Spicy beef noodle soup! It is like a Mexican caldo de res, but the meat is sliced into tender thick slices with udon noodles added.
One of the owners, Nate Wong, says he was inspired to open this restaurant after visiting Taiwan with his wife. Eating the food there was a game changer for him.
There were virtually no Taiwanese restaurants in Chicago, and he could not wait to open one up to show Chicagoans the delicious flavors of Taiwan.
He wanted to bring the blending of flavors in Taiwanese cuisine. Wong said that Taiwanese food is flavored with several similarly measured tastes in one bite.
Taipei Cafe is the spot I take my friends to prove that I live in a cool neighborhood. How many places can flaunt an authentic Taiwanese food restaurant? It’s about a block from the intersection of Halsted and Archer.
You’re a short walk away from three different neighborhoods in this one intersection. If you take a right coming from the east, you’ll be in Chinatown in five minutes. If you go straight west, you’ll be in Pilsen in five minutes, and if you simply stay by the intersection, then you’re in Bridgeport.
Palmisano Park is also right across the street and an amazing place to stroll through after a hearty lunch at Taipei Café.
Taipei Cafe, 2609 S. Halsted St. Sunday–Thursday, 11am–9pm; Fridays and Saturdays, 11am–10pm. (312) 374-1986.