A great dessert option is 紅灰 (translate from red & lime and first character of lime is ommited)
Sweet, way younger nuts that are far more succulent, easier to chew, faster acting, stronger, they use the piper flower and slice it rather than the leaf (tastes better in my opinion). Top top it off, you can collect the bikini babe boxes in the end.
Grab a $50 box and try em out. If you like betel nut, you’ll love these! 
I’ve wondered if it’s a creation by/for those, like me, who don’t enjoy the taste of bamboo shoots. That’s not any animosity towards Taiwanese food - I just don’t like bamboo shoot flavor.
But if that was the reason, it sure didn’t work in creating anything more palatable. Or in the least palatable.
I quite like the taste of bamboo shoots sans the faux mayo and sparkly sweet shite sprinkled on top.
I also like the taste of betelnut shoots, though I’ve been scolded by friends when I ordered it as they don’t like supporting this industry at all (mostly based on environmental damage to slopes where betelnut trees are planted en masse).
There are a lot of Taiwanese foods I quite like. None of them are improved by slathering on the faux mayo and/or the sprinkled sparkly shite noted above. 
Guy
Taiwanese mayo/salad dress is a crime against humanity.
This sir may be what you are looking for:
For the longan topic, you may also consider this:
Guy
Mods please move to appropriate thread if possible.
lithium grease is a carcinogen
joking. actually I don’t know what it is.
it’s like the opposite of japanese mayonnaise
there probably is one but this is funny
At minimum, I’d say it’s a crime against the culinary.
Guy
it’s lubricant. helps you get it down
It’s a crime against Umanity!
Umami-ty?
Something like that anyways. 
Guy
Ahh yes that was the intention lol
I’ve heard that from some people as well. I hope the people that get triggered by betel nut also never eat cabbage, tea, plums, peaches etc etc 
But yeah, 2 wrongs don’t make a right.
Those longan are some of the best things on planet earth. Any product that uses them will win an award
So what do all you old-timers actually eat in Taiwan? My first year here, I was up for eating anything. Two years (and a kitchen) later, I only eat Taiwanese food once a week, and it’s basic stuff like fried rice or dumplings. I cook most of the week, but save Friday and the weekend for Indian food, pizza, and some other random foreign cuisine.
Where on the island do you live? There’s considerable variation in strengths depending on location.
Guy
Pretty much this, with perhaps more eating out. Except I suspect the Taiwanese food is a couple of times a month. When I’m lazy and/or too busy, that increases, with things like kimchi guotie from Bafang and danbing from breakfast places, which I do enjoy, but they’re well into junk food territory.
Lunchboxes at work meetings, but that’s rarely more than once a month.
It may have been over a decade since I last went on my own to a restaurant that serves a range of Taiwanese food, although I occasionally go to places that specialize in shuijiao or bowls of noodles or whatever. Plus restaurants with the in-laws.
Minor caveat, as I’ve probably said upthread a few times, is that my wife is vegetarian which means the types of Taiwanese food I do like - the rechao sort of stuff - isn’t something we can really eat in restaurants. And so many vegetarian restaurants here are also vegan, with no chilis or garlic, i.e. usually blander than could be believed.
The best food is at night markets. Aren’t they all over the place? Has that changed since I left?
One’s mileage (or kilometre-age here in Taiwan) may vary.
Guy
