A no-menu feast in the secluded mountains
#️⃣ #ShiyangShanfang #NoMenuCooking #TaipeiSuburban Secret
🌿 A Mountain Restaurant – A Hidden Wellness Retreat
ℹ️ Useful Information
🕰️ Opening Hours:
Daily: 11:30 AM–2:00 PM, 5:30 PM–8:00 PM (Reservations Required)
🏖️ Atmosphere/Facilities:
Forest garden, tatami dining area, tea ceremony reception, parking
📍 Address: No. 7, Lane 350, Section 3, Xiwan Road, Xizhi District, New Taipei City
💰 Average Cost per Person:
Set menu approximately NT$1,500–2,000 per person
In the bustling suburbs of Taipei lies a secluded and poetic restaurant – ShiyangShanfang. Tucked away in the mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, entering the park feels like stepping into another tranquil world. The wooden architecture blends seamlessly with the mountain scenery, accompanied by the sound of flowing water and chirping birds, creating a sense of escapism.
This is more than just a restaurant; it embodies a lifestyle: a return to nature, adapting to the four seasons, and elevating dining into a holistic experience of body, mind, and spirit.
🍵 Tea Ceremony – A Pre-dinner Meditation Ritual
Shiyang Shanfang places special emphasis on the "pre-dinner state of mind." Before dining, the wait staff will offer guests a cup of tea and invite them to take a moment of quiet time in the courtyard or on the tatami mats, soaking in the aroma and ambiance.
This arrangement not only prepares the taste buds for the meal but also serves as a small spiritual ritual – a transition from the hustle and bustle of the city to a more relaxed state of mind.
🥢 No-menu Cuisine – A Four-Season Mountain Feast
Shiyang Shanfang offers a no-menu menu, with menus changing with the seasons and available ingredients. Common dishes include:
• Wild vegetables: Such as guacamole and asparagus, prepared simply to preserve their fresh flavors.
• Creative appetizers: Local Taiwanese ingredients are combined with Japanese or Zen-inspired presentations for a refined visual experience.
• Healthy main courses: Mostly rice dishes or handmade noodles, offering a light yet complex flavor.
• Tea and desserts: Tea is served with the dishes, and fruit or Japanese confectionery is served as the final touch.
The entire meal consists of approximately ten courses, with generous portions emphasizing the original flavors of the ingredients, ensuring a light yet satisfying meal.
🌸 Spatial Aesthetics – Dining in Nature
The architecture of Shiyang Shanfang utilizes extensive use of wood and bamboo, creating a simple, Zen-like atmosphere. The dining space features tatami mats and large windows, bringing the mountain scenery to the table. From fresh greenery in spring, the chirping of cicadas in summer, the crimson of maple leaves in autumn, and the morning mist in winter, each season offers a unique charm.
Many guests enjoy enjoying the view while dining. This atmosphere of "dining within the view, and the view within the view" is the greatest charm of Shiyang Shanfang.
💫 A Five-Sense Experience
Dining at Shiyang Shanfang is more than just eating; it's an experience that engages all five senses:
• Sight: Elegantly presented dishes, the natural scenery outside the window
• Hearing: The sound of flowing water, the chirping of insects and birds
• Smell: The fragrance of tea, wood, and flowers
• Taste: Light yet richly layered dishes
• Touch: The softness of the tatami mats, the warmth of the wooden tables and chairs
Time seems to slow down here, allowing one to completely immerse themselves in the present moment.
Shiyang Shanfang is more than just a restaurant; it's a journey. It allows one to temporarily escape from the hustle and bustle of life and experience the true meaning of "food nourishment" through the cuisine, the environment, and the atmosphere—food nourishes not only the body but also the mind.
For many travelers, a trip to Taipei isn't just about visiting night markets and seeing the bustling city; it's also worth arranging a "quiet food journey" to leave behind memories that are completely different from the city itself.