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gregoryfromcali

One of the things that I found difficult about teaching in the mainland was the lack of a variety of foods.

I remember that I thought I was in heaven when I came to Taipei and realized that McDonalds served breakfast!!!

Are things like black beans, tortillas, pesto, coconut milk and good beef easy to find in Taipei?

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Tue May 24, 2005 11:14 am Post subject:

Aye Che!

What does this have to do with grocery stores?

Man you're too funny!

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

And what relevance does any of that have to do with teaching either. The majority of the stuff in Aristotles ten steps to success is outdated and based solely upon his own personal opinion.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Wed May 25, 2005 11:14 am Post subject:

markholmes · Joined: 21 Jun 2004 Posts: 661 Location: Wengehua

Black beans, tortillas and good beef - Costco
Coconut milk - Carrefour
Not sure about the pesto.

gregoryfromcali · Posted: Thu May 26, 2005 1:11 pm Post subject:

thanks.

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

This should be what you are looking for.
Non Chinese Groceries!

Good luck!
A.

davidla · Joined: 14 Feb 2004 Posts: 17

You can buy pesto at most supermarkets e.g. Welcome.
Or you could make it yourself (my wife does.)
http://www.dianaskitchen.com/page/sauce/pesto.htm
David

daily chai · Joined: 16 Nov 2003 Posts: 150 Location: Brussels

Greg, I can find all 4 easily right up my street In Taipei at Jason's, which is a large luxury import grocer. Even the Wellcome supermarkets everyehwere sell good coconut milk in dried or condensed (canned) form. There is a local Taipei tortilla maker, so not only can you buy $$ imported tortillas you can buy $ local ones, that are yummy and more fresh. You can also get fresh chapatis (white or whole wheat) and rotis, thanks to the Indian-Pakistani presence in Taipei. The Shih-Dong market in Tien Mu (think of an indoor farmer's market) sells Chinese white flat breads too, but I haven't tried them yet. They're probably available all over if the market has them. All of these are easy to find in Tien Mu (the middle class "foreign ghetto") and probably as well in the Taipei 101 building/Xinyi district, the upscale foreign ghetto.

As for good beef, you get what you pay for. There was a news expose last year about cheap steak buffets selling beef pieces that were glued together using a food-safe glue. The cheap steaks had a funny texture. If you pay more, you'll get better quality: no glue.

If you're in Cracow now, and want unusual food--I'd suggest Taipei. You seem to like what large cities have to offer. Me too. You might be most comfortable in those foreign neighboorhoods, which are still chock a block with Chinese so you'll get an authentic experience, but they are more accustomed to English speakers too. It's easier to get around in the expat-friendly neighborhoods and nicer to live in them, IMO, because of the diversity.

HTH! Welcome to Taiwan! The weather is gorgeous today, BTW.