Good Rule of Thumb: Don’t Listen to Brits Abroad on Anything Food‑Related
Good Rule of Thumb: Don’t Listen to Brits Abroad on Anything Food‑Related
Oyster omelets in Taipei
“Is breakfast included?” I ask the Taiwanese concierge behind the desk of our hotel.
“No,” he responds apologetically. Then, impressing us with his proficient English, “But there are many great places to get food nearby. Here.” He circles a green square on the map he’s just given us. “You will see a temple. Next to it is a food market. This is where you want to go.”
Food market? He had spoken the magic words.
Taiwan is known for its markets. My husband, Daniel, had spent hours in the days leading up to our trip watching YouTube videos about the best foods to eat in Taipei. So far, our “Must-Taste List” consists of beef noodles, bubble tea, and oyster omelets.
Our first day in the city, however, two British girls shatter our expectations of oyster omelets by describing their consistency. One girl says, “You know the film Flubber? Yeah, it’s flubber.” The other girl said it was more like snot.
Our second day in the city, Daniel and I lead three of our friends to Dadaocheng Cisheng Temple, where we find the food market our concierge recommended. The market is simple. While it’s busy, I don’t see any flashy signs, fellow foreigners, or even English words to attract tourists. Looks like we’re in for the real Taiwanese deal.
After 20 minutes, all five of us reconvene at one of the small tables between the market and temple. We each clutch a Taiwanese delicacy to share. Daniel has brought decadent fried pork belly. Cessna has pig intestines. So far, we’re proud of our selection.
Daniel announces that he’s ordered some fried rice for the group. We’re all happy when the plates arrive. A few minutes later, our faces collectively fall as the same proprietor drops off two more platters of a dish we all instantly recognize: oyster omelets.
“Oops!” Daniel chirps sheepishly. “I guess I ordered these with the fried rice. The guy asked me a question in Chinese, and I just said yes.”
Looking at the dish in front of me, I must admit the description offered by the British girls had been spot on. I can see the egg, but some sort of starch mixture has covered the egg and oysters in gelatinous goo. But, hey, I’ll try it.
We all hesitantly pick up our chopsticks and go for it. The three other girls take only one bite before sticking out their tongues and moving on to other dishes. Daniel takes a couple of bites before declaring, “Nope.”
I don’t hate it, though.
To be honest, I couldn’t eat an entire plate of this stuff. I won’t deny that the consistency is off-putting. But the oysters are the freshest, most flavorful I’ve ever tasted. As a native Arkansan, I’m always in awe of fresh seafood. Today, I groan dramatically with my friends. But I then, I keep stealthily helping myself to more and more flubber-coated oysters until I’m full.