Tamkang's Top Eats

When you walk into Kooks, you'll see surrealist paintings, English novels, and a cash register on a stomach-height, white brick wall. Not your average Taiwanese eatery, you may say.

That's because Kooks is a western-style restaurant owned by a Canadian ex-pat and his wife right here in Danshui. Kooks offers an extensive menu with a vast variety of burgers, wraps, pitas and salads, as well as sodas, beers, and wines. It's known for its large servings, its crispy fries, its big burgers (that send juices trickling down your hands), its well-seasoned sauces and its reasonable prices.

Although at peak times you may wait a little while for your meal, Kooks remains a favorite among locals and ex-pats alike. So, while studying at Tamkang, come give it a try!

If you walk past Yi Ding Xiang of an evening, you may have to veer slightly to your right to avoid the crowds of queuing customers that spill out onto the road.

Why the long lines, you may ask?

The answer is simple: succulent steamed dumplings, tender beef-flavored wraps, and delectable red bean dumplings. All the food at Yi Ding Xiang is made on the spot, right before your eyes.

Steamed Dumplings ('Xiaolongbao'):
Xiaolongbao are made from balls of finely minced pork and other meats, which are wrapped in dough and then steamed in little bamboo baskets. The local standards for 'great' xiaolongbao include: a thin outer layer or 'skin', plenty of meat filling and abundant juices; Yi Ding Xiang's xiaolongbao meet each of these criteria. But be careful, the juices in the xiaolongbao have been known to squirt out onto the hands and clothes of unsuspecting customers!

Beef-flavored wraps:
This is without doubt Yi Ding Xiang's signature dish. It consists of sliced cucumbers, spring onions, soft strips of beef, sweet bean sauce and a crisp pastry crust. One bite of the flavor filled wrap and you'll be hooked.

Red bean dumplings:
Yi Ding Xiang's red bean dumplings contain a unique mochi-style red bean filling wrapped in thin xiaolongbao pastry. This mixture of sweet red bean filling and savory dumpling skin is the perfect way to end an unforgettable culinary experience.

Yao Yao (the pronunciation of "Yao" rhymes with "how") Ramen Noodles is somewhat of an institution among the clustering of shops and stalls that surround the TKU Tamsui Campus. Now in its ninth year of operation, Yao Yao is unique because of its noodles, its soups and sauces, and its amiable owner, Mr. Zhou, who can often be found sitting and chatting with the customers.

Unlike most ramen noodle shops in Taiwan, Yao Yao's food contains no MSG and not a drop of oil. Instead, the flavor comes from stewing vegetables, mushrooms or stockfish and kelp, which are used as bases for the soups and sauces. The sauces are made in-shop, almost daily, so they are fresh. And check out the size of their vegetarian 'dry noodles', which in fact aren't dry at all, but coated with trickles of hand-made soy sauce.

Mr. Zhou's insistence on serving high-quality, healthy meals has ensured a vast and loyal customer base. One of their regular customers commented that "Yao Yao was my first choice when I arrived in Danshui. The food is healthy and delicious. It's not salty or oily, and you always get a good range of vegetables. Most importantly, the owner is kind and friendly, and treats his customers like friends".

So for the best-tasting and most nutritious noodle soups in Danshui, come try Yao Yao.

We've all heard of bed and breakfast, but how about "bread and breakfast"?

MaiDeDuo is known for its variously flavored breads and western breakfasts. The breads, which come with the breakfasts, are unique by virtue of their colors. The pink bread is made from ground rose petals - it even smells like rose petals. The light green bread consists of crushed seaweed. In all, there are six different flavors: rose petal, seaweed, sesame, wholegrain, original, and cheese. The secret behind their tasty breads and pastries: an owner with 20 plus years of experience in baking.

Yet MaiDeDuo's real drawcard are its western breakfasts. Students' favorites include German sausage, chicken fillet marinated in orange sauce, crispy cod fillet, and crunchy fried chicken. These are served with fried eggs, cheese and salad if you order the set meal. Want something lighter? Try one of the delicious seasoned fillets on a freshly-baked bagel.

MaiDeDuo's unique flavor has ensured it is a favorite among students for breakfast, brunch, and even lunch. So make sure to put it on your list of places to eat while studying at TKU.

Care for some hand-made bagels?
How about freshly-baked breads that crunch and then melt in your mouth?

Located a stone's throw away from the TKU Tamsui Campus, Dundas Street offers a range of high quality western foods: from tender fillets and al dente pasta, to wholesome salads and vegetable frittatas. What's more, the pastries and drinks (including coffee) are all you can eat and drink!

However, what sets Dundas Street apart is not its drinks but its pastries. The bagels are soft and warm, while the breads have a crispy outer layer and come in a variety of delicious flavors: onion, cheese, olive, cranberry, and chocolate.

This, coupled with the reasonable prices, is what draws students to Dundas Street in droves. Its popularity has grown to the point that diners regularly wait 2-3 hours for a much-cherished seat.

So when you come to study at Tamkang, be sure to get in early!