--By Mike Brown, Pieter Vorster and Steven Crook Translated by Annie Liu

Being a big fan of Taiwanese breakfasts, I rarely venture out in search of Western offerings. My favourite breakfast shop (not unlike a hundred others around the city) keeps me happy with "Dan Bing" drenched in that wonderful brown BBQ sauce. But every now and again the craving for a breakfast like-it-is-served-back-home takes hold--and must be obeyed. At these times I tend to go to either of Kaohsiung's two Bagel Bagel outlets for some egg and cream cheese bagels. For the sake of variety you can also try Mr Pancake, whose (in my opinion) chocolate milkshake beats any cup of coffee hands down. They are located close to the train station at 316, JiouRu 2nd Road ((07) 313-4944; Monday to Saturday 9 am - 8 pm). Or head into any of Brunch Cafe's sixteen outlets around Kaohsiung, where you are likely to find decent food at very reasonable prices.
To offer you, our readers, more than just personal preferances, FYI South had a look at where to get REALLY good Western breakfasts around South Taiwan. Enjoy. --Ed.

KAOHSIUNG
Can Cafe
106, MeiShu East 2nd Street, Kaohsiung (Close to Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts.)
(07) 555-7126
Hours: Breakfast served every Saturday and Sunday from 9 am-11 am. Regular hours are everyday 10:30 am-11 pm.
Nestled amongst the new residential high-rise buildings a few blocks away from the art museum, Can Cafe has been serving weekend breakfasts for nearly two years (Saturdays and Sundays; 9 am-11 am). If you are fond of a good selection of tranquil music, comfortable seating and a pleasant atmosphere, then you can confidently add Can Cafe to your list of weekend breakfast haunts. For a reasonable NT$160, their breakfast set includes a salad, delicious multi-grain bread, sausage or smoked pork, eggs, pottage or juice and a drink (a variety of coffees and teas are offered). Finally, the comforting ambience at this pleasant cafe impels customers to while away a morning reading, or chatting with friends, and free wireless access also ads to your idling options.

Riverbank Cafe
302, HeTi Road, TsouYing District, Kaohsiung (07) 343-2883
Hours: Everyday 7:30 am-11:30 pm
For another breakfast alternative, why not try the Riverbank Cafe opposite the Love River from the TzouYing Bagel Bagel? Briefly mentioned in FYI South's March issue for having wireless access, their breakfasts deserve notice as well. Stop in for a good selection of morning meals, served daily from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. The Ham and Cheese Sandwich for NT$75 is a great value, and the Bacon, Egg, and Salad with Multigrain Bread (NT$85) is also a good bet (all meals include a NT$40 drink). For five years the Riverbank Cafe has been consistently attracting locals, and with fine food and coffees at great prices, and a pleasing location along the river and its adjoining park, it is not hard to see why.

TAINAN
Go Dutch Cafe
18-1, WeiMin St., Tainan City
(06) 209-3432
Hours: 9 am-4 pm
Run by a Chinese-speaking American, Eric, and his Taiwanese wife, Go Dutch is a small, cozy establishment that has been serving up tasty home-style breakfasts, plus a good selection of Italian and Mexican dishes, for more than three years. Items listed in the breakfast section of the menu are available throughout business hours, and feature staples like bacon, eggs, toast, cereal, and omelets. There are two Mexican options: Huevos Rancheros and the Breakfast Burrito (both NT$180). Lighter alternatives include French Toast (NT$50), and the Light Breakfast (NT$100) -- an egg, toast, a coffee or a juice, and a slice of Eric's homemade banana bread. If a caffeine jolt is the only thing you need, get a coffee (NT$50 to NT$70). If none of the breakfast choices appeal, try a sandwich, some spaghetti, a pizza, or something Mexican (NT$100 to NT$300). Salads start at NT$50. Eric is a something of an expert on travel in the Tainan area -- if you're not sure how to get to the beach or the mountains, drop by for a bite to eat, and he'll be happy to share his knowledge.