上班族必備軟實力

[Richard eats out often in Taiwan. (Unless you don't count McDonald's.)]

Outside food in Taiwan has been getting more and more healthy. Convenience stores are now stocking a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. They are in the aisle next to the ice cream and between the potato chips and the candy bar racks.
 

The traditional food court offers much variety.

Eating out for those of us who don’t know a lot about the food doesn’t have to be difficult. There are many options that will simplify your dining experience. Many menus have pictures of the dishes, so you don’t need to be able to read. Just point at the dish you want and make a grunting sound.

Another way to simplify eating out is to always go to the same place and always order the same thing. If you do that, many times the shopkeeper will recognize you and have your order ready for you and you will not have to say a single word, although saying “thank you” is polite and the least you could do.

Little breakfast shops are full of cheap and tasty food. They usually have a few tables inside and more that can be put on the sidewalk. The signature dish is the breakfast hamburger, but you can get a wide variety of food. There are egg wraps, spaghetti, and hand-made sandwiches. The clientele are mostly people on their way to work, children on their way to school, or grandmas taking care of the little ones too young for school.

For lunch there are lunch boxes. There is a waxy cardboard box full of rice. Next to the rice are a few compartments that can hold some corn, seaweed, green beans, and a boiled egg. You choice of meat is laid atop the pile of rice. The lid is closed and the whole thing secured with a single rubber band. This is a cheap, well-balanced, and healthy meal. You may work at a place that has these delivered, or you may have to go out and find one. You could always eat at a coffee shop or buy some deep fried chicken somewhere.

For dinner, you may want something that is more elegant. Hot pot is good in the winter months. The table will have hot plates built in for a pot of water to boil. Then they give you various types of foods that you can throw into the boiling water. Some places have individual pots for each diner; others have one big one in the center of the table for everyone to use.

Whatever the time of day, there is something cooking in Taiwan. Go out and enjoy yourself. Thank you for reading.