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Taiwan Food Guide: 10 Must-Try Dishes And Where To Eat Them

Planning your trip to taiwan read our taiwan food guide to find out the must-try dishes and the best places to eat them..

By: Jianne Soriano Published: May 01, 2023 10:00 AM UTC

Taiwan is a foodie’s paradise – talk about travelling there, and you’ll likely conjure up images of street food, late-night food corners, and bustling night markets. Taiwan is brimming with restaurants and side street eateries, leaving travellers spoiled for choice when it comes to food.

Whether you’re making your first trip to Taiwan or returning for the hundredth time, you’ll never run out of new things and places to try. Taiwanese food may be a complicated mix of many different things as it is influenced and inspired by various cultures and cuisines, but one thing’s for sure—you’ll always feel satisfied after taking your last bite or sip.  The best part? You can enjoy Taiwanese dishes almost anywhere, whether it’s an assuming street stall or a jam-packed night market. With a long list of culinary delights to try, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. To make your trip easier, we have compiled a Taiwan food guide, listing the must-try dishes and places to eat them, so you’ll never go hungry.

Popular Taiwanese dishes to try

Beef noodle soup.

Need a comforting bowl of noodles? Beef noodle soup is the answer. This rich noodle dish contains tender braised beef, bok choy (a type of Chinese cabbage), and hot broth that leaves you wanting more. Since this is the national dish of Taiwan, any trip can be considered incomplete without trying the beef noodle soup. While other countries have their own versions, the Taiwanese version is full of warm spices and flavours from beef shins.

Best places to try Taiwanese beef noodle soup:

• Lin Dong Fan, No. 322, Section 2, Bade Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Yong Kang Beef Noodles, No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan S Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan

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Braised pork rice.

Braised pork rice or lu rou fan is one of Taiwan’s most famous comfort foods. This all-in-one rice bowl dish normally contains stir-fried minced pork belly, slow-cooked in soy sauce. It may not sound appetising but its fall-apart tender texture gives it the melt-in-your-mouth flavour. The hardboiled egg, vegetables on the side, and soy sauce mixture complete the dish.

Best places to try braised pork rice

• Jin Feng, No. 10, Section 1, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Wang’s Broth, Stall 153, 17-4 Huaxi Street, Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan

Also known as Taiwanese hamburger, gua bao is essentially a pork belly bun. It’s made with a fluffy circular-shaped bun stuffed with a tender pork belly and crunchy pickled greens. While the pork belly is the traditional filling, you’ll be able to find different varieties nowadays. Other popular choices are fried chicken , fish, eggs, and beef. Take your pick!

Best places to try gua bao:

• Yuan Fang Guabao, Stall 161, 17-2 Huaxi Street, Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Lan Jia Guabao, No. 2, Alley 8, Lane 316, Section 3, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan

Danzai noodles

Danzai noodles, also known as ta a mi or slack season noodle, is a must-try! A native dish of Tainan, danzai refers to the wooden poles that Taiwanese fishermen used to carry suspended pots over their shoulders during “slack” or “off-season”. A standard bowl of banzai noodles consists of seafood (typically shrimp), minced meat, vegetables and herbs like coriander.

Best places to try danzai noodles

• Small Park Danzai Noodles, 321 Section 2, Ximen Road, West Central District, Tainan, Taiwan
• Du Hsiao Yueh Danzai Noodles, No. 216, Section 2, Minzu Road, West Central, District, Tainan, Taiwan

While zong zi (sticky rice dumpling) is a normal sight during Dragon Boat Festival, it can be eaten on a regular basis as it also symbolises luck. This leaf-wrapped sticky rice comes in different shapes, but the Taiwanese version is usually pyramid in shape. A traditional zong zi contains pork, mushrooms, and peanuts. 

Best places to try zong zi:

• Li Family Huzhou Zong, Nanmen Market, No. 55, B04-B051, 1/F, Section 2, Hangzhou Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Wangji Fucheng, No. 374, Section 2, Bade Road, Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan

Baobing or shaved ice isn’t a dessert unique to Taiwan as other neighbouring countries like Japan and South Korea have their own versions. Still, this is an extremely popular dessert in Taiwan. What sets it apart is the ice, which is made of milk rather than water. The ice is stacked on top of each other, creating a mountain filled with different fresh fruits and syrup. It’s the perfect summer dessert to quench your thirst!

Best places to try baobing:

• Ice Monster, 16 Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Smoothie House, No. 15, Yongkang Street, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan

To those who may not be familiar with Asian or Taiwanese food, it may feel strange to have tofu as a dessert. Douhua (tofu pudding) can either be sweet or savoury but nevertheless, soft, smooth, and silky, so it easily melts in your mouth. But just the tofu alone isn’t enough! You should have it with toppings such as red adzuki beans, green mung, beans, and jellies, topped with sugar syrup for that extra sweetness.

Best places to try douhua:

• Longtan Douhua, No. 239, Section 3, Tingzhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Sao Dou Hua, No. 26, Lane 131, Yanji Street, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan

Aiyu jelly is not only a refreshing dessert but it’s also healthy! As it’s normally made without sugar and is low in calories, it’s often referred to as a “divine delicacy” during summer. Its name, ai yu refers to fig seed, which is the main ingredient of jelly. This plant-based dessert is best served with lime and cranberries.

Best places to try Aiyu jelly:

• Yuan Huan A Sheng Aiyu Jelly, No. 262, Nanjing West Road, Datong District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Xiao Nan Men Traditional Food, No. 11, Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan

Pineapple cake

A trip to Taiwan isn’t complete without trying (or bringing back home) pineapple cake! Pineapple has a status symbol in Taiwan, as it represents wealth and prosperity. The Taiwanese Hokkien name of pineapple cake is a homophone of the phrase “ ong lai” which means “fortune will come”. This is why it’s regarded as a beloved sweet treat. It’s commonly made as a cake or shortbread tart, filled with chewy pineapple jam.

Best places to try pineapple cake:

• Chia Te Bakery, No. 88, Section 5, Nanjing Road East, Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Taipei Leechi, No. 67, Section 2, Chang’an East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan

Bubble milk tea has taken the world by storm. Known for the “ bubble ” or tapioca pearl balls, you can find this tea-based drink almost anywhere in Taiwan! Just look at the menu of bubble tea stands, and you won’t even know where to start because the choice seems endless. That said, nothing beats the classic and delicious pearl milk tea. However, you can also try black tea with customised sugar levels, toppings (tapioca or grass jelly), and of course, flavour. A popular milk tea chain, Truedan, has over 100 stores across 12 regions, so you can imagine the craze!

Best places to drink milk tea:

• 春山茶水舖, No. 323, Section 2, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Truedan, No. 17-1, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan

Have you bookmarked this Taiwan food itinerary?

This story first appeared here .

(Hero and featured image credit: I.S.S Photography/Getty Images )

Related: Taipei Is Offering Free Sightseeing Bus Tickets To Tourists

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Answer: Beef noodle soup, braised pork rice, and pineapple cake are some of Taiwan's most popular foods.

Answer: Lin Dong Fan and Yong Kang Beef Noodles in Taipei offer some of the most sumptuous beef noodles in Taiwan.

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THE 10 BEST Taiwan Food Tours

Taiwan food tours.

• Cultural Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Likely to Sell Out
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Taipei: The 10 Tastings

2. Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included)

3. [Private Tour] Shilin Night Market Walking Tour With a Private Tour Guide (2-hr)

4. Taipei Food Tour

5. Taipei Street Food & Night Market Tour with a Local: Private & Custom

6. Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun

7. Traditional Old School Taiwanese Food Tour

8. Taipei Day Tour including Taipei 101, Din Tai Fung and Hot Spring Experience

9. Night Market Food Tour in Keelung

10. WoknRoll Taipei Walking and Historical Food Tour

11. Keelung Shore Excursion: Explore Old Taipei Temple Culture (Lunch Din Tai Fung)

12. Taipei: Din Tai Fung Meal Voucher

13. 2-hr Raohe Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide

14. 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple

15. Half-Day Muslim Friendly Tour in Taipei City

What travelers are saying.

Taiwan Street Food Bucket List: 101 Taiwanese Foods To Try

Dear reader: This article contains links to products and services that I may be compensated for, at no extra cost to you.

Taiwan is a country that never stops eating, and a big part of this eating takes place on the streets.

With its legendary night markets and festivals , round-the-clock breakfast shops, recipes honed for generations, and celebrity-status food vendors, there’s always something steaming, sizzling, or stewing on Taiwan’s streets to tempt passersby.

As a nod to Taipei 101, Taiwan’s most iconic landmark, I’ve compiled this bucket list of 101 Taiwanese street foods, spanning all corners of the country, from Taipei to the offshore islands.

The diversity of Taiwanese cuisine is a testimony to the country’s rich cultural history. Aboriginals, Chinese, Hakka, Europeans, Japanese, and Southeast Asians have all left their mark, and each of these influences will be represented in the Taiwanese foods below. (Learn more about Taiwan’s history and culture with my list of interesting Taiwan facts !)

But Taiwanese food is more than just the sum of its influences. Recent decades have seen a growing recognition around the world and by Taiwanese themselves of a national cuisine that is distinctly Taiwanese and is as innovative as it is true to its complex past. Much of this innovation has taken place on the streets, thus it on the streets that you’ll find the true taste of Taiwan .

For restaurant foods, that’s a whole other world. If you’re interested to take a peek into it, check out my guide to the top restaurants in Taipei , organized by style of food. Many years of eating have gone into it!

For vegetarians and vegans , you might want to head to this article introducing more than 90 vegetarian streets food stalls in night markets across Taiwan !

* Note about language: I’ve written food names in English, Mandarin, pinyin, or the Taiwanese language first, depending on what is most commonly used by English speakers in Taiwan, or in some cases, my personal preference.

I highly recommend this book about the history of Taiwanese cuisine and this Taiwanese recipe book !

Table of Contents

Top 10 Taiwanese Foods

Introducing the ultimate, you-haven’t-been-to-Taiwan-if-you-haven’t-tried-these Taiwanese street foods! If you’re  taking a trip to Taiwan or planning on moving to Taiwan , consider these your entry level foods guaranteed to lead to an addiction.

1. Oyster Omelet ( O-A-Chian /蚵仔煎)

What is it? Eggs, greens, and oysters fried in batter and topped with a sweet & sour sauce. Options may include shrimp and spicy sauce.

Where to find it: Night markets in Taipei , night markets in Taichung and across Taiwan. Ningxia Night Market in Taipei and the underground section of Shilin Night Market are especially known for them.

2. Stinky Tofu ( Chou Doufu /臭豆腐)

What is it? A super stinky but surprisingly delicious dish consisting of deep fried tofu cubes served with pickled cabbage or hunks of firm tofu stewed in a spicy broth.

Where to find it: Night markets across Taiwan. Shenkeng Old Street in New Taipei City is a whole street dedicated to stinky tofu, while Nanjichang , Tonghua, and Raohe Night Market have Michelin-rated stinky tofu stalls.

3. Beef Noodles ( Niurou Mian /牛肉麵)

What is it? A Taiwanese adaptation of noodles in a beef-based broth brought over by KMT solders from China. Also called red braised beef noodles or beef noodle soup.

Where to find it: Dedicated hole-in-the-wall shops, here in Ximending , Taipei Main Station area, and Yongkang Street in Taipei have some of the most famous ones.

4. Gua Bao (Taiwanese Hamburger/割包)

What is it? A slice of pork belly stuffed into a steamed bun and served with cilantro, pickled mustard greens, and ground peanut. Also called pork belly buns.

Where to find it: Night markets across Taiwan. Try Tonghua Night Market or Feng Chia Night Market in Taichung, or

5. Lu Rou Fan (Braised Pork Rice/滷肉飯)

What is it? Bits of pork belly braised in soy sauce and spices and served over a small bowl of rice. Considered the ultimate comfort food by many. (It’s my 6-year-old son’s favorite food in the world!)

Where to find it: Hole-in-the-wall noodles shops.

6. Da Jipai (Fried Chicken Fillet/大雞排)

What is it? Huge chicken fillet hammered flat, seasoned, breaded, and deep fried. Popular night market and late-night snack.

Where to find it: Ximending , night markets, and fried food stalls on street corners across the country.

7. O-A-Mee Sua (Oyster Vermicelli Noodles/蚵仔麵線)

What is it? Wheat vermicelli slow cooked in thick stew and served with oysters and/or pig intestines. Topped with optional cilantro and spicy sauce. Look out for a vegetarian (mushroom based) version; you’ll see 素 (vegetarian)on the sign.

Where to find it: Street carts in the morning (it’s often eaten as breakfast). Ay Chung Rice Noodles (阿宗麵線) in Ximending is very popular among tourists.

You can buy Taiwanese mee sua noodles here to make at home (oysters not included).

8. Tongzai Migao (Sticky Rice Pudding/筒仔米糕)

What is it? Steamed rice with egg yolk, pork and shitake mushroom that is molded in a cup and usually served with sweet red sauce. Also called tube rice pudding (it’s really not at all like pudding, and not to be confused with Whay Guay (#36), which is also sometimes called rice pudding).

Where to find it: Hole in the wall noodle shops. Daqiaotou Rice Cakes (大橋頭老牌筒仔米糕) in Yansan Night Market in Taipei is especially well known for theirs.

9. Green Onion Cakes ( Cong Zhua Bing /蔥抓餅)

What is it? Green onion flatbreads pan fried, usually with egg and usually many optional accompaniments, including fresh basil, cheese, spicy sauce, corn, kimchi, and more. Also called scallion pancakes and cong you bing (蔥油餅). I personally recommend getting kim chi AND cheese.

Where to find it: Breakfast shops, Yilan County (especially Sanxing township), night markets, Ximending. Try Michelin-rated Hsiung Chi Scallion Pancakes (雄記蔥抓餅) in Gongguan Night Market, Taipei.

10. Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings/小籠包)

What is it? Steamed dumplings containing meat and broth, originating in Shanghai and popularized by Din Tai Fung , Taiwan’s most famous restaurant. Also frequently served on the street as a breakfast food.

Where to find it: Breakfast restaurants (a little rare), breakfast food trucks.

Meaty Delights

Like most Asian countries, Taiwanese cuisine is undeniably meaty. Here are the top meat-focused foods in Taiwan, though meat will make an appearance in other sections too.

11. Ba Wan (Taiwanese Meatballs/肉圓)

What is it? Ball of translucent dough stuffed with pork, bamboo, and shiitake mushrooms, then served in a bowl doused with savory sauce.

Where to find it: Changhua , traditional markets across Taiwan, and Jiufen (one of the most popular day trips from Taipei ).

12. Yansu Ji (Salt & Pepper Chicken/鹹酥雞)

What is it? Bite-sized pieces of chicken battered, fried, and seasoned with salt, pepper, garlic, and basil. Also called Taiwanese fried chicken, Taiwanese popcorn chicken, or Taiwanese crispy chicken nuggets.

Where to find it: Street corners and night markets across Taiwan.

13. Pig’s Blood Cake ( Zhu Xie Gao /豬血糕)

What is it? Cakes of steamed pig’s blood and sticky rice, often coated in ground peanut powder and served with cilantro and dipping sauce.

Where to find it: Night markets across Taiwan.

14. Flamed Beef Cubes ( Huoyan Shaizi Niu /火炎骰子牛)

What is it? A recent trend of barbecuing cubes of beef and further blow torching them to achieve a crispy outside.

Where to find it: Raohe Night Market , Ximending, and more.

15. Grilled Sausages ( Xiang Chang /香腸)

What is it? Pork sausages grilled and often served on their own or with raw garlic and green onions. Taiwanese sausages have a hint of sweetness to them.

Where to find it: Night markets, amusement parks, outside nightclubs, and in tourist hotspots across Taiwan.

16. Grilled Mountain Boar ( Kao Shanzhu /烤山豬)

What is it? Grilled pieces of Taiwanese mountain pig served with rice or on skewers in aboriginal communities.

Where to find it: Aboriginal areas including Wulai (pictured above) and Ita Thai village at Sun Moon Lake , night markets.

17. Stewed Medicinal Pork Ribs ( Yaodun Paigu /藥燉排骨)

What is it? Pork ribs that are stewed in a broth containing a variety of Chinese medicinal herbs.

Where to find it: In night markets across Taiwan. The ones in Raohe Night Market (Chen Dong Medicinal Ribs/陳董藥燉排骨) as well as Yansan Night Market and Shilin Night Market are even recommended in the Taipei Michelin. There’s also one in Keelung Night Market .

18. Black Pepper Buns ( Hujiao Bing /胡椒餅)

What is it? Flaky buns stuffed with pork seasoned with black pepper and baked on the inner sides of a round clay oven.

Where to find it: The most famous one is at Raohe Night Market . Other night markets, or watch for the distinctive clay ovens in front of hole-in-the-wall shops the street.

19. Turkey Rice ( Huoji Rou Fan /火雞肉飯)

What is it? Strips of turkey meat marinated in a broth with ginger and green onions, then served on a small bowl of rice, and sometimes with a piece of takuan (Japanese pickled daikon). Chicken rice (雞肉飯) is a similar take. Like braised pork rice ( lu rou fan ), it is simple yet widely loved.

Where to find it: Chiayi, hole-in-the-wall shops across Taiwan.

Rice & Mixed Dishes

Here is an assortment of Taiwanese rice-based dishes and foods that include ingredients from many different categories.

20. Taro Balls with Salted Egg & Pork Floss ( Liu Yu Zai Yu Bing /劉芋仔芋餅)

What is it? Balls of taro stuffed with egg yolk and pork floss, and served at one of the country’s most famous night market stalls: Liu Yu Zai (劉芋仔芋餅).

Where to find it: Stall #91, Ningxia Night Market, Taipei.

21. Lu Wei (Braised Foods/滷味)

What is it? A variety of foods that are braised in an aromatic broth with a medley of spices including cinnamon, star anise, ginger, cardamom, clove, Sichuan peppercorn, and fennel. Customers pick and choose with a basket, and it served with more seasonings or in a bowl of the broth. Sometimes there’s a spicy broth option.

Where to find it: Night markets and food stalls everywhere. The lu wei stall called Liangji Lu (梁記滷) in Tonghua Night Market is especially famous.

22. Taiwanese Oden ( Guandongzhu /關東煮)

What is it? A variety of fish cakes, meats, vegetables, egg, kelp, and tofu stewed in a fish flake broth. They are ubiquitous in 7-Elevens but also served in some restaurants and night markets. Also called o-lian (黑輪) in Taiwanese. Similar to Tianbula (#41), but with more varied ingredients and without the addition of red sauce.

Where to find it: Watch for the items floating in broth in front of restaurants or in some night markets, such as Nanjichang in Taipei (pictured above).

23. Coffin Bread ( Guancai Ban /棺材板)

What is it? A modern innovation consisting of a thick slice of white bread hollowed out and filled with a creamy stew usually containing chicken, seafood, tripe, corn, peas, or mushrooms. Also called coffin lid or coffin board.

Where to find it: Tainan , Shilin Night Market.

24. Bento boxes ( Biandang /便當)

What is it? A cardboard lunch box containing pork, braised egg, cabbage, fish, sausage, dougan (firm tofu) and more served on a bed of rice. It originated from Japanese bento boxes served on train platforms, but is now a quick lunch for students and workers across the country every day.

Where to find it: Fulong Train Station (pictured above), which has one of the best beaches in Taiwan , has the country’s most famous bento boxes. Guanshan and Chishang ( Taitung ) and Fenqihu ( Alishan area) are also known for their bento boxes. Many hole-in-the-wall restaurants also prepare them, or you can buy them directly on trains.

