the bento box chronicles

When my life is restricted within a room, the most exciting part of my day is hearing the doorbell ring, indicating that my food is ready and left outside my door! I've never been one to order delivered food so this is a new experience in itself lol. At my quarantine hotel, I receive three meals a day — breakfast between 7-8 am, lunch between 12-1 pm, and dinner between 6-7 pm. I am given food that is prepared from restaurants nearby my hotel in the Ximending neighborhood. These meals typically follow the pattern of a breakfast sandwich or shaobing youtiao (Chinese fried dough) with hot black tea, coffee, or soy milk (yum!). Then, a bento box with various proteins (fish fillet, char siu, duck, dougan (tofu), beef, etc), a tea egg, and boiled veggies.

Gordon reminded me that these quarantine meals would easily cost at least $12-15 back home. Holding onto that perspective, I am so excited to be back in Asia for months and to live in Taiwan aka foodie heaven -- and the best part, the fact that authentic Asian food is incredibly accessible and affordable. I see this quarantine experience as appetizers to kick off my food journey through Taiwan, where I shall boldly try out all dishes I can find. For my memories and to share with you, here is my food diary of what I ate in a quarantine hotel in Taipei! :)