The Taiwan Adventure 2: : Chang Chang Jiu Jiu Taiwanese Stir Fry!

Taiwan is a food destination. People come here from all over the world to try Taiwanese street food, and other delicacies. One of those things is Taiwanese stir fry. Food cooked in a wok at high temperature. I have had some interesting combinations of stir fry over the years. For example, I’ve eaten stir fried Century eggs (one of my favorite dishes), “Squid Mouths”, Pig Livers, Squid with Duck Eggs.

I know that these things are different than what Americans would normally eat, but I’ve always been kind of adventurous when it comes to food. So, I’m pretty much willing to try almost anything at least once. I may not like it, but usually, I like the flavor or the spiciness or something. My daughter’s father-in-law aid recently, “we’ll eat anything that flies or crawls. This is true, more in China than in Taiwan. In China, insects are considered delicious. I’ve seen people eat Bamboo Worm and Scorpions on a stick. Adventure runs deep in my family…but not that deep! Although, I have eaten fried crickets, but their legs get caught in my teeth so…

Anyway, on Valentine’s Day this year, Elizabeth and eric took me out to a stir fry place near our home. It’s called Chang Chang Jiu Jiu (嘗嘗九九). Back in the day, when I first moved to Taiwan (2009), the restaurant had most dishes for $99 NTD ($3.00 USD), but now I noticed most of the dishes were about $239 NTD ($7.30 USD). We had a number of dishes. Rice, Popcorn and Ice Cream were free.

I enjoyed the food, but I don’t want you to think that all I do is eat. I really mostly enjoy the social aspect of going out with friends and family. Its always a good time with Elizabeth, Eric, Elle and Eli. If you’re out and about in Taoyuan District give Chang Chang Jiu Jiu (嘗嘗九九)a try.

台灣是一個美食天堂。來自世界各地的人們來到這裡品嚐台灣小吃和各種美食。其中一項特色料理就是台式熱炒——用大火快炒的美味佳餚。

多年來，我嘗試過許多有趣的熱炒組合。例如，我吃過炒皮蛋（這是我最喜歡的菜之一）、炒「小卷嘴」、炒豬肝、還有鴨蛋炒魷魚。我知道這些料理對美國人來說可能比較特別，但我向來對食物很有冒險精神，所以幾乎什麼都願意試一次。或許我不會喜歡某道菜，但通常我都能欣賞它的味道、辣度或其他特色。

我女兒的公公最近說：「天上飛的，地上爬的，我們什麼都吃。」這在中國大陸比台灣更普遍。在中國，昆蟲被視為美味，我曾看過有人吃竹蟲和串烤蠍子。我家族的飲食冒險精神很強……但也沒那麼極端！不過，我倒是吃過炸蟋蟀，只是牠們的腿會卡在牙縫裡，所以……

今年情人節，Elizabeth 和 Eric 帶我去家附近的一家熱炒店，叫做「唱唱九九」。回想我剛搬到台灣的時候（2009年），這家餐廳的多數菜色只要99元新台幣（約3美元），但現在我發現大部分菜色已經漲到239元新台幣（約7.30美元）。我們點了好幾道菜，白飯、爆米花和冰淇淋還是免費的！

我很享受美食，但請不要以為我整天只是在吃東西。我其實更享受與家人朋友聚餐的社交時光。每次和 Elizabeth、Eric、Elle 和 Eli 一起外出，總是非常開心。如果你剛好在桃園區，不妨試試「唱唱九九」，說不定會愛上這裡的熱炒！