LegoLady's first visit to Tianmu Shidong Market- Five star traditional market is definitely worthwhile. 

Tianmu Shidong Market is the fully air conditioned traditional market where moms, grandmas and housewives buy their groceries.

As stated on the Taipei City Government website: Shidong Market is "A Fresh Market Catering to the Needs of All Different Nationalities."

"The first level of Shidong Market is dedicated to fresh seafood, fruit and vegetables, and sundry goods.

The second level is dedicated to snack meals and drinks, general merchandise, antiques, and jewelry. The savory snack treats range from stir-fry dishes, lurou fan (rice with soy-stewed pork) and qiezai mian (noodles in soup with braised minced meat) to Western favorites such as steaks, and sweet treats. Most of the clothes shops on the second floor feature imported women's attire.

Those visiting Shidong Market for the first time are always struck by the difference in character between the two levels." 

http://www.taipei.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=1130998&ctNode=27688&mp=100002 

Zhen Hao Jia Vietnamese Pho is a small restaurant stand located on the second floor (stand#253) of Shidong Market, and its owner is from Vietnam (The  boss married the Vietnamese wife), the food there is authentic and tratidionally Vietnamnese style. 

Here is the menu:

A sneak peek of what the three of us ordered:

1. Green Papaya salad w/ peanuts, cucumbers,& baby tomatos $80  

2. Spring Rolls and lettuce (4 per serve) with plum sauce $80

3. Raw Beef Pho x2 ( Beef are cook once you order) $120x2

4. Fresh Lemon &Basil (Bean Sprouts cooked and included in soup) $Free

The Green Papaya salad is by far the best LegoLady has tried in Taiwan, and its price and portion is unbeatable. You can also adjust the level of spiciness to the salad since it's made to order, so the owner will ask you first of how spicy you would like your salad to be, and this time LegoLady tried a little spicy, and she just loved it.  muah <3 <3 <3

LegoLady had tried Pho from many different restaurants in the States, in Canada, in Australia and also in Taiwan, the Pho from Zhen Hao Jia Vietnamese Pho is unique in its own way since it has its special pho made daily. The Pho is a bit chewy yet like they are dancing in LegoLady's mouth. It's a must try item.

The Pho is thicker than what LegoLady had anticipated, but its fresh taste together with the richness of the soup base is the perfect match. According to the owner, the soup made of long-simmered ox leg bones, and cook over 12 hours with adding vegitables to perfect the taste buds. The final touch of the soup was adding the sliced beef sirloin cook at the time of order to ensure its freshness and quality. 

As for the Spring Rolls, they were authetic and solid Vietnamese style Spring Rolls, something LegoLady will always order with Pho, a perfect combination.

Party of  3, Bill: NT$400- no complaints about that, it's like US$13, and all three people are full and satisfied.  

Zhen Hao Jia Vietnamese Pho <珍好呷越南河粉> 

Phone: 02-2832-1655, 0972-199-895

Address: (#253) 2F, No. 100, Shìdōng Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

Hours: 11:00~19:30

Closed: Monday

How to get here：

1. MRT Shilin station or Jiantan station (on Zhongshan N. Rd)

Take bus# 220 and get off at Shidung Elementary school, and walk along Shidung road to Shidung Market.

2. MRT Zhishan station exit#1, across the street there are free shuttles to Takashimaya that can lead you to Shidung Market.

3. For those who drive, Shidung Market has its own underground parking at little costs, and it only operates during market hours.

The parking fees：first hour: NT$20, second hour: NT$50, and it gradually goes up NT$50 every hour.

Tips: Takashimaya (Department store) is walking distance (5 mins), and ShiDung Market itself is a unique and clean traditional market to explore the Taiwanese tradition of buying groceries. There are many other cuisines among all the other stands that garentee tasty food for everyone. 

love,

LegoLady