Lynda's Taiwan-logue

< Visited in Jun & Sep 2015 > 

Ximending 西门町 must be one of the most frequented shopping districts in Taipei for both locals and tourists. Within walking distance from Ximen MRT Station 西门捷运站 (exit 1) is one place that can't be any more contrasting. Nishi Honganji Square 西本愿寺广场, built during the Japanese occupation, is a cluster comprising a Japanese-style Buddhist temple (the largest in Taiwan in those days), mausoleum, bell tower and more - though more accurately, what we see today are the restored remnants of a 1975 fire. One of the Japanese structures houses a tea room Eighty-Eightea Rinbansyo 八拾捌茶轮番所.  

If you are looking for a different landscape or activity in the vicinity of bustling Ximending 西门町, or want a relaxing quiet place to rest your feet after some intensive shopping, this is definitely one place you should consider. 

A distance away lies the main shopping zone of Ximending, landmarked by the popular Partyworld KTV building.

▼ The Rinbansyo 轮番所 building houses a quaint tea room operated by local brand Eighty-Eightea.   

Eighty-Eightea Rinbansyo 八拾捌茶轮番所 has some really beautiful tea ware in their retail section, as well as their brand of tea leaves.

There are two seating areas, one for those who prefer sitting at regular tables, the other a tatami zone requiring patrons to remove footwear. (I am a fan of tatami~)

▼ Menu

The menu is beverage-centric - primarily tea - with some light Chinese and Japanese tea snacks, as well as seasonal specials. The menu has since evolved to include more food since my visit.

If you fancy some DIY tea brewing, choose from the variety of tea leaves and option by the cup or bowl - the service personnel can demonstrate how to do this properly. Or simply order ready brewed beverages.

▼ First & solo visit in Jun 2014
Sanxia Biluochun Green Tea 三峡冷泡碧螺春 (with complimentary tea jelly) NT$190

▼ Second visit with a friend in Sep 2014
We had a go at self-brewing Osmanthus Pouchong 桂花包种 NT$290 - hot water refillable - after a quick demo by the service personnel.

We had a braised local snack 卤味拼盘 (NT$120) which went well with the hot tea.  

▼ Rather interesting street art installation enroute Ximending 西门町  

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Nishi Honganji Square 西本愿寺广场
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Eighty-Eightea Rinbansyo | 八拾捌茶轮番所
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Address --- No. 174, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, Wanhua District  万华区中华路一段174號
Nearest MRT Station --- Ximen 西门 (BL11 / blue line) (G12 / green line), exit 1, followed by a 5-min stroll 

檢視較大的地圖

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