MRT DONGMEN Station (東門站)

[This post will be updated if new information about places around the station comes available. 🙂 ]

Beyondmilk

Info added on June 7, 2022

June 1st (六月初一)

Info added on November 3, 2021

The 8-shaped egg roll of June 1st is an extremely popular souvenir originating in Taichung. It is an exquisite dessert with a crispy light texture and a gentle egg scent created by layers of dough like a pie. There are five flavors: plain, chocolate, coffee, sesame, and seaweed. Previously it was sold only in Taichung, but now it can also be purchased at the shops’s Taipei Yongkang branch. All types can be sampled at the store.

June 1st
(六月初一)
Tel: (02) 2322-2700
(台北市大安區信義路二段206號)
Website: june1.com.tw

Mountain & Sea House (山海樓)

Info added on October 28, 2021

Mountain & Sea House, which serves Taiwanese cuisine, was one of two inaugural Michelin Green Star recipients for the 2021 edition. It is located in Zhongzheng District. More info here.

Mountain & Sea House
(山海樓)
Tel: (02) 2351-3345
(台北市中正區仁愛路二段94號)
Website: www.mountain-n-seahouse.com
Michelin Guide Entry:
guide.michelin.com/tw/en/taipei-region/taipei/restaurant/mountain-and-sea-house

Daren Xiaoxue (大人小學)

Info added on July 21, 2021

Daren Xiaoxue (大人小學)
Tel: 0922-711-979
Add: No. 9, Lane 31, Yongkang St., Da’an District, Taipei City
(台北市大安區信義路二段86巷62號)
Facebook

Bai-Shui Douhua

Info added on July 21, 2021

Bai-Shui Douhua
(白水豆花)
Tel: (02) 2392-6707
Add: No. 9, Lane 31, Yongkang St., Da’an District, Taipei City
(台北市大安區永康街31巷9號)
Facebook

Zhengjiang Traditional Ice Shop

Info added on July 14, 2021

To get a well-rounded taste of traditional Taiwanese ice snacks, look no further than Zhengjiang Traditional Ice Shop, located near the foodie’s paradise that is the streets surrounding MRT Dongmen Station in Taipei. After sampling the wide variety of foods in the area, a stop at Zhengjiang is a great opportunity to try a version of the aptly-named Eight Treasure Ice. Enjoy a heaping helping of the “eight treasures,” which include adzuki beans, mung beans, taro balls, peanuts, chestnuts, kidney beans, sweet potato balls, and tapioca pearls atop a mountain of shaved ice. In addition to its ice treats, the shop offers warming tangyuan soup, which is a must-try during the colder months, as well as douhua (soft tofu pudding), seasonal fruit juices, and a range of soups, including peanut and adzuki bean.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is 16.png

Zhengjiang Traditional Ice Shop
(政江號)
Tel: (02) 2395-2109
Add: No. 109, Sec. 2, Jinshan S. Rd., Da’an District, Taipei City
(台北市大安區金山南路二段109號)
Facebook

Soypresso (二吉軒豆漿)

Info added on April 1, 2020

Soypresso (二吉軒豆漿)
Add: No. 8, Lishui St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區麗水街8號)
Tel: (02) 2358-1198
Website: www.soypresso.com.tw

Tea to Tea (茶敬茶)

Info added on March 27, 2020

This homely green-walled tea store on a lane off Yongkang Street might serve some non-traditional concoctions, such as a gin-based bubble tea, but this is a shop that’s steeped in history. The middle character, jing (敬), means “respect” and is sandwiched between two “teas” or cha (茶), implying the importance of upholding respect for teamaking traditions as well as passing those traditions down from one generation to another. In fact, Tea to Tea is owned by a third-generation teamaker who grew up on a tea farm in Nantou County, where Taiwan’s highly praised high-mountain teas are harvested.

On the menu are taro milk tea and matcha latte, but it’s the alcoholic bubble tea that most people come for. For many, pearl milk tea is a comfort drink, a treat during childhood, and Tea to Tea conjures these very flavors but makes it more divine by adding a dash of gin. Souvenir-wise, high-mountain tea leaves come in gorgeous black packaging, though without the liquor.

