When people think about coffee culture, they often think of big international brands. But in Taiwan, coffee is everywhere—and it’s not just about Starbucks. Independent cafés, themed cafés, minimalist cafés, dessert cafés, and specialty hand-brew cafés appear on almost every street. These places are more than spots to grab a cup of coffee. They represent […]
I still remember the first time I truly understood the silent struggle of workers in Taiwan. It wasn’t during a board meeting or in some heated negotiation—it was during a period when I broke my ankle. At the time, I was early in my career. My leg was wrapped in thick bandages and braces, and
Why People in Taiwan Work While Injured—and No One Talks About It Read More »
If you really want to understand Taiwanese daily life, I recommend you start with a traditional market, instead of a museum or a shopping mall. I grew up going to markets with my family. Even now, with convenience stores on every corner a convenience store open 24 hours a day, traditional markets are still deeply
Why Markets Are Still Important in Modern Taiwan Read More »
For most of my life, I believed opportunity had a very specific look. It was coastal. It was busy. It was familiar. Opportunity looked like California, New York, Seattle—places we’ve heard about over and over again. Places that felt validated by popularity. If many people wanted to go there, then surely that’s where growth must
When Opportunity Moves Inland: Why Stepping Out of Comfort Zones Matters Read More »
Work Culture in Taiwan Having worked in Taiwanese offices for years, I’ve learned that the work culture here is a unique mix of tradition, modern efficiency, and unspoken expectations. What I’ve noticed is that culture can vary significantly depending on the industry and type of company, as well as the size and leadership style. In
How to Thrive in a Taiwanese Workplace: Culture, Hierarchy, and Daily Read More »
Instant Noodles: A Staple of Daily Life in Taiwan As a Taiwanese person, instant noodles have always been part of our life. In almost every Taiwanese home—including mine—you’ll find instant noodles stored in a cabinet, just in case. We eat them when we’re busy, when it rains, late at night, or simply when we crave
Instant Noodles: A Food That Never Goes Out of Style Read More »
If you grew up in the early days of the internet, you probably have a very specific memory: sitting at a desktop computer, registering your very first email, and then carefully writing down your new password on a tiny slip of paper. Maybe you tucked it inside your wallet. Maybe you taped it under the
Why Writing Passwords on Slip Notes Used to Be Normal—And What That Says About Us Read More »
Simplified Slang in Taiwan In Taiwan, young people have created a fun language trend called “simplified slang.” It means taking a long phrase and shrinking it into something shorter, catchier, and easier to say. You’ll hear it in food, emotions, daily life, and even slang inspired mostly by English or Japanese or Korean sounds. For
Why Taiwanese Young People Love Simplified Slang: 5 Phrases to Learn Today Read More »
If you’ve grown up in Taiwan, you’ve probably heard the familiar sounds of prosperity truck (發財車 fācái chē)—those mobile vendor trucks that roll down the street, blasting their announcements: “Repair glass! Screens and doors!” or “Oyster vermicelli! Taiwanese meatballs! Stinky tofu!” Maybe, just like me, you’ve had that instant reaction—rush downstairs, grab some food, or
Taiwan’s prosperity truck: More Than Just a Mobile Truck Read More »
Healing doesn’t always happen overnight. I learned that lesson in Taiwan’s Traditional Chinese Medicine clinics, where the slow path is often the one that leads to lasting relief. In a culture that sometimes expects fast results, Traditional Chinese Medicine in Taiwan has taught me five important lessons about patience—habits, mindsets, and practices I now carry
Healing Takes Time: What Taiwan’s Traditional Chinese Medicine Taught Me About Patience Read More »
