Back in the food-obsessed city of Taipei but this time around only for 15 hours. In order to save time, I took the new MRT from the airport to the central Taipei station, and unsurprisingly, the ride was highly efficient and the interiors are squeaky clean with free wifi that actually works! Got to love Taipei compared to other Asian capitals.

Let's all make love. Not war.

My first visit to Taipei last year was filled with memorable bubble tea and temple runs. With the clock ticking though, my main objective for the next few hours is discovering another side of the city that I haven't seen before.

I started off with a typical Taiwanese breakfast, a fried donut and soya milk, at a 24-hour, mom-and-pop shop called Yong He Soy Milk King then headed back to central Taipei station to meet a Taiwanese friend. She recommended that we jet off to the northern part of the city in Danshui where seafood abounds. (insert smiley with stars on the eyes here!)

Nothing can go wrong with deep fried donuts and soya milk for breakfast at this 24 hour joint!

At Danshui's Old Street. Not too busy for a weekday.

After strolling the Old Street, the best part of the day came with our lunch at a seafood restaurant that specializes in mussels. Our clam, mussels and vegetable meal, which had a dose of chopped garlic, was delightful and, of course, I couldn't leave Taipei without the crispy, deep fried oysters.  I also learned about the Three Cups style of cooking, which is a traditional Taiwanese recipe for meat and seafood combining a cup each of sesame oil, rice wine, and vinegar or soy sauce. It sounds like a Filipino adobo recipe but with sesame oil and rice wine. I must try this at home!

Nom, nom, nom. My favorite here is the fried oysters.

Happiness is staring straight at me with the right amount of saltiness and crispiness.

The chopped garlic came in a bit bigger than expected so just imagine that I had garlic breath to fend off the vampires until I got back to the airport and brushed my teeth.

Hello there! Danshui has these characters everywhere.

Knowing how Taiwan is addicted to anything matcha much like I am, we were able to squeeze in a visit to a matcha cafe, Myowa Japanese Sweet Cafe, in Da'an District. Even though we were running out of time before I needed to head back to the airport, we quickly dashed (thanks to speedy MRT) to Myowa and had our fair share of matcha latte, sundae, lava cake and ice cream - all devoured in under 30 minutes. Everything, of course, came in that healthy green glow that made me giggle like a little girl in a candy shop. I instantly went to matcha heaven!

Must try the matcha lava cake. So fun to see the matcha oozing out.

Not as good as Tsujiri but passable.

Time does really pass by fast when you're having fun. My foodie adventures ended, and I'm truly grateful for friends who take the time to tour me around their hometown. Thanks, Lucy!

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Sure enough, you are munching on all those Christmas delights this holiday season. Instead of making you feel guiltier, I've scoured online healthy snacks and exclusive promotions to give you a headstart for the new year ahead. Take this is as my healthy holiday gift guide, especially for you, my dear readers.


Without further ado, here are the top 3 best, healthiest boxes:


1. UrthBox: Get $10 Off an Awesome Vegan Snack Box From UrthBox! Everything is non-GMO and organic. My favorite, Dang coconut chips, can be found in this box!


2. Naturebox: Get an extra 30% off your first 3 purchases! Use code THIRTY3 at checkout, max $15 value per purchase.


3. Love with Food: Discover new junk-free snacks every month and help fight childhood hunger.

Ahhh, the Land of the Smiles... and the land where gastronomes be gastronomes. With all that smell of Thai basil leaf and curries, who wouldn't salivate just from the thought of Bangkok. Alas, I was hit with multiple migraines that I eventually discovered were being triggered by Thai spices, but I continued happily eating anyway because that's what professional food bloggers must do.  #foodbloggerproblems

Pad thai with seafood from the Emporium Foodhall.

This is how I prepare myself when going on an eating expedition and pacifying a migraine. A custom-made slip dress from Print All Over Me for endless eating and comfortable day to night sandals. The show must go on afterall!

OOTD. To find out more about this slip dress, go to bit.ly/poamdp.

During my short trip in the hustle and bustle of Bangkok, I was able to try hospital cafeteria food at world renown Bumrungrad International Hospital, mid-tier Nara Thai Cuisine and the higher-end The Local. A little birdie told me that Gagan, Asia's best restaurant, will be closing in 2020, so I was not unhappy when I learned that they could not roll out the red carpet for yours truly during my stay.

Best Hospital Food Ever
I avoid the hospital like the plague, especially when I'm traveling. However, I was being a nice bff and companied my bestfriend to Bumrungrad, which apparently looks and feels like a hotel. So it is not surprising that my best meal in Bangkok actually came from their cafeteria! After fish curry, a big, fat sweet and spicy fish and a huge rice bowl, I didn't mind waiting for hours on end for my friend to complete her doctor's visit.

Enjoying the simple things in life. FISH and rice!

Malls Galore
One thing I noted about Bangkok is that at every MRT stop, there are multiple shopping malls. When I asked a local friend from college where we should meet up with my travel buddies, he suggested Nara Thai Cuisine at Centralworld Plaza, but he ended up going to the other location at Central Embassy. Don't blame me!

Everyone was starving by the time food came which is why I only took photos of my favorite dishes - (1) the stir-fried soft shell crab smothered in a thick, aromatic yellow curry that had the right amount of spiciness and tanginess and (2) the meal ender, Thai ice cream with an assortment of toppings. As a big fan of Asian fruits, the jackfruit topping is definitely not to be missed. No wonder Nara Thai Cuisine is consistently ranked as one of Thailand's best restaurants and has also expanded outside of Thai shores.

Nara's signature dish didn't disappoint.

Take your pick. Mine is definitely the jackfruit.

Experiential Dining at a Traditional House
After our mall restaurant experience the night before, we were surprised with what was in store for us at The Local by Oam Thong Thai Cuisine. Also ranked as Asia's 50 Best Restaurants, The Local is uniquely set in the heart of Bangkok inside a large traditional wooden house. By large I mean that you need a host to guide you how to get to your seat. This place could be a museum on its own right. Similarly, the plethora of options that are modern takes of Thai cuisine on the menu is mind-boggling, but thanks to a local friend who asked for recommendations from the waitstaff, we were able to try the best of the lot.

Disclosure: This blog has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and the Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #LetYourHolidaySparkle #CollectiveBias

It's that time of the year again when parties and eating abound. With the chilly weather outside gathering merrily with friends for dinner, I've decided to modify a classic Hainanese Chicken recipe for a healthier version with quinoa instead of white rice and used chicken breast instead of a whole chicken. I also paired it with smartwater sparkling to add a twist to the meal while entertaining friends.

Ingredients:

Serve with a bowl of chicken soup and smartwater sparkling. Optional: sprinkle sesame seeds on top.