Sunrise Villa Taipei
Posted By Jennifer Ho Jul 20 2011 · 0 comments · Dining Out
About an hour away from Taipei, the Sunrise Villa is tucked away off a back country road – to a foreigner (yeah, me), maybe a little difficult to find. Popular in its own right, people travel from all around the country to taste their authentic Hakka style food. With an enviable feng shui arrangement, the natural space around the buildings are in perfect harmony – the mountains behind the restaurant serves as a strong support, the body of water in the front promotes fluidity and the green space in the middle of the lot for new life.
Fresh bamboo shoots were served as an appetizer plate along with an orange flavored chicken, mushroom and pine seed dish. Hakka style dishes are known for having more intense and bold flavours whether that is extremely salty, sweet, sour or bitter. The bitter melon dish is a great example of this – personally, I’m not a big fan of the vegetable but this plate did a fine job of changing my mind.The pot of white rice with sweet potatoes was quite filling, but it was a good neutral to balance out all the heavier dishes. We also had Hakka style tofu mixed with hot peppers and oysters as well as a plate of savory duck with a vinegar sauce. Overall, the Sunrise Villa has a lovely atmosphere and is great for afternoon tea, an evening snack or full out lunch or dinner.
This place is worth seeking out if you have a half day free in Taipei and are looking for a little adventure. It is much easier to give the address to a local or someone with a car and a GPS, but if you’re up to find your own way, good luck!