Tea to Tea (茶敬茶)
Add: No. 16, Ln. 4, Yongkang St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區永康街4巷16號)
Tel: (02) 2395-8652
Website: www.teatotea.com.tw
Faceboook: www.facebook.com/teatoteatw

Soma

Info added on March 24, 2020

One of the local pioneers of hand-cranked cold tea, this pint-sized shop on a lane off the main tourist drag of Yongkang Street appears more like a third-wave coffee shop than a tea store. Undoubtedly, it’s the rows of gold-and-black Nespresso capsules on the wall behind the counter that give this impression. But notice the tiny lettering underneath the name “Soma” on the gold-plated sign affixed to a royal-blue wood-board wall outside: “Tea & Mocktail.”

With just two raised seats by the window, this is not a place to linger. Primarily operating as a takeout joint, Soma lures customers who stumble across the shop while wandering the area in search of dining options, such as beef-noodle soup, or perusing the many craft shops. The ordering system is factory-like – take a number from a machine and wait your turn. The name Soma evokes sleek sophistication, and makes some think of San Francisco’s warehouse-chic district SoMa, or “South of Market.” The tea store is exactly that, sporting stylish gray-concrete walls and overhanging lamps.

Colorful cards the size of business cards are cleverly arranged on tiny shelves on one wall, detailing flavors and prices for numerous types of cold beverages. The first row consists of mocktails, the second row of classic cold teas, including fruit teas, and the third of milk teas, some of which are made with the Nespresso capsules.

Fittingly, the color of each card corresponds to the hue the liquid takes on. The drinks are served in large takeout cups. Among the mocktails, there’s a wonderful candied taro and barley milk tea. Most of the drinks from the second row are made with Taiwan high-mountain tea, the standouts being a gold/yellow-hued passionfruit tea and a striking red-colored roselle floral tea which is just slightly sweet and comes with refreshing bits of basil seed that float to the top. Of course, the luscious milk teas are not to be missed – try the frothy milk tea made with high-mountain tea or the zingy Nespresso milk tea. Besides this adorable Yongkang store, Soma also has outlets on Dunhua South Road in Taipei, two stores in Singapore, and one in Los Angeles.

Soma
Add: No. 3, Ln. 7, Yongkang St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區永康街7巷3號)
Tel: (02) 2396-8662
Website: soma-drinks.com

Qing Tian Teahouse (青田茶館)

Info added on March 10, 2020

Taipei’s Yongkang Street area, near the Taipei Metro’s MRT Dongmen Station, has become a popular go-to spot for foodies. A stop at Qing Tian Teahouse is a must when visiting this area.

Located on Qingtian Street, the teahouse is in an old building, part of a historic block that was originally used as housing for Japanese professors. The former residence was renovated and converted into an art gallery and teahouse in 2011. Visitors can take a step back in time to imagine what life was like for the former residents. Many art objects and relics line the walls, all well-preserved and immaculately displayed.

Inside the teahouse you can try excellent teas from mainly two tea-growing areas in Taiwan, Lugu in Nantou County (Dongding Oolong Tea) and Jiuhuashan in Miaoli County (Oriental Beauty Tea). The tea is served with delicious sweets, including mung bean cake and date walnut cake.

Qing Tian Teahouse (青田茶館)
Add: No. 12, Ln. 8, Qingtian St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區青田街8巷12號)
Tel: (02) 2391-6676
Website: www.facebook.com/aota812teahouse/

Yongkang Street (永康街)

Dongmen Station is located right at the entrance to Yongkang Street, a popular area with shops, cafés, and restaurants. The Yongkang Commercial District has become a must-explore attraction for international travelers. Among its top draws is mango ice, the fresh golden-yellow mango chunks heaped over a small mountain of refreshing shaved ice, perfect on a hot summer’s day. Visit King Mango (芒果皇帝), famed for its Irwin Mango Ice with sweet taste and enticing fragrance, to be enjoyed in big mouthfuls.

Add: No. 2-1, Ln. 2, Yongkang St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區永康街2巷2-1號)
Website: www.kingmango.com.tw

Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐)

Another tourist favorite is Din Tai Fung restaurant, famous for it’s delicious steamed dumplings. Established in 1958, the restaurant consistently delivers innovation and refinement. Each dumpling is precisely prepared: the filling weighs 16g, skin 5g, finished dumpling 21g. Master workers then take the dough skin and enclose the filling, creating 18 pleats, making each nugget an exquisite work of art.

