[Taipei] Gu Xiang Restaurant (故鄉餐廳)

Good food generally happens when I am least expecting.  The beautiful sceneries at Bamboo Lake made us craved for traditional food (農家菜), dishes that were made with the freshest local ingredients!  Gu Xiang (故鄉) seems to fit the bill perfectly when we were checking out their menu.  Perhaps it's a popular restaurant among the locals but I wouldn't know.

Everything in red is their signature dishes

They offer vegetarian option on all dishes.

The place is big and it is PACKED!

Sometimes when I am traveling, I like to go with the flow and see where my nose leads me.  That's how I usually find surprises.  (I should trust my gut more than blogger reviews...)  We just happened to pass by this place during lunch time when we were checking out the beautiful calla lillies (海芋) at Bamboo Lake (竹子湖) in Yangmingshan National Park (陽明山國家公園).   (Note: Calla lillies generally bloom in late February, early March.  This was a trip taken back in February 2014.)

Many people (locals and tourists) come here during calla lillies season to pick their own flowers

Or, you can buy them directly

Since there were only 2 of us, we only order a few items.  Oh boy, there was so much food!!!  I think we could have easily fed 4...  We boxed our leftover and ate it as dinner.  I think Taiwan is a vegetarian heaven.  The vegetables here are unbelievable - so fresh and so sweet.  We would have brought home a few cabbages (梨山大白菜) if they weren't so heavy (and we still got a week in Taipei at that time).  This restaurant is perfect for a big group and those who are hungry.

Perfectly done chicken
(except it came with a few feathers...)

How did they make the jelly between the chicken?!  So good!

炒番薯苗
Stir fried sweet potato sprout

Gu Xiang Restaurant (故鄉餐廳)
台北市陽明山竹子湖海芋大道
(it's on the main street where you catch buses, you can't miss it)
Tel: +886 02 2861 5736
Hours: 9:30 am ~ 9:00 pm