After a day of rain, we were ready for a night out. Jaden, the young man at the front desk, suggested we visit Liberty Square.
“There’s much to see, but you must go when it’s dark - and enter through the Arch.”
“But have you had dinner?”
We had not, but considered Beef Noodle Soup again.
“If you’ve not had Taiwanese Stone Hot Pot, you must. Noodle Soup is for any day. Hot Pot is for a Saturday night out.”
“Where do you suggest?”
“The Delectable Hot Pot Lab. It’s on the way to Liberty Square. If you leave soon, it won’t be busy.”
Jaden drew us a quick map and in ten minutes we were there.
Neither Pa nor I knew what to expect, but soon learned that it’s a process.
After placing our order, one of the staff showed up and got things started. There’s a hot plate flush with the table top, upon which the stone pot is placed.
Onions are sautéed first,
then beef.
The beef is removed, water poured over the onions, and brought to a boil.
A minute or so later and it’s time to return the beef and add the noodles and various vegetables.
The greens and mushrooms are added last.
We didn’t know the names of some of them, so the gentleman to our left Google Translated for us.
Over the course of an hour, the pot provided three cups of a quite delicious soup, if that’s what it’s called.
By the time we were done it was sufficiently dark so we moved on, passing by Taipei East Gate,
through the Arch,
and onto the Square, where we stood,
taking it all in.
Recalling Jaden’s description, we knew the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall was the building on the left,
the National Theater on the right,
and the Memorial Library straight ahead.
Ascending the steps
to the Library’s massive doors,
it was a sight to behold.
The evening turning cool, we returned through the park that parallels the Square,
pausing at Yunhan Lake,
and to look back in the direction from whence we’d come.
Taking a different route on the return, we passed by a Taoist shrine,
through the Peace Park,
and one of many of the night markets,
arriving at our landmark
and our street,
where others were enjoying a night out as well.
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