No longer just a compulsory stopover on your trip to somewhere else, Taiwan is a hot destination in its own right. The country is affectionately called the Land of the Stinky Tofu – but don’t let the title put you off. People travel from mainland Asia just for a day to get the Taiwan foodie experience. Check out these Taiwan tid-bits to really get you salivating.

Size doesn’t matter
Taiwan is about 215 times smaller than Australia, and roughly half the size of our itty-bitty Tasmania but has around 120,000 restaurants compared to Australia’s 85,000.

Stinky tofu (chou dou fu)
Enjoy your vego protein with a side of funky-stench? Then you’ll love the fermented beancurd sold at night markets or roadside stands. A cross between toe-jam and body odour, once you get through the smell you’re left with a soft, cheesy-textured snack so flavoursome, the Taiwanese consider it a national delicacy.

Breakfast of champions
Soy milk, egg crepes, and fried dough sticks, that’s all it takes to create the morning queue at Fuhang Doujiang in Taipei.

Seafood on steroids
A trip to a seafood market in Taiwan can actually be a little terrifying. A bit like free-range chickens, the seafood isn’t kept in tanks but open baskets where they roam free, climbing and crawling all over the place! And these guys are mammoth – much bigger and more colourful than what we’re used to in Oz. Imagine that, crabs that grow up to 3.6 metres long. Get in my belly already!

In a Barbie World
Grab your Ken, and head to the World’s first Barbie-themed restaurant – think Barbie logo tables, teapot chandeliers, tiara-wearing waitresses, and lots of pink! The menu has been designed by nutritionists to ensure patrons don’t lose their figures. Located at 2F, 128, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road.

My favourite thing about Taiwan is the food – Jason Wu

Crappy-cuisine
Not for the faint-hearted or easily-queased, the Modern Toilet is indeed, a homage to the throne. Urinal-themed decor and tableware, and faeces-related menu items are so popular that the concept is now an international franchise. Flagship store is located at 33 Section 2, Zhongxiao West Road, Datong District.

TripADeal travels to Taiwan here.