Growing up in Taiwan, temples were a part of my life in ways that felt natural but profound. My family would follow our neighbors and relatives to temple festivals, and I remember the bustle, the energy, and the joy of those days vividly. It wasn’t just about religion; it was about community, shared memories, and […]
For me, that place was Kinmen, a small island just off Taiwan’s coast. Visiting Kinmen is about stepping out of my comfort zones and seeing the world with fresh eyes. Before I ever went there, I had so many preconceived notions. I thought I already “knew” what Kinmen was about — its history, its geography,
Travel to Challenge Your Assumptions: Lessons from Kinmen Read More »
Growing up in Taiwan, I’ve always taken convenience stores, or 便利商店 (biànlì shāngdiàn), for granted. They are everywhere—on nearly every street corner in Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, or even in smaller towns. At first glance, they might seem like just a place to grab a snack or drink, but for us locals, they are so much
Why Taiwan’s Convenience Stores Define Modern Life Read More »
There’s a certain magic in Taiwanese stir-fry shops that you can’t quite capture with words — it’s the sizzling woks, the fragrant aroma, the clatter of utensils, and the laughter of friends sharing a meal. The first time you step into a hot stir-fry shop, you may be overwhelmed by the sights and smells, but
How to Navigate a Taiwanese Stir-Fry Shop Like a Local Read More »
The first time I took the MRT in Taiwan a couple of years ago, nothing dramatic happened—and that was exactly what shocked me. No one was shouting. No one was rushing aggressively. No one was eating, drinking, or talking loudly on their phone. The train arrived smoothly, people lined up neatly, and passengers stepped off
Why MRT Etiquette in Taiwan Says a Lot About Its Culture Read More »
The first time I ate gua bao at a year-end company party, I didn’t know I was “biting into good fortune.” I just knew it tasted like celebration. It was one of those end-of-year gatherings where the air feels lighter than usual. People laugh a little louder, plates fill up a little more generously,
Biting Into Good Fortune: What Gua Bao Has Meant to Me Over the Years Read More »
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 »
