Taiwan Free and Easy Travel

04/04/2024

[Announcement]

There has been a lot of panic and fear due to the recent 7.2 Hualien earthquake.

We have been working tirelessly with our local partners to assess the current situation. We would advise clients to avoid Yilan-Hualien (particularly the Suhua highway) during this period. The rest of Taiwan is not deeply impacted.

We have received news from Cingjing/Alishan/Miaoli/Taichung and Taipei that things are as per usual for our vendors.

For the groups that are traveling with us up till June, we would have contacted you if we felt the need to reroute your itinerary for safety reasons. We have suggested alternative routes that are equally enjoyable and that are safe.

If anyone of you need any further information with regards to your vacation with us, please feel free to whatsapp us.

**Praying for all the people in Taiwan and hopefully everything will turn out well for those missing and injured.**

18/03/2024

Another positive review from a client that has just got back from their vacation. Loved his choice of words "discerning" to describe our services.

Indeed, after a decade in business, we pride ourselves as discerning to stand out from the crowd and the run of mill tours.

If you are a discerning client looking for a different experience to Taiwan, we can transform your dream vacation into reality.

08/02/2024

On behalf of Epic Travel Tours (Taiwan Free and Easy Travel), here's wishing all of us Happy Lunar New Year.

祝大家新年快乐， 龙马精神， 步步高升🤑🤑

We will be taking a short break and will be back on 15 Feb

06/01/2024

Another positive reviews by our clients who have just returned from their Taiwan vacation.

Thanks to all the clients who have taken time to review us. That means a lot to us.

For those thinking of heading to Taiwan and like a different experience (despite the numbe of times you have been there), speak to us. We guarantee you will be impressed with our service and trip arrangements ☺️☺️

See ya soon in 2024.

04/12/2023

2 in a row. ☺️

Another positive review by a repeat client who has returned from Taiwan.

This year marks the 11th year we are in business. Coincidentally it is also the year we have the most number of repeat clients. Some of their kids were in elementary school when we started. At a blink of eye, some are going to army 😆.

It has been a difficult few years for the travel industry. We are so grateful to be able to do what we love once again. ❤️❤️

★★★★★ "We had a great time in TW, the trip was pleasant and seamless get-away. The itinerary was well-planned, which provided us a peace of mind. Thanks for your excellent service ."

01/12/2023

What a pleasant surprise and definitely a good note to end the week.

The best review is one that you least expected. We thought we were just doing our job, by processing refunds/cancellations quickly as the clients could not travel last minute. We had all been in that situation before when we could not travel due to unforeseen circumstances.

The least we can do is to make it a pleasant experience for the clients who had to cancel. A good travel agency not only ensures everything goes to plan during your vacation. The agency also needs to be empathetic and responds promptly during emergencies.

Glad that we live up to expectations and will strive to do better in 2024. ☺️

★★★★★ "Friend recommended the company for my family’s short trip to Taiwan. Ms Best was very prompt in replying queries. Itinerary was clear and interesting. Sadly we had to cancel our trip slightly more than a week before the trip. Ms Best was very understanding and worked fast to see w...

27/09/2023

How many have you visited ?
Head off somewhere different this year and skip Taipei to truly enjoy the hospitality of the Taiwanese.

See Instagram 'Highlights' highlights from Where To Go In Taiwan ()

11/08/2023

A very common question for those with kids. Do not confuse mass group pricing model with private tours. The latter is more intimate and catered to needs.

08/08/2023

Motion sickness can be annoying. This week tip on how to beat motional sickness on plane and long drives. Always good to be well prepared!
Photo Credits:

25/07/2023

Another good question by one of our prospects. For many of you who are used to mass group tours model, you have no idea what your travel budget is. You decide whether to proceed based on fixed itinerary and what you perceive to be "value".

At Taiwan Free and Easy Travel, we do things differently. We tailored your tours based on your travel budget and maximise the value of your vacation.

Always remember, price is a number, beneath the number, lies the perceived value of services rendered. Are you looking for the cheapest price or the best value?

