Welcome to the July 2025 Community Spotlight!
Welcome to the July 2025 Community Spotlight! Each month, we shine a light on fascinating members of our community who bring unique talents, passions, and stories to Taiwan’s international scene.
This month, meet Erik West, a dedicated wellness professional whose journey bridges East and West, and whose work inspires others to find balance and vitality.
About Erik
My name is Erik West, and I grew up in the Pacific Northwest of America in the State of Oregon. I am a nature lover, hiker, and alchemist, both inner alchemy (through Qigong, meditation, and breathwork) and outer alchemy (crafting healing teas and soups).
I am a certified YOQI Yoga & Qigong Instructor and also a licensed mental health counselor for the state of Oregon. In my mental health work, I blend traditional spiritual and mind-body practices with modern cutting-edge cognitive research to help people heal and grow in all areas of life. I run an online counseling business as well as providing Qigong lessons and wellness coaching. I came to Taiwan in 2018 and fell in love with the land and lifestyle quickly. I also spent years of my life living in Sichuan and Yunnan, China.
What’s one restaurant in Taipei you’d recommend that everyone should experience at least once?
It’s hard to pick one restaurant! Or at least, one “big” mainstream restaurant. If you can speak and read Chinese, or feel comfortable translating using your phone, then exploring traditional dumpling and noodle restaurants has always been my favorite, which can be found in various small alleyways, night markets, and off-the-beaten path. However, if you haven’t tried it, hot pot is a must. Like the noodle and dumpling places, there are a lot of choices, but Hai Di Lao is an excellent restaurant originating from China. I recommend Sichuan Mala style!
What’s an authentic restaurant that serves food from your home country?
I recommend a place called The Diner for all-American food and brunch. There are a few locations in Taipei and around Taiwan. The one I like to go to is in Nangang Software Park Station.
Do you have a go-to comfort food spot in Taipei that you absolutely love?
As far as comfort food is concerned, it’s not really food, but tea! There’s a hidden gem around Dahu Park called Bijou (Fu Cang in Chinese). You can drink tea with a beautiful tea set, order snacks, chat with your friends, and even go shopping at their beautiful clothing shop. They have traditional Chinese-style shirts and pants, but they also have a modern take. Many of the clothes would be great for yoga, Qigong, or Tai Chi practice, or just lounging around the house! (I recommend the pants. They also have bags, coasters, iPad cases…the list goes on. But the boss grows and cultivates some of the best Oolong tea I’ve ever had in Taiwan. I often go there to work and study.
What’s a hidden gem in Taiwan—a place or activity—that you think foreigners should know about?
I absolutely recommend checking out Yingge! It’s one of the most famous places for buying tea and ceramics. You’ll almost certainly find something to decorate your home, kitchen, or enhance your tea-drinking experience! You can also sign up for pottery classes. Additionally, if you’re more into nature, take a train or a car and head down to Taitung (Taidong). It’s amazing down there, full of ocean breezes, fresh air, and mountains–a totally different vibe from the north.
How did you find out about the Center? What keeps you coming back?
I found out about the Center through a few friends. One was receiving counseling from one of the experienced counselors there, and the other was introduced to the staff and vibrant community surrounding it. I keep coming back because I am planning on teaching more Qigong, meditation, and breathwork classes there soon!
What’s one book, movie, or piece of media you think everyone should experience at least once—and why?
I believe everyone should read No Bad Parts by Richard Schwartz, a book about Internal Family Systems in therapy. It teaches us how we all have different parts, or in a way, different personalities inside us, wounded parts, inner critics, inner children, and so forth. If we can learn to relate to our parts, have a conversation with them, mindfully embrace and accept them with love and dignity, we can begin to heal all internal struggles within us, stop resisting life, and flow more beautifully into every moment.
What piece of advice would you give to someone new to living in Taiwan?
Definitely learn as much Chinese as you can. It’s a beautiful language, and I believe our lives grow and expand the more we learn a local culture’s language.
🗺 Locations Mentioned:
- Hai Di Lao (multiple locations across Taipei)
- The Diner: 115, Taipei City, Nangang District, Jingmao 2nd Rd
- BIJOU: No. 87號, Dahushanzhuang St, Neihu District, Taipei City, 114
- Yingge Historic Ceramics Street: 23941, New Taipei City, Yingge District
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