Day 77 + 1: Taipei

I like using the excuse that its because I am too tired to do other things, but its true that most days in Taipei focus around eating

Monster Ice and Traditional noodles
Before lunch we went to Monster Ice which is shaved ice covered in fruit, we had been here before, but only in the winter and they did not have mango at that time which is supposed to be their specialty.  At first we were afraid because we heard it closed down.  The reason it closed down wasn't due to lack of success, but because the owner had gotten a divorce and in the settlement his ex-wife would get half of all his earnings, therefor he shut it down so she couldn't get any more money from his business.  People were furious as it was one of their favorite spots and I guess convinced him to re-open it, so we were able to get our mango shaved ice which was excellent.  We then headed for a store selling traditional noodles that they make on the spot.  The noodles were excellent.  We then returned home and waited for dinner time.  I told you the days revolve around food, especially in the summer when its too hot to do anything outside.

From 77 Days in China part 2

Mango shaved ice

From 77 Days in China part 2

Traditional noodles

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Where they make the noodles

Best idea for a restaurant
We  then went to a restaurant for dinner which was all you can eat grilled meat, beer and ice cream.  It was the type of place where you grill it yourself in front of you.  At the end of the meal they make mochi (a type of japanese rice cake) ice cream sandwiches

From 77 Days in China part 2

The grill

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Lots of meat

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Mochi starting off as sheets of rice cake

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Stacked on each other

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Pressed together

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Pounded flat

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Shaped to the right form

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Left to cook

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Then it puffs up

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After its cooked

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Make a pocket

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Get someone to hold it

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Put in ice cream

From 77 Days in China part 2

And you have mochi ice cream