We love this quote:

Cheap is never good.
Good is never cheap.

[Ask A Question Tuesday]

My name is Jennifer and I am keen to have a travel planner / trip planner design a year end vacation for my family. I noted from your FAQ that you requested for my travel budget.

❓Why do I have to give you a travel budget? Can’t you just quote me your best price?

🅰️:

Hello Jennifer,

We understand your interest in having a travel planner design a year-end vacation for your family. Requesting your travel budget is a crucial step in creating a personalised and satisfactory travel experience for you.

Let us provide an analogy of buying a property. If you speak to a buyer’s agent, he/she will request your budget. Knowing the budget will allow the buyer’s agent to narrow the search and provide purchase options that align with your budget amidst other criteria. It is impossible for the buyer’s agent to search for properties without a budget in mind. He/she may present properties that are out of reach or fall below your standards. The same goes for tailoring your vacations.

Providing your travel budget allows us to tailor the vacation precisely to your financial preferences. By knowing your budget, we can suggest accommodations, activities, and destinations that align with your financial capabilities, ensuring you get the best value for your money. The key point here is value, not price.

It is impossible for us to quote a fixed price without knowing your budget. It might result in travel plans that don’t meet your financial expectations.

With your budget information, we can negotiate with our vendors and our operators to secure the best value deals, enhancing your travel experience.

Our primary goal is to tailor a vacation to your preferences, interests, and budget. By letting us know your travel budget, you empower us to create a vacation that delivers all briefs, maximising the value of our services.

20/07/2023

Our Thursday Tip: Allow for at least 7D6N to allow transformation to happen in your vacation. Less than that, you will be more fatigue of catching the plane, arriving at the hotel than relaxation.

🌴🌞 Travel Tip: Unwind & Immerse - 7 Days & 6 Nights for the Ultimate Getaway! 🏖️🌊

Hey fellow travelers! 🌍✈️ Want to make the most out of your vacation and come back feeling completely rejuvenated? Here's a travel tip that will elevate your travel experience to a whole new level!

🏝️ Embrace the Magic of 7 Days & 6 Nights 🌅

Make your escape count! Extend your trip to at least 7 days and 6 nights, and you'll find yourself in the sweet spot of a truly transformative vacation. 🌈✨ This magical duration allows you to not only recharge those tired bodies but also immerse yourself fully in the local culture, creating cherished memories to last a lifetime.

💆‍♂️💆‍♀️ Recharge and Relax 💤🌴

Picture this: waking up to the sound of gentle waves, feeling the warm sand beneath your feet, and taking leisurely strolls along the shore. With 7 days at your disposal, you can slow down, unwind, and truly let go of any stress or fatigue. 🌞🌴 Pamper yourself with spa sessions, indulge in leisurely beach days, and let nature's beauty soothe your soul.

🤝💬 Immerse in the Local Way of Life 🥘🎉

Beyond the typical tourist spots, lies the heart of any destination - its people and culture! Immerse yourself in the local way of life by spending quality time with the locals, sharing stories, and learning about their traditions and customs. 🗺️🗣️ Explore bustling markets, savor authentic dishes, and participate in cultural events to truly connect with the essence of the place.

7d6n is the magical number where transformation takes place during your vacation. Next time when you are tempted to head for a quick getaway, why not save up the extra days and plan a true rejuvenating vacation?

18/07/2023

2 of the most frequently asked questions by our clients. Have a read to have a better understanding of the "why's" and how Taiwan Free and Easy Travel's approach differs from the norm.

Hopefully, this will provide more clarity to our potential clients.

[Tue-Ask A Question]

It's Tuesday and on every Tuesday, we will feature questions asked by our clients for clarity.

Here it goes for this week:

I notice from your website that you charge an upfront refundable proposal fee and you do not have much detail of travel itineraries listed on your website.

Q1: Why do you charge a travel proposal/travel planning fee?

