Taichung Taiwan Travel Guide 2025 🇹🇼 Best Places to Visit, Must-Eat Street Food, Cafes | Taiwan Vlog
after spending a few days exploring taipei and chiayi we took the high speed railway to taichung one of the coolest and most underrated cities in taiwan first, let’s check into our taichung hotel welcome to taichung we were here a year ago for my mom’s birthday we had so much fun that we decided to come back taichung is one of the coolest taiwanese cities we’ve visited they have an amazing cafe culture here very cool, interesting, underrated cafes and the food is so good everything is beautifully constructed or in this case, it’s like half constructed so this is the very last stop on our taiwan hotel room tour so when you enter, there’s the living room area a bed on a wooden platform the wardrobe area so in here is the shower area and a tub let’s grab lunch at a taiwanese classic so we finally made it to chun shui tang the creator of the original milk tea it was created right here in taichung and this is our very first time at its original branch so here’s our menu what should we order? total: 595 NTD ($19 USD) chun shui tang claims to have created the first bubble tea in 1988 huge milk tea! blending chewy tapioca pearls with iced tea and milk light, balanced and milky handmade noodles with sesame oil this dish is also very lightly seasoned spicy wontons in chili oil has a nice kick to it their deep fried chicken is our favorite perfectly seasoned and crispy braised cabbage in green tea a very taichung welcome time to explore the city you know you’re in taiwan when plants are everywhere these look familiar once an examination hall from the qing dynasty this space has been transformed into an art gallery cement sculptures by wang yu-song made from found shells, stones and cement there’s even a small coffee bar in the gallery so you can have a drink while enjoying the art before we explore Taichung we wanted to share a personal travel hack of ours always download an eSIM Airalo eSIM has really been a game changer for us from booking hotels to making restaurant reservations all the best trips really start with a reliable eSIM Airalo is the first eSIM store trusted by over 20 million travelers including us! no need for a physical sim card no need for a pocket wifi as long as your phone is eSIM compatible, you’re good to go just install Airalo before you fly out then select from over 200 countries and regions around the world and purchase the plan that fits your needs the best part is you get to keep your original phone number you can install the Airalo eSIM directly on your phone with instructions when you arrive at your destination simply activate the eSIM it’s that easy at this point we’ve tried it everywhere and it just works so give it a try and download Airalo today make sure to use our personal discount code RALPHSAM3 to get $3 off your first eSIM purchase (at check out) thanks to Airalo for sponsoring this video we can’t wait to explore Taiwan with Airalo time for our first taiwanese cafe of the day a cosy little cafe serving coffee and tea i think i know this guy… iced taiwanese mountain tea perfect for another hot day out love the untamed flow of plants here such a peaceful city to walk around walked by this michelin bib gourmand shop by chance this shop has been open since 1933 serving glutinous chewy dumplings stuffed with pork and served with fish ball or vermicelli soup so we randomly walked by this place it’s a meatball shop and it’s like this goopy thing apparently it’s on the michelin guide we were like, let’s just check it out woah! don’t know what to make of it but everybody seems to like it this one is a*fishball soup it’s a light broth let’s give it a taste very springy the meatball fell out of the dumpling lol dumpling has a mochi-like, chewy texture the meatball is juicy covered in a sweet soy gravy a very unique but delicious taichung specialty just like in taipei, taichung is full of restored heritage buildings this one was a cosmetics factory in the 1960s it has since been restored for modern day businesses first time i’ve seen an air raid shelter there’s a vintage music shop on the 2nd floor and even a creative pop-up space so many interesting city details it’s like a corgi just rolling around… on the roof it was walking so close to the ledge 😨 i hope he stays safe after freshening up we took a ride out spotted temp tamper, which we enjoyed last year a subscriber invited us to visit their store located in this hip alley of shops the coolest vintage toy shop @zombie_shop filled with retro finds from japan and beyond who remembers these guys? such a nostalgic collection from the 60s to the 90s finally met the owner @kirakirayaya welcome to taichung! she collects toys from japan, bangkok and america she was so generous and gave us gifts from her shop this is from my brand, a beer cup a beer cup and you designed this character poko that’s so cool my designs, stickers and keychains if you guys are in taichung, it’s worth a visit it’s kinda like nakano broadway, actually, in japan thank you, @zombie.shop! luckily, another michelin