S OOT
C
2 7
BEST BRUNCH
Yup, Bangkok’s five-star hotel
brunches are Asia’s ultimate,
but they could be anywhere
in the world. A distinctive,
hidden gem loved by locals is
Smith
(
com) – it has an Instagam-
worthy modern warmth and
creative Western menu.
RIVER RUNS
THROUGH IT
The
Chao Phraya River
is the heart of Bangkok.
Communities and markets
thrive on her banks. Take a
walk along the city’s longest
public, paved walkway, just
behind Phrah Athit Road.
BUDGET MASSAGE
A local secret we’ll let you
in on – near BTS Skytrain
station On Nut there are
numerous clean, high-
quality massage shops. For
just THB100 an hour, enjoy
Bangkok’s most authentic Thai
massages at
The Massage Soi
(
Sukhumvit Soi 77/1).
LOCAL INDIE MUSIC
Fatty’s
(
fattysbardiner) bridges the
gap between Thais and expats,
putting on original indie bands
from around town. Off the
beaten path, but worth it, you
will also be eating the best
diner food in Bangkok.
STEP INTO HISTORY
Established in 1879, the
Taipei
Confucius Temple
(
ct.taipei.gov.tw) is known for
its ornate Fujian-style ceramic
adornments, traditional
gardens and multimedia
exhibitions about the life of
the Chinese philosopher.
BARGAIN HUNTERS
Taipei City’s first wholesale
clothing market,
Dali Street
in
Wanhua District may not look
glamorous, but its stalls are
filled with items ranging from
basics like jeans to beautifully
embroidered
qipaos
(
Chinese
dresses) and jackets, all at
bargain prices.
WALK OF ART
With nearly 90 works by Ju
Ming, one of Taiwan’s most
renowned sculptors, in a
riverside garden,
Ju Ming
Museum
(
is a popular destination for art
lovers and families alike.
EAT, EAT, EAT
Located in a restored
Japanese colonial-era wood
house in the Zhongzheng
District,
Fireweeds
(
fireweeds.tw) offers a
delicious menu of Taiwanese
and Japanese dishes. The
restaurant’s roasted meat
skewers and steamed fish are
especially delectable.
BANGKOK WORDS
JULIA CHINNOCK
TAIPEI WORDS
CATHERINE SHU
SEEK
....
the
scoop...
....
the
scoop...
BANGKOK
Recommended!
TAIPEI
Recommended!
“
Yentafo
J. Giao is a
must, it’s the most
scrumptious and
cheapest in town”
Eve Aran-angkoon, ageless
“
Soi Tonson
Market has a
large, open-air eating
area surrounded by
great street food.”
Jose B Collazo, 46
“
Visit a
Chinese
butcher knife
massage parlour to
boost your flow of qi.”
Carrie Kellenberger, 38
“
Visit
Ximen’s
Tattoo Street. There’s
no more convenient
place to get inked.”
Stephen Price, 38
