Culinary new wave puts Taiwan on foodie map

the Japanese have been quick to appreciate Taiwanese food culture. I know a lot of Japanese people who make trips to Taiwan just for the food.

Tessa, there's a reason why the Japanese appreciate Taiwanese food: much of Taiwanese cuisine was strongly influenced by Japanese cuisine during the time Taiwan was under Japanese rule (1895 to 1945). As such, many Taiwanese dishes are familiar to Japanese palates.