November 2025 Community Spotlight: Jessica Wang Simula

Welcome to the November 2025 Community Spotlight!

For this month’s Community Spotlight, we’re delighted to feature Jessica Wang Simula, a longtime member of the Center community and one of the creative minds helping bring the Centerpiece Silent Auction to life for this year’s Tropical Nights, Community Lights Gala. The Centerpiece is a special section of the gala’s silent auction dedicated to celebrating art and creativity, featuring works by international and local artists from our community. With her curatorial experience and passion for connecting people through art, Jessica has played a key role in bringing this year’s artistic showcase to life.

About Jessica Wang Simula

I have always believed that what really makes a difference is the people.  It is the people I’ve met and connected with in Taiwan that have made me love living here. 

My name is Jessica Wang Simula, I was born in Taiwan, but moved away as a teenager and came back nearly 8 years ago with my family of four.  When we arrived in 2018, people assumed that I would settle in immediately since I was “coming home”.  The fact is, though, it took me a good while to find my feet.  The Centre helped me find my bearings.  I joined a few classes, tours and coffee mornings, and soon started to volunteer at events, as tour guide and in the office. 

Through the Centre I also met a great friend with whom I started curating exhibitions for a community art project called ART-at-TAC Taipei in October 2022 (IG: artattactaipei).  With this project I had the privilege of meeting many local and international artists based in Taipei, exchanging creative ideas and supporting one another. 

In recent years I have organised community events at my children’s school, started a book club, joined a choir, learnt Brazilian jiujitsu and started writing.  I now feel very settled in Taipei and cannot think of anywhere else I would rather live.

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

Taiwanese beef noodles are the best.  My children always demand it as soon as we land in Taiwan.  My favourite beef noodle restaurant is Aged 21 Beef Noodle Soup (熟成21牛肉麵) in Neihu.

Aged 21 Beef Noodle Soup (熟成21牛肉麵), located in Neihu District, Taipei.

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

I spent many years in Australia, and I love a good Australian style meat pie.  Woolloomoolloo is the place I go to when the craving hits.  

Woolloomooloo, an Australian cafe chain with locations all across Taipei.

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

Wu Jia Dou Jiang (吳家豆漿) serves one of my guilty pleasures – clayoven roll and fried bread stick (燒餅油條).  I call this traditional Chinese breakfast dish “carb coma”.  I like this shop particularly because of the friendly staff.  

Wu Jia Dou Jiang (吳家豆漿), located just across the street from the Community Services Center in Shilin District, Taipei.

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

Ri Xing Type Foundry (日星鑄字行) is the last remaining letterpress printer in Taiwan. They sell thousands of traditional Chinese movable typeface in three fonts and varying sizes. To go to the shop is seeing all Chinese characters imaginable in 3-D, and it has some beautiful old printing tools on display too. You can buy lead type characters to make your own stamp. Don’t worry, a shop assistant will help you find the characters you need.

Ri Xing Type Foundry, located in Datong District, Taipei.

How did you find out about the Community Services Center?

I came across the Centre initially through a search for English-language yoga class.  I found the staff helpful and friendly, and started coming to the different activities that piqued my interest.

What’s one book, movie, or piece of media you think everyone should experience at least once—and why?

I think everyone should read at least one, but preferably more, book by Toni Morrison. You read her and you know you are in the presence of a master. Her language is rich but precise, and her use of melodic dialects makes one crave to hear the words spoken. She creates believable, almost tangible worlds of different historical periods and she always tells a brilliant story.

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

Go out and get involved.  You will eventually find your tribe.  There are cycling groups, fitness groups, book and craft clubs.   I have recently joined an English-language community choir called Sun Voices.  (Inquiries: garry.thin@tes.tp.edu.tw)

I had not really sung before, but just by showing up I got to experience the pleasure of making music together with strangers who eventually became friends.  Finding your tribe you get a real sense of belonging.

Jessica Wang Simula and English community choir, Sun Voices.

The Center’s annual auction gala, coming up on November 14, is a beloved tradition. Do you have a favorite auction gala memory?

I really enjoyed the adrenaline rush at the auction and raffle prize draws. But ultimately it was a fun night out with friends, eating excellent food and having a jolly good time, all for an excellent cause.

Jessica Wang Simula, among friends, at a Center annual auction.

🗺 Locations Mentioned:

after a soccer game at the park

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