June 2025 Community Spotlight: Keri Presnell

Welcome to the June 2025 Community Spotlight!

Photo courtesy of Keri Presnell

Welcome to our June Community Spotlight! This month, we’re excited to introduce one of the newest friendly faces at the Community Services Center–Keri Presnell!

Having just arrived in Taiwan a few months ago, Keri is already making meaningful connections and embracing life in Taipei.

About Keri

Hello! My name is Keri Presnell. My family and I just moved here a few months ago from Maryland, USA. Our children attend Taipei American School. It’s our first overseas posting, and so far we are thrilled that Taiwan is such a welcoming place! I was born and raised in Hawaii, so island life suits me pretty well. However, I’ve also lived in San Francisco, New York City, and Washington DC, so I have a deep love for big cities. Taipei is certainly finding a top spot on that list.

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

We have only been in Taipei for a hot minute, so I don’t have a wide breadth of foodie knowledge yet. One memorable restaurant for me was Saffron 46 because we celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary there.

I have never experienced a more breathtaking dining view! I absolutely loved seeing Taipei 101 lit up in front of us while we ate delicious modern Indian cuisine. The presentation of each dish was so artful and the cocktails were very unique. 

Saffron 46, a modern Indian restaurant located on the 46th floor of Breeze Nanshan in Xinyi District, Taipei.

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

My neighborhood in the United States had excellent El Salvadoran food. While I have not found any pupusas here yet, we do get excellent tacos at Eddy’s Cantina in Tianmu.

Their homemade tortillas always hit the spot when we are craving some Latin flavors.

Eddy's Cantina, a Mexican restaurant located in Tianmu, Taipei.
Keri loves Eddy's Cantina's tacos.

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

I grew up eating a lot of Japanese food, so all the great options for sushi make me feel right at home. This tiny restaurant called Sozo Tianmu near Shidong Market serves wonderful, fresh salmon donburi and nigiri. I love the clean and intimate interior. They also serve some delicious hot dishes, like this mentaiko yam appetizer.   

My favorite sweet comfort food are these “wheel cakes,” and while you can find them all over, I stumbled upon one little stall right next to Lanya Park in Tianmu. The price is very affordable, so you can try all the flavors! I love the red bean mochi, but the chocolate mochi is a favorite with my kids. Eat them warm as you walk home.  

Sozo Tianmu has an assortment of freshly made sushi.

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

I’m a graphic designer, so I was very excited to find these special places. However, you don’t have to be an artist to enjoy them! At the Suho Paper Memorial Museum, you can learn about the history of paper making in Taiwan, as well as make your own sheet of handmade paper. My kids and I stirred the pulp with our hands, strained it through a screen, then pressed and dried it into a one-of-a-kind sheet.   

The Ri Xing Type Foundry is a unique gem found in a quiet alley off Zhongshan MRT. Letterpress printing is a dying art, so it is remarkable to see the last traditional Chinese character type foundry in the world. There are rows and rows of thousands of lead characters. 

The best part is you can make a custom stamp to take home!

At Ri Xing, you can make and take home your own stamp.
Keri making paper at the Suho Paper Memorial Museum.

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

The Center advertised its services at Taipei American School, and since we arrived mid-year, it’s been a great way for me to meet other parents and make new friends. I’ve loved the variety of classes, tours, and events that the Center offers. I keep returning because the community they’ve built is so supportive and friendly.

Keri and her Survival Chinese classmates are grabbing lunch after class.

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

A friend once gave our family advice that when you are new and someone invites you to do something, say YES! This has been helpful for all of us as we try to be brave in trying new things and meeting new people.

My other piece of advice is, learn to ride a bike! When it’s so hot out, you will enjoy that little bit of wind blowing on your face from pedaling. I was a nervous city biker at first, but I soon learned that getting around the city is much more efficient and fun on two wheels.

🗺 Locations Mentioned:

after a soccer game at the park

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