Flavors from Taiwan's Good Old Days Gang Ding 13 Ban-cho 110, MeiChuan West Road, Sec. 3 (next to the Wan Bao Shrine, under the big tree) (04) 2202-5510 Hours: 5 pm-2 am ( Credit cards accepted, convenient parking, reservations recommended, closed Sundays)

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--By NiangChen Translated by Cara Steenstra

Hiding beneath a big tree, Gang Ding 13 Ban-cho has a name that hints that this is a Japanese restaurant. Inside, it is decorated with simple wooden furniture, records from the '40s and '50s and a traditional black telephone to create an atmosphere from the days of the Japanese Occupation period. The shop claims to sell old-style Japanese cuisine, but a closer look at the menu shows that the dishes are all rather familiar Taiwanese items. Charcoal Barbecued Sausages (NT$70) are a taste sensation of crispiness and chewy meat. Fried Green Peppers with Salted Pork (NT$150) is a combination of traditional Taiwanese ingredients with non-spicy green peppers that bring out the flavors of the salted pork. Oysters with Mushrooms (NT$50) is made with oysters and leeks stuffed into mushrooms, then deep fried. Manager Ah Mei highly recommends the Deep Fried Tofu (NT$50), a humble dish that gets her thumbs-up and is worth a try. There is also a coin-operated karaoke machine adding to the atmosphere.