Explore the scenic and trendy Dongmen area in Da’an District on a 2-hour Taiwanese tea tour. Unlike the bustling tourist spots, Dongmen offers a relaxed setting to enjoy Taiwan's tea culture. During this private, walking tour with your guide Robert, visit a mix of renowned and hidden tea houses, learning about the art of tea and its connection to Taiwanese culture. You will discover beautiful tea utensil shops and Robert will guide you to the best spots to purchase high-quality, bulk tea around town. <br><br> ITINERARY (subject to change based on store opening/availability): <br> 10am: Meet up at Eilong, purveyor of fine tea, right next to Yongkang Park, just a few minutes walk from Dongmen MRT exit 5. Browse the selection, watch your tea being steeped in their unique apparatus, and get a cup to go. <br> 10:30am - 11:30am: Visit a selection of tea shops and tea art galleries, showcasing exquisite tea ware like sterling silver tea scoops. Discover how Taiwan’s 20 tea mountains and 25 unique varietals contribute to the rich flavors of Taiwanese oolong, with insights into both Dongmen’s offerings and other notable tea regions. <br> 11:30am - 12:30pm: Settle in at one or two distinguished tea establishments to sample and savor a variety of Taiwanese oolong teas. At the end of the tasting, you’ll receive recommendations for exploring other tea districts in Taipei, including the historic Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, Datong District, and Old Yingge Street, home to the renowned Ceramic Museum, as well as information on Taiwan’s tea-growing regions.

Food Tour

Catherine was very friendly and made me feel welcomed the minute we met. It was very easy to chat with her. Catherine has a huge repertoire of traditional Taiwanese dishes and takes the trouble to select the dishes to cook based on the guest’s background. I’d mentioned in our chat before the visit that I’d just attended a friend’s wedding banquet (hence the squid dish), that I was from Singapore (i.e. summer all year round, hence the Vermicelli dish) and I love Taiwanese stir-fries (hence the white-water snowflake dish). Catherine was very quick in preparing and cooking the five dishes, and lovely smells started to fill the kitchen and soon the apartment. I was truly looking forward to tasting the food. Soon enough, it was time to tuck in. Catherine and I had a lovely meal together as we polished off the delicious food and chatted non-stop about everything under the sun. My favorite was the vermicelli with clams and luffa soup, which was light and satisfying, and something which I’ll definitely be cooking quite regularly back home. Since I had a few more days in Taipei, Catherine also shared with me places to visit and where to buy some of her favorite food ingredients in town. It was a fabulous experience to meet her and dine with her in her apartment. Catherine made me feel very welcome during my visit and I really glad to say I’ve made another friend in Taipei!

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Cooking Experience

Market Tour

Your experience begins with a warm cup of tea in Ivy's welcoming home cooking studio, located in a renovated apartment just 30 minutes from central Taipei. The open-floor plan features a modern kitchen where you'll learn to cook traditional Taiwanese dishes like braised pork rice, oyster omelet, or three cups chicken. After your hands-on Taipei cooking class, savor your creations alongside seasonal fruit and a Taiwanese tea tasting, immersing yourself in the flavors of the region in Ivy's cozy, well-equipped space.

Meal

Cooking Experience

Market Tour