Family

My return to Taiwan has certainly helped me improve my Chinese but that wasn't the sole reason why I returned to Taiwan. When I wrote my scholarship application I mentioned how important it was for me to return to Taiwan to see my host families. The last time I was in Taiwan my host families did everything from taking me to the doctor's office to keeping me full (not an easy task). During the past two months I've been able to see all three of my host families and it's been great. During these few months I've seen my host father become president of the Rotary club, gone to the zoo with my host sister, visited the beach, watched my host sister's dance performance, and gone hiking with my host brother. Out of everything that Taipei and Taiwan has to offer my favorite moments have been spent with my host families. I'd rather eat a meal at their house than go to Din Tai Fung. 

I'm frequently asked why my surname is 林(lin) and I always get a laugh when I tell them it was my first host family's surname. I never thought I'd use the term "host cousin" but in fact I eat meals, go hiking, and hang out with my host cousins. My host uncle even picked me up from the airport. 

I owe so much to my host families. I hope they understand how much I appreciate all of the meals. I can't thank them enough. They continue to encourage and inspire me to learn Chinese. I know that my parents are also thankful for everything that my host families have done for me. I hope that one day they'll have the opportunity to meet. 

Rotary meeting with my host sisters and host father 

Host mother and a wonderful meal

Nothing beats home cooking

My host father and even found me a running partner

My host sister and I kayaking

Mango Ice with my host family

Hiking trip with my host brother and host cousin

Family dinner 

Mango Ice

Today I visited the famous YongKang street (永康街). The street is filled with incredible restaurants. It's also the place of the original Din Tai Fung. There are plenty of other incredible restaurants on the street although the prices here are a bit higher than the rest of Taipei. The defining element of YongKang Street is the Mango Ice shops. Mango ice at it's simplest involves thinly shaved ice and diced mangoes. Variations include adding other fruits such as kiwis or strawberries, mango ice-cream, mango sorbet, pudding, or even red-beans. Although the idea of shaved ice sounds rather tasteless it is far from bland. The mango and mango juices flavor the finely shaved ice quite well, thus creating a delicious and refreshing treat. I've been told at one point there was a mango-ice restaurant on YongKang Street that was so famous other people opened restaurants nearby in order to draw the costumers that wanted to have a meal before their mango-ice dessert. Much to the dismay of the restaurant owners the couple who owned the famous mango-ice restaurant got divorced. My friend jokes that the government in Taipei hired the best marriage counselor to try and get the couple back together. Although they haven't been re-united there are still plenty of quality mango-ice shops along YongKang Street.

Mango-ice with mango, kiwi, and strawberries 

Yum 

Din Tai Fung

Last week I went to a world renowned restaurant called Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐). The restaurant was founded in Taiwan and has since opened shops around the world including one in Seattle and Los Angeles. They're world famous Xiao long bao or 小龍包. These Xiaolongbao are a type of dumpling that are usually associated with Shanghai. These dumplings are often filled with pork but the shrimp and winter-melon are particularly tasty in the summer. What makes the Xiaolongbao different from other dumplings is that there is soup in the filling. This makes them particularly tasty. The Xiaolongbao are served in the bamboo steamer that they were cooked in. The preferred eating method is to take the Xiaolongbao and place it in a spoon. While on the spoon the Xiaolongbao is opened to let the soup out. The next step is to add finely cut slices of ginger soaked in soy sauce and vineager to the spoon. They taste unbelievable, possibly one of my favorite dishes.  Ask any-one about the quality of Xiaolongbao at Din Tai Fung and there is a good chance they'll tell you they have the best. I went with my good friend Alex, who loves cooking so much he had to make his own dish at our table. I've visited Din Tai Fung before but this was my first trip to the original. It was all delicious and I'd recommend going if you ever have the chance.

Here is a link to they're website for those who are interested.
http://www.dintaifungusa.com/about_us.html