A favorite part of the city is in Dadaocheng area near the Taipei Bridge.  Diahua Street is where dried shark fins and cans of abalone are a specialty.  Calmex abalone (California-Mexico)  at NT$3300 to $4000 depending upon which shop, is over US$100 per can.

Many other dried herbal products are here.

Small historic shops with frontage signs in Chinese are a joy to see.  Nothing quite so historic remains in Sydney today.

Shark fins are still on display in several businesses – I would not doubt that foreigners have complained (in their well-meaning ignorance).  Taking pictures might be a more sensitive issue than what it was a couple of years back.

(Click picture and it should enlarge to full size).

About these ads