Today wasn't a productive travel day as I went into recharge mode after posting my yesterday's [post](https://steemit.com/travel/@aaronleang/travel-with-me-3-taiwan-trip-flying-off-day-1). I've slept at 3 AM this morning, snug myself under the blanket 🛌 with a room temperature of 22 Celcius (without the AC on) such a perfect condition to sleep until 4 PM.

Woke up around 4 PM with a hungry stomach, I get ready myself for heading out to Ximending Walk. To reach there, I'll need to take a train from the Main Taipei Station and while walking towards the station from the underground mall which links directly with it, I've discovered a heaven spot for console gamers as there are lots of game store around here selling the latest games and accessories.

<center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516338323/rmr0cqvjyziiwx7qtgqd.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516338323/rmr0cqvjyziiwx7qtgqd.jpg"></a>Trying out the game with the console provided outside the shop</center>

<center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516338418/ckd4esqdlz1matmswp4g.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516338418/ckd4esqdlz1matmswp4g.jpg"></a>Lots of game store around here</center>

Beside game stores, I also encounter a lot of [Claw Crane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claw_crane) here, interesting to know that Taiwanese actually love getting their hand on these because there is retail space full of all these machines in it everywhere around the streets or station whereas, in Malaysia there is only few machine around shady corner in some shopping malls where seldom people get their hands on it.

<div class="pull-left"><center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516339247/q9tkx176axwtwhohuhft.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516339247/q9tkx176axwtwhohuhft.jpg"></a>Mostly you'll see teenager and young adults around here</center></div>

<div class="pull-right"><center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516339256/xjo5vu2chqzd9z2jalaa.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516339256/xjo5vu2chqzd9z2jalaa.jpg"></a>Forget what are they called, but 70s to 90s will know what is this</center></div>

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Soon I've reached the train station and take the Bannan line head straight to Xi Men station which is 1 stop away from Main Taipei Station cost only NTD $16, and I found out people here loves to queue which is a good habit. They won't rush into the train when the door was open instead, they wait until everyone has exit then they proceed into it.

Upon getting out from [Xi Men](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ximending) station, I instantly saw a lot of people and shops around it, which reminds me of Bukit Bintang or Chinatown but this is a lot bigger but surprisingly isn't crowd.

<center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516340469/llpqnxfeezkmjptak5p0.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516340469/llpqnxfeezkmjptak5p0.jpg"></a>Inside the MRT</center>

<center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516338024/muh77uyp8sbnut2bd0cw.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516338024/muh77uyp8sbnut2bd0cw.jpg"></a>Xi Men Ding Walk</center>

<div class="pull-left"><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516340488/ceqnh8m6l9ek1dsnbqs5.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516340488/ceqnh8m6l9ek1dsnbqs5.jpg"></a></div>

<div class="pull-right"><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516340499/xbdpcofc06jvfyrae0we.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516340499/xbdpcofc06jvfyrae0we.jpg"></a></div>

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<center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516340511/wjrlrao9llng2hkh9cat.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516340511/wjrlrao9llng2hkh9cat.jpg"></a>Lots of fashion shop, restaurant, cafes, hotel and people</center>

While scouting for foods around, I remembered that people always come here for Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle inside those Taiwan travel video that I've watched. I've open up Google Map and find where is it located and luckily is just a 2 min walk from where I was, off I went and I can start to see many people standing outside slurping those rice noodle just outside the shop.

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle as the name says it all, is famous for its noodle although the noodle looks somewhat simple with its brown thick gravy, but don't let the looks fools you. The moment I slurp in some noodle and instantly I know why is so nice, the noodle is super smooth like silk without any graininess and the thick brown gravy is actually made primarily from [bonito flakes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katsuobushi) and mixed with some salty pork intestine cube for chewy bites. 

Besides eating its raw flavour, I've also added some vinegar and garlic into my noodle for an additional boost in flavour. Oh! and there's no tables seat in the shop so only stand aside and slurp the noodle. 

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmZ7yK2Ek2GsukcxQMcZoUBDeznmrgvurNnxQvnoyK7ssu/IMG_5282.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmZ7yK2Ek2GsukcxQMcZoUBDeznmrgvurNnxQvnoyK7ssu/IMG_5282.JPG"></a>Lots of people queueing on the left, and people slurping their noodles on the right</center>

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmQDQbtctv6CByB4QwA6woABPqon3AvLDZnrhFoYkBAzAn/IMG_6785.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmQDQbtctv6CByB4QwA6woABPqon3AvLDZnrhFoYkBAzAn/IMG_6785.JPG"></a>Got ourselves a small bowl to try it out, NTD $55 per bowl ($70 for large)<br></center>

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmfGWRxpr2Wtsukt1KMrjjgNuUUvCsg6x4QUB4oGs7eiFw/IMG_5451.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmfGWRxpr2Wtsukt1KMrjjgNuUUvCsg6x4QUB4oGs7eiFw/IMG_5451.JPG"></a>Chilli, Garlic & Vinegar can be added to spice up the flavour</center>