A: Our approach sets us apart from mass group tour operators who often offer standardised itineraries. We pride ourselves on providing tours that are fully tailored to meet your specific needs. The travel proposal fee is in place to cover the costs associated with researching, designing, and organising a personalised itinerary that caters to your preferences. Without a commitment from the customer, it would be impractical for us to invest the necessary time and resources into this process.

It's important to note that mass group operators typically do not charge a fee because their tour packages come with fixed prices, set departure dates, and predetermined itineraries that cannot be customised. Their approach is “take it or leave it”.

By charging the proposal fee, we ensure that our clients are genuinely interested and invested in our curated travel proposal. Should you decide to engage our services, the fee will be applied towards your overall tour fare. However, please be aware that the fee is non-refundable if you choose not to proceed, as considerable work has already been undertaken on your behalf.

Q2: How do we get details on the tours you have planned previously?

A: We refrain from providing sample itineraries on our website because each of our tours is meticulously handcrafted to meet the specific requirements of our clients. As every traveller has unique preferences and needs, it would be impractical to present a standardised list of tours.

To gain an understanding of the tour itinerary that we can create for you, we follow a personalised approach. Once you have committed to the travel proposal fee, we will assign a dedicated travel planner to assist you. The travel planner will engage in an in-depth interview with you to gather essential information about your travel specifics, preferences, objectives, likes and dislikes, dietary requirements, preferred mode of travel, desired hotel grade, and your allocated travel budget. This detailed discussion enables the travel planner to create a proposal that is tailored precisely to your needs.

We design your vacation with you in mind, prioritising your preferences and requirements rather than focusing on convenience or what works best for us. Our goal is to provide you with a customised and memorable travel experience that reflects your unique desires and aspirations.

That's it for this week. If you have any questions, feel free to whatsapp/email/message us on our social media channels.

17/07/2023

For those heading to Taiwan before 30 Sep. A good deal not to be missed. Hurry ☺️☺️

🎁 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗘𝗦 🎁

✈ Jet off to Taiwan soon?
Great news! We are giving away 𝟰𝗚 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗶𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗩𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿,
it's time to 🇹🇼

🏷 𝟰𝗚 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗶𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗩𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝟱 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 🏷
(𝗩𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗶𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝟯𝟬 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯)

👉 𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙥𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙢 𝙏𝙖𝙞𝙬𝙖𝙣 𝙏𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙩 𝙑𝙤𝙪𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨:

1️⃣ Bring your flight booking itinerary (hard copy or soft copy) that indicate booking reference number, full name, departure from Singapore and departure date 𝙗𝙚𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚 30 𝑺𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓 2023 to our office in Singapore to redeem the voucher.

2️⃣ Redeem 4G Data Sim Card from Taoyuan International Airport.

📍 𝘼𝙙𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨
Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Singapore Office
10 Collyer Quay,
#06-03 Ocean Financial Centre,
Singapore 049315

📆 𝙍𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚
Now - 29 September 2023 (while stocks last)

⏰𝙍𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙏𝙞𝙢𝙚:
10am to 4:30pm (Monday-Friday except public holidays)

We'll update on our social media if the tourist vouchers are fully redeemed. Watch this space! Alternatively, you may call our office (+65 62236546) to check on the availability of the vouchers.

🏃🏼‍♂️🏃🏼Hurry! Redeem your 𝟰𝗚 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗦𝗶𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗩𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 now. While stocks last!

📑 𝙁𝘼𝙌

Q: How to collect the sim card from Taoyuan International Airport?
A: Kindly proceed to Chunghwa Telecom counter, exchange the voucher you've collected from our office with a free sim card.
Chunghwa Telecom Counters' locations and opening hours:
https://prepaidsim.twgate.net/reservation_en.html

Q: I'm living in Singapore but my flight departing from another country to Taiwan, can I redeem the sim card voucher?
A: The sim card vouchers are only available for flight departing from Singapore. However, you may want to check with other Taiwan Tourism Bureau offices if you can redeem their seasonal freebies.

Q: I'm a tourist in Singapore / not a resident in Singapore, my flight to Taiwan departing from Singapore, am I entitled to receive the sim card voucher from TTB office in Singapore?
A: Yes - please visit our office and provide flight booking details indicate a departure from Singapore to Taiwan to receive the sim card voucher.