25. Zongzi (Sticky Rice Dumplings/粽子)

What is it? Tetrahedral bundles of sticky rice steamed in banana or lotus leaves, and usually containing shiitake mushroom, pork, egg yolk, or other ingredients. Also called rou zong (肉粽) when they contain meat. They are a dish associated with the Dragon Boat Festival, but also served from street stalls year-round.

Where to find it: Watch for them hanging in front of shops, especially around Dragon Boat Festival.

26. Sticky Rice Tubes ( Zhutong Fan /竹筒飯)

What is it? A section of bamboo filled with sticky rice, traditionally made by Taiwanese aboriginals for ease of carrying on hunting trips.

Where to find it: Aboriginal communities including Wulai and Ita Thao village at Sun Moon Lake .

27. Taiwanese BBQ ( Kao Rou /烤肉)

What is it? Skewers of barbecued meats, veggies, seafood, and tofu, seasoned before serving. Customers pick and choose with a basket. Some stalls deep fry the foods before barbecuing them (double yum).

Where to find it: Watch for the piles of skewered items at night markets.

28. Youfan (Oil Rice/油飯)

What is it? Sticky rice slow cooked with pork, soy sauce, ginger, brown sugar, garlic, and shiitake mushrooms. The dish is traditionally gifted by parents to their relatives and friends to celebrate the one month birthday of their baby. Versions sold outside of temples are usually vegetarian.

Where to find it: Outside of temples in Taiwan (try Xingtian Temple in Taipei). The above photos of boxes prepared for one month baby celebrations was shot at the ground floor of Yongle Fabric Market on Dihua Street in Taipei .

29. Small Sausage in Large Sausage ( Dachang Bao Xiaochang /大腸包小腸)

What is it? A pork sausage wrapped in a sticky rice sausage and served with sweet soy sauce, garlic clove, pickled veggies, and spicy sauce. You can also order rice sausages (米腸) on their own, but heads up that they may be cooked on the same grill as the meat sausages and may be wrapped in a non-vegetarian skin.

Where to find it: Night markets and tourist hotspots.

30. Herbal Rice Cakes ( Tshau-A-Gui /草仔粿)

What is it? Very traditional green colored glutinous rice balls stuffed with crunchy vegetables, and sometimes meat, with strong herbal flavors (it’s an acquired taste). There’s a variation made with taro called O-Gui (芋粿).

Where to find it: Traditional day markets, Ah-Lan (阿蘭草仔粿芋粿) in Jiufen (above photo).

31. Shui Jian Bao (Pan-Fried Buns/水煎包)

What is it? Small buns that are steamed and/or pan fried, and usually filled with either cabbage, leek, or pork; some are vegetarian–just ask You su de ma? (有素的嗎?)

Where to find it: Night markets or stalls on the street.

32. Taiwanese Congee ( Zhou /粥)

What is it? A hot porridge made from overcooked rice, with various ingredients added that may include meat, seafood, pork floss, bamboo, pickled vegetables, peanuts, taro, sweet potato, century egg, youtiao (see #79), salted duck egg, and more. It is a standard breakfast in Taiwanese hotels, but also served from street food stalls for breakfast or lunch.

Where to find it: Day markets or hole-in-the-wall noodle shops.

33. Taiwanese Sushi Rolls ( Taiwan Shousi /台灣卷壽司)

What is it? While authentic Japanese sushi is common and popular throughout Taiwan, this is a Taiwanese version of maki (sushi rolls), usually containing ingredients such as pork floss, egg, carrot, cucumber, ham, and sweet mayonnaise.

Where to find it: Night markets or Sushi Express (a chain sushi restaurant very popular in Taiwan).

34. Run Bing (Taiwanese Burrito/潤餅)

What is it? A variety of fresh ingredients served like a wrap in a spring roll sheet. May include pork, chicken, carrots, bean sprouts, cabbage, egg, crushed peanuts, and more; you can pick and choose.

Where to find it: Night markets or breakfast food stalls on the street as a pre-made, take-away item.

35. Cheese Stuffed Potato ( Qishi Malingshu /起士馬鈴薯)

What is it? A whole baked potato served with cheese sauce and your choice of toppings, including corn, ham, broccoli, and many more.

Where to find it: Try Prince Cheese Potato (王子起士馬鈴薯) in Shilin Night Market, Ximending , and other night markets across Taiwan.

36. Whay Guay (Rice Pudding/碗粿)

What is it : A bowl of rice that has been cooked into a liquid then steamed to form a firm pudding-like texture. It is usually served with ground garlic, wasabi, and sweet soy sauce.

Where to find it: Tainan and hole-in-the-wall eateries across Taiwan. Look for bowls of it waiting to be served in a the same steamer where baozi/mantou (#78) are usually kept.

Taiwanese Seafoods

Being an island nation, it comes as no surprise that seafood is a fundamental part of Taiwanese cuisine. Here are some seafood based treats found at port markets, night markets, and on the streets around the country.

37. Shrimp Rolls ( Xia Juan /蝦卷)

What is it: Rolls of ground shrimp, pork, offal, and shallots wrapped in pig’s diaphragm lining (traditionally) or a thin tofu skin (more common now), then deep fried until crispy and served with a sweet red sauce and green or yellow wasabi sauce.

Where to find it: Hole-in-the-wall shops and street stalls in Tainan. You can also find an oyster version of this in Tainan, especially around Anping Old Street .

38. Grilled Squid ( Kao Youyu /烤魷魚)

What is it? An entire squid skewered and barbecued with sweet barbecue sauce and usually garnished with sesame seeds.

Where to find it: Tamsui (Danshui) , night markets across Taiwan.

39. Deep Fried Cuttlefish ( Zha Huazhi /炸花枝)

What is it? Cuttlefish is similar to squid but with a softer texture. It is usually breaded, deep fried, cut into bite-sized pieces, seasoned with white pepper, and served in a paper bowl.

Where to find it: Tamsui (Danshui), night markets across Taiwan.

40. Deep Fried Oyster Balls ( O-Te /蚵嗲)

What is it? A deep fried ball of dough filled with fresh oysters, egg, green onions, and sometimes shrimp. Beware of burning hot steam inside, and don’t forget to add soy and/or spicy sauce before you walk away from the stall! The picture above is a model  showing what’s inside before being rolled into a ball and cooked.

Where to find it: Chiayi, Nanjichang Night Market, Ningxia Night Maket.

41. Tian Bu La (甜不辣)

What is it? A dish consisting of various fish cakes, tofu, white radish, and pig’s blood cake stewed in a broth then served with sweet red sauce and garnished with cilantro or celery. Similar to Taiwanese oden, but with the addition of the red sauce and more specific ingredients that are always used. The fish cakes themselves are also called tianbula. The dish is sometimes incorrectly referred to as “Taiwanese tempura” because tempura sounds like tianbula.

Where to find it : Night markets and hole-in-the-wall shops. Keelung Night Market is said to have the best tianbula in Taiwan.

42. Flying Fish ( Fei Yu /飛魚)

What is it? A unique specialty of Orchid Island and considered sacred by the local Tao (Yami) people. In season (spring), you can find it deep fried, barbecued, or even served in danbing (#72).

Where to find it: Dongqing Night Market on Orchid Island or on the coast of Taitung County .

43. Takoyaki ( Zhangyu Xiaowanzi /章魚小丸子)

What is it? A Japanese street snack consisting of fried balls of dough with a chunk of octopus, topped with sweet soy sauce, sweet mayonnaise, fish flakes, and a choice of seasonings.

44. Sio Chiu Le (Shochu Snails/燒酒螺)

What is is: Little sea snails that are marinated in rice liquor, garlic, and other spices. They are sold in a cup, and you need to suck them to get the meat out (or use a toothpick for bigger ones). It’s all about the sauce, though.

Where to find it: Lukang Old Street in Changhua (photo above), port markets, night markets, Tamsui.

45. Grilled Abalone ( Kao Bao Yu /烤鮑魚)

What is it? Whole grilled abalones are a common delicacy served in many night markets. They are easy to spot because there is usually a grill totally covered with them.

Where to find it: Fengjia Night Market in Taichung and other night markets across Taiwan.

46. Fried River Fish/Shrimp ( Zha Xi Yu/Xia /炸溪魚/蝦)

What is it? Small freshwater shrimps and fish deep fried, seasoned with salt, pepper, and green onions, and eaten whole (including shells/bones). Don’t worry, they are easy to chew!

Where to find it: Wulai Old Street in New Taipei City and Lukang Old Street (where they are called Monkey Shrimps)

47. Sashimi ( Sheng Yu Pian /生魚片)

What is it? Sashimi, or raw fish, is extremely popular across Taiwan and quite affordable.

Where to find it: Seafood markets, harbors, sushi stalls in night markets, local quick fry restaurants, Addiction Aquatic Development (a gourmet market with the best seafood in Taipei) , Japanese restaurants.

Noodles & Soups

Who doesn’t love a good steaming bowl of noodle soup? Taiwanese sure do! Here are some of the best noodles and soups in Taiwan.

48. Milkfish Stew and Soup ( Shimuyu Geng/Tang /虱目魚羹/湯)

What is it: In stew form, chunks of milkfish paste (similar to fish balls, but not ball shaped) are served in a thick broth. In soup form (pictured above), a whole chunk of milkfish comes in a clear, gingery broth.

Where to find it: Hole-in-the-wall shops in Tainan and Southern Taiwan.

49. Fish Head Soup ( Shaoguo Yutou /沙鍋魚頭)

What is it: A highly aromatic and flavorful stew of cabbage, tofu, and (of course) fish heads. Smart Lin’s food stall in Chiayi attained international fame for its fish head soup after being featured on the Netflix docuseries Street Food. My father in law (who comes from Chiayi) makes his own!

Where to find it: Smart Lin Fish Head Soup (林聰明沙鍋魚頭) at #361, Zhongzheng Road, East District, Chiayi City or 科芬園砂鍋魚頭 in Yongle Market in Tainan (see more details in my guide to Tainan ).

50. Hot & Sour Soup ( Suan La Tang /酸辣湯)

What is it? A thick soup originating in China and containing pork strips, wood ear mushroom, tofu, bamboo, shitake mushroom, soy sauce, and vinegar.

Where to find it: Often served in dumpling shops, but also sometimes in night markets.

51. A-Gei (阿給)

What is it? A fried tofu skin dumpling stuffed with cellophane noodles, sealed with surimi (fish paste), and sometimes pork, and doused in a sweet and savory sauced. Often served alongside fish ball soup or soy milk.

Where to find it: Tamsui district in New Taipei City

52. Danzai Noodles ( Ta-A Noodles /擔仔麵)

What is it? A small noodle dish with minced pork, prawn, bean sprouts, black vinegar, garlic, soy sauce, egg, and cilantro. Also sometimes called Danzi Noodles or Slack Season Ta-a Noodles.

Where to find it: Noodle shops and night markets in Tainan .

53. Tu Tuo Yu Geng (Spanish Mackerel Stew/土魠魚羹)

What is it? A thick stew with cabbage, vinegar, green onions, and breaded strips of mackerel. Sometimes served with a choice of noodles, and usually pronounced in the Taiwanese (not Mandarin) way.

Where to find it: Tainan City’s night markets and daytime food stalls, or Yongle Tainan Fried Spanish Mackerel Thick Soup (永樂台南土魠魚羹) on Dihua Street in Taipei .

54. Sian-Hi I-Mi (Eel Noodles/鱔魚意麵)

What is it? Egg noodles in a rich brown sauce or soup and topped with strips of swamp eels stir fried in soy sauce and vinegar. Like the last two entries, it is a Tainan specialty.

Where to find it: Hole-in-the-wall noodle shops and night markets in Tainan city and night markets in Kaohsiung city

55. Squid stew ( Youyu Geng /魷魚羹)

What is it? A thick soup with strips of squid, bamboo, carrot, mushroom, and served with fresh basil on its own or with a choice of noodles. Sometimes instead of squid, you can choose cuttlefish or crispy fish (魚酥).

Where to find it: Tonghua (Linjiang) Night Market in Taipei , street vendors around the country (especially at lunchtime), night markets. There is also a crab version sold in Keelung Night Market .

56. Cold Noodles ( Liang Mian /涼麵)

What is it? Chilled noodles served with strips of cucumber and carrot, garlic paste, and sesame dressing. Very refreshing in summer! It is sometimes served with a bowl of miso soup. For a unique variation, you can try Burmese cold noodles, which have crispy fried shallots and have a sour taste from the addition of tamarind vinegar.

Where to find it: Night markets and noodle shops across Taiwan. Myanmar Street in New Taipei City for the Burmese version.

57. Hakka Noodles ( Kejia Bantiao Mian /客家半條麵)

What is it? Wide rice noodles commonly used in Hakka cuisine. Served in soup or with a rich, meaty sauce and green onions.

Where to find it: Hakka communities in Taoyuan , Hsinchu , Miaoli , and Kaohsiung .

58. Fish ball soup ( Yu Wan Tang /魚丸湯)

What is it? Fish balls in a simple meat and/or fish flake broth and garnished with celery or green onions. Sometimes served with noodles, and sometimes the fish balls contain a pork meat center.

Where to find it: Often served as a side dish at noodle shops and hole-in-the-wall restaurants.

59. Mohinga (Burmese Fish Curry Noodles/緬甸魚湯麵)

What is it? A curry noodle dish with banana tree stems and breaded catfish. It is a staple of Myanmar and brought over by Chinese-Burmese refugees who fled to Taiwan.

Where to find it: Myanmar Street in New Taipei City

60. Vietnamese Pho ( Yuenan Hefen /越南河粉)

What is it? Vietnamese-style noodles in meat broth and with Taiwanese ingredients, run by (and catering to) Taiwan’s large population of Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian migrant workers.

Where to find it: Small Vietnamese-run noodle shops in the city and small towns all over the country.

Vegetarian, Eggs & Tofu

Taiwan is actually very vegetarian and vegan friendly. Besides the huge number of vegetarian restaurants, you can also find a fair number of vegetarian street foods in Taiwan. Vegetarians, please note that many items in other sections of this article can also be vegetarian, but it’s always best to ask Zhe shi su de ma? (這是素的嗎？)

The Taiwanese also do a lot of interesting things with eggs and tofu.

61. Grilled Mochi ( Kao Moji /烤麻糬)

What is it? Cakes of mochi skewered and grilled until crispy on the outside then topped with your choice of sauce of flavorings that can be sweet or savory, including seaweed flakes, teriyaki sauce, ground peanuts, sweetened condensed milk, and more. Some are green (matcha) flavored.

Where to find it: Ximending , night markets across Taiwan.

62. Dou Gan (Dried/Firm Tofu/豆乾)

What is it? A type of firm tofu that is cubed and marinated in soy sauces and spices like star anise and cinnamon, or dried into a kind of tofu jerky that can be sweet, spicy, barbecue flavor, and so on.

Where to find it: Daxi district of Taoyuan City is considered the dougan capital of Taiwan. You can also find it in Hakka communities like Neiwan in Hsinchu or Shengxing and Nanzhuang in Miaoli County .

63. Century Eggs ( Pi Dan /皮蛋)

What is it? Eggs that have been preserved in clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls until becoming jelly-like, with a translucent black color and creamy green-black yolk. Also called 100-year eggs and 1000-year eggs, their taste and smell is very strong and has even been compared to horse urine. They are often served over a block of cold soft tofu with green onions and sweet soy sauce (皮蛋豆腐, pictured above).

Where to find it: As a side dish in noodle shops or sometimes added to congee or other dishes.

64. Iron Eggs ( Tie Dan /鐵蛋)

What is it? Eggs that have been repeated stewed in spices and air dried until they adopt a rubbery texture, and usually sold in packets with different flavors. Compared to century eggs, they are much more palatable to first-timers.

Where to find it: Tamsui and other tourist centers in Taiwan.

65. Tea Eggs ( Cha Ye Dan /茶葉蛋)

What is it? Eggs with cracked shells that are hardboiled in a broth of tealeaves and numerous spices. The cracks in the shell produce a marble like pattern on the eggs. Like Taiwanese oden, they are found in every 7-Eleven and can explain that delicious smell when you enter the convenience store. Not the same, but also watch out for hot spring eggs around hot springs in Taiwan !

Where to find it: Convenience stores, Sun Moon Lake (pictured above), and other tourist centers in Taiwan.

66. Fried Quail Eggs ( Niao Dan /鳥蛋)

What is it? Small bird’s eggs that are individually fried into balls and then served on a skewer with spices or sauces. A quick, cheap, and tasty snack.

67. Jiucai Hezi (Chive Pockets/韭菜盒子)

What is it? Large, pan fried dumplings filled with chives, egg, and vermicelli. Some breakfast shops with further fry them with an egg if you ask. Don’t forgot to drizzle with soy and/or spicy sauce.

Where to find it: Breakfast shops and street stalls.

68. Deep Fried King Trumpet Mushrooms ( Zha Xingbaogu /炸杏鮑菇)

What is it? Huge mushrooms that are common in Taiwan (also called king oyster mushrooms). They are sliced, thickly breaded, deep fried, and served with salt & white pepper.

Where to find it: Night markets and fried food stalls across Taiwan.

69. Taiwanese Grilled Corn ( Kao Yumi /烤玉米)

What is it? Whole corn on the cobs bakes and brushed aggressively with a mixture of soy sauce, shacha sauce, sugar, garlic, and sesame oil. They may look blackened and brutalized by the time you eat it, but they are surprisingly tasty.

Where to find it: Dongdamen Night Market in Hualien and other night markets across Taiwan.

70. Tofu Burger ( Dougan Bao /豆乾堡)

What is it? A slab of dougan (firm tofu) marinated then sliced open and stuffed with goodies including pickled mustard greens, cilantro, and peanut powder.

Where to find it: Fenqihu Dougan Bao (奮起湖豆乾堡) food stall in Fenqihu, a small village on the Chiayi-to- Alishan small train line.

71. Baked Sweet Potato ( Kao Digua /烤地瓜)

What is it? A whole sweet potato or yam baked in a clay oven. Super healthy and filling!

Where to find it: In most convenience stores or from vendors that drive around and prepare them in clay oven on the back of a blue pickup truck.

Taiwanese Breakfast

Taiwanese breakfast is a whole world of its own and one of the great pleasures of living in Taiwan. Since many a breakfast is enjoyed at the streetside in Taiwan (sometimes from 24-hour breakfast shops!), I also include these ubiquitous Taiwanese breakfast foods in my the list.

You can find breakfast shops in almost any neighborhood in Taiwan, while breakfast trucks ply rural and industrial areas. See my favorite traditional breakfast shops in Taipei here , including the city’s most famous breakfast shop, Fu Hang Soy Milk .

72. Dan Bing (Taiwanese Egg Crepe/蛋餅)

What is it? A thin crepe (the item on the left in the above image) that is pan fried with an egg and a choice of toppings that can include cheese, corn, tuna, ham, and more. For a real treat, ask for tuna AND cheese. It’s like a Taiwanese tuna melt!

Where to find it: Virtually all breakfast shops and breakfast trucks have them. Also Feng Chia Night Market in Taichung

73. Shao Bing (Sesame Flatbread/燒餅)

What is it? A flaky pastry that is filled with your choice of egg, cheese, tuna, youtiao (fried dough stick), and more. They are usually freshly baked in the shop and are my personal favorite.

