T A I W A N

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D i n i n g

It all started here in Taipei. World famous Dai Tai Fung is an institution, now with branches throughout Asia, including Beijing and Shanghai. Located at 194 Xinyi Road, www.daitaifung.com.tw/eng. Renowned dumplings and soup; lunch for one with beer 400 NT ($12).

Afternoon tea at Smith & Hsu (No.33, Zhong Xiao E. Road, Sec. 5 Taipei City Tel: +886 02 2747 4857). Offers all day afternoon tea place. The cream tea set (NT$260 or S$10) which comes with two home-made scones, clotted cream, English farm jam, and a cup of tea. Their scones are Taipei's best.

Street eats. Taipei's biggest and best nightmarket, Shilin is a mecca for food lovers and has the advantage of being indoors, allowing comfortbale dining on everything from oyster omelettes to steaks and sushi, rain or shine. Follow the crowds through the aisles until you find a stall you like, take a seat and order away (some places have limited English menus). Most places serve beer, and vendors are generally happy to let you order other dishes from nearby stalls.

Dazzling Cafe ( No. 11, Alley 7, Lane 205, Section 4, Zhongxiào East Road, Daan District Taipei City Tel: 02 8773 9238) is a familiar place for those who often visit Taipei. It is the ‘IT‘ place in town, and people line up for their signature honey toast.

Sumie Nouvelle Cuisine Japanese (4th Floor San Won Hotel, 172 Chung Hsiao East Road, Sec 4 Taipei City Tel: 02 2781 6909) is a favored Japanese restaurant in Taipei. Executive set lunch menus – ranging from NT$720 to NT$980 (S$30 to 41).

Another Japanese place, although far more chic is Shintori. Inside the cool, industrial interior, black-clad staff serve superb sashimi and sushi as well as a host of other treats including deep-fried frog's legs, sea urchin and braised pork with lychee. The lounge chairs make for comfy dining, and the bar is also popular for pre-party drinks -- try the test-tube shots.

When one talks about fine dining restaurants in Taiwan, the name Joël Robuchon instantly comes up. Fans of his restaurants will not want to miss L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon (5/F Bella Vita, 28 Song Ren Rd, Hsin Yi District Taipei Tel: 028729 2628).

If you are craving Peking Duck but will not be making it to Beijing then Celestial is This Taipei institution serves up the best roast duck outside of Beijing. One duck serves three to four and is nicely accompanied by a dish such as green cabbage with mushrooms. The first dish to arrive is the delicious but filling crispy skin, but leave room for the main event, succulent duck with spring onions drizzled with plum sauce and wrapped in wafer-thin pancakes.