Sesame Village Cafe (Italian Cuisine)

Sesame Village Cafe or 芝麻站 is a little cafe in the middle of NTNU Night market 


Location: 台北市龍泉街74號
Telephone: 02-2363-8015  or  09883032

The place is rather small and not suitable for a big event of 10+ people because there is not 
much help in the kitchen. However, the food is worth the try. 

Actually we happen to eat here by coincidence. When we saw the Ink Squid Spaghetti with 
smoke salmon and caviar, we were hooked and we said that we must try this! It was 
something that we had to try. It is at 280NT and it comes with a soup or drink (tea or coffee). 

Another pasta that we tried was the Cold Spaghetti with Anchovies (230NT). I certainly am a lover of anchovies, but I also know very well that not many people in Taiwan don't like anchovies because of its strong salty taste. However, i found the pasta to be really refreshing, like a summer vacation in Greece (I guess only the Feta was missing :P). 

This other plate is known the restaurant's signature dish. I think its a dish that is full of flavors, but strong ones. It feels like a chinese chow mien, but made with spaghetti. 

The soups that came with the spaghetti are really good, especially the seafood one compared to 
the pumpkin soup. 

Overall, i think that its worth going back for the Ink Squid Spaghetti or the anchovies one, 

especially during a hot day. Nonetheless, i don't like the fact that the spaghetti is already 

cooked before hand. 

Solo Pasta (Italian Cuisine)

Location: 106 Taiwan台北市大安區安和路一段29-1號 (near MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Exit 6)
Telephone: 02-2775-3645


Solo Pasta, meaning "only pasta" in Italian, is a restaurant that introduces the natural taste of Italian cuisine. Owned by two Taiwanese owners who have traveled to different regions of Italy to learn from the Italians themselves finally opened up a branch in Taipei City.


One really special dish found in the restaurant is the "spaghetti con salsa aceto balsamico e anatra" its smoked duck breast with a thick and creamy Balsamic vinegar at 260NT. The taste is mouth-watering and keeps you wanting to get a second taste of it. I recommend Italian food, especially spaghetti that have creamy sauces, to be accompanies with wine.

For desert, you must try the lemon tart. Although Tiramisu (literally means "pull me up") is the classical Italian desert, the lemon tart in Solo Pasta is absolutely delicious leaving you with a sweet and sour lemony aftertaste. Simply heavenly!

La Bettola (Italian Cuisine)

Location: 104 台北市大同區中山北路二段16巷21號1樓 (MRT Zhong Shan - Exit 2 behind the McDonalds near Melange Cafe)
Telephone: 02-2581-8653

Upon entering La Bettola, you feel like you've reached Italy's countryside and it is to no surprise that the restaurant adapted the name "La Bettola," that is a small commune in the Provience of Piacenza in the region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy. 

For appetizers, you can try the Crostini Platter. Its made with French Baguette and there are 3 different toppings; mozarella fresca with a hint of olive oil, tomato with Chinese whitebait and tuna salad. The appetizers are only at 150NT à la carte, but only at 90NT if you order a lunch set (starting at 290NT depending on what you order as your main course).

One of my highly recommended plates is the Risotto with Balsamic Vinegar (230NT). The taste is exquisite and very uncommonly found in Taiwan. The rice is creamy and savory and with the clash of a soothing balsamic sourness. The rice also has a bit of toasted bread flavors infused (also sprinkled on top), making the taste extra-special. 

The only down side of the restaurant is that it takes them a long time to serve the food because everything is made to order. The restaurant also offers deserts (at about 100NT-150NT), which are hand-made just like the pastas. 

Recently, I went back to eat at La Bettola. This time I tried the Carpaccio and its exquisite. Different from the one at Grazie Cafe because it feels like it has been slightly smoked. Its chewy and not too soft for you to feel the "raw-ness" of the meat. It comes with some capres, onions, parmiggiano and olive oil. Another must try. I really highly recommend all kinds of risotto in the place!