Where to find it: Most traditional breakfast shops, Fu Hang Soy Milk is especially famous for theirs

74. Breakfast Burgers ( Mei Er Mei Hanbao /美而美漢堡)

What is it? Burgers for breakfast? Why not!? Choices usually include beef, pork, chicken, bacon, and even seafood burgers like shrimp, fish, and more. Toasted sandwiches are equally common, but they didn’t get their own entry here. According to my wife, the breakfast chain Mei Er Mei was so crucial in popularizing them that Taiwanese call any breakfast hamburgers Mei Er Mei hanbao .

Where to find it: Every breakfast shop has them.

75. Salty Soy Milk ( Xian Dou Jiang /鹹豆漿)

What is it? Rather than coffee, most Taiwanese take sweet soy milk or milk tea with the morning meal. But this dish is a thing of its own: a bowl of warm, slightly salted soy milk topped with chunks of youtiao (fried dough stick), green onions, dried shrimp, and crispy browned shallots.

Where to find it: Traditional breakfast shops.

76. Fantuan (Sticky Rice Rolls/飯糰)

What is it? A wad of sticky rice with various ingredients rolled into it, including dried radish, pork floss, egg, pickled mustard greens and/or youtiao . It took me a few years to get into fantuans , but once I did, I never looked back.

Where to find it: Traditional breakfast shops (watch for the large bamboo vat of sticky rice) or inpromptu stalls set up on the street to cater to the morning rush, I recommended a good one near Taipei Main Station here

77. Tie Ban Mian (Iron Plate Noodles/鐵板麵)

What is it? Packs of noodles with a pre-made sauce that are heated up on the flat iron stove (where all the breakfast goodies are cooked), and served with an egg on top. The two standard sauces are black pepper or mushroom (the former is a winner but the latter is a little too reminiscent of spaghetti with tomato sauce for me). A truly filling hangover meal.

Where to find it: Most breakfast shops (but not usually in the more traditional ones).

78. Baozi (Steamed Buns/包子)

What is it? Steamed buns with a variety of fillings. The most basic is mantou (饅頭), a white bun with nothing inside. Common fillings include red bean ( dousha bao /豆沙包), taro ( yutou bao /芋頭包), pork ( zhurou bao /豬肉包), and vegetables ( cai bao /菜包). To make a meal of it, ask for a cai bao with a fried egg added to it ( cai bao jia dan /菜包加蛋).

Where to find it: Traditional breakfast shops (look for the steamer in the above photo), convenience stores, and dedicated Baozi shops with huge bamboo baskets out front.

79. Youtiao & Soy Milk ( Youtiao Doujiang /油條豆漿)

What is it? Youtiao (fried dough sticks) dipped in a cup of (warm or cold, sweet or not sweet) soy milk. A plain but simple breakfast that can still hit the spot.

Where to find it: Traditional breakfast shops; if they have youtiao, you’ll see them.

80. Xiang Su Bing (Sweet Pan Cakes/香酥餅)

What is it? Dry, crispy traditional pastries with sugar, sesame seeds, and other ingredients. For those with a sweet tooth.

Where to find it: They are usually prominently displayed in traditional breakfast shops.

81. Luobo Gao (White Radish Cake/蘿蔔糕)

What is it? A thick cake made from white radish or turnip mixed with flour and served with sweet soy sauce and sometimes crispy browned shallots. Some varieties contain pieces of ham. Also watch for a similar version called you cong guo (油蔥粿).

Where to find it: Almost all breakfast shops have it. For you cong guo , try 郵局前油蔥粿 in Jiufen (pictured above).

Taiwanese Desserts

This section ended up having more entries than any other on the list, and that is telling. Taiwanese definitely have a sweet tooth (some visitors even complain that almost everything in Taiwan seems to be a little sweet).

Here are the best Taiwanese desserts, from traditional to modern, that you are likely to encounter on the streets of Taiwan.

82. Pearl Milk Tea ( Zhenzhu Naicha /珍珠奶茶)

What is it? Of global fame, pearl milk tea (also called boba and bubble tea) was invented in Taichung , Taiwan, at least according to the most popular story. The classic version is tapioca balls in sweetened milk tea with ice, but others include passion fruit green tea, taro, and many more. They are seldom slushy drinks like in Western countries.

Where to find it: From tea stands in night markets and on teashops across Taiwan. They are EVERYWHERE.

83. Shaved Ice ( Chua Bing /剉冰)

What is it? Traditionally, a mound of shaved ice with a variety of QQ (chewy) toppings beans (you can usually choose 3-5), and doused in black sugar syrup. Modern varieties come with various fruits, ice cream, sweetened condensed milk, matcha, chocolate, and more. Also watch for a xuehuabing (雪花冰), a sort of cross between shaved ice and traditional Taiwanese ice cream consisting of thin layers or ice cream.

Where to find it: Night markets, Ximending , and dessert shops. Just watch for people enjoying mounds of it. Yongkang Street in Taipei is known for its mango shaved ice (pictured above).

84. Taiwanese Ice Cream ( O Bing /芋冰)

What is it? Traditional ice cream that is usually dairy free and more like sorbet than creamy. Typical flavors include pineapple, lychee, longan, peanut, and taro (the classic flavor that lends its name to all traditional Taiwanese ice creams).

Where to find it: From pushcarts and bicycle peddlers or local ice cream shops like Yongfu Ice Cream (永富冰淇淋) in Taipei or Qilin Ice Cream (奇淋冰品) in Yilan .

85. Peanut Ice Cream Wraps ( Huasheng Bingqilin Juan /花生冰淇淋卷)

What is it? Also called ice cream burritos, these are wraps with Taiwanese ice cream, shavings from a huge block of peanut brittle, and cilantro. While that may sound like an odd combination, they are sweet, refreshing and really delicious.

Where to find it: Yilan (especially Luodong Night Market ), Jiufen Old Street, Shifen Old Street , and other tourist hotspots around Taiwan.

86. Jiufen Sweet Potato & Taro Balls (Jiufen Digua & Yutou Yuan/九份地瓜&芋頭圓)

What is it? Doughy balls of sweet potato and taro that are served with sweet syrup either warm or over ice.

Where to find it: At numerous shops in Jiufen . The balls are also sometimes also a topping option for traditional shaved ice. (Personal note: my wife’s family owns a shop in New Taipei City that makes these!)

87. Fried Sweet Potato Balls ( Digua Qiu /地瓜球)

What is it? Balls of sweet potato (and sometimes taro: 芋頭球) that are deep fried. Think of them as the Taiwanese answer to donut holes–crispy on the outside, gooey on the inside.

Where to find it: Night markets across Taiwan; Gongguan Night Market in Taipei has an especially popular stall.

88. Aiyu Jelly (愛玉) and Frog’s Egg Drink (Qingwa Xiadan/青蛙下蛋)

What is it? Aiyu is a jelly made from the seeds of a fig tree and is served with lime juice and honey. It is especially refreshing in summer. Frog’s egg drink contains small tapioca pearls with hard white centers, resembling frog’s eggs. The two are often sold from the same stall.

Where to find it: Night markets and street corners across Taiwan; watch for the big frog on the sign or the huge bowl of aiyu (photo above) on display.

89. Candied Fruit ( Tanghulu /糖葫蘆)

What is it? Skewers of candied cherry tomatoes or strawberries, often with sour plum. Local kids love them!

Where to find it: You can’t miss the rows of skewers when you spot them; try Ningxia Night Market in Taipei or Fengjia Night Market in Taichung.

90. Wheel Cakes ( Che Lun Bing /車輪餅)

What is it? Japanese style round cakes filled with red bean (紅豆餅), custard (奶油餅), or sometimes matcha (抹茶餅). Best when you can get them freshly made and still warm!

Where to find it: Night markets and pushcarts across Taiwan.

91. Taiwanese Waffles ( Song Bing /鬆餅)

What is it? In Taiwan, waffles are more than just a dish to order in fancy brunch restaurants. They are also sold on the street as snacks, coming in various sizes and flavors, often eaten as is, or with whipped cream, fruit, and other toppings.

92. Deep fried milk ( Zha Xiannai/ 炸鮮奶)

What is it? Chunks of thick, sweet milk that are frozen, battered, and deep fried to achieve melty goodness inside. Who would have thought?

Where to find it: Shilin Night Market, Tamsui, and other night markets.

93. Red Turtle Cakes ( Ang-ku-koe /紅龜粿)

What is it? A very traditional glutinous rice cake dyed red and stuffed with red bean. You may also find the peanut-flavored version pictured above (my personal fave).

Where to find it: 老順香糕餅店 on Temple Street in Xinzhuang district of New Taipei City (my neighborhood!) and other traditional bakeries or day markets around Taiwan.

94. Douhua (Tofu Pudding/豆花)

What is it? A warm or chilled dessert made from soft tofu, boiled peanuts, red beans, and sweet syrup.

Where to find it: In night markets or from douhua trucks that drive around neighborhoods in the evening and call out “ daohui !” (“douhua” in Taiwanese) through loudspeakers. You can find a salty sweet version at Cigu Salt Mountain in Tainan .

95. Brown Sugar Cake ( Hei Tang Gao /黑糖糕)

What is it? A steamed (not baked) rice flower cake sweetened with brown sugar, sometimes with toppings like dried fruits or sesame seeds.

Where to find it: Hakka communities like Neiwan and Nanzhuang , Magong in the Penghu Islands .

96. Lei Cha (Hakka Pounded Tea/擂茶)

What is it? A warm (or sometimes iced) drink made by pounding tealeaves and a variety of roasted nuts, grains, seeds, herbs, and seasonings, adding hot water, and topping with popped rice. It is often served with mochi.

Where to find it: Hakka communities such as Neiwan (we loved 阿珠客家擂茶, pictured above, where you can pound your own tea for a small fee) and Beipu in Hsinchu County (just type “擂茶” into GoogleMaps to find them).

97. Mochi (Rice Cakes/麻糬)

What is it? Glutinous rice that has been pounded into super QQ (gooey/chewy) balls and eaten as a sweet dessert. There are different Taiwanese varieties as well as Japanese style mochi introduced during the Japanese colonial period. Hakka versions are usually coated with peanut or sesame powder, while Taiwanese ones sometimes contain red bean paste. It can also be grilled (#61) or served on shaved ice (image above).

Where to find it: Night markets, pushcarts on regular streets (Bulao Hakka Traditional Mochi/不老客家傳統麻糬 in Taipei is an extremely popular one), Hakka communities in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Miaoli.

98. Nougat ( Niugatang /牛軋糖)

What is it? A softer and chewier version of European nougat, coming in a wide variety of flavors and often containing nuts, dried fruits, or other ingredients. Taiwanese often buy it as gift for family members when coming home from a trip somewhere in Taiwan.

Where to find it: Tourist hotspots, especially ones frequented by domestic tourists.

99. Papaya Milk ( Mugua Niunai /木瓜牛奶)

What is it? Many fresh fruits and blended fruit drinks are available in night markets, but fresh papaya blended with milk is one of the most popular. Some Taiwanese jokingly say that drinking a lot of it will make women’s breasts larger!

Where to find it: Night markets across Taiwan. There is an especially famous papaya milk stall at Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung .

100. Candied Sweet Potato ( Mi Digua /蜜地瓜)

What is it? Big chunks of sweet potato candied in maltose sugar. Sweetness overload!

Where to find it: Wulai, night markets across Taiwan.

101. Portuguese Egg Tarts ( Pu Shi Dan Ta /普式蛋撻)

What is it? Portuguese and English-style flaky tarts with creamy custard that made their way to Taiwan via Macau and Guangdong. Best when served warm!

Where to find it: Night markets and bakeries across Taiwan.

Thank you for making it to the end of the ultimate bucket list of Taiwanese foods. What did I miss? I know there are more many more, but I had to stop somewhere. Please mention your favorites in the comments below!

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7 thoughts on “Taiwan Street Food Bucket List: 101 Taiwanese Foods To Try”

What a great article. I consider myself to be a massive Taiwanese food enthusiast, and I will eat everything, but there are items here that even I have never tried. Taiwanese food is the best cuisine in the world. Thank you for the invaluable information here that displays how truly amazing, delicious and varied the food is on this beautiful little island.

Thanks, Amy, I really appreciate that! And it’s definitely a cuisine that deserves more attention internationally, but that is slowly changing!

Thank you for posting this article. Brings back wonderful memories of all the foodie delights in Taiwan.

That’s a great list, and includes most of the things I thought of. I’ve tried most of those (I’m not into shellfish) and the wife makes several of them herself. The only one I really want to try that I haven’t is the deep-fried milk. I could suggest also adding to the list the Pineapple Cakes; Brown Sugar puffs; and the dried fish strip snacks.

Thanks for the tips! I guess I didn’t include the famous pineapple cakes, because they are more of a bakery or souvenir item than a street food. And adding more would mess up my 101 number LOL. It would probably be possible to expand the list to 201 items even, there are just so many cool street foods in Taiwan! Thanks for the input though – I’ll see if I can sneak those in, and nobody will count 🙂

Thankyou so much for your posts,I am finding it so useful to read while in Taiwan.So helpful and well written.

I travelled many countries but never been in Taiwan. Planning to go this year 2024. Thank you so much for this information. I love to eat. I love street food. Thanks, Nick

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9 dishes that’ll make you fall in love with Taiwan’s food scene

Food in Taiwan is a national obsession. With night markets that rival Singapore’s, hole-in-the-wall eateries serving traditional specialties, and restaurants in every price range, it’s no wonder the locals are always eating.

If you want to join them, you’ll need a sense of adventure and a love of garlic!

Featuring a melting pot of food cultures from Chinese to Japanese to Portuguese and more, the culinary scene is a highlight of any visit to Taiwan . After nearly a month spent sampling my way around the island like a kid at a buffet, I’ve picked out nine dishes you should definitely try there:

Beef noodle soup (niú ròu miàn )

Many local restaurants specialize in beef noodle soup, but be careful if you can’t read the menu. Although the dish is usually made from beef shank, some variations may include tripe and tendon.

EAT YOUR WAY THROUGH TAIWAN ON THIS DELICIOUS 8-DAY FOOD TRIP

Steamed pork bun (guà bāo)

This Taipei restaurant (on an alley off a lane near the Gongguan MRT station) is not easy to find, but it is widely regarded as having the best gua bao in Taiwan, which is why I sought it out.

I found out the hard way that you should eat the sandwich while holding it in the plastic bag. If you don’t, it will fall apart. I ended up eating mine with chopsticks!

READ MORE: WHY TAIWAN SHOULD BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST

Shrimp rolls (xiā juǎn)

Shrimps rolls are a specialty of Tainan, a city in the southwest of Taiwan. They are made from shrimps and green onions, rolled in batter and deep fried, then served with ginger and a dipping sauce. Be warned: they can be very addictive!

If you can’t travel to Tainan to enjoy this popular snack food, try Fuchen Food at No. 8-1 Yongkang Street in Taipei, which specializes in traditional South Taiwanese dishes.

Soup dumplings (xiǎo lóng bāo)

READ MORE: WHY TAIWAN IS ASIA’S NEXT BIG FOOD DESTINATION

The Din Tai Fung restaurant chain, whose branches can be found in Taiwanese cities and increasingly the world at large, might be the reason for its popularity. Despite constant lineups and a wait of at least half an hour, these restaurants are well set up for visitors. A multilingual card even instructs you on the proper way to eat a soup dumpling.

Grab it with your chopsticks and dip it into a mixture of soy sauce and vinegar. Next, place it on a spoon and poke a hole to let the steam escape while the spoon catches the broth. Finally, add some shredded ginger on top, and plop it into your mouth (carefully, it’s still hot).

Popular Taiwanese chain, Din Tai Fung

Taiwanese sausage (xiāng cháng)

In much of Asia, the term “sausage” simply refers to a bland hot dog, but a Taiwanese sausage is “oh so different”! Fatty and slightly sweet, it is typically made of pork and served with raw garlic.

A popular street food, you will find it in night markets as well as some restaurants. Don’t be surprised if you planned on eating just one and end up ordering two, as I did. I bought mine from a small restaurant in the village of Itashao on the shore of Sun Moon Lake.

Shao bing is a flat bread (with or without sesame seeds), which forms the basis of the traditional Taiwanese breakfast. It comes filled with a long deep-fried “donut” (similar to a Mexican churros) and possibly an egg as well. A bowl of soymilk, with optional toppings such as scallions, accompanies the dish.

The whole thing is warming and ridiculously filling. I couldn’t finish mine. In Taipei, the most famous place to try shao bing (and other Taiwanese breakfast specialties) is Fuhang Soy Milk , on the second floor of the Hushan Market (108 Zhongxiao E Road, section 1). You will recognize it by the long line snaking down the stairs. Fortunately, it moves quickly.

CHECK OUT INTREPID’S TRIPS IN INCREDIBLE TAIWAN

Taro balls (yù yuán)

You can eat it hot, as a kind of soup, or cold, on top of shaved ice. The taste is not very strong, but the combination of textures is interesting.

You will find a few shops serving it as you walk the narrow alleys in the scenic village of Jiufen. Other places sell it too, but the Jiufen version apparently has a unique taste.

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Milkfish (shī mù yú)

Milkfish is a mild white fish that can be pan-fried, added to congee porridge, prepared as fish ball soup, or braised.

Try pan-fried milkfish at Ban Jiushi , an elegant teahouse that serves modern Taiwanese cuisine made from local produce, from locations in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Taichung.

At the Kaohsiung location (71 Zhongzheng 4 th Road), a peaceful restaurant with dim lighting, the milkfish was part of a set that also included rice, small dishes of various vegetables, peanuts, and tea, one of my most enjoyable Taiwanese meals.

Oyster omelet (hé zǎi jiān)

Besides those two main ingredients, the cook also adds lettuce and bean sprouts during the fry up. A generous serving of a syrupy red sauce accompanies the omelet. Locals like to douse the dish in it, but you can add as little or as much as you want. Despite its fiery color, the sauce is not spicy.

ANOTHER REASON TO VISIT TAIWAN: THESE 5 BEAUTIFUL NATURAL WONDERS

A few final foodie things to note

Few people in Taiwan speak English (especially outside of Taipei) and restaurants normally do not display their names in English. Some of the best food places are tucked away on small lanes off the main streets. This can make finding a specific restaurant or food tricky if you don’t have a guide and don’t know Mandarin.

A teahouse in Jiufen

Many eateries provide an English menu or illustrations to guide you. Yet, ordering food in Taiwan can be more trial and error, and you’ll need a sense of adventure to fully enjoy the culinary scene.

These nine dishes should provide a good starting point for your food explorations in Taiwan. Other foods you could try – if you dare – are stinky tofu, pork blood cake, and tea eggs!

Ready for the culinary adventure of a lifetime? Check out Intrepid’s 8-day Taiwan Real Food Adventure.

(Image credits from top to bottom: Intrepid Travel, Marie-France Roy x2, Intrepid Travel, Marie-France Roy x4, Intrepid Travel.)

Feeling inspired?

Marie-France Roy

A long-time resident of Toronto, Marie-France is a freelance writer who’s been exploring the world mostly solo for 25 years (although not continuously). She’s especially fond of sunny destinations with good coffee. Her blog bigtravelnut.com focuses on affordable solo travel for the 40+ crowd.

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Taiwanese Food: 15 Popular Dishes to Try in Taiwan

By: Author Nomad Paradise

Posted on Published: April 3, 2021  - Last updated: October 13, 2022

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A mesmerizing blend of rich flavors, succulent seafood, and Asian fusions, Taiwanese food is one of Asia’s most exciting culinary experiences.