Add: No. 194, Sec. 2, Xinyi Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區信義路二段194號)
Website: www.dintaifung.tw

Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao
(杭州小籠湯包)

Michelin Guide Taipei 2019 Bib Gourmand

At this eatery, opened over 40 years ago, the filling of the signature Green Squash and Shrimp Soup Dumpling is made with fresh grass shrimp and Penghu green squash. When cooked, a naturally savory/sweet broth forms inside. Dipped in the special house sauce, a 3/1 vinegar/soy sauce combination, the refreshing, full-bodied taste creates lasting memories.

Add: No.17, Sec. 2, Hangzhou S. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區杭州南路二段 17 號)
Website: www.thebestxiaolongbao.com

Kao Chi (高記上海料理)

Opened in 1939, now run by the third generation, this popular restaurant’s renowned pan-fried pork buns are crispy outside, tender inside. Their starring twin is the crab roe xiaolongbao, each topped with golden-yellow crab butter, the chewy, ultra-thin skins embracing a juicy filling of minced pork and crab roe.

Add: No. 5, Yongkang St., Taipei City
(台北市永康街5號)
Tel: (02) 2341-9984
Website: www.kao-chi.com

King Mango

One of the popular mango ice shops on Yongkang Street. Twenty different ice dishes on the menu. Declaring proudly that they served ice at the Presidential Office National Day Banquet in 2015.

Add: No. 2-1, Lane 2, Yongkang St., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區永康街2巷2之1號)
Tel: (02) 3322-6009
Website: www.kingmango.com.tw (Chinese)

TIGI Hot Pot (鐵支涮火鍋)

Add: No. 6-1, Lane 141, Sec. 1, Heping E. Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區和平東路一段141巷6-1號)
Tel: (02) 2391 1798
Facebook: www.facebook.com/tigihotpot

Green & Safe (齊民市集)

Green & Safe environment-friendly shopping bag

Add: 2F, No. 158, Sec. 2, Xinyi Rd., Da’an Dist., Taipei City
(台北市大安區信義路二段158號2樓)
Tel: (02) 2341-6002
Website: www.green-n-safe.com

Michelin Guide Taipei 2019 Bib Gourmand
Yongkang Beef Noodle
(永康牛肉麵)
Tel: (02) 2351-1051
Add: No. 17, Ln. 31, Sec. 2, Jinshan S. Rd., Taipei City
(台北市大安區金山南路二段31巷17號)
Website: www.beefnoodle-master.com

Michelin Guide Taipei 2019 Bib Gourmand
Liao Beef Noodles
(廖家牛肉麵)
Tel: (02) 2351-7065
Add: No. 98, Jinhua St., Taipei City
(台北市大安區金華街98號)
Website: www.facebook.com/pages/廖家牛肉麵新址/247582235366947

Michelin Guide Taipei 2019 Bib Gourmand
Hao Gong Dao Jin Ji Yuan
(好公道金雞園)
Tel: (02) 2341-6980
Add: No. 28-1, Yongkang St., Taipei City
(台北市大安區永康街28-1號)
Website: www.facebook.com/pages/永康好公道的店金雞園/264767703576518

For more info about ice treats, read Taipei Best Ice Treats.

Qingdao Soymilk Shop (青島豆漿店)

Add: No. 139-3, Sec. 1, Hangzhou S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City
(台北市中正區杭州南路一段139-3號)
Tel: (02) 2393-4958

Video about a tofu pudding vendor near MRT Dongmen Station

At Dongmen Station you can transfer to the Xinlu-Zhonghe Line, which takes you to places such as the Gongguan Commercial Area at National Taiwan University and the always busy Xingtian Temple.

HOTEL IN THE AREA
Citizen Hotel (星辰飯店)
Located on Jinshan South Road, Citizen Hotel is a warm and welcoming place to stay, just a short walk from Yongkang Street.
More info here:
taiwaneverything.cc/2017/05/15/citizen-hotel

Further reading on other sites
Jaysun Eats Taipei: Smoothie House 思慕昔