September 2025 Community Spotlight: Tim Berge

Welcome to September 2025’s Community Spotlight!

This September, we are honored to feature Tim Berge, General Manager of ICRT (International Community Radio Taipei) — Taiwan’s only English-language radio station. A longtime friend of the Center, Tim has helped strengthen the close relationship between ICRT and the Center over the years. Passionate, adventurous, and deeply rooted in Taiwan’s international community, Tim embodies the spirit of connection and exploration that both ICRT and the Center value.

About Tim Berge

Hi!  My name is Tim Berge, 白健文, or 小白, but, just don’t confuse me with the neighbor’s dog. 

I hail from the Minneapolis, Minnesota, but I’ve called Taiwan home for over three decades.  Back home in high school, I was classmates with the Prince Nelson, who went on to become the musician Prince, and me, I went on to become Captain Tim, the first bilingual traffic reporter in Taiwan.  That was when I first entered International Community Radio Taipei back in the early ‘90s, when Taipei traffic was daily gridlock as construction for the MRT system was just kicking off. 

Since those days, I’ve gone on to assume other jobs and responsibilities at ICRT, from the newsroom to management, to now being General Manager. In addition to ICRT, I’m also active with the European Chamber of Commerce Taiwan’s Better Living Committee, where we advocate for solutions to improve the quality of life in Taiwan.  I’m also an avid jogger, who likes to snap photos as I (very slowly) run around the mountainsides and roadways of Taiwan. 

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

Maybe I’ve been in Taiwan too long, but I’m still a fan of those old holes-in-the-wall and 館子 that used to populate local streets. One of my favorites to this day is 忠南飯館 on Renai Rd. It has everything you’d want in a good meal: fresh and tasty ingredients, reasonable prices, and delicious flavors that withstand the march of time. Don’t forget to try the 泡菜牛肉, one of my favorites in Taiwan and one I never miss.

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

Pardon me as I bend the rules a little. My recommendation isn’t a truly American restaurant, but it does have one of the best burgers I’ve found in Greater Taipei. And what’s more American in the common parlance than a burger? Plus it’s location adds to the experience. Located along the beach at Baishawan on Taiwan’s northwest coast, Dazzler’s Fish and Chips has burgers which boast juicy grilled beef patties on a very tasty bun. Stop by in the late afternoon to evening for spectacular sunsets. Or come in the afternoon for a swim, or surfing at the next door beach, before relaxing at the restaurant for a pleasant meal to wrap up the day.

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

Being a long-time resident of Taipei, my choice in comfort food is once again very local. After a long day at the office, or when I don’t know where to grab a quick bite after a night out at the movies, Xiao Ping Kitchen 小品雅廚 is always my number one choice. The food is of the rice porridge buffet variety 清粥配小菜: a large selection of various dishes, which you can then enjoy with porridge 稀飯, or if you’re less adventurous, plain white rice, 乾飯. Why I love this place is its fast and simple (although someone must have told the “influencers”, because the crowds can be unexpectedly large at times), and the food is always being freshly replenished. Very tasty, and as is my common refrain, very reasonably priced. Hmm… is that a common theme here? I don’t want to be cheap, but as I’ve discovered over the years in Taiwan, much of the best food is found in simple eateries that sacrifice ambiance for taste.

Oh, while you’re there, a few of the dishes I’d recommend are the spicy chicken 辣子雞丁, scrambled eggs with tomato 番茄炒蛋, kongpao preserved eggs 宮保皮蛋, and bitter melon 丁香苦瓜. But, whatever you select, I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed.

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

This is a difficult question, but once again I think I’ll give an unorthodox response. Ever since I first arrived in Taiwan decades ago, my rule has always been to explore Taiwan. That exploring includes opting to walk when I can, and try the back alleys, and see what you discover. As I’ve gotten older, this also includes exploring Taiwan’s countryside whenever I’m traveling, or just wanting to kill a weekend afternoon.

If driving, I often turn off the main roadway, and just see what I’ll happen upon. This includes exploring mountain roadways where you can find amazing vistas, or perhaps stumble upon a hamlet tucked away in the hillside to enjoy some local produce or a cup of tea. When driving along the freeway, I’ll randomly take an exit, and drive through the towns off the beaten path, maybe enjoying some traditional shaved ice, or a simple meal. Or, driving along the backroads in the farming areas, and catching the farmers as they work the fields, and marveling at the beauty of rice paddies and other crops. These scenes also make for great photos!

But more importantly, I love to jog every morning, and I’ve discovered the best way to learn about a new location is to take a morning run outside and just randomly chose a route through back alleys and along country roads. In urban areas, you can enjoy observing people as they start their day, and when you’re in a remote area, jogging is one of the best ways to enjoy Taiwan’s picturesque scenery, while also enjoying the sounds of birds and nature.

So in summation, Taiwan is a hidden gem. The friendly people, the safety at anytime of day or night, make it a perfect destination to explore to your heart’s content.

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

For me, it seems that the CSC has always been part of my Taiwan experience. Working at ICRT, we have always had strong relations with the Center, with both staring common goals and ambitions. Like the Center, ICRT is committed to meeting the needs of the international community, helping them adjust to life in Taiwan, and allowing them to realize their full potential here. That’s one of the beauties of Taiwan, with so many people from around the world, and from within the local community, all dedicated to helping each other, and improving society.

At the same time, many ICRT staff have also played an essential role in the Center’s development — helping out on Center events, volunteering their services, and always looking for ways to promote its activities in the international community.

With all this positive energy, who doesn’t want to come back and feel stronger than before.

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

Keep an open mind. Four simple words, but four we too often forget. Taiwan has taught me that there is not always one way, or a sole “best” way to do things. Instead we need to think of how to resolve the issue at hand in a way which does the most good for the most people. Taiwan may have its problems, but in retrospect, these problems often pale in comparison to other places.

Also learn to smile more. For example, if you’re standing in line for a long time, don’t explode when its finally your turn. The clerk or official serving you is probably not directly responsible for the long line. And if you just greet them with a smile, they’ll generally take a positive impression of you, and try their best to help you. And if they don’t, at least everyone else around you will see your virtue, and leave with a positive attitude of you.

Finally, build consensus. On the job and in various situations in Taiwan, I’ve learned this critical lesson. Meetings at the office can often take much longer than anyone wants, but after we’ve milled over the various options, and heard everyone’s opinion, we are able to build a consensus that we all can buy into. Or at least, a consensus no one will reject.

This may not be perfect, and at times can delay important decisions. But, by keeping as many people as possible on board, progress can still be achieved, if only gradually, in a peaceful and harmonious manner. And at the end of the day, isn’t that the first step toward building a better world?

Locations Mentioned:

after a soccer game at the park

Subscribe to Center Focus

Stay connected with the Center—get the latest updates on events, classes, and community news.