From the sizzle and heat of Taipei food markets to rural foods dating back to indigenous settlers, fresh and delicious food can be found all across the island.

So buckle up for a foodie adventure full of color, awe, and flavor, as a local writer gives us unique insight into 15 foods you simply have to try in Taiwan.

Taiwanese Food

1. 珍珠奶茶 – bubble tea (milk tea with tapioca balls) .

Starting off the list is the beloved and world-famous drink – bubble tea. Originating from Taiwan in the 80s, the introduction of bubble tea took the island, and later the world, by storm. 

The chewy black orbs, known as boba, are made of tapioca, and they are slowly boiled in sugar water to their tasty state. The classic drink combination consists of black tea, milk, and chewy boba, but you can always customize your own.

Most drink shops allow you to add boba as a side ingredient to the drink of your choice (and there are lots of choices), and you can even customize the sweetness and the amount of ice in your personalized drink. 

You can find these shops everywhere in Taiwan, and a cup of bubble tea is often only 2USD (and that’s an expensive one), and even the most popular boba place abroad can’t compare with that (I’m Taiwanese, I know). If you want the real deal, come to Taiwan.

2. 臭豆腐 – Stinky Tofu (Fried Fermented Tofu)

Stinky tofu is another must-try Taiwanese street food. It is a favorite among the locals, but often among the list of the most feared street foods for foreigners. You can often find it in night markets and roadside food stalls. 

To make Taiwanese stinky tofu, you need stinky brine. Stinky brine consists of water mixed with a number of raw ingredients, like vegetables, shelled shrimp, and bamboo stalks. After adding all the ingredients, the mix is then left to ferment from one day to several weeks, depending on preference.

After the brine is prepared, tofu is placed in it to soak up the stinky goodness for another week or so before it is sold in night markets, where it’s deep-fried in oil and served with chili sauce. 

It is a special street food you can’t find anywhere else, so give it a try when you’re in Taiwan. If you can’t find the stinky tofu stand, just follow the smell.

3. 蚵仔煎 – Oyster Omelet (Egg Omelet with Oysters)

Being an island, fresh seafood is bound to be on the menu in Taiwan. The oyster omelet is a street food that has different variations across Asia, and the Taiwanese version is made with eggs, sweet potato starch, and, of course, small oysters.

The batter is mixed with sweet potato starch to give the omelet a thicker consistency and a somewhat chewy texture.

The mixture is then fried with lard, and once cooked, the oyster omelet is served with a savory sauce. Traditionally, sweet-and-spicy sauce, or the good ol’ thick soy sauce paste, are the sauces oyster omelet is served with.

The oyster omelet is a night market favorite among the locals. It is also often ranked by foreigners as their favorite Taiwanese street food, so don’t forget to try it when you’re in Taiwan.

4. 烤香腸 – Taiwanese Sausage 

This is not your average hot dog, as the Taiwanese sausage is a different version of its distant western relatives.

Made with a mixture of ground pork (both fat and lean) and various spices, the Taiwanese sausage has its own distinct taste, and it is sweeter and juicier than other sausages.

You can find many sausage stands in night markets, and they come in an assortment of flavors. Taste the sweetness of the flying fish egg flavor, or try the Kinmen Kaoliang Spirit flavor, and prepare to be amazed. 

Alternatively, you can get a pack from the supermarket and fry the sausages at home. Remember to eat the meat with raw slices of garlic, or garlic sprout, for a dose of spiciness and authentic local flavors.

5. 鹹酥雞 – Taiwanese Fried Chicken

Taiwanese fried chicken, also known as popcorn chicken, is essentially the backbone of night markets. 

Bite-sized chunks of chicken are coated in a mixture of flour and other seasonings, before being fried with basil leaves and garlic bits. Once cooked, the chicken is seasoned with more spices.

The main content of the Taiwanese fried chicken seasoning is salt and white pepper. As for the rest of that tasty goodness, only the owners of the stands know!

You can find Taiwanese fried chicken in night markets, restaurants, and small trucks that are sometimes used as a street food stand to sell it. To have an even more authentic local experience, have your Taiwanese fried chicken with some bubble tea, as this is the go-to meal combination for locals.

6. 牛肉麵 – Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

Great for a hearty meal, the Taiwanese beef noodle soup is one of the must-try dishes if you enjoy filling food, packed with flavor.

This dish has many other variations across Asia, and the Taiwanese version originated from a military dependents’ village in Gangshan, Kaohsiung. 

There are two types of soup: braised and clear-broth. The braised beef noodle soup gets its dark red color from the soy sauce and Doubanjiang (fermented chili bean paste) added into the beef broth. The clear-broth, on the other hand, has a relatively colorless soup, and the flavors are lighter. 

The noodles are often handmade, and there are several styles for you to choose from, such as fine noodles, ramen, and the traditional Taiwanese gnocchi.

You can even choose the type of beef you have in your bowl. At your own expense of course, as tendons are more expensive than lean beef.

7. 剉冰 – Shaved Ice

Time for some dessert, and shaved ice is your best choice on a hot summer day.

As anyone who has survived a Taiwanese summer will tell you: It’s REALLY hot here. The temperature reaches beyond 30°C (86°F) on most summer days, so no wonder we need to eat a big bowl of ice to cool us down.

Taiwanese shaved ice consists of a bowl of, you’ve guessed it, shaved ice served with a large assortment of toppings of your choice. Sugar water, cooked adzuki beans, grass jelly, and boba are the most common toppings, along with some seasonal fruit. 

A special seasonal flavor is the mango shaved ice, which is served only in summer, as that’s when mangos are in season. If you go to Taiwan’s offshore islands, you can even find cactus and seaweed-flavored shaved ice.

8. 大腸包小腸 – Taiwanese sausage with sticky rice

“大腸包小腸” literally translates to “big intestine wrapping small intestine.” Admittedly not a very appetizing name, but it’s tasty, and unbelievably, the dish does not involve intestines of any kind.

This delicacy is made with a grilled Taiwanese sausage, which is wrapped in a bigger sticky rice sausage. Many people add some thick soy sauce paste as a seasoning, while others add basil, garlic, and other condiments. 

If you like hotdogs, you should definitely try this dish, as it is essentially a Taiwanese take on a hotdog.

9. 滷肉飯 – Braised Pork Rice

To make braised pork rice, ground pork is first stir-fried with shallots in oil, before being boiled in soy sauce. Sugar, pepper, and rice wine, among other ingredients, are used as seasonings for the braised liquid.

Traditionally there is no definitive recipe, as every restaurant, cook, and grandma have different recipes. The result, however, is the same savory dish that every Taiwanese knows by heart.

As a relatively easy dish to make, braised pork rice is offered in most Taiwanese restaurants, although you may struggle to find it in night markets or roadside stands.

If you have Taiwanese friends, their parents and grandparents probably know how to make it, too.

10. 豬血糕 – Pig’s Blood Cake (Cake made with pig’s blood and sticky rice)

Here’s another street food many foreigners fear: pig’s blood rice pudding. 

The concept of this dish is similar to British black pudding or blood sausage, so when black pudding made the list of “Top 10 Most Unusual Foods” of a British website poll a few years ago, it didn’t make much sense to Taiwanese locals.

As its name suggests, This Taiwanese dish is made from pork blood. The blood is mixed with sticky rice, then steamed.

Once cooked, the rice is dipped in a sauce that is sweet, salty, and sometimes a little spicy. The blood cake is then coated in peanut powder and Chinese parsley.

Pig’s blood cake has a soft, chewy texture, and the aroma of peanuts mixed with the sweet and salty sauce is a well-loved savory delight.

At night markets, pig’s blood cake is usually served on a skewer. You can also find this food in small restaurants, and at hot dog stalls. Don’t forget to try it, despite its name!

11. 滷味 – Lu Wei (Braised dishes)

Braised dishes are usually made from meat, offcuts, and vegetables. Some popular choices include pig’s ear, chicken claw, kelp, soy egg, beef tripe. 

The soul of the braised dishes is the braising liquid, in which the ingredients are boiled and marinated. The braising liquid is often served together with the dishes to be used as a sauce, and the locals enjoy these savory dishes as a snack.

Braised dishes can be found in night markets and roadside stands. In fact, it is such a popular dish, there are even eateries that solely serve this Taiwanese dish.

12. 蔥油餅 – Scallion Pancake (Pancake with Spring Onions)

Scallion pancake is a type of savory street food that can be found in every corner of Taiwan. The pancakes are made by mixing spring onions into a dough, which is then flattened, and fried with oil.

Most scallion pancakes are freshly made. Watching the dough being flattened, fried, and seasoned right in front of you is part of the delightful experience of enjoying one. Thick soy sauce paste and salt and pepper are the most common seasonings for scallion pancakes, while some vendors also provide chili paste and crushed garlic. 

This wholesome food is sold from roadside vendors, and it can be ordered in many restaurants. You can also find scallion pancakes in the frozen food section of supermarkets.

13. 豬腳麵線 – Vermicelli with Pig’s Feet

Traditionally, vermicelli with pig’s feet is believed to have the power to rid people of bad luck. By eating pig’s feet, Taiwanese believe they can “kick away” all their bad luck.

It is for this reason that many people will eat this dish following a difficult time in their life, such as recovering from an illness or serving a prison sentence.

Traditionally, Taiwanese parents would cook their children a bowl of vermicelli with pig’s feet on their birthdays, as a blessing for them to live a long and prosperous life. However, today this is a tradition that is slowly dying out among the young generation of Taiwanese.

To make this dish, the pig’s feet are boiled with peanuts until both are tender, and rice wine is added to reduce the smell of pork. Vermicelli with pig’s feet is served hot, and it is a truly unique Taiwanese food.

14. 鐵蛋 – Iron Egg (Dried Braised Egg)

The iron egg is a snack that originated from Tamsui, a district in northern Taiwan. The dish’s salty soy flavor and extra chewy texture quickly captured the heart of Taiwanese people. 

Iron eggs are very similar to soy eggs. However, where a soy egg is an egg boiled in either braised liquid or just soy sauce, an iron egg is instead boiled in a mixture of soy sauce and various spices, then finally dried.

The iron egg gets its dark brown color from the equally dark braised liquid, and the drying process hardens the egg, giving the iron egg its iconic chewy texture and, naturally, its name.

Because this dish is so popular, you can find iron eggs pretty much anywhere in Taiwan. It is sold as a snack in convenience stores and served as a braised dish as well. 

15. 檸檬愛玉 – Lemon Aiyu Jelly (Lemon Juice and Jelly made from Aiyu Fruit)

On a blazing hot summer day, a cup of lemon aiyu jelly is the perfect drink to cool you down, not to mention that it’s much healthier than bubble tea.

The zesty iced lemon juice is sweetened with honey, while the cool jelly takes the drink to the next level with its smooth texture and refreshing flavor.

The jelly is made from the seeds of the aiyu, a special fruit grown only in Taiwan, and the process of making of aiyu jelly is one that is truly magical to behold.

To make the jelly, seeds from the aiyu fruit are placed in a cotton cloth bag and “washed” in water (as we call it). As a result, a slimy substance is released from the seeds. That substance is mixed with water and let to set, eventually becoming jelly.

Lemon aiyu jelly is a Taiwanese specialty you won’t find anywhere else, and it is the drink you need to make it through the hot Taiwanese summer.

Taiwanese Food Summary

Intrigue, delight, and explosive flavor all await when you delve into the world of Taiwanese food. Be your tastes exquisite and luxurious, or authentic and sizzling amid the flames of a food market stall, Taiwan has foods and dishes for everyone.

Asia is home to some of the world’s most flavorsome, intriguing, and truly dazzling food, and as this list proves, Taiwan very much puts itself in that culinary club.

And beyond the tastes and sensory enjoyment, there is a world of food culture to embrace as you wander through the beauty of Taiwan. The humble food vendors, the battle-worn fishermen bringing in the day’s catch, and the seasoned chefs serving up mind-blowing fusions in high-end restaurants, all bring dishes of incredible quality to the table across Taipei city and all throughout Taiwan.

When visiting Taiwan, try your best to embrace the Taiwanese food culture. Visit food markets, shop local, and keep this traditional list of foods on hand, so that you can try to find and try as many as you can. But most of all, enjoy!

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Save and Pin for Later

Excited to try some of these dishes when you next visit Taiwan? Have this article on-hand ready for your trip, by pinning it on one of your foodie or travel Pinterest boards.

Author: Vanessa Teng is a freelance writer and translator from Taiwan, who writes about travel, fashion, and languages for several websites. She is always planning her next adventure and enjoys telling the world more about Taiwan.

Hey there! We are Dale and Doina, the founders of Nomad Paradise. We traveled full-time for over three years, and while we now have a home base in the U.K., continue to take trips abroad to visit new places and try new cuisines and foods. Our food guides are curated with the guidance of local foodies, and their contribution is indicated under each article. We also cook the foods we try abroad, and you can discover how to make them in our 'recipes from around the world' category.

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10 best Taiwan food to try on your next visit

The local Taiwan food culture is among the richest and most diverse in the world. The food scene of the Asian Food Capital is dynamic, fusion and unique. Food in Taiwan is about simple, local ingredients and a culmination of influences around Asia, including countries like Japan and China and local Taiwanese aborigines. 

The gua bao , or “Taiwanese Burger” is a good example. The combination of the Fujian Bao buns and a slab of deliciously tender pork belly can now be found in almost all major cities around the world, including Singapore, Malaysia, New York and The Philippines. Other dishes like beef noodles and boba have also made their way from the streets of Taiwan to capital cities like Singapore and New York. 

READ MORE : Here is the 10 best Hong Kong food to try on your next visit

Between sampling mouth-watering, inexpensive, local Taiwan street food and exquisite, premium eateries, you’ll find a diversity of regional specialities and local dishes. Taiwanese food is savoury and often inculcates rich flavours of garlic and soy sauce. 

Although the influences are far-flung, they’ve come together in a way that’s unmistakably and delectably Taiwanese. Here’s our list of the top 10 must-try cuisines in Taiwan that will make you fall in love with the country’s rich food culture.

History of Taiwanese cuisine

The history of Taiwanese cuisine takes us back to before the 20th century. Immigration from the mainland, Southern Fujian in particular. These immigrants brought along local delicacies such as the bird’s nest and shark fin soup. 

1895 saw the start of the Japanese colonial era. During this time, Taiwan became a major food supplier to Japan . Japanese eating habits heavily influenced the food culture then, and continue to have an impact on it today. 

Then the post-World War II era came in 1945. Over 2 million settlers moved from China to Taiwan, bringing Chinese dishes from Sichuan, Zhejiang and Hunan over to dining tables in Taiwan. By integrating these different food cultures and replacing ingredients with local ones, chefs in Taiwan were able to create uniquely Taiwanese dishes like beef noodles – a Sichuan classic transformed using local ingredients. 

Today, chefs are experimenting with using Western culinary techniques on the Japanese and Chinese flavours of Taiwanese cuisine. This allows the already complex and sophisticated local food culture to continue evolving. 

Since Taiwanese cuisine is a melting pot of regional foods all over China, meals tend to be based on white rice and noodles. Most of the rice in Taiwan is grown locally, with Hualien and Taitung being the most renowned for their quality grains. White pork is the most commonly consumed meat, but chicken and beef options are still widely available. Given that the nation is an island, seafood dishes can be found in most restaurants. 

Taiwan street food culture

The best way to explore food culture in most Asian countries is through street food, traditional markets and roadside stalls. Taiwan is no exception to this. Street food in Taiwan is as part of the culture as boba tea, because of the sheer variety of local snacks available. The street food area usually blossoms after dark and late into the evening, as night markets come alive. This is when people buzz in to grab their favourite traditional fried snacks or meals to take home after work. 

10 best Taiwan food for you to try 

• Vermicelli noodles with oysters (mi-sua 面线)
• Braised Pork in Sliced Buns (gua bao 割包)
• Braised pork over rice (lu-rou-fan 滷肉飯)
• Stinky Tofu ( chou-tou-fu 臭豆腐)

Beef noodles (Niu-Rou-Mian 牛肉麵)

• Aiyu Jelly 
• Pig Blood Cake (Ti hoeh koe 豬血糕)
• Taiwanese Shaved Ice (Bao Bing 刨冰)

Pineapple cakes (鳳梨酥)

Taiwanese breakfast.

So many choices, and so little time. Let’s jump straight into our list of the best Taiwan food to try.

Vermicelli noodles with oysters ( mi-sua 面线) 

This dish is arguably one of the most popular street food in Taiwan, and it’s easy to see why. This warm bowl of thin, translucent noodles topped with fresh oysters and homemade chilli sauce serves as a comfort snack for locals. If you’re not into seafood, some stalls offer other toppings including pork hocks, fish, mushrooms and even pig’s large intestine. You can find this iconic dish in almost any night market, sold in small styrofoam bowls with plastic spoons. 

Braised Pork in Sliced Buns ( gua bao 割包)

The gua-bao or more famously known as the “Taiwanese burger” is a simple yet irresistible treat. Made from fluffy lotus lead buns, tender pork and vegetables, the popular street food is a great bite for when you’re in a hurry. If you’re in Taipei, be sure to try out Lan Jia Gua Bao (藍家割包), a small, traditional restaurant that serves one of the best versions of gua bao. 

Braised pork over rice ( lu-rou-fan 滷肉飯)

What could be better than a bowl of salty, savoury pork over freshly steamed white rice? The lu-rou-fan is a simple yet tasty meal that can be found in most local restaurants. The meat usually comprises chopped pork belly, cooked in aromatic sauces, spices and rice wings. It is also usually served alongside pickled or steamed vegetables and soy sauce eggs. Taipei’s most famous lu rou fan can be found at Jin Feng (金峰魯肉飯), a restaurant that specialises in it. The authentic stall is world-famous, but prices are competitive. 

Stinky tofu ( chou-tou-fu 臭豆腐)

Here’s a dish that’ll really challenge your taste buds. Stinky tofu is another street food classic – made from tofu fermented in a brine made from meat, milk, Chinese herbs and dried shrimp. It’s usually topped off with a hot and sweet sauce and served with cabbage. You can find different variations of stinky tofu – braised, steamed, stewed and deep-fried. The most popular (and most foul-smelling) ones are the deep-fried kind. Stinky tofu can be everywhere in Taiwan, but some of the best are sold at Liang Popo  (梁婆婆臭豆腐)  in Taichung. 

Beef noodles soup is another staple comfort food in Taiwan. They’re usually cooked in either a hot or mild soup, so there are alternatives for those who cannot handle the spice. The tender beef is usually slow-cooked or braised in a rich broth and served with cabbage and scallions. If you’re looking to have some, head to Yong Kang Beef Noodles (永康牛肉麺館), one of the best beef noodle joints in Taipei, known for its rich, spicy soup. The stall is also listed in the Taipei Michelin Bib Gourmand. Be sure to head there early as there will most definitely be a long line otherwise. 

Aiyu jelly 

Besides savoury meals, Taiwan is also famous for its desserts – the most popular being Boba. But if you’re in the country, we recommend you try the Ai-yu jelly, a cold refreshing dessert perfect for the summer heat. The jelly is plant-based, made from seeds of a type of fig. The jelly is usually served with shaved ice, lime or lime and sometimes fruits – giving a uniquely sweet and sour flavour. 