guide restaurant was nearby their lu rou fan is a local favorite after placing your order, you get pickles and spicy radish even with a line of customers, food was served quickly lu rou fan and milkfish you can pick between thickly sliced pork belly or diced, which is fattier the braised pork is so tender and falls apart a hearty, soy-sauce forward flavor gooey, melt-in-your mouth texture good night, taichung our new friends gave us these gifts from their shop called zombie they are so kind and generous she designs these characters called ‘poko’ it’s called ‘poko’ super cute, shows their hospitality thank you so much, kira i think this is one of the most unique hotels we’ve stayed at it’s open air it has a very unique feel to it but it’s still very modern there are a lot of natural forms the concrete plants are overgrown it’s a very taiwanese take on a boutique hotel which is one of the reasons we decided to stay here this neighborhood has an old school charm to it lining up before this popular pork chop spot opens up there are lines for dining in and take away love all the non-sugary tea their famous fried porkchop deep down, i went back to taichung for this favorite pork chop the fried pork is cut so thin perfect paired with kale and golden kimchi, a taichung specialty they also have this amazing fried chicken leg this looks super juicy wow… crazy piece of chicken look how crispy this skin is 705 NTD ($23 USD) this historical shop first opened in 1927 once the biggest chinese-language book store in taiwan today you can find select locally made products the second floor features taiwanese children’s books and an organic restaurant remnants from the original building a book about cats in taiwan it seems to be very popular with younger kids but the coffee looks quite proper they also have a nice selection of beans took home their house blend drip coffee bags the second floor was also full of people coffee with tangerine and mint tiramisu with fresh figs light roast pourover what a beautiful chandelier didn’t see this vintage store last time we were here small selection of vintage women’s wear and a few retro collectibles visiting an antique shop recommended by kira what an impressive space vintage accessories amazing antique lights and lamps retro glassware there’s even a wall of antique suitcases time for a taiwanese tea break ice cold tea for a hot day paired with a fresh banana muffin a very chill pet chicken curious about this cafe’s fascade apparently it used to be a doctor’s clinic which has since transformed into a japanese-style cafe this dessert shop is run by the same company behind miyahara operating out of a bank-like building from the 1960s their ice cream is their specialty topped with old school taiwanese pastries the perfect midday treat fresh mangoes vanilla pineapple salt cookie + guava ice cream topped with a modern and traditional pineapple cake had to stop by this bookstore from last year nice to see you again, spades pspspspsps he seems to be a celebrity another favorite from our last trip here there was little alley leading to the back which led to some old fashioned houses and a hidden bakery what a cool little find reflexology break after a long day of walking back at the neighborhood we visited the day before came across a small pottery exhibit ceramics by @anmi_mario love these playful dishes ralph wanted to have dinner here but it was closed found a vintage costume jewelry shop @bijoux_de_couture you can tell this was curated by a serious collector a wooden leek by a japanese designer a must-visit for vintage jewelry lovers there’s a bunch of shops on the top floor of this compound a film vending machine decided to have dinner up here we tried their angus beef + shrimp and pork dumplings truffle eggs brocolli with flax time for a post-dinner walk so aggressive lol room for one last tea time to check out train station onigiri for breakfast raw salmon marinated in soy sauce make sure to arrive early if your seats are in the non-reserve car the ride from taichung to taoyuan is about 40 minutes last stop: sunny hills for souvenirs the perfect gifts ralph was able to pay for all of it with the lucky land card! thanks for the free treats, taiwan! last minute beef noodle before our flight thank you for hanging with us in taiwan see you next time
Need an eSIM?
Download #Airalo today and use our code RALPHSAM3 for $3 off your first #eSIM: https://www.airalo.com/?code=RALPHSAM3
Planning a Taiwan trip in 2025? Here’s why Taichung City in Taiwan is a must-visit for your Taiwan Travel Itinerary! In our Taiwan travel guide, we take you on a local-style journey through the best places to visit in Taichung. From Michelin Guide-worthy Taiwanese street food to vintage shops, aesthetic cafes and must-see attractions.
Whether you’re planning your own Taiwan trip or just love exploring new places, this video is packed with all the best things to do in Taichung. Hidden gems, local recommendations and so much more!
#taiwanvlog #taichungtaiwan #taiwantravel
Business inquiries: ralphsammendo@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram!