Q: I can't visit TTB office, possible to post the sim card voucher to my mailing address?
A: The sim card vouchers are only available for collection from our office in Singapore, you may want to appoint your family / friend to collect the vouchers on your behalf.

⚠️ 𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭 ⚠️
Please be aware that 𝐓𝐚𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐧 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐦 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮, 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐚𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬. Please be extra vigilant and exercise cautious when receiving unsolicited messages, we strongly advise everyone not to click on any links that may be a phishing attempt posted by the scammers in the comment section or inbox message. Your online safety and security are our top priority. Thank you for your continued support!

04/07/2023

🌟 Discover the Magic of Taiwan with Our Tailored Tours! 🌟

🌍 Calling all travel enthusiasts! Are you ready for an unforgettable journey through the enchanting landscapes and vibrant culture of Taiwan? Look no further! At Taiwan Free and Easy Travel, we take immense pride in crafting the most personalized and unique travel experiences, ensuring that your adventure is unlike any other. 🧳🌈

🚫 Say Goodbye to One Size Fits All! 🚫

🌺 We firmly believe that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to exploring Taiwan. That's why we custom tailor each of our tour packages to meet your specific needs and demographics. No two groups of our clients ever have the same itinerary, meaning your experience will be entirely unique and perfectly suited to your preferences. 🌟✨

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Taiwan Kids Friendly Tour - Fun for the Whole Family! 👨‍👩‍👦‍👦

🌳 Our Signature Taiwan Kids Friendly Tour is kids-proof and packed with fun-filled activities that your little ones will cherish forever! From delightful farm stays and animal petting to exciting fruit picking and pony rides, your kiddos will be in for a treat. They'll also get to participate in baking sessions and paint their own toys, making this an experience they'll never forget. With 100% positive reviews over the past decade, you can trust us to create unforgettable memories for your family! 🐶🍎🎠

👵👴👶 Multigeneration Family Tours - Creating Memories for Everyone! 👵👴👶

🏮 At Taiwan Free and Easy Travel, we understand the importance of catering to each generation within your family. Our Multigeneration Family Tours ensure that no one is left out! Grandparents can revel in the charm of old streets while savouring delicious Taiwanese snacks. The kiddos will enjoy exciting theme parks and delightful farm visits, creating everlasting memories. Meanwhile, the youngsters will take thrilling hikes and bask in the breathtaking scenery. We're proud to be the only ones in the industry who can cater to such specific needs with attention to every detail! 🎢🌳🏞️

🏡 Bed and Breakfast Tours - Embrace Taiwanese Hospitality 🏡

🍳 Looking to experience the warmth of Taiwanese hospitality? Our Bed and Breakfast Tours are the perfect choice! Enjoy the coziness of charming accommodations, indulge in local breakfasts, and mingle with the delightful hosts. It's a chance to immerse yourself in the authentic culture of Taiwan while creating lasting connections. 🛌☕🤝

🚂 Train Tours - Embark on a Nostalgic Journey 🚂

🌌 If you're an adventure seeker, we have just the thing for you! Our Train Tours promise a nostalgic journey around Taiwan, where you'll witness captivating landscapes and uncover the country's fascinating history. Get ready to embrace the thrill of adventure while relishing the beauty of Taiwan! 🚞🌠

🎉 Whatever your needs, dreams, and desires are, our expert team is ready to create a tailor-made tour that suits you perfectly! Contact us now via WhatsApp at +65 9367 1388, and let's discuss your journey of a lifetime! 📞🗺️

Taiwan Tours Package Welcome to Taiwan Free and Easy Travel’s Taiwan Tours Package, where we offer personalised travel experiences in Taiwan. As […]

23/06/2023

Is finally open.....a must do on your next trip to Taiwan/Taichung

16/06/2023

For those who have Japan in your year end vacation, check this out to have a different Japan adventure.