Pig blood cake (Ti hoeh koe 豬血糕)

Yes, you read that right – it’s a blood pudding literally made out of pig’s blood, sticky rice, coated in peanut powder, dipping sauces and cilantro. The flavour combination might be quite foreign to western taste buds, but it’s definitely worth a shot. The sticky rice is chewy, while the sauce is savoury and tastes like pork. The peanut powder renders a sweet complexity that brings out the flavour of the broth, while the cilantro makes every bite refreshing. It’s usually eaten as a snack, served on a stick and sold as street food, but can also be found in soups and hotpots. 

Taiwanese shaved ice (Bao Bing 刨冰)

Here’s another popular desert to beat the hot and humid summers. Bao bing is basically sweetened shaved ice, ice cream, red bean, grass jelly, mung beans, and tons of fresh fruits. The most popular flavours are definitely ones with fresh mangos – especially when they are in season between May and August. The ice resembles a fluffy snow angel as it’s combined with sweetened condensed milk. Sometimes, you can get chocolate or sugar syrup on top as well. Another variation is the xue hua bing (雪花冰), which uses layered sheets of frozen condensed milk rather than flaky bits of ice in Bao Bing. Both variations can be found in shaved ice stores or popular night markets.

This is the sort of local, souvenir pastry you get for your friends and family at home. The pineapple cake is typically a square or rectangular short-crust pastry that’s filled with a jammy pineapple paste. You can also find different fillings like nuts or salted egg yolk, but I find the classic pineapple one the best. And because Taiwan is a major producer and exporter of pineapples, the delicious tea-time pastry is usually made out of fresh pineapple. It’s also not just a desert – the cake is a symbol of wealth, good luck and prosperity. If you’re looking to get some, the most reputable brands are Chia Te Taipei, Sunny Hills Taipei and Taipei LeeChi. 

READ MORE : Our travel community put together the best things to do in Taipei

The last cuisine on our list isn’t just one dish – but a whole experience in itself. Traditional Taiwanese breakfast foods usually include a glass of hot soybean milk, fried twisted crullers or you-tiao, turnip cake, leek pie, steamed buns onion pancakes, and beef rolls… the list is endless. It’s heavy on carbs and eggs, so you’ll definitely feel stuffed for some time. For a traditional Taiwanese breakfast, try Yong He Soy Milk in Taipei City, near in the Ximending area. They serve a huge variety of breakfast foods while making the best classic, sweet soy milk. 

Do you have any preference for your favourite Taiwan food dishes or Taiwan street food? Let us know in the comments and we’ll be sure to include that in our next list.

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Taiwan food trip — 24 hour culinary experience in Taiwan

Have you ever thought about ‘tasting’ all kinds of different foods of a country in just one day? Besides Singapore, Taiwan is the perfect place for you to experience such an amazing food journey. Let explore Taiwanese cuisine through my Taiwan food trip and Taiwan food blog — 24 hours of food and sightseeing.

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Taiwan is a tiny country, just about 1/9 the size of Vietnam, but it is so easy to get around using their efficient transportation systems that include HSR (high speed rail), MRT (mass rapid transit), buses, trains and taxis. All are ready to take you around exploring every corner!

10.00AM, Taipei – Good morning!

Taiwanese often start quite late in the day. At 9 to 10 am, right in the heart of Taipei, you can still see people queueing up to buy breakfast. After taking the Kuo-Kang bus from the airport to the city center, you can start the day with a traditional breakfast served at the well-known Full Want restaurant in Da’an District features teppan toast with corn and cheddar, or spring onion flavored crepes with Teppanyaki beef sauce, served along with a chilled glass of soy milk or green tea.

These are the dishes that you can easily find at any Taiwanese breakfast bar. The hot spring onion flavored crepes with crispy crust, overlapping thin layers of crepe, baked flour, rolled with spicy pork or Teppenyaki beef sauce is sure to make you drool at first sight. This is a popular breakfast option or simply a light meal for when hungry.

Full Want Restaurant No.133-2, Sec.1, Fuxing S.Rd, Da’an Dist, Taipei Tel: +886-2-2771-5736 Web: www.fullwant.com.tw

You can also try the peanut butter sandwiches. It may sound all too ‘familiar’ to you, or even simple, but Taiwanese peanut butter is incredibly delicious, a favorite among every Taiwanese since they were children.

After breakfast, you can take the MRT to Dadaocheng, meaning ‘large field,’ an old town in Taipei with over 150 years of history. Dadaocheng Port used to be one of the busiest ports in Taiwan. Here you can find many shops that sell tea, medicinal plants, and camphor.

Dadaocheng is home to a large number of old buildings that include tube houses, offices, and temples. You can almost see Taipei’s history by looking at the street scene with its numerous architectural styles presenting certain historical periods in Taiwan from the Ching Dynasty, Japan, to the time they started trading with Western countries.

Dadaocheng Old Quarters The western and southern side of Da Tong Dist, Taipei

12.30pm, Taichung – Home-made food at traditional markets

From Taipei , you take the HSR train from Taipei to Taichung for 54 minutes, and then immediately go to the traditional Taichung Second Public Market to try out their fantastic food. As a significant part of Taichung’s history, the Taichung Second Public Market was built in 1917 and, to this day, has lasted for 100 years. The place is famous for delicious traditional dishes such as black tea, dumplings, noodles, vermicelli, and especially the Lu Rou Fan pork rice.

There is a Taiwanese saying that says every visitor to Taiwan must always try “beef noodle soup and pork rice.” Lu Rou Fan is a traditional pork rice dish in Taiwan. Depending on the region, people prepare the dish in two different ways: either with thin slices of pork or braised minced pork. The meat comes from the belly of the pig, and consists of different layers with the fat layering together with the meat. Without this layer of fat, Lu Rou Fan loses its unique touch.

For many people, Lu Rou Fan is not only a delicious dish, but also a comfort food attached to their childhood, often with the image of their grandmother or mother preparing the dish in the kitchen. Right in the middle of the market you can visit the modest food stall Arashi of Lan Mama – it’s how the locals call her at least. During my first lunch in Taichung I was presented with a hot bowl of white rice, and minced pork, braised in sauce and sprinkled with spring onion. Definitely this is one of the best ‘home-made’ meals out there. It is how the locals have enjoyed their moments of pleasure during a long day of work.

Arashi at Taichung Second Public Market No.36, Sec.2, Sanmin Rd, Central Dist, Taichung Tel: +886-4-2222-6010 Web: www.arashi.tw

4.30pm, Tainan – Lazy days for afternoon tea

From Taichung, take the HSR for about two hours to Tainan city, which in the years from 1683 to 1887, was once the capital of Taiwan. Here you will find many old structures such as Anping Old Street, and the Confucius Temple. When walking the streets of Tainan, you may have to exclaim: “No one seems to be interested in opening up shops here! Such a shame that the houses are not used for shops! ”

Tainan is a quiet city filled with nostalgia for ‘lazy days’, where you can take a leisurely bicycle ride through the streets, lining up for a char siu bao, or sipping a glass of milk bubble tea with friends during a hot summer day.

One of the most checked-in places in Tainan is the Hanlin Tearoom – the original birthplace of Taiwan’s bubble milk tea. In 1986, Mr. Tu Tsong, the owner of a tea shop, came up with the idea of adding white tapioca and milk to hot black tea. The tea which is richly flavored by the tanginess combined with creamy milk and the chewy texture of tapioca pearls, has since become a popular drink all over the world, to the point where the Taiwanese government claimed it as their national drink.

At Hanlin Tearoom, you can enjoy the original version of bubble milk tea, which is presented with a pot of hot milk tea, two small cups, and a bowl of black and white pearls on the side. If you prefer your bubble milk tea cold, it will be served in a huge size.

Taiwanese also like to enjoy a small dessert with their milk tea. One of the ten most popular desserts for the locals here is the mochi which can be stuffed with red beans or peanut butter. A quick tip for you if you do not have time to visit Tainan, there is a Hanlin Tearoom store in Taichung where you can enjoy your favorite milk tea the old-fashioned way (served hot).

Hanlin Tearoom 1F, No.919, Sec.2, Taiwan BLvd., Xitun Dist., Taichung Tel: +886-4-2255-7269 No. 338, Chongming Rd., East Dist, Đài Nam, Đài Loan Tel: +886 6 269 7367 Web: www.hanlin-tea.com.tw (For other tearooms’ and restaurants’ addresses along Taiwan)

8.00PM – Night market in Taiwan

The culinary journey in Taiwan would not be complete without a walk around the night market. Taiwan’s night market has long been known as Asia’s culinary paradise with a wide variety of food choices. If you only try one new thing a day, you might have to stay for a month. Shilin Night Market (Taipei), Feng Chia (Taichung) and Hua Yuan (Tainan) are the most popular night markets with visitors. Not only a place to shop and eat, the night markets are great places for young people to spend time together.

When you go to the night markets, do not forget to buy pineapple cake and iron eggs to bring home as gifts. Pineapple cake is a traditional gift that brings luck. Iron eggs are a chewy black egg made of quail or pigeon eggs, cooked in soy sauce until it turns black and hardened. One local girl joked, “You can actually play table tennis with this egg!”

After a long walk, it’s time to stop for a refreshing beef noodle soup – one of the two of Taiwan’s ‘national food’. It is made with fresh noodles, flavored dark broth, tender braised beef, and the mild scent from the herbs. It’s certainly one of the must-try foods. After the beef noodle soup, you can also try the oyster omelet. People here often cook oysters by fire, so the oysters remain juicy, fresh and sweet, unlike when being grilled by charcoal. You can then complete your dinner with sweet mango ice cream or Dou Hua – a chilled tofu dessert in sugar syrup, served with red beans, green beans, and mochi.

Our exciting culinary trip in “Asia’s cuisine paradise” has finally come to an end with delicious food from restaurants to the streets, which one was your favorite dish?

You can enjoy Taiwan’s dishes at:

Shilin Night Market (Taipei) No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

Feng Chia Night Market (Taichung) Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407

Hua Yuan Night Market (Tainan) No. 533, Section 3, Hai’an Road, North District, Tainan City, Taiwan 704

Read more:  Must eat food in Taipei — Top 24 best street food in Taipei & best places to eat them.

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Taiwan food guide: Must-try dishes and where to eat them

Taiwan is a foodie’s paradise. When thinking of travelling here, one often conjures up images of late-night food corners or the bustling night markets and for a good reason. Taiwan is brimming with restaurants and side street eateries, leaving travellers spoiled for choice when it comes to food.

Whether you’re making your first trip to  Taiwan  or returning for the fifth time, you’ll never run out of new things and places to try. Taiwanese food may be a complicated mix of many different things as it is influenced and inspired by various cultures and cuisines, but one thing’s for sure—you’ll always feel satisfied after taking your last bite or sip.

The best part? You can enjoy Taiwanese dishes almost anywhere, whether it’s an assuming street stall or a jam-packed night market. With a long list of culinary delights to try, it can be difficult to figure out where to start. To make your trip easier, we have compiled a Taiwan food guide, listing the must-try dishes and places to eat them, so you’ll never go hungry.

Popular Taiwanese dishes to try

Beef noodle soup.

Need a comforting bowl of noodles? Beef noodle soup is the answer. This rich noodle dish contains tender braised beef, bok choy (a type of Chinese cabbage), and hot broth that leaves you wanting more. Since this is the national dish of Taiwan, any trip can be considered incomplete without trying the beef noodle soup. While other countries have their own versions, the Taiwanese version is full of warm spices and flavours from beef shins.

Best places to try Taiwanese beef noodle soup:

• Lin Dong Fan, No. 322, Section 2, Bade Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Yong Kang Beef Noodles, No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan S Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan

Braised pork rice

Braised pork rice or lu rou fan is one of Taiwan’s most famous comfort foods. This all-in-one rice bowl dish normally contains stir-fried minced pork belly, slow-cooked in soy sauce. It may not sound appetising but its fall-apart tender texture gives it the melt-in-your-mouth flavour. The hardboiled egg, vegetables on the side, and soy sauce mixture complete the dish.

Best places to try braised pork rice

• Jin Feng, No. 10, Section 1, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Wang’s Broth, Stall 153, 17-4 Huaxi Street, Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan

Also known as Taiwanese hamburger, gua bao is essentially a pork belly bun. It’s made with a fluffy circular-shaped bun stuffed with tender pork belly and crunchy pickled greens. While pork belly is the traditional filling, you’ll be able to find different varieties nowadays. Other popular choices are fried chicken, fish, eggs, and beef. Take your pick!

Best places to try gua bao:

• Yuan Fang Guabao, Stall 161, 17-2 Huaxi Street, Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Lan Jia Guabao, No. 2, Alley 8, Lane 316, Section 3, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan

Danzai noodles

Danzai noodles, also known as ta a mi or slack season noodle, is a must-try! A native dish of Tainan, danzai refers to the wooden poles that Taiwanese fishermen used to carry suspended pots over their shoulders during “slack” or “off-season”. A standard bowl of banzai noodles consists of seafood (typically shrimp), minced meat, vegetables and herbs like coriander.

Best places to try danzai noodles

• Small Park Danzai Noodles, 321 Section 2, Ximen Road, West Central District, Tainan, Taiwan
• Du Hsiao Yueh Danzai Noodles, No. 216, Section 2, Minzu Road, West Central, District, Tainan, Taiwan

While zong zi (sticky rice dumpling) is a normal sight during Dragon Boat Festival, it can be eaten on a regular basis as it also symbolises luck. This leaf-wrapped sticky rice comes in different shapes, but the Taiwanese version is usually pyramid in shape. A traditional zong zi contains pork, mushrooms, and peanuts. 

Best places to try zong zi:

• Li Family Huzhou Zong, Nanmen Market, No. 55, B04-B051, 1/F, Section 2, Hangzhou Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Wangji Fucheng, No. 374, Section 2, Bade Road, Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan

Baobing or shaved ice isn’t a dessert unique to Taiwan as other neighbouring countries like Japan and South Korea have their own versions. Still, this is an extremely popular dessert in Taiwan. What sets it apart is the ice, which is made of milk rather than water. The ice is stacked on top of each other, creating a mountain filled with different fresh fruits and syrup. It’s the perfect summer dessert to quench your thirst!

Best places to try baobing:

• Ice Monster, 16 Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Smoothie House, No. 15, Yongkang Street, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan

To those who may not be familiar with Asian or Taiwanese food, it may feel strange to have tofu as a dessert. Douhua (tofu pudding) can either be sweet or savoury but nevertheless, soft, smooth, and silky, that it easily melts in your mouth. But just the tofu alone isn’t enough! You should have it with toppings such as red adzuki beans, green mung, beans, and jellies, topped with sugar syrup for that extra sweetness.

Best places to try douhua:

• Longtan Douhua, No. 239, Section 3, Tingzhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Sao Dou Hua, No. 26, Lane 131, Yanji Street, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan

Aiyu jelly is not only a refreshing dessert but it’s also healthy! As it’s normally made without sugar and is low in calories, it’s often referred to as a “divine delicacy” during summer. Its name, ai yu refers to fig seed, which is the main ingredient of jelly. This plant-based dessert is best served with lime and cranberries.

Best places to try Aiyu jelly:

• Yuan Huan A Sheng Aiyu Jelly, No. 262, Nanjing West Road, Datong District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Xiao Nan Men Traditional Food, No. 11, Songgao Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan

Pineapple cake

A trip to Taiwan isn’t complete without trying (or bringing back home) pineapple cake! Pineapple has a status symbol in Taiwan, as it represents wealth and prosperity. The Taiwanese Hokkien name of pineapple cake is a homophone of the phrase “ ong lai” that means “fortune will come”. This is why it’s regarded as a beloved sweet treat. It’s commonly made as a cake or shortbread tart, filled with chewy pineapple jam.

Best places to try pineapple cake:

• Chia Te Bakery, No. 88, Section 5, Nanjing Road East, Songshan District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Taipei Leechi, No. 67, Section 2, Chang’an East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei, Taiwan

Bubble milk tea has taken the world by storm. Known for the “bubble” or tapioca pearl balls, you can find this tea-based drink almost anywhere in Taiwan! Just look at the menu of bubble tea stands, and you won’t even know where to start because the choice seems endless. That said, nothing beats the classic and delicious pearl milk tea. However, you can also try black tea with customised sugar levels, toppings (tapioca or grass jelly), and of course, flavour. A popular milk tea chain, Truedan, has over 100 stores across 12 regions, so you can imagine the craze!

Best places to drink milk tea:

• 春山茶水舖, No. 323, Section 2, Fuxing South Road, Da’an District, Taipei, Taiwan
• Truedan, No. 17-1, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, Xinyi District, Taipei, Taiwan

Have you bookmarked this Taiwan food itinerary?

(Hero image credit: Andy Wang/Unsplash)

(Featured image credit: Markus Winkler/Unsplash)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answer: Beef noodle soup, braised pork rice, and pineapple cake are some of Taiwan's most popular foods.

Answer: Lin Dong Fan and Yong Kang Beef Noodles in Taipei offer some of the most sumptuous beef noodles in Taiwan.

Jianne Soriano

Digital Writer, Dining and Culture

An introvert at heart, Jianne has an immense passion for storytelling. This Filipino, Hong Kong-born native is a certified foodie and cinephile. When she’s not writing, you can find her chilling at cafes, watching movies, or travelling solo.

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The Top 10 Foods to Try in Taiwan

Lauren is a freelance journalist who primarily writes about travel, food, and drinks. Her work has appeared in 100+ publications, including The Daily Meal , Cheapflights.com , KAYAK, Seeker , En Voyage (EVA Air’s inflight magazine), Time Out Beijing, Zagat, Newsweek International, Dorsia, Fodors, The Active Times, About.com, ThoughtCo , City Weekend, United Press International, and more.

The food scene in Taiwan is often overlooked, but the island boasts some of the best cuisine in the world. What makes Taiwanese food so remarkable is the variety of influences caused by a litany of colonizers: the Dutch and Spanish in the 17th century, the Japanese in the 19th and 20th century, and Kuomintang from China in the middle of the 20th century. Those external influences blended with the cooking traditions of Taiwan’s 16 officially recognized indigenous groups and the Hakka, an ethnic Han Chinese group that began coming to the island in the 17th century and now make up Taiwan’s second largest ethnic group after the Hoklo Han Chinese.

Taiwanese cuisine is a feast for the senses with delicious options in every lane, alley, and market. Each city has its own signature dishes, which locals will readily encourage visitors to try. It’s hard to choose just 10 dishes to try, but these are quintessential Taiwanese treats. Each is approachable, inexpensive, and easy to find at night market stalls and restaurant menus across the island, but we prefer to go straight to the original spots that made these dishes Taiwanese treasures.

Bubble Tea (波霸奶茶)

Bubble tea has become a symbol of Taiwan the world over. It was invented by Liu Han-chieh in his Taichung tea shop Chun Shui Tang in 1986. It seems nearly every block on the island now has a tea shop shaking up this drink made with chilled milk tea, sugar, ice, and black tapioca balls, but Chun Shui Tang serves the best, using freshly-made tapioca, caramelized sugar, and fresh milk instead of the powdered milk that many other shops use. There are more than a dozen Chun Shui Tang locations across Taiwan.

Danzai Noodles (擔仔麵)

Danzai noodles (also called ta-a noodles) were a near instant hit when they were first introduced by Taiwanese fisherman Hong Yu-tou in 1895. There’s no better place to have danzai noodles than Du Hsiao Yueh . Walking into the bustling restaurant on Yongkang Street in Taipei, diners can watch the fourth generation of Hong’s family creating this noodle dish in small porcelain bowls filled with chewy noodles topped with precise amounts of minced, braised pork, bean sprouts, shallots, bok choy, and one boiled shrimp.

