Vegetarian Stinky Tofu @ Lingya Ziqiang Night Market in Kaohsiung City [Taiwan]

My last stinky tofu in the stinky tofu country of Taiwan was five days ago at Chiayi City and I am craving for one so badly on day six of our 11-day Taiwan trip! 

This particular stall, with no name, at Lingya Ziqiang Night Market had no queue yet it enticed me with its captivating aroma! Oh damn, the crave must be placated and without much thought, we ordered a small serving that cost NT$50.

Preparation for her only customers; us. I am just wondering if the lack of crowd was due to the timing which was at about 8.40pm; not exactly late for night markets although this was said to close at 10.00pm.

Decent serving size for the pricing but the tofu was more like tau kwa, which was hollow and lacked the satisfying texture. Admittedly, it was still smelly and skin remained crispy, given there wasn't not much "meat" within anyway.

Another picture to show the hollowness. When it comes to stinky tofu, the different ingredient I enjoyed would be the pickled vegetables; the ones here were more stir fried than pickled and while it was acceptable, a more crisp and vinegarish version would have been more memorable.

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Location 

Corner of Siwei 4th Road and Ziqiang 3rd Road,

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Pricing

Stinky Tofu (S) - NT$50

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)

The Shortcut to Cat Cat Village @ Sapa in Vietnam

To save money For a healthier lifestyle and to slowly enjoy the crisp mountain air, we decided to walk all the way to Cat Cat Village, putting ourselves in danger from the vehicles travelling up and down the narrow vehicular road.

Not a decision we regretted since this was what holiday should be all about; on a relaxed, unhurried pace, with our faces brushing against the morning mists, and the chance encounter of docile animals in the great outdoors. 

Like the water buffalo, known as Vietnam's "unofficial national symbol revered for strength, diligence, and prosperity"; to the extent it played an important role in the country's culture, agriculture and history.

And there was a second one coming up to greet us! 

The sisters were excited to bump into the two gentle giants! Less so for me as I have had experience with buffalo riding at Hoi An, as part of our participation in the Hoi An Village Experience Cycling Day Tour.

That's when we saw the sign; shortcut to Cat Cat Village! According to Google Map, this would likely cut short the walking distance; from over 300 meters to less than 100 meters, albeit a climb-down. 

Coming to a platform for photo-taking.

Pity we couldn't see beyond the clouds. 

Picture with and of the entry arch before we took the shortcut. What's in there for us? Would there be a booth halfway through asking us to pay for the shortcut? Or some shops that would accost us to die die buy some souvenirs?! 

Nothing happened.

It was really just a shortcut. 

Dewdrops on spider webs are so mesmerizing, although I do have an ignorant question. I don't usually see the spiders around; did they freeze to death after completing their master art piece?

More photo-taking moments along the way. Definitely recommended for visitors as you don't even have to pay a single cent, whereas Cat Cat Village was ticketed. p.s. Cat Village would be much more beautiful though, so treat this as a bonus. 

Climbing down to this spot with its highly contrasting red tiled flooring, with a red Vietnamese star in the center! Guess what would be good at this location? I can imagine a cultural performance.

Sadly, our family can't dance.

So more pictures for the photographer! 

Singaporeans hate the heat but when it comes to cool weather, the Singaporean soul in me shall make a hasty retreat and would draw closer to the pile of embering charcoal whenever I see them at Sapa! 

Back on the main road leading to Cat Cat Village, which was less than a hundred meters away. According to the distance calculator on Google Maps, I think we saved around 200 meters by taking the shortcut. 

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Click here for my summarized itinerary of my 3 days trip to Sapa

不一样香可儿白糖糕 - Taiwanese White Sugar Cake @ Cijin Old Street, Kaohsiung City [Taiwan]

After indulging in the interesting slices of raw tomato with ginger, we continued strolling along Cijin Old Street until we almost came to a beach; that's when a few food carts beckoned me to buy something to offset my itching mouth. 

Freshly, deep fried food would sound so nice on a relaxing, cool day and I was most curious about the white sugar cake, which didn't appear to be the kind that was spongy with a beehive texture. For someone who isn't adventurous, I surprised myself by ordering one to try! 

Boy I didn't regret this impetuous decision; this Taiwanese white sugar cake was like stretched out mochi deep fried in hot boiling oil, and then subsequently submerged in and dusted with icing sugar! 

Looking like a mini-serving of Taiwanese fried chicken blessed with crisp edges, this was simple yet addictively delicious! First time trying; and both Alex and I fell in love with it! Can't wait to check out this snack at other places! 

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Address

Along Cijin Old Street, Near Beach,

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Map

As above. 

Pricing

White Sugar Cake - NT$15

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)

阿榮虱目魚肉燥飯 - Milkfish & Braised Pork Rice along Cijin Old Street @ Kaohsiung City [Taiwan]

When it was already more than eight hours since our last main meal and I still couldn't decide what to have; a search on Google Maps revealed a stall just a short distance away serving a healthy meat I knew would be a winner! 

阿榮虱目魚肉燥飯 - which can be translated as Ah Rong Milkfish and Braised Pork Rice; the milkfish was the healthy meat I mentioned, just in case you assume I was referring to braised pork rice. Pssst, I like braised pork rice too.

Braised Pork Rice - a small portion that was literal white rice drenched with fatty braised pork and topped with meat floss. A simple yet sinfully delicious meal, with its flavor enhanced by the salty bits of preserved vegetables! Yum yum!    

Milkfish Stomach Soup - now, this reminded me of the braised fish belly I had a day earlier at Rice Cakes City (米糕城)! Anyway, the soup was a warm comfort in the cool evening, especially given the strips of ginger in the soup.

Look at that thick layer of skin; so full of collagen that people like my mom would want to eat every single day! The fish meat was expectedly firm, and plump, with a satisfying taste that made us want to order another serving! Thankfully we were mentally disciplined! 

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Address

69, Miaoqian Rd, Qijin District, 

Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 

Map

As above.

Menu (in Chinese)

As above. 

Pricing

Braised Pork Rice (S) - NT$30

Milkfish Stomach Soup - NT$80

Click HERE for 11 Days, 10 Nights Taiwan Trip: Summarised Itinerary for Chiayi Alishan (嘉义阿里山) - Kaohsiung (高雄) - Tainan (台南) - Taichung (臺中)