Taipei Dome Garden City: A Culinary Hub Review

A peach oolong with cheese foam, priced at 80 dollars, was noted for its refreshing taste. It was recommended to be ordered sugar-free due to the natural sweetness of the peach, balancing the overall flavor. The beverage features a thick, salty, and rich cheese foam that complements the fruity tea underneath, making it a popular choice among patrons.

Kiki commented, "I ordered the peach oolong with cheese foam, which is 80 dollars a cup. Their cheese foam series is supposedly quite popular, so I ordered it sugar-free."

The honey-brewed lemon drink, priced at 60 dollars, has a fixed sweetness level, offering a standard taste. While it serves as a simple and refreshing option, it was generally considered average without any standout features.

Garden City offers a variety of budget-friendly snack options, with prices typically ranging between 100 and 200 dollars. These smaller items provide a viable alternative for visitors who prefer not to opt for the more expensive large meal sets. This flexibility ensures that there are choices available for different spending preferences.

Kiki noted, "If you're looking for more affordable snacks, there are options nearby. You don't necessarily have to go for those large meal sets... there are snacks here for one or two hundred as well."

Potato Corner continues to draw massive crowds, with long lines being a common sight at the Garden City location. The persistent demand for their famous french fries often results in extended waiting times. To efficiently manage the crowds and minimize wait, it is suggested that visitors consider dividing tasks among their group, such as having one person order while others secure a spot.

Waterfall, a popular Korean coffee and dessert brand, has opened its doors at Garden City, becoming a significant draw for visitors. The establishment is particularly renowned for its coffee, offering a choice between nutty or floral roasts, alongside its signature financier and caramel cream puffs. The financier is celebrated for its crispy exterior and soft, tender interior, providing a delightful textural contrast.

Kiki mentioned, "We’re here to try the popular Korean coffee and dessert brand, Waterfall. This shop is best known for its coffee, as well as the financier and caramel cream puff I have here."

The salty cream Vienna coffee proved to be a surprisingly good combination, with the salty cream effectively balancing the coffee's bitterness. This pairing creates a harmonious flavor profile, where the cream enhances the overall taste without overpowering the coffee. The unique blend offers a smooth and enjoyable drinking experience, making it a recommended item.

Kiki stated, "Hey, this is actually pretty good! And because of the salty cream on top, the bitterness of the coffee seems to disappear; they pair quite well."

The caramel cream puffs from Waterfall received mixed reviews, primarily due to their cookie-like hardness rather than the soft, airy texture typically associated with puffs. Many Taiwanese consumers have a deeply ingrained perception of cream puffs, largely shaped by the familiar and softer I-Mei products. This comparison highlighted the difference in texture, with the Waterfall puffs being seen as diverging from local expectations.

Kiki commented, "I think it's just okay; it's more like a cookie, it's not really like a puff. I think for puffs, because of Taiwan and how everyone grew up eating I-Mei, everyone's perception of puffs is stuck there."

LBC, a sandwich shop once ranked as the 7th best in Asia and the only Taiwanese establishment to achieve this recognition, has now opened a branch at the Taipei Dome B2 level. This new location features a collaboration with a European bakery, offering five distinct sandwich sets. During its trial run, each set is available for 200 NT dollars, which includes both fries and a soda, presenting a comprehensive meal option.

Kiki mentioned, "This shop was once ranked as the 7th best sandwich shop in Asia, and it's the only one in Taiwan to make the list; this time they've come to the Taipei Dome"

The pulled pork sandwich at LBC features a generous portion of meat, distinguished by its fragrant and smoky flavor, though the pork itself was noted to be slightly dry. Despite this, the bread received high praise for being perfectly toasted, achieving a crispy exterior while remaining soft inside. The accompanying fries also evoked a sense of nostalgia for the reviewer, reminding them of the seasoning used by old KFC.