Grass Jelly (燒仙草)

Grass jelly is a local favorite that is refreshing, particularly in the summertime. The dessert consists of a large bowl filled with translucent black jelly derived in part from the Mesona chinensis, a type of mint tree, which yields a bitter, lavender taste that is sweetened with brown sugar and colored taro (yu yuan), and a splash of cream. The most traditional and best place to sample this sweet treat is at Xian Yu Xian , a chain of charming cafes started by two farmers from Taichung.

Gua Bao (割包)

Gua bao are palm-sized pork buns stuffed with braised pork, suancai (pickled cabbage), and peanuts ground into a fine powder. Nicknamed Chinese hamburger, gua bao are a popular street snack across Asia, but Taiwan makes arguably the best. For three decades, Lan Jia Gua Bao’s owner Lan Feng Rong has lovingly prepared gua bao with his mother’s recipe for thousands of university students. His shop is near Taipei’s National Taiwan University , and there’s a constant queue from late morning, when the shop opens, to midnight when the restaurant closes.

Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯)

Served in a palm-sized bowl, lu rou fan is a heaping scoop of savory stewed pork served atop a bed of white rice. This simple comfort food dish is most often served with a "century egg" (a tea-soaked boiled egg), but depending on the restaurants or street-side stall, the dish can be garnished with mustard greens, roasted peanuts, or radish. Our favorite places to indulge in lu rou fan are Din Tai Fung and Lv Sang in Taipei.

Luwei is a staple at night markets across Taiwan. Customers grab a small basket and help themselves buffet-style to a variety of marinated meats, tofu, and vegetables, which are then cooked while patrons wait. While it isn’t hard to find a luwei stand, some of the best purveyors are Liang Chi Lu Wei in Linjiang (Tonghua) Street Night Market and 燈籠滷味 Denglong Luwei in Shida Night Market.

Sanbeiji (三杯鸡)

Sanbeiji, translated as three cups chicken, is named for the three ingredients used to flavor the chicken: soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine. While the dish originated in China, the Hakka introduced it to Taiwan where it is one of the most popular dishes. Locals love the sanbeiji at Chi Chia Chuang, but trendy izakaya restaurant and bar Whip Up makes an excellent version that’s served until the wee hours of the morning.

Shaved Ice (剉冰)

Shaved ice (cua bing) is the ultimate dessert treat and no trip to Taiwan is complete without indulging in a bowl or two. Fluffy wisps of ice are shaved off massive slabs of ice. The pulverized ice is piled precariously high into a bowl and then topped with a choice of toppings, most typically condensed milk, fruits like mangos and strawberries, or red beans. Variants worth trying include snow ice (xue hua bing) which is creamier and resembles snow and pao baobing, a slushy creation more similar to a snow cone.

Favorite places for cua bing are ( 三兄妹 ) (Three Sisters) in Ximending and Ice Monster on Yongkang Jie (there’s a near-constant line down the street). Xin Fa Ting (辛發亭) at Shilin Night Market serves the best xue hua bing, with portions big enough to share.

Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)

It's the brine that causes this fermented tofu dish (chou doufu) to stink long before you stumble upon it at any night market in Taiwan. Widely available in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, the pungent tofu has an entire street of shops devoted to it in the foothills of New Taipei City called Shenkeng Old Street. Whether eaten fried, steamed, stewed, or barbecued, it’s an unforgettable pungent dish. The barbecued version originated on Shenkeng Old Street and consists of two skewers of tofu roasted over charcoal coals creating a crispy outside and soft inside. The tofu is topped with a generous heap of pickled cabbage and chile sauce.

Taiwanese Beef Noodles (紅燒牛肉麵)

Taiwanese beef noodles (hongshao niurou mian) are so popular in Taiwan that there is an annual International Beef Noodle Festival in which restaurants across the island compete to see who makes the best. Beef noodles are ubiquitous in China and Taiwan, but the Taiwanese version consists of braised beef shank or brisket that is stewed in soup broth for hours. 72 Beef Noodles’ simmers its broth with ox bones for 72 hours, which results in an opaque white broth accented with chile sauce and sea salt while Niu Dian Beef Noodles has a beige broth filled with slices of Australian and New Zealand beef shank.

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The Ultimate THSR Taiwan Food Guide: 25 Must-eats in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung

Overwhelmed by the food choices in Taiwan? This ultimate Taiwan food guide will be the only thing you need to keep you and your stomach covered in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

Most people know Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, as a fast-paced metropolitan with lots of good food. Although Taipei will always be as awesome no matter, why not explore other cities such as Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung? Food is as good as, if not better than the capital. And also, cheaper.

Taiwan is 52 times the size of Singapore, and yet with the 5-Day Joint Train Standard Pass , you can get from northern Taipei to the southern Kaohsiung in just 2 hours! Grab a 5-Day Joint Train Standard Pass for your next gastronomic adventure in Taiwan.

Here, we attempt to list 25 food places you need to try as you pass through Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

Read also:  8-day Taiwan Itinerary — Insider’s Guide to Hidden Adventures from Taipei to Kaohsiung via the THSR

1) 阜杭豆 浆 Fu Hang Soy Milk

Taiwanese take their breakfast very seriously, and this is evidenced by the whopping long queue of Fu Hang Soy Milk that stretches over 2 storeys. The signature savory soy beancurd is the reason behind the long queue, as people wait patiently in line for a bowl of freshly made beancurd, egg crepes, and fried dough sticks (youtiao).

Address:  Level 2, No.108, Zhongxiao East Road, Section 1, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan [台北市中正區忠孝東路一段108號2樓] Directions: MRT ShanDaoSi Stn. Exit 5. ( 捷運善導寺站 ) Opening Hours: 5:30AM – 12:30PM (Closed on Mon) Cost:  ~NT$25-60

2) 天天利 Tian Tian Li

Almost considered a staple, you can find the ubiquitous Fried Oyster Omelette (蚵仔煎) and Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯) all over Taiwan. For foreigners like us, our best bet would be to ask locals to recommend their favourite stall among the many.

We were hence introduced to a small and humble-looking eatery in Ximending that sells both fried oyster omelette and braised pork rice. At Tian Tian Li , there’s even an add-on option of a runny sunny-side up on the already-awesome rice, making it even more mouth-watering.

Address: No.1, Lane 32, Hanzhong Street, Wanhua District ,  Taipei,  Taiwan 108  [台北市 萬華區 漢中街 32 巷 1 號] Directions: MRT Ximen Stn. Exit 6. (捷運西門站) Opening Hours: 9AM – 10:30PM (Closed on Mon) Cost: ~NT$25-60

3) 阿宗麵線 Ay-Chung Mee Sua

A classic you should not miss when in Taipei, Ay-Chung Rice Noodles (a.k.a. Ah Zong Mee Sua ) has been captivating hearts and stomachs of locals and tourists alike for years. It’s a constant in the everchanging Ximending, and sure is one that marks the identity of Taiwanese cuisine.

Address: No.8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108 [台北市 萬華區峨眉街 8 之 1 號 ] Directions: MRT Ximen Stn. Exit 6 (捷運西門站) Opening Hours: 10AM – 11PM daily Cost: ~NT$50-65/bowl

(4) 林東芳牛肉麵 Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles

Be so good at something that it gets reported on local news. Yes, that’s about how famous Lin Dong Fang’s  beef noodles are. Not only has it been a hot favourite among locals for years, we heard that even members of KPOP boy band  BIGBANG have also patronised this popular noodle shop for a taste of its spicy broth and tender pieces of beef.

Current Address:  No.274, Section 2, Bade Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491 [台北市八德路二段274號] New Address by year-end 2017:  No.4-2, Andong Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491 [台北市安東街四之一號] Directions: MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Stn. Exit 1. (捷運忠孝復興站) Opening Hours:  11AM – 4PM (Mon-Thu), 11AM – 5PM (Fri-Sat). Closed on Sun Cost: ~NT$140-230/bowl  

(5) Tamed Fox

Tamed Fox is a cafe that celebrates healthy-eating and is said to use only all-natural ingredients in its food. For example, quinoa is used instead of sugary sprinklers on their donuts, and homemade applesauce as a substitute for sugar and butter. Another reason to visit Tamed Fox? — Very Instagrammable food 😛

Address : No.56, Lane 122, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei City [仁愛路四段122巷56號] Directions: MRT Xinyi Anhe Stn. Exit 1. (捷運信義安和站) Opening hours : 8AM – 5PM (Mon to Wed & Fri), 10AM – 6PM (Sat & Sun). Closed on Thu Cost: ~NT$60 onwards

(6) 三味食堂 Sun Way

Queues are known to have gone on for hours for this unassuming Japanese restaurant along the busy streets of Ximending. The reason for the neverending queue is the unbelievably huge portions of salmon nigiri sushi. If you are a lover of Japanese cuisine or just love to eat, do not give Sun Way a miss!

Address:  116, Gueiyang St Sec 2, Taipei City [台北市貴陽街二段116號] Directions: MRT Ximen Stn. Exit 1. (捷運西門站) Opening Hours:  11:20AM – 2:30PM, 5:10PM to 10PM (Closed first two Mon & last two Sun of every month) Cost: ~NT$70-580

(7) 叁和院 San Ho Yan

If you prefer having your meals in a dine-in restaurant, San Ho Yan is the perfect place for Taiwanese cuisine with a twist. The cute and colourful buns are not only pretty to look at but also taste great. The best part of it all? Prices are reasonable and will not burn a hole in your pocket.

Address : No.14, Lane 101, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City [台北市大安區忠孝東路四段101巷14號] Directions: MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Stn. Exit 1. (捷運忠孝敦化站) Opening hours : 11:30AM – 12AM Cost: ~NT$187/dish

Read also:   4D3N Taipei & Outskirts Itinerary

台中 Taichung 

8)  嵐肉燥專賣店 arashi braised minced pork.

Nestled within Taichung Second Market (臺中第二市場) , Arashi was highly recommended to us by our friendly cabbie as the best braised minced pork rice in Taichung. The juicy meatballs complemented the braised minced pork rice really well, proving that simple ingredients can make a hearty lunch. We had to agree with our cabbie that it was indeed one of the tastier minced pork rice we had in Taiwan.

Address:  No.36&37, Section 2, Sanmin Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400 [台中市三民路二段第二市場內36、37號] Directions: 12 min. walk from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) Opening Hours: 10AM – 2:30PM (Closed on Mon) Cost: ~NT$30-70

9)  老賴茶棧 Like Tea Shop

To us, in fact, the entire Taichung Second Market was a hidden gem found. Besides Arashi, there are other stalls with creeping long queues as well. The stall with the most exaggerated queue is  老賴茶棧 Like Tea Shop . The long line stretches out from the market onto the main road, with many braving the heat and scorching sun just to buy a cup of traditional black milk tea.

Address:  No.85, Section 2, Sanmin Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400 [台中市中區三民路二段第二市場中門C180] Directions: 12 min. walk from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) Opening Hours: 7:30AM – 6:30PM daily Cost: ~NT$15-100/cup

10) Dody Duke 馬鈴薯專門店

Millennials will remember an ultimate after-school snack — machine-dispensed mashed potato from a certain convenience store. Yumz, my favourite kind of carbs. Dody Duke reminds me of the simple joys snacking on mashed potato, but with legit fresh potatoes, served with overflowing ham, broccoli, corn, and cheese.

Keep a lookout for it at Feng Chia Night Market though, as it is situated in a quiet alley within the bustling night market, and you won’t want to miss it!

Address: No.12, Lane 20, Fengjia Road, Xitun District [ 西屯區逢甲路 20 巷 12 號] Directions:  Public bus #35 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to Feng Chia Uni.- Fu Xing Rd. (逢甲大学-福星路 ) Opening Hours: 5PM – 10:30PM (Sun-Mon, Wed-Thu), 5PM – 11:45PM (Fri-Sat). Closed on Tue. Cost: ~NT$55-85/cup

11)  雷丸逢甲店  Thunder Balls

I love meat. I love cheese even more.

And for me, Christmas came early when I found Thunder Balls of Feng Chia Market . The fist-sized meatballs are not only served drenched in melted cheese but are also FILLED with explosive cheese inside. This is DA BOMBZ.

Address: No.71, Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407 [ 台中市西屯區文華路 71 號逢甲歡樂星] Directions:  Public bus #35 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to Ding Nan Zai (頂湳仔 ), i nside Feng Chia Fun Star within the night market Opening Hours: 5:30PM – 10:30PM (Closed on Tue) Cost: ~NT$45-120

12) Overlord

This street food stall along Feng Chia revamped the idea of takeaway fast food, having a two-tiered cup that holds both food and drink. Overlord serves tender chunks of beef and cheese-drizzled fries, together with your choice of soda in a cup, so you can have one hand free to do the shopping.

Address: No.550, Fuxing Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407 [台中市西屯區福星路550號 ] Directions:  Public bus #35 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to Ding Nan Zai (頂湳仔 ) Opening Hours: 5PM – 12:30 AM (Mon-Fri), 4:30PM – 1AM (Sat & Sun) Cost: ~NT$120/serving

13) 冰菓藝棧 Maj.Frutti

Long before South Korea captivated the world with their delicious Bingsu , Taiwan has already wowed many with her finely shaved flavoured iced dessert — Chuabing (剉冰). Maj.Frutti takes shaved ice one step further and creates a fruity, or frutti , wonderland with her insanely massive fruit dessert bowls and fruit juices.  

Address:  No.9, Fuxing North 2nd Street, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 40741 [西屯區福星北二街9號] Directions:  Public bus #35 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to Han Xiang Company (漢翔公司 ) Opening Hours: 1PM – 10PM (Closed on Mon) Cost: ~NT$169/bowl

14) 我是塔拉朵 I’m Talato

I’m Talato  is perhaps the most Instagrammed gelato shop of all Taiwan, with it’s exterior and interior all decorated with gigantic cones of ice cream.

Made of fresh ingredients sourced from local farms, I’m Talato’s rich yet low-fat gelato will wins the hearts of every girl. Popular flavours include Rice, Hokkaido Cheese, Sweet Potato, Pineapple, and Emei Matcha.

Address:  No.451, Yingcai Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403 [台中市西區英才路451號] Directions: Public bus #51 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to YingCai XiangShang N. Rd (英才向上北路口) Opening Hours:  11:30AM – 7:30AM daily Cost: ~NT$80/scoop

15) 大佑興意麵店 Da You Xing Yi Noodles

A walk down Anping Old Street will transport you back in time, with old-school stalls selling simple everyday dishes. Da You Xing Yi Noodles is nothing fancy, but embodies the “古早味” (gǔ zǎo wèi), or “tastes of yesteryears” locals and foreigners love. When at Anping, do give the dry-tossed noodles and assorted braised meats a try.

Address: No.29&30, Yanping Street, Anping District, Tainan City, Taiwan 708 [ 台南市安平區延平街29、30 號] Directions: Public bus #99 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Cultural Museum of Anping Oyster Shell Cement Kiln (安平蚵灰窯文化館)   Opening Hours: 11AM – 2PM (Lunch), 4:30PM – 7:30PM (Dinner). Closed on Mon Cost: ~NT$35/bowl

16) 金華六一鴉片綠豆蒜 Jin Hua 61 Tau Suan

Cool yourself down with a bowl of iced mung bean soup (a.k.a. tau suan ) from Jin Hua 61 along Anping Old Street. Unlike tau suan in Singapore, that’s usually served with you tiao , Jin Hua 61’s tau suan comes with chewy taro balls, black pearls. Portions are huge, and each bowl of dense mung bean soup is good for 2 to share.

Address: No.51 – 4, Gubao Street, Anping District, Tainan City, Taiwan 708 [ 安平區古堡街 51-4 號] Directions: Public bus #99 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Cultural Museum of Anping Oyster Shell Cement Kiln (安平蚵灰窯文化館)  Opening Hours: 11:30AM – 6PM (Mon-Fri), 10AM – 7:30PM (Sat & Sun) Cost: ~NT$60-130

17)  王家庄狀元粿 Wang’s Champion Rice Cake

Similar to the kueh tutu we have in Singapore, Champion Cakes of Taiwan are rice flour cakes with peanuts or sesame fillings but shaped like a champion’s hat. Wang’s Champion Rice Cakes  are served piping hot and generously filled peanut and sesame rice cakes.

Address: No. 136 Anping District, Tainan City, Yanping Street, Tainan, Taiwan [台南市安平區延平街136號] Directions: Public bus #99 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Cultural Museum of Anping Oyster Shell Cement Kiln (安平蚵灰窯文化館) Opening Hours: 1PM – 6:30PM (Mon-Fri), 11AM – 7:30PM (Sat & Sun) Cost: ~NT$100/box of 6

18) 眼鏡仔鱔魚意麵 Glasses Eel Noodles

For the Unagi lovers, this one’s a treat.  Glasses Eel Noodles  in Tainan is known for its reasonably-priced noodle dish that comes with a generous portion of stir-fried Unagi (eel). Besides Unagi, the stall also has stir-fried squid noodles and pork liver soup which are delicious too!

Address: No.5, Lane 21, Xinjian Road, South District, Tainan City, Taiwan 702 ［台南市南區新建路21巷5號］ Directions: Public bus #1 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Ri Xin Primary Sch (日新國小) Opening Hours: 5PM – 12AM (Closed on Sat & Sun) Cost:  ~NT$70-150

19) 小覓秘·面食所 Little Secret

In Tainan,  Blueprint Culture & Creative Park 藍晒圖文創園區  is that new kid on the block that locals flock to. And within the creative park is  Little Secret , a small restaurant that has been garnering lots of attention for its well-prepared delicacies, such as blanched beef soup with spinach noodle; a must-try in this restaurant.

Address:  No.17, Lane 689, Section 1, Ximen Road, South District, Tainan City, Taiwan （within the Tainan Blueprint Culture & Creative Park) [台南市西門路一段689巷17號 (藍晒圖文創園區内)] Directions: Public bus #18 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Shinkong Mitsukoshi Departmental Store (新光三越新天地) Opening Hours: 11AM – 2PM (Lunch), 5PM – 8:30PM (Dinner). Closed on Tue. Cost: ~NT$200/bowl

Besides her wide variety of food choice, there’re other lesser-known activities in Tainan that awaits.

高雄 Kaohsiung 

20) 鴨肉珍 duck zhen.

In Kaohsiung, make it a point to have a meal at  Duck Zhen . The braised duck is served cold to retain its tenderness and juiciness. Complete the meal with a bowl of fragrant braised meat rice, stir-fried kangkong, and pig’s liver soup.

We met a Taiwanese uncle who told us he has been patronising Duck Zhen for 8 years and counting and still remains his favourite eatery in Kaohsiung.

Address: No.258, Wufu 4th Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803 [ 高雄市鹽 埕區五福四路 258 號] Directions: MRT Yanchengpu Stn. Exit. 1. ( 捷運 鹽埕埔站) Opening Hours: 10AM – 8PM (Closed on Tue) Cost: ~NT$50-65

21) 章魚大丸仔 Giant Takoyaki

Address: No.140, Nanping Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 813［左營區南屏路410號］Ruifeng Night Market (First row of Food Section) Directions:  MRT Kaohsiung Arena Stn. Exit 1. ( 捷運 巨蛋站) Opening Hours: 5:30PM – 12:30AM (Closed on Mon & Wed) Cost: NT$60/ea

22)  好·食吐司（手作熱壓吐司） Good Eat Toast

I love bubble tea, so imagine my sheer delight when I found out that people at Good Eat Toast are making my favourite beverage a toast. Interestingly, instead of being a gooey mess, munching on the bubble tea toast was almost like having an explosion of flavours and textures in my mouth. Sink your teeth into the crispy toasted bread, and into the sweet and chewy pearls, with added flavours from the earl grey tea jam. Yums.

