After wrapping up our Taipei Free Walking Tour – Historic Route, we headed straight to Ximending, excited to see what the area had to offer. The moment we arrived, it felt like stepping into a completely different scene, music playing from every direction, and crowds of people filling the streets with energy.
Since we were all hungry, we didn’t waste any time and started looking for a restaurant. Everywhere we looked, stalls and shops were offering all kinds of mouthwatering street food. The aroma alone was enough to make us stop at almost every corner. But craving a heavier meal, we eventually ended up in a Korean restaurant.
We ordered a Korean Beef and Tofu Pot (NTD 260) and Bulgogi Bibimbap (NTD 260), with a Coke (NTD 35). You can choose the level of spiciness—Not Spicy, Mild, Medium, Hot, or Extra Hot. We went with Not Spicy and Mild Bulgogi Bibimbap, and the portions were so generous that even though we only ordered three meals, we couldn’t finish everything.
After lunch, we still had room for something sweet. We didn’t want to leave without trying the famous Xing Fu Tang Milk Tea, so we ordered the Taiwan No.1 Signature Brown Sugar Boba Milk (NTD 120). Even though we’re not usually milk tea fans, we absolutely enjoyed this one.
Of course, a trip to Ximending wouldn’t be complete without shopping. The area was packed with trendy stores, quirky finds, and souvenir shops that made it hard to leave empty-handed. We spent hours walking around, browsing, and picking up items that caught our attention. Some sellers were even giving out food samples, and we couldn’t resist trying them. Naturally, that led to us buying a lot more food than we expected!
I knew that Ximending is even livelier at night, but we were all tired, so we decided to head back to our hotel before nightfall. Even though we didn’t stay until evening, our afternoon in Ximending was packed with flavors, fun, and unforgettable discoveries. It was the perfect way to experience one of Taipei’s most vibrant districts, an afternoon filled with good food, great shopping, and the lively spirit of the city.
