Have you ever been to Yongkang Street in Taiwan? (The 33 coolest streets in the world)
There’s nowhere else in Taipei quite like Yongkang Street, a mellow lane in the genteel Dongmen neighbourhood packed with excellent restaurants, holes-in-the wall sizzling with traditional fried snacks, decadent dessert parlours, upmarket boutiques and historical tea rooms with all the ceremonial trappings. Foodie reputation aside, Yongkang has ditched chain-store blandness for an individualised vibe with an artisan edge: witness its local carpenter, traditional pharmacy and jewellery workshops.
EAT Shaved ice desserts from Smoothie House, a very yellow two-storey building at number 15. Its signature super mango snowflake ice with sorbet is so large and sweet it must be shared.
DRINK Craft beers in the garden of Zhang Men Brewing – there are few more pleasant experiences.
BUY Alternative gifts at Littdlework, including handmade, customized embroidered badges, bags, purses, and earrings. Dinah Gardner