Address: No.140, Nanping Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 813［左營區南屏路410號］Ruifeng Night Market (Third row of Food Section) Directions:  MRT Kaohsiung Arena Stn. Exit 1. ( 捷運 巨蛋站) Opening Hours: 5:30PM – 12:30AM (Closed on Mon & Wed) Cost: ~NT$50

23) 犇焱牛 ‧ 骰子牛專門店 Royal Beef Cubes

Royal Beef Cubes is a chain store that serves up hand-torched wagyu beef cubes that are lightly flavoured with salt. Steak doneness can be prepared to your preference, or, simply leave it to the chef to torch it till perfection for you. It’s really good, trust us.

Address: Kaohsiung Ruifeng Night Market, Intersection between Yucheng Road and Nanping Road (First Row of Ruifeng Night Market) Directions: MRT Kaohsiung Arena Stn. Exit 1. ( 捷運 巨蛋站) Opening Hours:  5PM – 1AM (Closed on Mon & Wed) Cost: ~NT$100-200

24) 六合莊記海產粥 Zhuang Ji Seafood Porridge

Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s busiest seaports, is seafood galore, and there’s no better place to enjoy the seafood than a bowl of porridge at Zhuang Ji Seafood Porridge stall at Liuhe Night Market.

Address:  No.130, Liuhe 2nd Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800   [高雄市新興區六合二路攤販130號 (六合夜市與自立二路交叉口一帶)] Directions: MRT Formosa Boulevard Stn. Exit 1. (捷運美麗島站) Opening Hours: 5:30PM – 3:30AM  Cost: ~NT$100-150/bowl

25)  丹丹漢堡 Dan Dan Hamburger

Dan Dan Hamburger is Kaohsiung’s pride, being the city’s first local fast-food restaurant. Found exclusively in Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung (southern Taiwan), you can find Western-Taiwanese fusion food on its menu.

Address:   No.224, Qixian 2nd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801 [高雄市前金區七賢二路224號] Directions: MRT   City Council Stn. Exit 4. ( 捷運 市議會 站 ) Opening Hours:   6AM – 9:30PM daily Cost: ~NT$39-113

Read also: Top 7 Things to do in and around Kaohsiung

This non-exhaustive list will be updated periodically, so if you know of other awesome Taiwan food places you wish to share with the TTI community, do list them in the comment section below 🙂

Save more with Klook!

Planning a trip to Taiwan? Get the 5-Day THSR Pass  at a discounted rate from Klook for your Taiwan food adventures! Book your SIM Card , transportation , and activities on Klook to enjoy the savings!

This post was brought to you by  Klook .

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  A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Nov 24, 2017 at 9:13pm PST

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Food , Taiwan

Taiwan food guide: 22 x best taiwanese foods.

Table of Contents

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Hello and welcome to my Taiwan food guide! If you have no idea what Taiwanese food is, I don’t blame you. Before my visit this May, I didn’t have a clue either. After lots of research and many many meals, I’m now sharing the best food in Taiwan with you, including the must-try dishes and restaurants.

Like food around the world ? Don’t miss my Korea food guide & my Mexico food guide !

Taiwanese food guide

Let’s start with the obvious question, what actually is Taiwanese food? In my opinion, the food in Taiwan is some of the most underrated in the world. You won’t find many Taiwanese restaurants in other countries or see dishes on menus and think ‘that’s Taiwanese!’. However, don’t let that deter you from eating some of the best food in Asia. Taiwanese cuisine is about more than individual dishes: it’s a culture. Rather than saying ‘how are you?’, locals say ‘have you eaten?’. I’m not quite sure what happens if the answer’s no but I’d imagine get you some food! Taiwan is hands-down the best country I’ve visited for food markets. I challenge you to find a city without one. In Taipei , I went to five. These are sociable affairs often with outdoor restaurants, live music and whole families spending the evening together. Locals of all ages and backgrounds rub shoulders as they eat the best food in Taiwan, and the culture is so much greater for it. The many markets also make Taiwan great for solo travellers because you never need to dine solo in a restaurant if you don’t want to. Better yet, Taiwanese food is very affordable and won’t eat into your Taiwan budget . A few dollars will buy you a delicious and filling dinner!

22 x best Taiwanese food

Now you understand a bit more about the food culture, let’s get stuck into popular Taiwanese dishes to try. Once you know what to look out for, it will be easy to explore food markets and find Taiwanese food wherever you go. Some dishes are quite unusual (fried curry sandwich, anyone?) so a little research will set you in good stead. I started writing about the top 10 must try Taiwanese foods but there was too much competition and I updated the li st to 22. Any excuse to eat more in the name of research…

1. Bubble tea (boba)

I’m starting my Taiwan food guide with a drink. Acceptable? Let’s roll with it. The chewy tapioca pearls in bubble tea are so sweet and filling that it’s almost like a dessert. It’s fair to say I had way too many bubble teas in Taiwan. Aside from being a bit of a coffee addict, I’m usually quite good at avoiding sugary drinks, saving my calories for food. This all changed in Taiwan as my love for bubble tea flourished! Bubble tea was born in Taiwan so it’s definitely the place to try it. The original blend is made from sweetened milk tea but a popular variation is brown sugar bubble tea which is even more indulgent. Ordering one involves more questions than border control: what level of sugar? Full, 80%, 50%, 30%, zero? What level of ice? Standard, less, extra? Once you work out your perfect combo, you’ll be hooked on bubble tea.

2. Coffin bread

Of all the food to try in Taiwan, there’s none weirder than coffin toast, also called coffin bread. Actually, it’s just the name that’s bizarre. Coffin toast may be calorific but it’s plain delicious: a deep-fried sandwich stuffed with meaty curry. If you’ve tried bunny chow in South Africa, you’ll see the similarity although I’ll argue this is even less healthy since the sandwich is deep-fried. Oh well, no one comes to Asia expecting to lose weight, do they? If you find yourself in Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast, take a trip to Dongdaemun Night Market and locate the stand with the long queue at the back left. I paid 60 TWD for a slab of coffin bread filled with moreish pepper chicken and served with milk tea. You can’t beat that.

3. Sausage in a rice bun

This Taiwanese dish is sometimes described in English as ‘little sausage in big sausage’ which actually hits the nail on the head. The first thing to know? Asian sausages are soo much better than English sausages; just try sai ua (one of the best Chiang Mai foods ) if you don’t believe me. In Taiwan, you’ll find rich spicy sausages served inside what looks like a hot dog bun but is actually a sliced-open sausage made from rice. So, little sausage in a big sausage is pretty accurate!

4. Pork pepper buns

One of my first meals in Taiwan was at Fuzhou Pepper Buns inside Taipei’s Raohe Night Market . The recipe for these meaty morsels has been perfected over several decades and the result is undeniably delicious. Raohe have set up airport queuing ropes simply because the line to try their pork pepper buns is so long. If that’s not a measure of their success, I don’t know what is. Fuzhou Pepper Buns are divinely simple: juicy marinated pork in freshly baked pastry, straight from a tandoor oven and sprinkled with sesame seeds. I could have eaten 10.

5. Stuffed chicken wings

How to make chicken wings more delicious than they already are? Give them an Asian makeover and stuff them with rice and spices! I loved this Taiwanese dish although I only tried it once in the small village of Shifen, an hour outside of Taipei. You won’t find these in fancy restaurants but they’re one of the best street foods in Taiwan for sure.

6. Peanut ice cream rolls

The Taiwanese certainly have a sweet tooth. As you’ll learn, plenty of the best Taiwanese foods are desserts including peanut ice cream rolls. If that sounds weird to you, take a second to think of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Can’t be weirder than that, right? For this dish, plain ice cream is paired with peanut candy shavings and secured inside a delicate flour crepe wrap. You barely taste the wrap that holds it all together. The sweet flavour, crunchy texture and icy temperature make this dish one of my favourite Taiwanese foods. I ate this ice cream peanut roll in the famed foodie spot of Jiufen village, an hour from Taipei.

Another of the best street foods in Taiwan is battered seafood. Every night market I visited had row upon row of squid stands, all serving my favourite seafood dish for practically pennies. I don’t know what the secret is but the squid I ate in Taiwan was some of the best I’ve had. It was fresh, soft and lightly battered with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Winner winner seafood dinner!

8. Taiwanese fried chicken (TFC)

Next in my Taiwan food guide, another dish that isn’t unique to Taiwan but is done so well. People tend to think of Korean fried chicken before they do Taiwanese fried chicken but having tried both, I can vouch for TFC being just as tasty. The most famous place to eat fried chicken slabs bigger than your head is Hot Star , underneath KFC (the irony) in Taipei’s most fashionable neighbourhood, Ximending. Fresh white meat is battered in front of you and seasoned to your liking. Order it spicy.

9. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)

While they might look like regular dumplings, xiao long bao are soup dumplings and probably Taiwan’s most famous food. Before trying them, I was confused because where was the soup? After neglecting to follow the instructions at my table, taking a bite and getting soup all down me, I quickly realised it was inside… Din Tai Fung was voted one of Taiwan’s best restaurants and one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. It spread to other countries and can now be found in Singapore, Hong Kong and London. They have a few restaurants around Taiwan where you can sample their famous xiao long bao soup dumplings. I tried them in the basement of Taipei 101 but you can also visit the original Xinyi store.

Xiao long bao are undeniably tasty and moreish. The vinegar and soy dip went perfectly with smoky pork. They’re a little overpriced at 220 TWD for 10 but I’m glad I can say I tried them.

10. Other dumplings

If you don’t fancy the queue for Din Tai Fung, it’s not a problem because there are dumplings all over Taiwan. You’ll find them at night markets, restaurants, street stalls and my favourite chain, Bafang Dumpling . Food at this no-frills franchise is so cheap – I paid 50 TWD for 10 dumplings which is a quarter of the price of Din Tai Fung. There are so many combinations available including pork, leek, curry and shrimp. Choose either steamed dumplings, fried dumplings or dumpling noodle soup. Why not try all three?

11. Pineapple cake

I’d heard a lot about pineapple cake but didn’t get around to trying it until my last day in Taiwan. In fact, I ended up with a large box that I simply had to gorge my way through before leaving… Is it like English pineapple upside-down cake made with real pineapples? Nope. This Taiwanese dessert is quite different: the filling is like a jam only thicker and stickier. It’s served inside a pastry similar to shortcake. Apparently, pineapple imports were an important part of the Taiwanese economy during Japanese rule, hence this Taiwanese dish became popular. Today pineapple cake is mainly served at weddings and celebrations. Word has it the best in Taipei is served at Chia Te Bakery near Songshan station.

12. Scallion pancakes

Don’t leave without at least one scallion pancake clogging up your arteries. This famous Taiwanese street food is deep-fried dough folded over with a gooey fried egg in the middle. Many vendors throw in bacon or cheese in case you really want to accelerate that heart attack 😉 Taiwanese cuisine is rarely spicy but you can choose to add hot seasoning to dishes like this.

13. Japanese food

Taiwan is widely renowned as the best place to eat Japanese food outside of Japan. Night markets, restaurants and even 7Elevens serve authentic Japanese dishes. Sushi is particularly cheap and I ended up eating it almost every other day whilst visiting the city of Kaohsiung .

Japanese dishes to try include takoyaki , little balls of fried batter with squid inside, topped with mayo and seaweed flakes. Ramen is also a popular food in Taiwan and tastes just like it does in Japan. For a Japanese drink, try matcha green tea. You’ll find it flavouring lattes, bubble tea and even ice cream and other desserts.

14. Beef noodles

Beef noodle soup may sound Chinese, however it’s a well-loved Taiwanese dish eaten by locals all around the country. I find noodle soups to be hit and miss: a bad one can be weak and watery but a good one is warming and flavoursome . The latter applies to the best noodle soups in Taiwan. These include cuts of braised beef, beef broth, veggies and noodles. It’s not one for veggies but many traditional Taiwanese foods aren’t. If you try this Taiwanese food just once, ensure it’s at Yongkang Beef Noodles . I took a 40-minute round trip to sample these Michellin guide noodles and I didn’t regret it. They were pricey at 250 NTW – I guess they know they’re the best!

15. Stinky tofu

Say what? No Taiwan food guide would be complete without stinky tofu getting a mention. Locals love this dish and for that reason, I’d say it’s a must-try Taiwanese food. However, if you’re after something tasty that you’ll genuinely enjoy… well, maybe give it a miss. Stinky tofu isn’t a funny or ironic name. It’s actually tofu that stinks. Locals love it although personally I can’t see why. The reason for the stench is that it’s been fermented for some time to add to its pungent flavour. You’ll commonly find stinky tofu served at street food markets across the country. I tried it in Taichung which is a popular foodie city. My best advice is to order it with a group so you don’t get stuck with a whole box if you don’t like it. Top Taiwan tip – the Hunger Game tour from Tour Me Away is a great way to try unusual dishes in Taipei and a bargain at 600 TWD.

16. Taro ball dessert

If there’s one Taiwanese food that tastes so much better than it sounds, it’s taro ball soup. If you don’t know, taro is a root vegetable commonly used to flavour desserts and drinks in Asia. The texture of taro balls is unusual, made with a floury dough that’s soft yet springy. To try one of the most famous Taiwanese dishes, I would suggest sampling sweet taro ball soup at Jiufen market, an hour from Taipei.

17. Shaved ice

Shaved ice is a popular Taiwanese food with the young generation. Frozen ice (essentially ice cream) is shaved into a large pile and served with whatever topping you choose – I went for mango. Like pineapple cake, this dish is closely tied to Japanese rule. Immigrants from Japan took the dish to Hawaii with them and nowadays, many people think it originated there. But the truth is that it actually began life in Taiwan. What better reason to try it during your trip?

18. Sweet potato balls

This list of the best Taiwanese food isn’t in order of taste, otherwise sweet potato balls would be higher. I didn’t know what to expect of this dish but I love sweet potato so I had high hopes. What I didn’t anticipate was how light and snackable they’d be. Sweet potato balls are usually served at night markets in servings of around eight. Wander on through the market and you’ll look down and realise you’ve scoffed the lot! These balls are hollow so they’re great as a pre-dinner snack which won’t leave you feeling too stuffed.

As a small island, there’s an abundance of fresh seafood served across Taiwan. The best bit is how affordable it is. Seafood fans visiting Taipei should make a trip to Tonghua Night Market on Linjiang Street where fresh clams are served as Taiwanese street food. One unnamed stall had a queue around the corner which indicated to me that it would be good. This fresh serving of clams with chilli and lime only set me back a couple of dollars.

20. Vermicelli noodles

These thin rice noodles are popular in Taiwan, served with oyster, cuttlefish or pig intestine. It’s the rich, flavoursome sauce with the silky noodles that makes this Taiwanese dish a classic. The most famous place to try vermicelli noodles is Shilin Night Market in Taipei. There’s a modest stall named A Hui Vermicelli which you could miss if it weren’t for the long queues. If they weren’t proof enough, it’s been listed in the Michelin Guide for 2018, 2019 and 2020. A hearty portion of vermicelli noodles is 30 TWD ($1).

21. Wheel cakes

These light, snackable desserts are a popular snack in both Taiwan and Japan. They’re essentially rounded pancakes stuffed with popular Asian filling, bean paste. Red bean paste is a classic but these days you’ll also find other flavours like matcha and boba. Wheel cakes can be found at night markets all over Taiwan. They’re a cute snack often made in a mould that stamps a cat or cartoon character onto your dessert. What’s not to like?

22. Bubble waffles

This final entry in my Taiwan food guide is one I don’t need to explain as we’ve probably all heard of bubble waffles by now. I thought these originated in Taiwan like bubble tea but actually, they’re from Hong Kong. They’re now a popular Taiwanese food, especially with the younger generation. You’ll find them topped with chocolate, ice cream, fruit, nuts and sweets.

Thanks for reading my Taiwan food guide

Check out my other Taiwan blogs:

• The ultimate 2 week Taiwan itinerary
• Complete Taiwan budget guide & spending tips
• Solo female travel in Taiwan
• 17 Taiwan tips for travellers
• A complete guide to visiting Taipei
• Things to do in Jiufen and Shifen
• The story of Taichung Rainbow Village
• How to visit Yehliu Geopark from Taipei
• Taroko National Park day trip guide
• Best things to do in Kaohsiung
• 10 Taiwan facts

See you next time for more adventures,

Ps. Liked these best foods to try in Taiwan? Pin it for later!

TAIWAN QUICK LINKS Getting there – it’s easy to arrive by flight. I use Skyscanner to find the best-value flights, using the ‘search by month’ tool to find the cheapest dates. Stay connected with an unlimited 4G SIM card for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days. In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest Lonely Planet Taiwan . Car hire – I recommend RentalCars.com for car hire in Taiwan and around the world. For Taiwan High Speed Trains , use 12Go . The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations. I use Booking.com for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use Hostelworld . To save money on accommodation, I use Trusted Housesitters , a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets. For activities, I use GetYourGuide and Viator as they both have a huge range of affordable tours. Need travel insurance ? I use True Traveller (for UK & Europe residents) since it’s affordable but covers everything you’d need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if you’re already travelling / don’t yet have your flight home booked. Get a quote . For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend Hey Mundo and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest Safety Wing . Check out my resources page for more travel discounts and tips!

Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes!

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• Travel tips

Taiwanese Food Culture: an Introduction to 22 Must Eat Food in Taiwan 

Food is such a big part of Taiwanese culture . Foodies from all over the world will find Taiwan to be an exciting culinary destination. The simplest and basic ingredients can become the most delicious food you will ever taste. Sampling all the culinary delights is truly a highlight of a trip to Taiwan.

If you are planning a solo trip to Taiwan, make sure to explore the Taiwanese food culture by trying different types of food in Taiwan. From local restaurants to bustling night markets , there is something for everyone!

In this post, I’ll show you the top 22 Taiwanese food you must try while travelling in Taiwan. And I included some of the best places to eat this Taiwanese traditional food throughout the country.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy something through them, I will receive a small commission at no additional cost. Thank you for supporting this website. For more information, please read the  disclosure  for more info.

Table of Contents

Things you need to know about Taiwanese food culture

Before you dive into Taiwan food culture, take a look at my post on  everything you need to know before going to Taiwan . I included a lot of travel information, including how to get around Taiwan, getting a Taiwan SIM card , and other travel tips.

Here are a few additional tips for experiencing food culture in Taiwan:

• Many of the best places are found in small local neighbourhood restaurants and night markets throughout Taiwan.
• Taiwan traditional food is very affordable , especially at night markets.
• Make sure to bring cash because 99% of the vendors only take cash as payment.
• Generally speaking, the food portion is quite small compared to North American standards. But the good news is you can order several and try different food!
• Look for long queues for any restaurants or food vendors. When there is a long queue, it means the food is excellent and worth the wait!
• Don’t be afraid of the language barrier ! Some places have English menus and photographs where you can point and order food.

Taiwan Food Culture: Overview

Food is such an important part of everyday life. And food culture in Taiwan is all about simple and local ingredients . Best of all, you can find food at any hour of the day and anywhere !

Between sampling food from local restaurants and the endless aisles of night markets, you will find your stomach very happy when travelling in Taiwan. You may even find some of your favourite Taiwanese food at 7-Eleven !