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmbxJWs2efahGCzbe4qKkrFgYiDnW8eV2kzfoE5aZq7D4o/IMG_0268.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmbxJWs2efahGCzbe4qKkrFgYiDnW8eV2kzfoE5aZq7D4o/IMG_0268.JPG"></a>Shoutout to @joannewong, she'll be my model for the rest of the trip</center>

Finishing up the noodle, we continue our explore around and occasionally we'll smell something smelly around the walk that's because there are few street stall selling 臭豆腐 (Stinky Tofu), and yes it really smell like drainage but it tastes good, you'll see local people and some tourist are queueing up for it. We saw some crowd queueing on 豪大大鸡排 selling fried chicken under a big KFC and we also join the crowd to get ourselves some to try it out. 

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmWmcMjm22Y3K999cMY8N3Ct3J4MNBJfB3w5bqR4UpmHMR/IMG_4697.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmWmcMjm22Y3K999cMY8N3Ct3J4MNBJfB3w5bqR4UpmHMR/IMG_4697.JPG"></a>Am I up for this challenge?</center>

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmYtYBbBKRjoXVaGZUWGGGSZr83H9gTjbzj3Yrjab9tfH8/IMG_2912.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmYtYBbBKRjoXVaGZUWGGGSZr83H9gTjbzj3Yrjab9tfH8/IMG_2912.JPG"></a>Serious competition spotted</center>

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmSZW3EMkpjvXZ4cRPfZGrkoTSWoP9vu3jYcLYgyVWNjh5/IMG_6713.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmSZW3EMkpjvXZ4cRPfZGrkoTSWoP9vu3jYcLYgyVWNjh5/IMG_6713.JPG"></a>Oh yes! Time to crunch in</center>

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmcL3DMHKiB5NejpmkoFU2zeNZUQsnGwpGRd8ZnnpbEKUt/IMG_6986.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmcL3DMHKiB5NejpmkoFU2zeNZUQsnGwpGRd8ZnnpbEKUt/IMG_6986.JPG"></a>Nice, Hot and not too salty as well</center>

Besides eating, we also saw some live performing dance and unique art painter along the way. Around 10 PM, shops started to close and, we were deciding whether to get a drink or get back to the hotel and call it a day. In the end, we opt to get a drink at one of the bars around here which were recommended by @joannewong's colleague, the bar is called "[Hanko 60](https://www.facebook.com/hanko60/)" and we were told it was a bit difficult to look for it. I was thinking how hard could it be but Hanko 60 covered it well 👍🏻, perfect camouflage using the cinema concept on the outside of the bar.

<center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516346656/pliadllgotkjzz7deunf.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516346656/pliadllgotkjzz7deunf.jpg"></a>Who would have know this was a bar from the looks</center>

<center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516346663/ihijwiqiefhqc4cyomnx.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516346663/ihijwiqiefhqc4cyomnx.jpg"></a>Nice environment, not too crowded, not too noisy and its somewhat similar to [The Bar Kinugawa](https://steemit.com/colourfulphotography/@aaronleang/relax-and-chill-saturday-night-out-with-steemians)</center>

<center><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/3ohc0YxK9kicneVcQ0/giphy.gif"><img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/3ohc0YxK9kicneVcQ0/giphy.gif"></a><br>Order a drink called "苹果有毒" (Poisoned Apple) and the looks does live up to it's name 😂</center> 

<center><a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7522BQoHR17Jl63C/giphy.gif"><img src="https://media.giphy.com/media/3o7522BQoHR17Jl63C/giphy.gif"></a><br>Closer view and at first, I thought it's hot and boiling 😅</center> 

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmQeePF76tr2X32Gavf7DDCnmNU9YQ1CRjwvojqKk9MpFB/IMG_9098.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmQeePF76tr2X32Gavf7DDCnmNU9YQ1CRjwvojqKk9MpFB/IMG_9098.JPG"></a>@joannewong with her first drink</center>

<center><a href="https://steemitimages.com/DQmfGu6Hh5sTrthFbDCqTGbafY2BXcJ5KHdpY8SoykxviJb/IMG_5230.JPG"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/DQmfGu6Hh5sTrthFbDCqTGbafY2BXcJ5KHdpY8SoykxviJb/IMG_5230.JPG"></a>Since the outside looks like a cinema, of course they do serve popcorn but inside hidden a drink 😏 spot the straw?</center>

<center><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516349039/x0lb0iclsrhpex4e7ykd.jpg"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/hpiynhbhq/image/upload/v1516349039/x0lb0iclsrhpex4e7ykd.jpg"></a>Make some new friends here too, Jason and Qvt. They are ABV (American born Vietnam) lives in Hawaii, which we might plan to go for our future trip 😆. Crypto investor as well, managed to intro them Steemit</center>

Time passes fast after a couple of drinks and chit-chat, it's almost 12.30 AM, time to call it a day and head back to the hotel for a good night sleep! Almost forgot, below is short video of today's trip! Enjoy

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/13iIV6eJP-I" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

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