The neighborhood around Tienchin Street between Changan Road and Nanking Road is chock full of Japanese restaurants that are visible reminders that this area was previously home to much of the Japanese colonial administration. Now the narrow alleys are a favorite haunt of Japanese businessmen and tourists, as well as hip young Taiwanese.
Fei Qian Wu is not the oldest restaurant in the neighborhood, but it is easily the busiest, due mainly to its low prices and delicious roasted eel. As soon as its doors open crowds begin to converge so that about 20 minutes into its business hours there is already a line out the door and down the alley. With this kind of meal-time crunch, space is at a premium and it's common to share a table with strangers.
The cafeteria feel of the restaurant's seating arrangement extends to its service as well. A small legion of servers scurries about filling orders while others clear tables using clackety pushcarts. Food arrives at the table in no longer than five minutes from the time of ordering.
PHOTO: MAX WOODWORTH, TAIPEI TIMES
Despite the clear emphasis on turning high numbers of tables, not many shortcuts appear to be taken in the kitchen.
Most diners will make a special trip to Fei Chien Wu to eat its roasted eel, which is several cuts above the usual fare at similarly priced Japanese restaurants. A single portion of eel on rice with miso soup costs NT$140, while a double portion comes in at NT$240.
The double portion of eel would be plenty for one person, but it is well worth it to flesh out a meal with some of the smaller dishes on offer. Try the grilled squid, which is sufficient for up to four people or the shrimp and vegetable tempura. The best value must be the chicken kebabs, which cost only NT$20 a piece. The grilled and marinated mushrooms and seaweed are also refreshing choices for summer that cost NT$40 each.
This restaurant does not score high marks in the atmosphere category, but then it's the food and not the ambiance that has kept the store running for over 20 years. First-time visitors to Fei Chien Wu need not be dismayed if there is a line outside the restaurant. The owners see to it that the line moves quickly and the food will make the wait worthwhile.
That US assistance was a model for Taiwan’s spectacular development success was early recognized by policymakers and analysts. In a report to the US Congress for the fiscal year 1962, former President John F. Kennedy noted Taiwan’s “rapid economic growth,” was “producing a substantial net gain in living.” Kennedy had a stake in Taiwan’s achievements and the US’ official development assistance (ODA) in general: In September 1961, his entreaty to make the 1960s a “decade of development,” and an accompanying proposal for dedicated legislation to this end, had been formalized by congressional passage of the Foreign Assistance Act. Two
Despite the intense sunshine, we were hardly breaking a sweat as we cruised along the flat, dedicated bike lane, well protected from the heat by a canopy of trees. The electric assist on the bikes likely made a difference, too. Far removed from the bustle and noise of the Taichung traffic, we admired the serene rural scenery, making our way over rivers, alongside rice paddies and through pear orchards. Our route for the day covered two bike paths that connect in Fengyuan District (豐原) and are best done together. The Hou-Feng Bike Path (后豐鐵馬道) runs southward from Houli District (后里) while the
President William Lai’s (賴清德) March 13 national security speech marked a turning point. He signaled that the government was finally getting serious about a whole-of-society approach to defending the nation. The presidential office summarized his speech succinctly: “President Lai introduced 17 major strategies to respond to five major national security and united front threats Taiwan now faces: China’s threat to national sovereignty, its threats from infiltration and espionage activities targeting Taiwan’s military, its threats aimed at obscuring the national identity of the people of Taiwan, its threats from united front infiltration into Taiwanese society through cross-strait exchanges, and its threats from
March 31 to April 6 On May 13, 1950, National Taiwan University Hospital otolaryngologist Su You-peng (蘇友鵬) was summoned to the director’s office. He thought someone had complained about him practicing the violin at night, but when he entered the room, he knew something was terribly wrong. He saw several burly men who appeared to be government secret agents, and three other resident doctors: internist Hsu Chiang (許強), dermatologist Hu Pao-chen (胡寶珍) and ophthalmologist Hu Hsin-lin (胡鑫麟). They were handcuffed, herded onto two jeeps and taken to the Secrecy Bureau (保密局) for questioning. Su was still in his doctor’s robes at