Wandering through Taipei’s alleys, I found a goose and duck specialty shop. I was surprised when the duck meat was cold but enjoyed the smoked juice bursting in my mouth, feeling embraced like with an engagement ring. The coldness was pleasant, and the more I ate, the warmer I felt inside.

In Taipei, gourmet food is everywhere. At Shin Kong Mitsukoshi’s food court, I found a great dry noodle dish called "Zhaopai Gongfu Xiaohun Mian." I couldn’t read the name. The well-soaked noodles were already flavorful, but the surprise garlic-vinegar sauce at the bottom made me mix and slurp like a child. Duck blood pudding added a satisfying touch.

I found a mysterious snack at a Taiwanese convenience store: Peacock Crispy (Kongque Xiangsu Cui). It’s a Taiwanese soul snack. The adventurous packaging urged me to try it. Shaped like fish, it had a sesame aroma, with a honey-coated, crispy, sweet-and-savory flavor. The adventure led to Taiwanese beer.

Why does Taiwanese beer suit Japanese tastes? Because it was created by Japanese people. During Japan's colonial rule, a beer factory in Taiwan produced the first Takasago beer, leading to today’s Taiwanese beer. It’s crisp and strong, like Kirin or Sapporo, making it easy to drink. Adding history to the taste makes it even better!

What’s a dish with dough and fillings cooked on a griddle? So many globally that it might annoy quiz takers. In Taiwan, I discovered "Shaobing," a street food. It had a perfect tan and a firm, stretchy texture, with a hot, soupy filling. The slightly thickened green onions and meat made me crave beer. Taiwanese wheat-based dishes seem profound.

Seeing is believing, especially with gourmet food. The much-talked-about Happy Lemon’s boba tea has mixed reviews on Google Maps. However, when I tried it, it was the best boba tea I’ve ever had. The sweet milk, warm and chewy tapioca, and perfectly mixed brown sugar were flawless!

Flavors and mass production are perfect at Taipei’s famous "Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle" (A-Zhong Mianxian). The thick soup has a sharp bonito and garlic taste, while tender offal and cilantro add flair, making each bite irresistible. The noodles are slightly overcooked for mass production, but the quick service brings happiness to many.

I don’t want to part! I told her. With the flight time approaching, her big eyes and beautiful smile were irresistible. Let's head to Jollibee at Manila Airport! The Yum Burger seemed ordinary, but its special sauce shone with each bite. The Palabok had fluffy rice noodles and a savory garlic sauce. Now, time to go home!

Breakfast on trips is crucial! Not for the daily rhythm but for creating memories. "Tocino" means bacon in Spanish. It's relatively sweet but light, and the texture is pure bacon! It pairs perfectly with Filipino rice. Breakfast is all about filling your stomach—for the memories!

Instead of food, I’ll talk about games. "Mobile Legends" is a hugely popular mobile app in the Philippines, a highly addictive game played by people of all ages and a headache for mothers. I also enjoyed it, and finding a wafer snack with game cards inside reignited my urge to play. It had a strong coconut vanilla flavor.