I’m not having much luck finding fresh herbs for western style cooking.
I recently started a few planter boxes on my balcony and found some good vegetable seeds at B&Q, but now I want to start a mini herb garden for the ultimate in freshness.
Problem is I can’t seem to track down either seeds or seedlings to get started with. (things like Parsley, Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano, Mint, etc.)
Any suggestions?
I’ll get Jojo on it tomorrow. I’m sure we can figure something out. Rosemary and mint should be no problem. Basil, too. Often parsley but not always for some reason. Thyme? Yup, Seen it. Same for oregano. We used to have a bunch of potted herbs but neither of us have a green thumb and we haven’t has much luck with them.
They’re usually available in the various flower markets.
Paper packets of seeds are also to be found in RT mart, but not consistently.
The Jianguo Flower Market sometimes has herbs.
Hey Truant, lemme know if you find anything locally (Taoyuan/Nankan area) Ive been looking for the same thing. Haven’t found anything yet.
I was just there on Sunday and noticed at least 2 or 3 vendors selling seeds. I’m sure some of them must be herbs.
I would go for seedlings from nurseries. That way it’s ready to use in a couple of weeks. There is a good one I occasionally visit on the number seven after the CKS mausoleum and on your left just after you get through the tunnel.
I’ve gotten thyme, rosemary, parsley and I’ve occasionally seen sage (Scarborough Fair?) 
. They also have cilantro, mint and a few others. They may not have all varieties of herb seedlings at any one time, but after a few visits you should be stocked up. It’s a nice little place to visit on a Saturday afternoon (It’s too crowded for me on Sundays). Easy to get to and cool, green and fresh. A pleasant little afternoon jaunt.
They also have a small cafe on site and good ice cream outside–not any of that red-bean stuff (though that is sometimes good), but rum-raisin, vanilla, chocolate, mint and all of that. They also sell bottles of picked veggies and spices inside and a bunch of other stuff.
If you’re intent on going with seeds, ask around. There is a seed shop somewhere in our local morning market. We have gotten all kinds of seeds there, everything from cong xin tsai to eucalyptus. Go to your local morning market and you will probably find one.
Thanks for all the suggestions thus far. Wookiee, I know exactly where you are talking about, and it sounds like a very good option for an afternoon out.
I’ve heard of the area before, but couldn’t find it…map please?
The Neihu flower market usually has rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil and mint out front, or something like that, plus seeds in the back. I gave up on the basil because it doesn’t seem to thrive, so now I buy it for $10NT a bag at the wet market, mix it with olive oil in the blender, and freeze it in ice cube trays. When I need some I just thaw a cube and presto!
pesto!
Naw, that has pine nuts, garlic and parmesan in it too. I do make that too. Yum.
a bit busy to do a proper map but this might be better anyway.
Try this link, and zoom out and around to get your bearings…
Basically, to get there you need to head to Shimen Dam via Longtan, and turn left when you get over that long bridge at the dam. Head along for 5 mins, and then hard right up the hill onto #7 (fairly major intersection). Go along about 5-7 mins I guess, past the tomb/lake on your left, then the tunnel Wookiee mentioned.
If you carry on in that direction after the nursery, at the next village turn right and head around the lake back towards the dam and home…
HTH
super, thanks i got it. I will check it out tomorrow.
I visited the Jiang Guo flower market (under the expressway at Xinyi, near Daan park)
I found several places selling potted herbs (a lot of Rosemary), but a good find was a few places selling seeds for virtually all the herbs I could think of. Around 20nt a packet.
Thanks for all the suggestions