April 2025 Community Spotlight: David Vangeel

Welcome to the April 2025 Community Spotlight!

Photo courtesy of David Vangeel

Welcome to our April Community Spotlight! This month, we’re shining a light on David Vangeel, a cherished member of the Center community and a familiar face at many of our events.

Theo, David's dog, came from Belgium with the Vangeel family in 2023.

About David

Hello everyone, I am David Vangeel, from Belgium. Together with my family, we have been living in Taipei since the summer of 2023. At the time, my wife Sofie had the opportunity to work here in the semiconductor sector, so our 13-year-old son Vince, our dog Theo, and I followed her for this adventure. Since we have been staying here, getting to know new people and new things is becoming more and more enjoyable.

  What’s one restaurant in Taipei you’d recommend that everyone should experience at least once?

If you are looking for a mix of Latin American and Taiwanese influences, I can definitely recommend ZEA. They present you with a variety of different dishes, all with an immense attention to detail. The dining experience takes place right at the open kitchen, which is always a fun experience. It’s not cheap, but for special occasions, this is definitely my recommendation. 

ZEA is located in Da'an District.
ZEA has one Michelin Star.

 What’s an authentic restaurant that serves food from your home country?

So far, we haven’t found a restaurant with Belgian cuisine. I must admit, with such a plethora of diners in Taipei, we haven’t missed it so far. And if we fancy something typically Belgian, like mussels with French fries, we just make it ourselves. The Belgian beer, on the other hand, is available in every supermarket.

Belgian beer lining the supermarket fridge. (Photo courtesy of Steven Cheng)

 Do you have a go-to comfort food spot in Taipei that you absolutely love?

There is an Indian restaurant close to where we live, Masala Magic. A very small restaurant, with a simple setting, but the dishes are always fantastic and also very affordable.  

Masala Magic is located in Tianmu, Taipei.
One of Masala Magic's many curries.

What’s a hidden gem in Taiwan—a place or activity—that you think foreigners should know about?

We really enjoy going to Baishawan Beach. A beautiful sandy beach, not too far from Taipei City, where you can rent a small tent so you are protected from the sun. And if you are hungry or thirsty, just turn around, and you can order a small snack or drink from the local vendors on the beach. Furthermore, you can do some watersports, and you are always safe, because of the presence of the lifeguards. And it is not that crowded.  

Baishawan is known for its smooth sandbars.
Beach goers relax at Baishawan.

How did you find out about the Community Services Center? What keeps you coming back?

It was during one of my first Chinese lessons that my teacher told me about the Center. I then signed up once for a first hike, a first cooking class, and was sold.

Since I like hiking and cooking, you can almost always find me joining one of these activities at the Center. 

What piece of advice would you give to someone new to living in Taiwan?

My biggest piece of advice for living in Taiwan is definitely to learn some Chinese. The Center even gives classes called Survival Chinese.

If you can already understand a bit of what people are saying to you, that just makes the experience without Google Translate so much more enjoyable. And not many Taiwanese people speak English well.  

🗺 Locations Mentioned:

after a soccer game at the park

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