When my friends ask what’s there to see in Taiwan, I don’t rattle off the tourist spots, beaches, mountains, and parks. Being of Taiwanese descent, my yearly trips there for more than two decades only have me looking forward to two things: the shopping and the food. It's no surprise that I return home five pounds heavier and a lot poorer. So if you’re ever in Taiwan, make time for these:

(First published in Women’s Health Philippines as “Taipei To-Go” in September 2010; photos by Roy Monsalud, Isabel Castro, Angela Sy, and ChangLC unless otherwise stated; adapted for use in Female Network)