Explore Japan like never before with our diverse Japan tours package. Immerse yourself in experiential tours and enjoy a traditional ryokan stay. Discover your perfect Japan itinerary today!

25/04/2023

We have difficulty receiving/sending emails.

Kindly whatsapp us at +65 9367 1388 for all enquiries for the time being.

Thanks.

-Taiwan Free and Easy

12/04/2023

A dim sum restaurant that serves dim sum all day.

We were craving for some dim sum (despite not being foodie) 😆😆 and found this restaurant in Linsen Road in Zhongshan district.

There was a limit of 2 hours for dining. Despite visiting at odd hours, the restaurant was packed. We could imagine the crowd during lunch hours.

We loved the 流沙包，and the custard oozed out at first bite. Good quality dim sum though portions were small. Good price point too.

If you craved for dim sum during odd hours, it is a good consideration.

10/04/2023

A different Chiayi.

If you love Taiwanese snacks and in Chiayi, this 水晶饺 (crystal dumplings) has to be on your list. It is the number 1 food for all tourists.

We are not really foodies and seldom queue for food. However, since we happened to be in Chiayi, we decided to do what the locals did - queue for good food.

The shop has an interesting system. They would make 10 trays of crystal dumplings, each tray has 25 dumplings and steam them at the same time. Hence, while queueing, they would start to take orders and let you know if you are "in the queue" for the current batch of dumplings or you have to wait for the next batch which will be an hour later.

We happened to be "in the queue", however the wait was 40 minutes. In the meantime, we chatted with the locals about food in Chiayi and why they loved the dumplings.

All dumplings were freshly made with great fillings. One box had 5 dumplings and some locals would order as much as 8 to 10 boxes at one go.

The verdict: it was worth the wait. Fresh and crunchy fillings, with very thin soft dough. Highly recommended.

08/04/2023

This is the 2nd time in our course of business we have had a negative review. If you guys have been here long enough, you would remember we shared our first negative review many years back.

Why did we publicise our bad reviews? After all, it hurts the business's reputation.

We publicise it to serve us as a reminder that there are still gaps in our level of service. It also means that we are only humans, and we cannot please everyone.

All upsets are opportunities to find out the truth.

For all clients that have gone on the vacations we have organised, and paid the proposal fee, we are grateful for the trust you have in us. Thank you for having faith in us that we will keep our word and deliver what we say we will do. That means a lot to us and it keeps us going strong.

If you have been following us, we are at the tail end of our month-long site visit in Taiwan and eager to craft new itineraries for you. We are one of the few agencies that would bother to invest in our travel planners to find out the hidden gems in Taiwan and recommend to our clients.

We will not recommend any accommodation or activities that we found boring that is not worth your time. In fact, during this trip, we have found many "branded" stays to be a sham and the quest for value accommodation gets tougher due to inflation and post covid.

As an advocate for positivity, we refrain from sharing our experiences publicly as it is indeed a tough time for all in the industries. We do however know to avoid them until the establishments get their act together.

We, however, do not provide any breakdown of quotation, nor are we able to reveal any hotel names during the proposal stage unless you are ready to commit.

If you are keen to find out how we can be a part of your vacation, feel free to have a chat with us. We can plan a vacation that matches most of your requests if not all.

**Update: In case those who have no idea why there is a "content unavailable", the reviewer who wrote 5 same negative reviews on all of our social media channels and some has deleted some his reviews for reasons unknown to us.

We stand by what we say and deliver what we say we will do. That is who we are. In the face of bad reviews, if it is really our lapse in services, we will do our best to rectify. We, however, will not condone any smearing of reputation that we have painfully built over a decade. **

05/04/2023

What constitutes a good minsu stay?

Most of our clients have the mistaken concept that minsu (homestay) stay is staying in someone's house and they are mostly run down, uncomfortable and unsafe.

For as long as we are in business, we have been promoting minsu stay and encourage our clients to have a localised Taiwanese experience by staying in minsu.

All the minsu we recommend are registered and been tried and tested.

