Monday, January 09, 2017

Taipei City - 吉峰 香菇魯肉飯 - JiFeng mushroom and pork

Value for money: 7/10
Cleanliness: 6/10
Service: 7/10
Quality of food: 6/10
Overall: 6/10


I'm a sucker for this stuff, I think in my past life I was Taiwanese...


An unassuming place.


I enjoy watching them plate it up as the gravy drips down the side of the bowl and onto the rice. It just looks gluttonous, don't you think?



It could do with a make-over, but I guess it does the job.


The menu, and what we ordered:


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Mushroom and pork gravy over rice
香菇魯肉飯 (小)
xiāng gū lǔ ròu fàn 
$30
A solid start. When it arrived, you could smell the gravy and the mushrooms. It's clearly been cooked for a long time, and for a small bowl, this one was packed full of both rice and gravy. I was quite happy, indeed. As for the flavour: it wasn't overly salty, but it still had plenty of flavour coming through from the pork and mushrooms. Expect to chow down on silky smooth fat - yum!


Oily Tofu
油豆腐
yóu dòu fǔ 
$15
A poor translation, but nonetheless, not a bad dish. I probably wouldn't order it again, as I have had better elsewhere. But, it's still alright. There was too much sauce for my liking, but when you've let the salty sauce drain off, the flavour from the tofu is just fine.


Bamboo shoots
筍絲
sǔn sī 
$25
Again, it isn't going to set the world alight with news of incredible bamboo, but it's a tasty way to get your veggies in for the day.


Squid

魷魚焿
yóu yú gēng 
$50
I do enjoy squid, this one was very distinctly average, though. My recommendation: don't bother. Check out RaoHe nightmarket's squid stall, instead.


Pork belly soup
豬肚湯
zhū dǔ tāng 
$50
It's tough to decide whether this or the mushroom and pork gravy over rice are the best dishes, so why not just have both? It's no secret that I love me some pork belly (I even cooked it for Christmas day!), and done this way in individual soup pots really intensifies the broth flavour and forces the meat to become effortlessly delicate. The flavour is good, the texture is good and the soup is clean and lovely - top marks.


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My final thought
If you're in the area, then drop by. If you live far away, then there are possibly better alternatives if your craving is for the pork gravy over rice, such as: JinFeng in GuTing or ChangJi pig blood soup near YuanShan. 


Tel:
02 2579 5606

台北市松山區八德路3段144號

No. 144, BaDe Road, Section 3, SongShan District, Taipei City




Happy Eating!

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Thursday, September 22, 2016

Taipei City - 京鼎小館 Jing Ding Steamed Dumplings

Value for money: 8/10
Cleanliness: 9/10
Service: 10/10
Quality of food: 9/10
Overall: 9/10




What we ordered:


烏龍茶小籠包 wū lóng chá xiǎo lóng bāo 
Oolong Tea steamed dumplings
$220


肉絲蛋炒飯 ròu sī dàn chǎo fàn 
Pork and egg fried rice
$110


炒高麗菜 chǎo gāo lí cài 
Stir-fried cabbage
$140


蝦仁燒賣 xiā rén shāo mài 
Shrimp Shaomai
$280


棗泥小包 zǎo ní xiǎo bāo 
Date steamed dumplings
$190

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烏龍茶小籠包 wū lóng chá xiǎo lóng bāo 
Oolong Tea steamed dumplings
$220


I have yet to see this on any other menu - if you know a place, please tell me!!!


They are awesome


The green skin is slightly thicker than that of DinTaiFeng, but still much better than others I have had! 


Once split open, the juice is green, too! The juice isn't a strong oolong flavour, but you definitely know it is oolong tea - perfect.

The pork is soft and succulent, and it ticks every box in anyones book! 


肉絲蛋炒飯 ròu sī dàn chǎo fàn 
Pork and egg fried rice
$110


What a strikingly yellow colour! I can tell you right now, that if you use organic free-range eggs from well looked after hens, that this is the colour you will get. The egg flavour actually comes through and smacks you in the mouth, the pork is plentiful and deliciously chewy, and the scallions mixed in give it a crunch of flavour - 10/10 fried rice in my book!

炒高麗菜 chǎo gāo lí cài 
Stir-fried cabbage
$140


Too expensive for a plate of stir-fried cabbage, I feel. It is clearly well sourced and packing bags of fresh flavour.



I do love eggplants done like this. The skin is manages to maintain the shape whilst the flesh inside just melts away into silky smoothness. Smothered in garlic and thick soy sauce, this is a winner, too! 


蝦仁燒賣 xiā rén shāo mài 
Shrimp Shaomai
$280


What a sight to behold!


Delicious at every bite, but a bit too expensive for what they are, I feel. The skin on these is thicker than that of the oolong tea steamed dumplings, too. 

棗泥小包 zǎo ní xiǎo bāo 
Date steamed dumplings
$190


The big reveal...


Beautiful and delicately wrapped steamed desserts - 10 of them!



Bursting with mashed dates, there is a smoky flavour that isn't too sweet, backed up by a richness that just makes these so moreish.


Don't forget your tea!


A beautiful oolong tea to wash it all down with, refilled when you leave the top of the teapot open - top! 


Opening Times: 
Monday - Friday
10:30 - 14:00 and 17:00 - 21:00

Saturday and Sunday
09:30 - 14:30 and 17:00 - 21:00


Tel:
02 2546 7711


台北市松山區敦化北路155巷13號

No. 13, Lane 155, DunHua North Road, SongShan District, Taipei City



Happy Eating!

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