
And what delighted me most was the cassia seed barley tea.
Toasty, not too sweet, and deeply refreshing—just the kind of drink that gently resets your palate at altitude.
That single bottle made me feel like, yes, I’ve truly arrived in Taiwan.
Just before landing, the monitor displayed our near-straight flight path from Fukuoka to Taiwan.
Only 25 km to go—just five minutes until touchdown. The flight had flown by.
Arrival at Taoyuan International Airport
Minutes after landing, we passed a vibrant wall decorated with “Welcome” in dozens of languages.
It instantly softened the hearts of travelers.
Welcome to Taipei.
Seeing your own language among many—Japanese, Korean, French, Spanish—creates a strange but comforting sense of belonging, even far from home.
Setting Up eSIM with Holafly: Instant Connection
The first priority after landing: getting connected.
Rather than buying a local SIM, I had prepped a Holafly eSIM in advance.
Just scan the QR code—no need to swap physical SIMs.
Pre-downloaded at home, I completed the setup in seconds and was instantly connected to 4G.
LINE and SMS worked seamlessly, and best of all, the unlimited data plan eliminated all worry.
For long layovers or multi-country trips, Holafly is a lifesaver.
Unexpected Cash Crisis During a Whirlwind Stopover
After organizing my luggage and setting up the eSIM, I headed out to explore.
Even with limited time during transit, I wanted to breathe in a bit of Taiwan.
But then—trouble.
I exchanged only a small amount of local currency, thinking I wouldn’t need much.
“Cashless is everywhere these days,” I assumed, too casually.
But once I reached the sightseeing area, I quickly realized I needed cash—and didn’t have enough.
Running around in mild panic, I finally opted for Uber to get to and from the location.
Not what I had planned, and certainly more expensive—but time is more precious than money sometimes.
That moment of decisiveness helped settle my mind.
“Yes, plans changed—but I made a call and moved forward. That’s good enough.”
It turned into the first turning point of the trip.
Note to self: prep better next time.
Even this hiccup is now part of the memory.
A Hidden Gem in Taoyuan: “You Zhu Ju Tea House”
After the unplanned detour and extra spending, I finally arrived at the one spot I’d been eager to visit in Taoyuan: a traditional teahouse oasis.
From the gate to the wooden bridges over koi ponds, the soft lantern light, and the sound of a waterfall—it felt like stepping into a poem.
Inside a private tatami room, warmth from the wood and stillness filled the air.
Every lattice window and decorative touch reflected Taiwanese aesthetics and tradition.
At last, I could breathe deeply.
While waiting for tea, even the space itself was healing.
The shop also sold teas, teaware, fruit, and souvenirs—offering not just tea, but a slice of culture.
The Signature Brew: “Zhu Shan Frost Snow Tea”
I chose the house specialty: Zhu Shan Shuang Xue Cha, or “Frost Snow Tea.”
Mellow and gently aromatic, each sip seemed to relax body and mind.
Though I didn’t know how to brew tea properly, a kind, fluent Japanese-speaking staff member guided me step by step.
Place the leaves in the pot, pour hot water, cover to capture the aroma.
Then decant into a glass pitcher and finally into small cups.
There was something serene and beautiful in each gesture—a reminder that even making tea can be a meditative act.
That said, I wasn’t exactly confident about how to brew tea properly, and I felt a little nervous…
But thankfully, a staff member who spoke excellent Japanese kindly took care of me, guiding me through the process step by step using traditional teaware.
She placed the tea leaves into the pot, poured in hot water, then gently closed the lid to seal in the aroma for a few seconds.
Next, she poured the tea into a glass pitcher, and finally into a small tasting cup.
There was an indescribable calm and grace in each movement, and I came to realize—
brewing tea isn’t just a process, it’s an act that quietly brings the mind into balance.
The menu also offered a wide range of food options, making it a great spot for a light dinner as well—a detail I truly appreciated.
Some guests sipped tea while enjoying a meal, others relaxed with family, and a few quietly immersed themselves in a book…
Everyone seemed to find their own rhythm here, which spoke volumes about the welcoming, versatile nature of the place.