During our Yilan site visiting, we were pleasantly surprised by this minsu we stayed in that we termed as "good minsu"

The accommodation is clean and spacious, with separate shower. It spots good views all round, you can spend hours looking at the padi fields. A good way to unwind and chill.

The next morning, the breakfast is a surprise. It is freshly prepared by the hostess, not your typical buffet. There is fried fish (and sometimes fried chicken) if you stay consecutive days, fried vegetables and some side dishes with porridge. We rated it as the breakfasts in our stay in Taiwan.

They have about 5 rooms and we were lucky we managed to secure one despite our short notice.

Highly recommended for those who want to experience the true minsu spirit.

03/04/2023

Kids, this post is for you. Due to last minute changes to our schedule, we chanced upon this kids friendly hotel in Chiayi. Service and amenities were so good that we stayed for 2 nights.

A 5 stars hotel, it spotted a Merry Go Round, a racing track, video arcade, kids club, train ride and a huge soccer field.

Needless to say, it feeds the child in us 😆😆. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly with pictures and video games 🙃🙃

What we like about the hotel apart from the amenities are the services and attitude of the staff. You rarely have to wait for more than 30 seconds for the lift. Even for checkout, it took less than 2 minutes. If you need anything for the room, the staff will accede to requests within 5 minutes.

Breakfast is a good spread of western and Taiwanese buffet, one of the best we had for a long time.

Price point: it is selling 5 stars service at a 4 stars price, great value for price.

Our recommendation: stay at least 2 nights and visit the surroundings of Chiayi, Alishan and Nantou all within 1 hour of drive. It will be a new addition to our signature tour.

If we do head this way again, we will be back. We rate it as out best stay for this site visit.

03/04/2023

We are heading there next week. Anyone wants to join us ? 😀

01/04/2023

A special place in Taiwan - Kenting.

In 2010, we did our first backpacking trip to Taiwan and Kenting was our first destination. It took us 6 hours, from Taoyuan airport to Kaohsiung via high speed rail, and a local bus before reaching Kenting.

During that trip, we met someone that planted the seeds of specialising in customising tours for clients. A year later, Taiwan Free and Easy was born. The rest was history.

10 over years have passed and we are finally back in Kenting. The skies are blue, pace of life is relaxed, and your best friend is the sea. Indeed a good place to reflect in life and do nothing.

Kenting is highly recommended as a summer destination. Once you are here, you immediately feel relaxed and even the cars are traveling at a slow speed. There is no rush.

We ❤ Kenting and thank you for all the wonderful memories.

How about heading to Kenting for your upcoming June vacation and do something different in Taiwan? Parents, you can relax while your kids are busy indulging with the sand and sea.

Hit us up if you are keen to explore the hidden gem of Taiwan.

30/03/2023

Another must try experience in Chishang (池上) has to be the bento set (池上便当). Chishang is famous for its bento, and in the olden days when the train stopped at Chishang station, many would rush to buy the bento set to accompany their train journey.

After our first try at 悟饕池上飯包文化故事館, we were sorely disappointed. First, it was transactional and the clients don't have a face. No small talks nor any chats. Just ordered what you wanted and buzz off.

Check the second picture, it looked like the Japanese "plastic" bento set for display. Everything, ranging from the rice to the meat and sausages were salty and hard, hardly of what we called the "must try".

We knew there were a couple of bento shops near the train station. This time round, we picked a vegetarian bento store: 吉祥轩池上便当。Even the experience was different. It was a home made setting, and the old grandma was very friendly and chatted with us. The bento consisted of 8 different side dishes and it cost NT80.

Oh boy, it was flavorsome and the rice was soft and chewy. The mock meat (mushroom) was seasoned well (not too salty). In fact it was so delicious that we made a detour the next day to take away for our lunches.

Moral of the story: the oldest shop and the most hype shop need not necessary serve the best food. Always check the attitudes of the store. A positive store owner is usually a good chef.

If you are in the vicinity, we highly recommend you give 吉祥轩a try. They are just located outside Chishang train station.