#sun cake

Taiwan Sun Cake / Taiyang Bing (Vegan-Adaptable)

1. Taichung Cultural & Creative Industries Park

With a similar vibe to Taipei’s Huashan and Songshan Culture Park, Taichung’s version features a few limited exhibits, cafes, and rentable areas. Currently the rent-out area was for architecture students who were displaying their final projects. The models were beautiful so I actually quite enjoyed that XD

As we went on a weekend, their hand-made flea market was open. Stalls were filled with items I’ve never seen before and I couldn’t resist buying a few things.

This day was also SCORCHING HOT so those drink stalls were making bank, I’m sure. One of the only days I ever had to put up an umbrella to block out the sun. 

  2. Miyahara 宮原眼科

What was once a Japanese optometrist, the store design has stayed exquisite like visiting an old library in a castle.

Better yet, this place is now run as a bakery. 

Sweet lord help me. Pastries and a beautiful set up ?? 

The boxes and wrapping tape are gorgeous as well! I ended up taking these back to Canada for my family XD 

If this isn’t perfect enough, there is a restaurant upstairs where you can eat their famous ice cream!!! (And other food, you know, if you can resist not having their ice cream as a meal) 

Luckily that day, there was no line so I went for it! 

The minimum per person was about NT$360 which is pretty steep for Taiwan. However, once you get a meal and a drink for one person, you’ll already reach that. 

If the drink doesnt speak for itself, I ordered a caramel macchiato (go big or go home, right? Already going to eat ice cream anyway XD) 

When you order ice cream, you are able to pick a few toppings for it. It comes over in this beautiful case where an employee will help you pick them out, give you an introduction, and place it on your ice cream in the prettiest way.

Dead.

This one features four flavours of ice cream and I believe it was five toppings.

The 80% dark chocolate was my favourite. It was so rich and creamy.

I remember that even the place mats and menu were so beautiful, even though they were made from paper. My friend and I tried to steal them and put them in our bag and when a staff member saw us, she told us to take them out (which we thought we were in trouble) but actually she brought over a brand new one all rolled up for us to take home. So sweet!

3. Totoro Bus Stop 立體龍貓公車站

A super cute place made by an artist has been set up for travelers to come and take photos freely. 

As the road is small, you have to be careful when you’re taking photos as if you want everything in frame, you’ll have to stand in the middle of the road.

Some people may be lined up on the opposite side of the road as well. Most people are there to take a little photoshoot anyway, so don’t worry about taking up some time to get a great shot!

Although this was a small thing to do, I really enjoyed walking over from the train station, taking in the local vibes, and then getting a few photos here :) 

4. 磯浜日本料理

Keeping with our makeshift Japanese theme today, we thought we would finish off with a little Japanese dinner.

On the right, 和風 salad (this translates to like, a peaceful breeze, but actually its just a type of japanese salad dressing, dont get excited XD), the middle is an assortment of tempura, and the left is an assortment of sashimi. 

The quantity may look small, but the quality (especially of the fish) was amazing :) 

While Taichung may look like a far trip from Taipei, even a day trip down there on the bus or high speed train would be worth it! 

I can not stress enough about the importance of leaving the Taipei area to experience life and scenery outside of Taipei. There is so much that Taiwan has to offer :) 

Locations: 

1. Taichung Cultural & Creative Industries Park

台中市南區復興路三段362號 362 Fuxing Road Section 3, South District, Taichung

2. Miyahara 宮原眼科

台中市中區中山路20號 20 Zhongshan Road, Central District, Taichung

3. Totoro Bus Stop 立體龍貓公車站

台中市大里區喬城路133號 133 Qiaocheng Road, Dali District, Taichung

4. 磯浜日本料理