16 March 2012
Shilin night market
Apparently, the biggest night market in the world. But any claim to something being the biggest is generally bullshit, as Taipei 101 is still making that claim despite burj khalfia.
It has been moved back into the original building since I was last here, as it burnt down at some point. Not sure what moved, it just seems bigger.
Theres too much to see here to take it all in, I dont know how you would find anything specific, your only option is to move with the tide of people and hope to grab something as you go past.
In a non neon shopping related story, I washed my hair with the hotel shampoo. I now smell strongly of bubble gum.
I walked north instead of taking the train all the way. And I came to this shop selling nothing but portugese egg tarts.
They looked great, so I wanted one. Thats a problem, they only sell them boxed with a minimum quantity of 6, which costs about $2.
I tried asking in Chinese thinking I might be getting white guyed.
Wo yao ee jer ge?
Of course the guy answered in excellent english, We only sell them by the box, but I will happily give you one to try.
Now I felt bad so I bought a box of 6! I cant eat all 6 and I was just setting off on a walk, so I ate 2 and gave the rest to some kids at a nearby bus stop.
They seemed grateful. I didnt take a photo of this, as it already seemed a bit too much like the free candy van.
The entrance to the clothing section of the market.
The old food street.
I got my dinner from the same place I did last time. I didnt need a full meal after my custard tarts. This place cooks little cakes as they call it, in 44 gallon drums with charcoal in them, giving them a smoky flavour.
I got one peppered pork and a black sesame for dessert. Fantastic, a bit like a pide but a smoky flavour with pastry like a pizza base out of a wood oven.
I assume this is the newly rebuilt area, not so crowded at ground level.
But head down into the food court and its ridiculous. Probably the most chaotic place I have been to in my life.
Theres tiny tables in amongst the people pushing past, I dont know how you could relax whilst sitting at one eating your pigs heart soup.
crabs seemed very popular. Its amusing to see small children who can barely talk sucking on various bits of crab.
Giant sausages as big as my arm.
Omelette world, generally made with oysters
This concept was popular and seemed so bizzarre I had to give it a go. Its called something like pastry package cookie crush.
They take some deep fried crunchy cookie dough, put it on some freshly rolled out uncooked dough, smash it into crumbs, and a sprinkle of something, and wrap it up like a burrito.
So its deep fried dough wrapped in uncooked dough.
It tasted like nothing much at all, I dont get it!
Heres what you end up with.
You know the drill by now.
On my way home I purchased a rocket launcher.