Field Notes
The Oblique Route Blog:
Destination Guides, Trip Reports, & Travel Tips
Taipei, Taiwan: A Complete City Guide
Taipei doesn't always get the credit it deserves. Overshadowed in the popular imagination by Tokyo and Seoul, it tends to fly under the radar for first-time visitors to East Asia — and that, frankly, is their loss. Taiwan's capital is a city of genuine depth and character: a fascinating blend of Chinese, Japanese, and distinctly Taiwanese cultural influences layered over a dynamic modern metropolis. The food alone would justify the trip. But Taipei rewards the curious traveler well beyond the dinner table. Every time I visit, I inevitably leave wishing I'd stayed longer.
A Foodie’s Guide to Osaka — “The Kitchen of Japan”
Osaka is arguably the best food city in Japan, which by extension makes it one of the best food cities in the world. In fact, the Japanese have a nickname for Osaka — Tenka no Daidokoro (天下の台所), or “The Kitchen of the Nation.” While it originally referred to the city's role in the trade of ingredients like rice and dashi, it is now primarily used to celebrate Osaka’s vibrant street food culture and its reputation as a gastronomic playground. If you’re planning your first trip to Osaka, let this guide serve as your introduction to the city’s most iconic dishes. Follow my tips and you too can take part in the time-honored Osakan tradition of Kuidaore (食い倒れ) — “eat until you drop!”
Let’s start the conversation
Whether you have a fully formed trip idea or just a vague sense that you'd like to go somewhere new — I'd love to hear from you. There are no silly questions and no obligation. Just send me a message and I'll be in touch within 48 hours to start the conversation.