epicure Indonesia – July 2019

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(from NT$180 for 24 hours) allows for

unlimited rides within the purchased

time frame. Google Maps displays train

departure timings. Service runs between

6am and midnight.

J Getting around via taxi

Flag down the iconic yellow cars -

available cars will have a red sign noting

“OPEN” – or use Uber. Note that cash

is not an accepted form of payment for

the latter.

J The right season

Taipei, like the rest of Taiwan, follows the

four seasons, but its sub-tropical climate

makes it an agreeable travel destination

for most of the year. Avoid making plans

during typhoon season (between July

and September).

J Staying connected

SIM cards can be picked up from any

Changi Recommends booth. The 7 Days

SIM Card with unlimited 4.5G LTE data

goes for $20. Or order three- to 30-day

(from $13 to $43) Chunghwa Telecom

4G SIM cards from Klook in advance

and pick it up at Taiwan Taoyuan

International Airport upon arrival.

J Getting there
Several airlines land at either Taiwan
Taoyuan International Airport (international
arrivals) or Taipei Songshan Airport
(domestic and regional). Those coming from
Singapore will arrive at the former. Prepare
up to NT$1,200 for taxi rides to the city
centre; the 50km ride will take about 40
minutes.

J Getting around via metro
Pick up an EasyCard from any metro station
information counters for the base fare of
NT$100. Top up machines accept coins
and notes. The Taipei Metro Multi-Day Pass

» Kaoliang
Hailed as the national drink of Taiwan,
Kaoliang is made from fermenting sorghum.
It is said to have originated from Dazhigu,
China during the Ming Dynasty. The clear
spirit ranges from 38% to 92% ABV, with

the 58 Kinmen Kaoliang (58% as

indicated by its name) being the most

popular. Fruity and full of punch, this

complex spirit pairs easily with stir-fries

and hotpot. Usually enjoyed cold for

its floral aromas, older folks tend to

consume it warm during winter months.

Try: Now I know what you mean from

RON Xinyi

» Shaoxing wine

A type of huangjiu (yellow wine) made

from fermenting glutinous rice with qu,

a starter cake of mashed grains that

cultivate yeast. It gets its name from

its place of origin, Shaoxing, Zhejiang

province. Commonly used in Chinese

cooking, it has also been enjoyed as

a beverage for its qi (energy flow)

balancing properties. Varieties include

Yuanhong, Jiafan, Shanniang and

Xianxue, in increasing level of sugar

content and they can also be aged.

Try: Coffee Shao from ZIGA ZAGA

» Millet wine

While colloquially known as mijiu in

major cities of Taiwan (and the rest

of the world), it is also known as

qohozi or tinuerau, depending on the

Taiwanese aboriginal tribe. Made simply

of fermented steamed millet, brewer’s

yeast and cold water, the flavour profile

varies between tribes and brands and

can range between 12% and 20% ABV.

The subtly sweet, clear wine is often

drunk during the tribes’ celebrations

• harvest festivals, birth or weddings –
  or when presenting offerings to their
  deities.
  Try: Ma La Sun Liquor

» Whisky

Taiwan shares the same fervour for

whiskies like the Japanese; it’s one of

the world’s largest single malt markets.

Kavalan (from Yilan Country) and Omar

(under Nantou Distillery in Nantou

Hsien) have been making waves in

the Scotch-dominated market, thanks

to the approachable flavour profiles

that please both connoisseurs and the

uninitiated. Standard offerings can

be purchased with ease, while special

editions can be found in mom-and-pop

liquor stores across Taiwan.

Try: Omar Sherry Cask Single

Malt Whisky

LOCAL LIQUOR

FACT FILE

Coffee Shao

from ZIGA ZAGA