Ralph — https://www.instagram.com/ralphmendo
Sam — https://www.instagram.com/sampotenciano
https://thmatc.co/?l=AE5F3ACA
https://thmatc.co/?l=4F5B02E2
https://thmatc.co/?l=68EB328F
https://thmatc.co/?l=EC2BE483
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:41 Taichung Hotel
02:02 The Original Milk Tea
03:42 Art Gallery
05:06 Taiwan eSim
06:14 Taichung Tea Cafe
07:05 Taichung Walking Tour
08:09 Taiwan Street Food Meatball
09:26 Heritage Building
10:45 Zombie Shop
12:21 Best Lu Rou Fan
13:33 Taiochung Morning
14:40 Best Taiwan Pork Chop
16:27 Historic Bookstore
18:01 Phase Coffee Roasters
19:44 Vintage Shopping
21:16 Taichung Cafe Hopping
22:37 Fourth Credit Union
23:24 Annoying Bookstore
23:55 Hidden Bakery
25:00 Neighborhood Walk
25:49 Vintage Jewelry Shop
27:14 Dumpling Lab
28:20 Leaving Taiwan
37 Comments
We back. Sundays completed. 🙌🏿
I'm present and ready for another Taiwan vlog. I love It 👀
we back! 🙌
Love your taiwan vlogs !
Going to taiwan again for third time in about two weeks can’t wait 😊😊❤❤❤
What you guys use for film? Do you have your own color grade?
Which hotel were you guys stayed? we are about to book Taichung hotels in Feb.. today.. great timing
One of the best Taichung vlogs I have come across… lots of hidden places now I want to visit…
1:06 your mic is only coming through the left side
Kira’s gift is so cute and the shop!
Taiwan is lovely except the hotels are very expensive
I've probably said this before, but I'll say it again. I really like your vlogs!! It has such a warmth and familiarity to it despite watching it from a screen. You're making me want to quit my job and do full-time travelling instead. 😂
Honestly, the best part of Taiwan is the foliage! So many greens. Also, I was so scared for that cute Corgi!
Mikan's gachagacha(笑)
A pet chiken (cuteX3😆)
saison kissa's cherry cheesecake 🍰 and Forth credit union's parfait It's definitely delicious❣
salamat po
P.S. you must be a Japan expert to know about Nakano Broadway and Ito Junji etc……sugoi〜❕
Went to taichung earlier this year with my partner! Such a great place!! This made me want to go back 😀
Cool video! Next time you’re in Taichung, we suggest checking out Minimal for some Michelin starred gelato!
is it still 95 degrees? Hot and humid?
hongkong pls ❤
Que maravilloso viaje..!!. La variada Arquitectura singular de el lugar, no deja constantemente de sorprenderte, la mezcla de estilo moderno, antiguo y lo que parece inacabado pero no lo está, como partes del Hotel donde os habéis alojado. Y que decir de la variedad gastronómica, que es increíble.
En definitiva, un lugar precioso para visitar con tranquilidad, como hacéis vosotros dos.😊
Un fuerte abrazo para los dos desde Barcelona, y que tengáis una feliz semana.☺
Hasta vuestro próximo vídeo…!!!🥰
Welcome to Taichung! If you guys come to Taichung again, I recommend a coffee shop called Woosoon. You will love it!
What a lovely lady owner of Zombie and her character is so kawaii 😆
Thanks for the vlog. This is my first time in Taiwan and I'm absolutely thrilled. It's definitely one of my favourite places in Asia. So easy to travel around. I'm also going to Taichung at the weekend.
I love the way Ralph looked at the bowl of food with suspicion I would be exactly the same. I still don’t like boba tea no matter what they do to it or green tea. I love most drinks but those erm are a hard pass for me . It’s like matcha just no no. Tastes like the ground. Sorry to offend you lovers of those drinks lol
Do you have the address of zhan coffee? cant find it anywhere 🫶
i like your video
What is your taichung hotel's name?
Love chill vlog like this
I always watch your videos when I want to travel because it feels like I'm on a journey with you! Love your videos so much!!
Taichung is great! Btw we ate at the same place (2 years ago) as you guys, also walked in randomly 😂
the microphone audio during the talking parts seems to be in mono, which feels a little strange when listening with headphones. Still the video is really fun to watch, thanks for uploading it! 🙏
The hotel look so beautiful! What’s the name of the hotel and where is it?
Always lovee your video❤
Great video. I live near to Taichung and yes I agree it's massively undeerrated, it struggles to find a unique identity against dominant Taipei and the beachside surf of Kaoshiung. Is it the Taiwanese outdoor art city maybe? It needs some more art I think… BTW, what compound are you referring to at 26:46? Is it the second floor of Fantasy Story – Green Ray?
Been loving silent vlog now!
my dream destination
Welcome to Taichung
Is my hometown🎉🎉🎉🎉
Great video! I love your channel! How was the hotel in Taichung? Would you recommend it?
So good 👍👍👍