As I savored my tea, I suddenly realized I was getting quite hungry.
Since I was here, I figured—why not? For a light dinner, I chose the herbal hotpot set.
As hunger returned, I decided on a light meal: Herbal Pork Hotpot (Yangsheng Yao Shan Rou Pian Guo).
Packed with wolfberries, jujubes, and ginseng, the broth was rich in wellness.
Thin-sliced pork and vegetables cooked in it created a soothing and subtly flavorful dish.
No bold seasonings—just a slow, gentle warmth that calmed my travel-weary body.
For dessert: Taiwan’s beloved fruit soup (Shuiguo Tang)—this one with banana.
Sweet, warm, and slightly herbal, it was the perfect way to end the meal.
Then, quietly appearing nearby—a lone cat, poised and elegant.
Its silent presence was like a guardian of the peaceful atmosphere, adding a final layer of charm.
- ADDRESS
No. 32, Zhongda Rd, Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, 台湾 320
- OPEN
月〜日 10:00 - 22:00
With both body and mind refreshed, I headed back to the airport in plenty of time.
▶︎ For Airport Transfers: Uber is Ideal
For this trip, I used Uber from Taoyuan International Airport to the city and back.
Just open the app, call a ride, and you’re good to go—no worries about payment or language.
Perfect for heavy luggage or odd-hour transfers, Uber drops you right at the door.
Referral Code for New Users: mt5xr8sj1qk8
Use it for up to 60% off your first ride (availability may vary by region).
The way back was smooth—no hesitation, no second-guessing.
Sure, the transportation cost added up, but choosing to “buy time” felt like the right decision.
At the check-in counter, travelers quietly lined up for the red-eye flight.
There was a certain calm in the air, and just being in that atmosphere naturally helped me settle into the rhythm of the journey once again.
Last Bites Before Boarding: Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles
After checking in, I grabbed a quick bite at the airport food court:
Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles—a legendary name even listed in the Michelin Bib Gourmand.
I ordered the Shredded Beef Noodle Soup Set: tender beef, chewy thick noodles, and a subtly herbal broth.
I ordered the “Xiao Xiao Fei Niu Rou Mian” (Shredded Beef Noodle Soup Set)—
a bowl of tender, melt-in-your-mouth beef paired with thick, springy noodles.
The broth carried a subtle herbal aroma, rich yet light enough to sip down to the last drop.
Honestly, I was surprised by the quality—especially at an airport.
Even without visiting the main location in Taipei, this bowl alone was more than satisfying.
- ADDRESS
No. 9號, Hangzhan S Rd, Dayuan District, Taoyuan City, 台湾 337
With my hunger satisfied by the beef noodles and a sense of calm settling in, I made my way to the departure gate.
Next stop: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), on the 11:25 PM red-eye flight.
It’s hard to believe it was just a short layover in Taipei—the experience felt so rich and full.
With a hint of wistfulness, I boarded the flight, ready to embark on the next leg of this journey through Europe.
At Taoyuan International Airport, each departure gate area features its own unique themed decor, making even a simple walk through the terminal a delightful experience.
The section I passed through was a Sanrio collaboration space—soft pastel pinks and travel-themed illustrations covered the walls and ceiling, creating an atmosphere that felt more like a theme park than an airport.
There were child-friendly play areas and interactive game screens—perfect for passing the time before boarding.
It was such an adorable space that even adults couldn’t resist snapping a few photos.
A sweet and comforting moment to end my time in Taiwan.
▶︎ View on Amazon: Sanrio Character Neck Pillow – Pink, Convertible 2-Way, Compact Size
And as it turned out, our flight was also one of EVA AIR’s Hello Kitty Jet series—a special Sanrio-themed aircraft covered head to toe in character illustrations.
The moment I spotted it, all my travel fatigue melted away in an instant. It was the cutest surprise to cap off the Taiwan leg of the journey.
Even before boarding, I couldn’t stop smiling—an unexpected and joyful encounter at the airport that made the moment all the more memorable.
Next came a 14-hour flight to Paris.
At last, the main stage of this “50 Best Gastronomic Journey” was about to begin.