Kiki stated, "This pulled pork sandwich has quite a lot of meat, and it also comes with...I think the pork is very fragrant and super flavorful, with a strong smoky scent, but I feel the pork's texture is a little bit dry; however, the bread is toasted very crispy"

The seventh floor of Garden City is designated as the "World Flavor Garden," a vibrant hub that brings together 11 themed restaurants. Notably, seven of these establishments are either making their debut overseas location or are the first of their kind in Taiwan. This diverse collection includes a wide array of international cuisines, offering Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Singaporean options to cater to various palates.

Kiki commented, "The seventh floor is the 'World Flavor Garden,' which gathers 11 themed restaurants, seven of which are either first-time overseas locations or the first in Taiwan."

The pandan pound cake is characterized by a strong pandan aroma and a fluffy texture, although it was noted to be quite sweet. The pandan milk tea, on the other hand, offered a more subtle flavor profile, drawing comparisons to traditional Thai milk tea. Both items highlight the distinctive taste of pandan, appealing to those who enjoy Southeast Asian-inspired desserts.

Kiki asked, "It's very pandan-forward, but I think it's a bit sweet. If ten is the maximum sweetness, what would you rate it? The pandan aroma is very strong, and it's nice and fluffy."

The dining experience at certain establishments within Garden City shifts from casual snacking to a more deliberate and appreciative tasting of gourmet dishes. This change in pace encourages diners to savor each bite, a stark contrast to quick, on-the-go meals. Ingredients like peppercorns are highlighted for their fragrant qualities rather than their heat, adding a sophisticated touch to the culinary journey.

Kiki observed, "You feel more like you're tasting a gourmet dish; it's quite different."

San Lan Iced Tea utilizes a unique low-temperature extraction technique, metaphorically described as condensing mist to extract the purest tea essence. This innovative brewing method is designed to capture the most delicious flavors from the tea leaves. The process also requires a manual pressing action to release the tea, adding an interactive element to the preparation and serving.

Kiki explained, "Well, this one features a low-temperature extraction technique, said to be like condensing mist to extract the most delicious tea for you."

The eighth floor of Garden City is proudly known as the "Michelin hall," a prestigious area dedicated to housing numerous Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants. This floor represents the pinnacle of culinary excellence within the complex, attracting food enthusiasts seeking high-quality dining experiences. Notable brands found here include Toriki Taipei and Yedamoku, offering a diverse range of gourmet options.

Kiki stated, "Coming up to the eighth floor, which is known as the Michelin hall because it gathers many Michelin-starred and Bib Gourmand restaurants."

Among the dessert offerings, the sea salt butter soft crepes stand out as a delicate option, characterized by their pliable, non-crispy texture. This distinguishes them from other crispy crepe varieties found elsewhere, such as the "Hong Sheng Crepes" located on the B1 floor. The soft crepes offer a gentle, melt-in-your-mouth experience, appealing to those who prefer a less crunchy dessert.

Kiki clarified, "This one is a soft crepe, not the crispy kind."

Kaneko Hannosuke is a specialty tempura shop renowned for its high-quality offerings and notably generous set meal portions. Although the meals are not inexpensive, they provide substantial value, often including soup, rice, and a raw squid side dish to complete the experience. Due to its high demand, visitors should anticipate at least a one-hour wait, a testament to its popularity among diners seeking authentic Japanese tempura.

Kiki commented, "Although the set meal isn't exactly cheap, the portion is massive."

Garden City, a massive 3,000-ping facility, offers a vast array of diverse international cuisines and is conveniently accessible directly from the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall MRT station. This ease of access contributes to its popularity, drawing large crowds, especially on weekends. However, a significant drawback noted by visitors is the scarcity of available seating, which can make dining challenging during peak hours.

Kiki observed, "The only small downside is that I feel there aren't quite enough seats available."

The eighth floor of Garden City features a dedicated plaza with artificial turf, providing a serene space for visitors to relax. From this vantage point, guests can enjoy a clear and unobstructed view of the iconic Taipei 101 building. It serves as a pleasant leisure spot, offering both a respite from the bustling crowds and a picturesque backdrop for contemplation.