Location: Taipei, Dongmen Dumpling House (Suan Cai Bai Rou Guo)
Travel note snippet: Before the Lunar New Year, I gathered nine university classmates for dinner at Dongmen Dumpling House, recommended long ago by ptt food board moderator bluefish. We ordered a large pot of suan cai bai rou (pickled cabbage and pork hot pot), along with beef dumplings, steamed dumplings, pan-fried dumplings, scallion pancakes, and extra meat and hot pot ingredients. It came to about NT$300 per person. The pickled cabbage was flavorful, and the broth was comforting on a cold, rainy night. Huddled around the tall chimney pot, eating and chatting, felt especially warm. After the meal, some of us continued next door at the Classical Rose Garden for flower tea and more conversation.