TAIWAN FUN MAGAZINE, October 2007.

Hungry for Chicken?

Wu Bai Ji Wu

375, RenAi Rd, Sec 4 (corner of RenAi Rd and YanJi St)
(02) 2771-8898
Hours: 11 am-2 pm, 5-9:30 pm
Credit cards not accepted.
10% service charge.

Located in the east district of Taipei, Wu Bai Ji Wu has been around for a pretty long time. To this day, Wu Bai Ji Wu still serves traditional delicacies from the years past--it might not look fancy, but it sure tastes good. The owner selects and prepares ingredients according to her old recipes and methods, which have kept regulars coming regular for close to two decades. Since the name Ji Wu in Chinese means a house of chicken, it's easy to guess what most menu items are. The White Chopped Chicken (NT$450) is made with indigenous chicken that are only five or six months old, the meat is first boiled, smothered with salt and rice wine, and finally chilled, making it nice and tender. The White Chopped Meat (NT$300) is a pork dish that's been around since the place first opened. If you come in a large group, order the Gua-Cai Chicken Pot (NT$650), which is a half a chicken cooked with vegetables. They also recommend their Old-Fashioned Grilled Tofu (NT$155) or Gua-Cai Rice (NT$30). --By Josie Wu, translated by Ann Lee

Long Xian Ju

57, LongQuan St ; (02) 2368-4899
Hours: Mon-Sun 11-12 am
Credit cards not accepted. No service charge.
MRT: Tai Power Building Station.

As Owner Gao of Long Xian Ju explains, "What you make for your customers must also be something that you love to eat--this is the main principle of running a restaurant." Gao started a business selling braised chicken dishes because he saw the variety of chicken dishes sold at night markets. He knew these little stands were not the most sanitary, so he wanted to provide a place for people to enjoy clean, affordable, and nutritious chicken dishes. Long Xian Ju offers a selection of healthy braised chicken pots full of fresh ingredients; most of which take two to three hours to cook. At Long Xian Ju, the chicken is always handled with care and the portion size, and cooking time and temperature are closely regulated. Try the Pineapple and Bitter Squash Chicken (NT$120), which contains boiled squash and marinated pineapple. Another favorite is the Chinese Pickled Vegetable Chicken (NT$120) that's made with pickled vegetables the owner picked in southern Taiwan. Clam Chicken (NT$120) is another recommended dish, designed especially for those who dislike medicinal flavors. Snack dishes are also available. They include Thin Noodles with Sesame Oil, Chicken & Rice, Chicken Feet and QQ Eggs. --By Joan Chang, translated by Ann Lee, photos by Andy Lin

Tori Sho

8, Lane 52, DaAn Rd, Sec 1; (02) 8773-8875
Hours: 6 pm-1 am (closed on Sunday)
Credit cards accepted.
10 % service charge.

When night time rolls around, all kinds of people make their way to Tori Sho and the whole place gets crowded before you even realize it's time for dinner. Usually, over half the customers are Japanese, suggesting the food is pretty authentic. No ordinary sake house, Tori Sho offers a variety of chicken kebabs. All of their chicken is same-day hand-picked, so customers can really taste the freshness. For a nice treat, try the Steamed Chicken with Onion Sauce (NT$220). The eatery offers twenty kebab items that are either grilled with salt or barbecued with sauces. Store manager Katsuragawa's favorite kebab choice is the Chicken Onion Kebab (2 for NT$90), which is a grilled, crispy drumstick that goes well with Hand Made Chicken Balls (NT$100). When sharing a pot of sake, some snack dishes here are a must. A few of their recommended snacks include Fried Chicken Skin (NT$160) and Soft Chicken Bone (NT$180). The chicken bone has a crunchy texture and not too much fat--it tastes really good with almost every kind of alcoholic beverage. --By Josie Wu, translated by Ann Lee

Yi Pin Huadiao Ji

207/209, Civil Blvd, Sec 4; (02) 2570-0388
Hours: 11:30 am-3 pm, 5:30 pm-3 am
Credit cards accepted.
10% service charge.
MRT: ZhongXiao/DunHua Station

During a trip to China, the friendly owner of Yin Pin Hua Diao Ji, Mr. Cai, discovered Hua Diao Chicken and stayed a couple months to learn how to reproduce its unbeatable taste. After offering the dish in Taiwan, Yi Pin has managed to establish a great group of supporters. Mr. Cai believes that, for a great dining experience, customers must be able to eat well, see a good food display, and receive courteous service. Their signature dish, Hua Diao Ji (NT$777, serves 4-6) is braised with green peppers, onions, and coriander. The secret to the awesome taste is simmering the chicken in Huadiao liquor with other homemade sauces so that the sweet flavors are locked inside the meat. This allows the meat to be moist, and the creamy sauce is great with a bowl of rice. Enjoy the chicken by itself, with a plate of Stir-fried Rice Noodles (NT$200), or in a bowl of soup. For an appetizer try the Terriyaki Squid (NT$200), Zi-Su Balls (NT$45), or Honey Taro Ice Shavings (NT$45). When you get thirsty, try a glass of Kiwi Fruit with Aloe Vera Juice (NT$150). --By Joan Chang, translated by Ann Lee, photos by Andy Lin

Regulations require Taiwan Fun to remind readers not to drink and drive.