17.234 Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

Cycle 17 – Item 234

Post 6,078

27 (Thu) August 2026

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

2.5

at China Airlines Business Class Lounge

(Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport)

-Taoyuan, Taipei, Taiwan-

solo

Feathering the (Kid’s New) Nest: Day 9 of 9

- Day 1 (17.226 Premium Seafood Trio in Dried Scallop Sauce)
- Day 2 (17.227 Boston Lobster with Ginger & Scallions)
- Day 3 (17.228 Vodka Sicilian Pizza)
- Day 4 (17.229 Pizza with Chanterelle Mushrooms and Gremolata)
- Day 5 (17.230 Carne Asada Burrito)
- Day 6 (17.231 Jjamppong)
- Day 7 (17.232 Sushi Dinner)
- Day 8 (17.233 Grilled Beef Tenderloin and Lobster Tail with Whole Grain Mustard Sauce)
- Day 9 (17.234 Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup)

In transit, flying back to Seoul via Taipei. DJ, upon finishing his freshman year at Cal, has moved out of the dorms and rented an apartment. Though my parents didn’t (physically) help to furnish my first apartment (financially, yes), DJ seemed hopelessly lost on what needed to be done and utterly incapable of getting it done, so here I am. Always happy for an excuse to visit Berkeley – 3rd year in a row (see previously 16.228 Korean Beef Short Rib with Vegetables Wraps; 15.182 Top). Mission accomplished, for the most part.

BREAKFAST

– China Airlines Business Lounge –

Time stamp: 17:28 (SFO) / 08:28 (TPE) / 09:28 (ICN)

Arriving in Taipei at 08:00, over 3 hours late, I missed my connecting flight to Incheon, which had departed at 07:55. I was rebooked on a Korean Air flight scheduled to depart at 13:00 and issued a lounge pass.

Very spacious, with plenty of sofas and tables.

Alas, the breakfast buffet wasn’t that appealing.

Maybe because of the early hour, but the booze options were very disappointing, especially when compared to the sister lounge at SFO.

Highland Queen Majesty Highland Single Malt (12-yr) (2.0): whatevs.

One of the better lounges in my experience, probably gets better in the evening.

LUNCH

– China Airlines Business Lounge –

Time stamp: 20:39 (SFO) / 11:39 (TPE) / 12:39 (ICN)

Evoking fond memories of trying this dish on my 1st trip to Taipei (see generally 5.111 Pork Potstickers)

Nearing noon, I passed out. Not entirely sloshed, but I’d been steadily imbibing for over 22 hours, so pretty drunk.

I woke up at 13:30, 30 minutes after the scheduled departure time of my flight to Incheon. Fortunately (if that’s the appropriate sentiment), it had been delayed 2 hrs to 15:30.

Time elapsed: 1 hr (transit, Berkeley to SFO) + 2.5 hrs (lounge) + 4.5 hrs (delay) + 12 hrs (flight) + 5.5 hrs (layover) + 2 hrs (delay) = 27.5 hrs

DINNER

– Korean Air KE 2022 –

Time stamp: 00:36 (SFO) / 15:36 (TPE) / 16:36 (ICN)

After boarding, the plane sat on the tarmac for over 2 hours, citing various issues with air traffic control and maintenance.

The business class cabin hosted 3 passengers, including me.

Finally, the plane took off at 17:44.

Maison Castel Chardonnay Grande Reserve (2024) (2.0)

Time elapsed: 1 hr (transit, Berkeley to SFO) + 2.5 hrs (lounge) + 4.5 hrs (delay) + 12 hrs (flight) + 5.5 hrs (layover) + 2 hrs (delay) + 2 hrs (delay) + 2.5 hrs (flight) + 1.5 hrs (transit, ICN to home) = 33.5 hrs

I arrived home at 22:30.

Not sure if the trip was the longest in my experience (e.g., Manila to Paris/Istanbul to Geneva, Manila to Incheon to Nadi to Suva might’ve take longer), but it felt long. I’m grateful that the business class ticket made things a bit more comfortable, though I suppose that a direct coach flight could’ve avoided the (transit) delays altogether (maybe).

(See also RESTAURANTS IN TAIWAN)

(See BUSINESS CLASS LOUNGING)

(See IN-FLIGHT DINING)

(See BUSINESS CLASS DINING)

(See GLOBAL FOOD GLOSSARY)

(See BOOZE)