A friend who just returned from Taiwan is absolutely appalled

Please understand that this is a subjective and narrow-minded evaluation.
They have visited Japan three times and Da Nang once, and said they had no issues with local food or spices, so they headed to Taiwan...
However, they are now swearing they will never go back, saying the streets reek of sewage and the food was so nauseating due to a gamey smell that went beyond just meatiness that they left everything uneaten.
Their prejudice that Taiwanese food is delicious and the people are kind has been completely shattered.