Ximen cheesesteak

So after being tricked into some weird self-help or marketing scheme at Ximen, Yuki and I headed over to the cheesesteak place for a very late dinner. No worries though, no money lost just time. We walked out pretty fast. So we flipped a negative and decided to find a place around Ximen to eat dinner. I was setting myself up to be disappointed though. I mean how can Taiwan make a decent cheesesteak all the way here in Taipei? We'll it turned out to be OK. Not authentic or extremely satisfying but didn't taste horrible bad. I believe they're on the right track but needs some major improvement. The meat, tasty, but not enough. Perhaps thats my big fat american stomach talking, but I just didn't find it packed enough. If they're going to imitate an classic american sandwich, mind as well as pile on a little more meat. Cheese, this was the best. Tasted like cheesewiz, but I didn't see at jars of it. Although I do prefer provolone on my cheesesteak, the traditional cheesewiz works too. This was actually a surprise, I definitely would have thought Taipei would mess it up by putting american cheese or cheddar cheese. Bread.. too soft and it's not a philly roll or a hoagie roll. The skin is just too soft, not lightly crispy like a true philly roll. Fries...awesome! Crispy, golden brown and delicious, just the way I like it. There was also a crispy chicken wrap that Yuki ordered and really liked. They restaurant environment was pretty good though. Clean and plenty of tables, three floors of it. You order first, receive your order then find a seat. I suspect they'll be a return visit. But if I had any control over this place, I'd add more meat, add grilled onions, mushrooms and provolone as an option. Which has inspired me to try to make my own at home. If I do, you'll definitely read about it in the future. Hopefully soon, I'm hungry!

Cheesesteaks
No. 56號, ÉMéi Street, Wanhua District
Taipei City, Taiwan 108

Kaygetsu (Ximen)

Tonight I went with a friend to Ximending district. She had to do a interview with a cafe for her job. So while waiting in Starbucks I finished my homework. When she was finished, we walked around the area searching for dinner. I wanted to stop by the cheesesteak place to see how they cooked it. They have it all wrong! I shouldn't be surprised, but that's not how Philly cheesesteak is done! They're using toasted hot dog buns! And I don't think they're soaking the sliced meat in the broth. And they're using cheddar cheese. Sorry, but it must be Hoagie roll (preferable Amoroso) + sliced soaked in broth USA meat + Provolone! Some will argue Cheez Whiz, but I hear some Phillidelphians will allow provolone. So if it's OK by the originators, it's OK by me. As incorrect as this so called "cheesesteak" is, I'll still have to try it out in the future. After that farse, I was craving some Ramen. So I decided to try out Kaygetsu. Kaygetsu is right in the middle of the Ximen market mayhem. It's next to the ABC mart I think, but it's pretty much right in the middle of everything. I ordered their Spicey ramen. Despite their warnings, I can handle my spices. OMG, it was sooo good! This wouldn't be a traditional ramen, but it is damn tasty! The broth, the meat and the noodles were fantastic! And to verify the authenticity of the ramen, my japanese friend ordered some more traditional ramen… Thumbs up, it's pretty close to authentic taste! Hunger pains for ramen, try this joint out! Fat asian man signing out!