And most of all, Taiwanese food is not expensive . It is quite cheap. Eating locally in Taiwan will not break your budget.

What to eat in Taiwan: 22 food to eat in Taiwan

While each region has its own regional specialties, some Taiwanese food is served nationwide. The best way to introduce yourself to the food culture in Taiwan is to try everything! 

And if this is your first time experiencing the Taiwan food culture, I’ll show you exactly what to eat in Taiwan and where to find these delicious specialties. You can easily create your own Taiwanese food tour around a specific city or even the whole country. So use this Taiwan food guide however you wish!

Must eat in Taiwan: traditional Taiwanese food

1. beef noodle soup or niu rou mian   (牛肉麵).

The classic beef with noodles in a soup broth is a must-try food in Taiwan. The cut of beef varies, but most restaurants like to cook beef shank to pair with bouncy noodles . And the broth has many layers of flavours that complement well with the noodle. 

Beef noodle soup is a big part of Taiwan food culture. It is a staple diet so you should have no problem finding a beef noodle place in a local neighbourhood, night market and almost anywhere!

2. Braised Pork Rice or Lurou Fan (魯肉飯)

Perhaps one of my favourite classic Taiwanese food of all time! It is a braised pork in a soy sauce cooked with five spices and served over white rice . The pork is served as a piece of pork belly or diced-up pork belly. Either way, it goes really well with the radish and white rice. Savour the flavourful sauce and the tenderness of the pork.

Lurou fan is a very common dish so you should not have any issues finding this Taiwanese food. They are very common in restaurants and night markets.

3. Braised Taiwanese Food (滷味王)

Braised Taiwanese food  is a very popular Taiwanese food and can be found at night markets all over Taiwan.

Basically, it is  food cooked in a light soy sauce   broth , and the braised food is served in a bowl .

Here’s how you eat at one of these types of braised food restaurants. First, grab a basket and pick all the ingredients for your meal. Then pay at the cashier while the chef cooks your food. You pay exactly what you selected. So if you tend to eat less, your bowl of braised food can be very cheap.

Eat in or have it to go . Either way, this is a must-eat food in Taiwan!

4. Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)

One of Taiwan’s famous street food is deep-fried tofu also known as stinky tofu . Small pieces of fermented tofu are deep-fried in oil and are eaten with a sweet and spicy sauce . You will either love it or hate this weird must eat in Taiwan.

The tofu gives off a strong odour. I’m not sure how to describe it except it smells like something is rotting. But a lot of people love eating stinky tofu! Don’t diss it until you try it!

Almost night markets in Taiwan have at least a stall or two of deep-fried stinky tofu. You don’t need to look for it; your nose will find it for you!

5. Oyster omelet (蚵仔煎)

Taiwanese people really love their pan-fried eggs with oysters . Basically, it is a plate of scrambled eggs with fried small oysters . 

Try this classic Taiwanese dish with tangy sauce . You can eat it by itself or as a side dish.

You can find oyster omelet at any night market in individual stalls that only serves oyster omelet (pictured above). You know the oyster omelet is good when the food stall only has oyster omelet on their menu and nothing else.

Taiwanese restaurants will also serve oyster omelets as well.

6. Scallion pancake (蔥油餅)

Okay, I don’t like scallions, but I love scallion pancakes! But I only eat the ones in Taiwan and not anywhere else.

The typical scallion pancake is really thin, fried with a lot of oil, and has very small pieces of green scallion. Even though the flour pancake is pan-fried in a lot of oil, there is still a crispy and flaky texture . No wonder it is such a popular Taiwanese snack!

The scallion pancakes in Yilan are a bit thicker and have more scallions .

Both types of pancakes are delicious on their own. Some places will have the option to add cheese, egg and different types of toppings and sauces .

7. Scallion pancake sandwich wrap

Adapting from one of the best traditional Taiwanese food, this must-try food is a sandwich wrap made with the classic pan-fried flakey pancake .

Then choose different ingredients for your sandwich wraps like a fried egg, pork floss, kimchi, cheese, basil, chicken, and beef.

8. Traditional Taiwanese Breakfast

Taiwanese breakfast might be my favourite type of breakfast! And I love all kinds of breakfast food, but the Taiwanese really know how to make a solid meal in the morning.

And there is so much to choose from, including clay oven roll , egg crepe and dumplings . And everything goes well with a soy milk drink . The soy milk drink can be a cold or hot beverage on its own, or you can have a hot bowl of soy milk with a fried bread stick and green scallions .

Definitely try Taiwanese breakfast a few times. It is a huge part of the food culture in Taiwan! Whatever you choose, you will be satisfied with your choices. They are all delicious!

Yong He Soy Milk King (永和豆漿大王) is one of my favourite breakfast places in Taipei , this local restaurant has all types of Taiwanese breakfast items. Try the egg crepe and salty soy milk drink. There are many locations throughout Taiwan.

9. Gua Bao (刈包)

A typical gua bao has braised pork belly, pickled Chinese cabbage stuffed in a steamed bun . The flavourful pork and tanginess of the pickled vegetable really complement each other.

But in Taiwan, you will also find other steamed bun sandwiches that combine non-traditional ingredients to make a fusion guo bao .

10. Fried Chicken

Who doesn’t like fried chicken? And in Taiwan, it is no exception that fried chicken is a great snack or meal.

And it comes in so many different forms: deep-fried popcorn chicken , boneless nuggets , chicken wing , chicken leg , or chicken breast . But the most interesting one is where the chicken breast is flattened into a giant sheet of chicken steak and deep-fried. The resulting fried chicken is quite big!

11. Soup Dumplings or Xiao Long Bao (小籠包)

If there is one thing you need to try in Taiwan, it is xiao long bao .

But wait, there are different types of xiao long bao .

The one that we are most familiar with is the tiny dumplings with soup inside . These dumplings are steamed to perfection! And it tastes best if you dip it in soy sauce and vinegar. The best way to eat a soup dumpling is to bite it first, drink the soup, dip it in sauce, and eat it in one bite.

There is another kind that is uniquely famous in Hualien (pictured below, top right). The skin of the dumpling is a bit thicker, almost resembling bread more than a dumpling wrap. They are a bit bigger; you still eat them with soy sauce and vinegar.

Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) all over Taiwan – The restaurant is famous for its soup dumplings and there are locations worldwide.

And 7-11 in Taiwan sells frozen xiao long bao and they will even microwave it for you! And it tastes so good!

12. Pepper Bun (胡椒餅)

A delicious savoury treat that is good for any time of the day. The pepper bun is made has minced pork, green scallions and pepper in the middle of a flakey bun . The bun is rolled together and baked on the wall of a clay oven .

Pepper bun is really popular in Taiwan so you should have no problem finding it at any night market.

Taiwan must eat food: Regional Taiwanese food

13. ba wan (肉圓).

Ba wan is a giant dumpling made of starchy dough with pork and vegetable filling . The skin is translucent after it is cooked and served with a thick, tangy sauce. They don’t look like a typical dumpling, but I guarantee you will love the flavour. Also, the texture is sticky and gooey just in case you are wondering.

I found this Taiwan must eat food in the food markets of Hsinchu. They are probably all over the country as well but definitely try them while you are in Hsinchu.

14. Turkey Rice or Ji Rou Fan

Originating from Chiayi City, many restaurants in Chiayi serve small bowls of white rice, with shredded turkey meat on top . Then a bit of homemade oily sauce is added to add an extra layer of flavour.

Even though it is a Chiayi specialty, you can find turkey rice at any Taiwanese restaurant that serves typical Taiwanese dishes.

15. Thick Pork Soup

There might be a better name than “ Thick Pork Soup ,” but I simply cannot find it in English or Chinese.

But it is exactly what it is: thick pork soup! Each spoonful of soup has thick pork broth with pork and garlic . Some restaurants will serve it with rice or noodles . Or you can eat it as is .

I found many soup restaurants in Yilan . But you can also try this in Taipei as well.

Taiwan must try food: beverages and desserts

16. milk tea (奶茶).

Taiwan has a strong tea culture. Tea is definitely more popular than coffee. But no matter where you are in Taiwan, you can always find milk tea at restaurants, convenience stores like 7-11 , and stores that only sell milk tea.

It is one of my favourite drinks (I probably said this probably a few times now, but I have too many favourites in Taiwan). The black tea with whole milk is a classic ! You can’t go wrong!

And FYI, yes, I had all the drinks in the photo! It looks like a lot, but I was in Taiwan for two months!!

17. Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶)

Bubble tea is everywhere and not just in Taiwan! I’m sure by now you have at least heard of the name. But if you haven’t, you must try it, especially in Taiwan!

Typically, it is a milk tea with chewy tapioca “bubbles” at the bottom of your drink. You sip the tea and tapioca through a thick straw made specifically for this drink .

People call it bubble, boba or pearl . You can add grass jelly or milk pudding , and tailor the sweetness to your liking. And you can get almost any flavour from all types of fruits and teas .

Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) is the place where bubble tea first originated. The location in Taichung is THE original bubble tea store!

18. Aiyu Jelly ( 愛玉冰)

I didn’t know what this was initially because the sign at the food stall had a photo of a frog on it. And it says “frog eggs”!

But it is not anything like that at all! Aiyu jelly is a sweet summery drink with citrus jelly made from aiyu seeds . It can be served as a drink or dessert .

It is quite refreshing. And it is not too sweet – just perfect! And no frogs were harmed in the process!

19. Papaya Milkshake

Besides milk tea and bubble tea, papaya milkshake has to be one of the most refreshing drinks in Taiwan. Made with the sweetest papaya, milk and ice, the drink is creamy, sweet, and oh-so tasty!

The drink is made to order. And you can also order other fruit shakes like strawberry, mango, dragonfruit and much more.

20. Shaved Ice Mountain (刨冰)

Taiwanese people love their shaved ice mountains . It is literally what it is – a shaved ice mountain. You can get different flavours in a giant bowl of fluffy shaved ice and with various toppings like ice cream, tapioca, cake , etc.

21. Tofu Dessert or Douhua (豆花)

Douhua, or tofu dessert , is a Chinese dessert made with very soft and silky tofu or bean curd. And it is eaten with plain sugar syrup or ginger syrup .

This is a very typical Chinese dessert that you can find throughout China and Taiwan. Try one and let me know what you think.

22. Pineapple Cake (鳳梨酥)

If there is one Taiwanese snack to bring home as a souvenir, this is it! Pineapple cake is a favourite amongst the Taiwanese. I can see why – it is quite unique and tasty. It is a small pastry filled with dried pineapple . Not super fancy, but it is super tasty!

Many retail stores have packaged pineapple cakes prepared so you can bring them home easily. There are plenty of stores selling pineapple cakes all over the country. And if you forget to pick up some in the city, you can also buy them duty-free at the airport in Taipei.

Taiwan food culture: which must eat food will you try?

I hope you enjoyed this post and it will inspire you to try some of the best things to eat in Taiwan. Experiencing Taiwanese food culture is all about trying new food. And eating solo in Taiwan is not intimidating at all. Trying new food is one of the best activities for a solo traveller !

I’ll keep adding other Taiwan must try food as I come across them So bookmark this page.

And if I miss any of your favourite places to eat in Taiwan, let me know by leaving a comment below.

Thank you for reading my Taiwan food culture post

You might also like these other posts you might like:

Food around the world

• Vienna food guide: 23 must-try food
• Budapest food guide: 26 Best Budapest Food
• 25 Bucharest Food: What to eat in Bucharest
• Where and what to eat in Sofia: 21 must-try food
• 17 best Porto food: what and where to eat in Porto
• 21 must-eat food in Singapore
• Where to eat Michelin star street food in Singapore
• 15 traditional Hong Kong food
• Japanese Food Culture: 11 must-try food
• Okinawa food guide: 26 best food
• Tokyo Food Guide: 42 best places to eat in Tokyo

Introduction to Taiwan

• Things to know before visiting Taiwan  
• How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
• How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan  
• Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food
• Yilan Food: Where to eat in Yilan
• Hualien Food Guide: What and Where to eat in Hualien, Taiwan

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queenie mak

Hi, my name is Queenie, and I've been a solo traveller for 20+ years and currently based in Hong Kong. Follow me on my adventures through Instagram and my blog!

Further Reading...

Kimpton Da’an Hotel Review: Best Modern Boutique Hotel in Taipei Taiwan

Carton King Creativity Park: Visit the Whimsical Cardboard Park in Taichung, Taiwan

Caoling Historic Trail: Easy Day Hike from Yilan or Taipei

16 comments.

As an Asian myself, I was sure I had tried all the Asian food but stinky tofu!? I have never seen this! What a fascinating guide – this makes me want to take a trip to Taiwan just for the street food 😀

omg you and me both! I thought I tried everything but not until I travelled to Taiwan. I really love Taiwanese food – its totally worth the trip even if its just for food!

The Solivagant Soul (@Thesolivsoul)

What a lovely post! I do have tried a few of the dishes in this list but I suspect they were just a very washed out version of them! I would like to visit Taiwan some time in the future and I will try to try “the real deal”. If you had to choose one alone, what would be?

You can’t go wrong with xiao long bao! There are so many restaurants that serve the soup dumplings. But if you go to Din Tai Fung, you will for sure get the real deal 🙂

I was reading and thinking “will she mention milk tea and bubble tea? she must!” and of course, you did 🙂 that is my strongest memory from Taiwan food scene! I must admit, I did not dare to try stinky tofu. Smelling it in the market was enough to keep me away from that stall!!

Yes – milk tea and bubble tea!! I think I had one per day and I was there for 2 months. lol

Now I am hungry! Love this selection though, food looks delicious! We are hoping to head to Taiwan this year so will definitely check out some of these dishes!

I’m actually going back at the end of the year. I’m hoping to discover more food!

Priyanka Gupta

Waiting to visit Taiwan now 🙂

Hope you get to go very soon! 🙂

I love the food in Taiwan. This made me want to back immediately. We didn’t eat the sticky tofu so we have to go back.

This all looks so good…currently DROOLING! My husband is obsessed with pork belly steamed buns in Veitnam, so I can lure him to Taiwan with promises of that and more! 🙂

Really loved xiaolongbao when i was in shanghai, does anyone know if the xiaolongbao in taiwan differ in any way to the authentic shanghainese one?

Hi Kate, I’m not sure either. They both have really delicious soup dumplings and they both use similar condiments. I think its worth researching some more ie eat more dumplings!! 🙂

Kirtika saha

It’s really a cool and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared useful information with us.

Aw thanks so much Kirtika! Food is such a big part of travelling to Taiwan so it was a definitely a fun post to write! 🙂

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Minimalist Travel: My Minimalist Packing List for Every Trip

Pack like a minimalist: how to pack 7kg carry on luggage, ms travel solo.

• Food & Drinks

54 Must Eat Foods in Taipei

If you are planning a trip to Taipei for the first time and you’re still clueless about where to start, the first thing you need to realize is that eating is one of the top things to do in Taipei, after all, according to a poll CNN Travel made in 2015, Taiwan is the BEST food destination in the world, especially here in Taiwan’s capital–Taipei City.

So we’ve compiled a 2020 updated list of what places to visit in Taipei for the ultimate culinary adventure, from gastronomic destinations to legendary street vendors, this is the food guide you will want to keep in your back pocket for your first Taipei tour, the insider scoop of some of the best Taipei eats you wouldn’t want to miss.

But before we get started, what is Taiwanese cuisine exactly?

The essence of Taiwanese cuisine is complicated, to say the least, you can find culinary influences from a diverse pool of cultures due to its colonial history and multiple mass migrations of ethnic Chinese subgroups from China since the 17 th century, creating a flavor profile that is uniquely Taiwanese, yet also easily accepted even by the pickiest palates.

Although Taipei is mostly known for its street food in the past, the Taipei food scene has gone through an impressive transformation in recent years, with many new culinary points of views emerging from 2 nd or 3 rd generation food business owners, and chefs returning home to open shop after going through culinary training abroad, bringing new life to what Taiwanese food should be or could be. Of course, we will be missing some amazing gems because the list is just 54 deep, but you will be able to find more culinary treasures than you can devour for a 2 weeks visit, so please enjoy some of the best foods Taipei has to offer and make you’re next Taipei visit a trip to remember.

Noodles & Rice

Noodles and rice plays an important role in most Asian cuisines, with each culture developing their own lineage of flavors and techniques, you can often find how history and geography left marks on their food culture by examining the way their signature dishes are constructed, and there is no better way to experience Asian cuisine than trying out some of their iconic noodle and rice dishes.

1) Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)

It’s impossible not to start a Taipei food guide without putting beef noodle soup at the top of the list.

Beef was once considered a festive only ingredient because of its rarity in the early 20 th century, but as the economy began to improve post World War 2, being able to enjoy large pieces of beef became a representation of economic prosperity, and that’s how this signature Taiwanese dish was born.  Now widely recognized as the national dish of Taiwan, there are multiple festivals and competitions held annually just to honor this dish.

There are countless variations of this beef, vegetable, noodle, and soup combination, but the beef shank and tendon with a five-spice and soy beef broth is considered as the basic form, Lin Don Fang Beef Noodles (林東芳牛肉麵) and Yong Kang Beef Noodles (永康牛肉麵) are often rated as champions of this style. Or if you are looking for something lighter in flavor, Jin Chun Fa Beef Noodle (金春發牛肉店) or Muslim Beef Noodle Restaurant (清真黃牛肉麵館) are both known for their white broth, an umami-rich soup made with beef and vegetables.

Danzai Noodles (擔仔麵)

This noodle dish was invented by a boatsman named Hong Yu-Tou back in 1895, he used to sell this noodle dish during summer and fall, when he was trying to make an extra buck because the constant typhoon made his boating career impossible to make ends meet, Hong’s noodle invention later became so famous his customers nicknamed the dish after the wooden pole ( danzai ) that he carried over his shoulders to transport his noodle business, and since it was only available during the off season of boating, it is also known as “slack-season noodle soup”.   

Danzai noodle is usually topped with braised minced pork, shrimp, bean sprouts and cilantro, with the option of wheat noodles or rice flour noodles, and because it was designed to be more of a snack than a meal, the portion size is fairly small for an adults’ appetite.

You can still find the original recipe by Hong Yu-Tou at Du Xiao Yue Danzai Noodles (度小月擔仔麵) , with multiple locations throughout Taiwan, the restaurant brand is now operated by Hong’s 4th generation grandchildren. Or you can visit Hawji Danzai noodles (好記擔仔麵), where they also offer a huge selection of seafood dishes that are displayed at their storefront.

Misua is a vermicelli-like thin noodle made with a combination of wheat flour and sweet potato flour, the noodle soup takes on the form of geng (羹), which is a Taiwanese specialty of thickening the broth with a corn starch slurry that gives the dish a silky and slippery texture. The 2 most commonly seen variations are presented with oysters and pig intestines, garnished with cilantro and garlic paste, you can also enjoy this dish with a dash of black vinegar to give it an acidic kick.

You can find Misua in countless specialty food stalls throughout Taipei, but Dong Fa Hao (東發號) at Raohe Night Market and Ah-Chuan Oyster Misua (阿川蚵仔麵線) at Ningxia Night Market have both created cult followings that some of their customers swear by them being the only Misua stall they’d ever go to.

Baby Eel Noodles (鱔魚意麵)

This local delicacy was invented in Tainan during the Japanese colonial era in the early 20 th century, using the local fresh water Field Eel, this fish is rich with vitamins and is considered a tonic food that brings stamina and energy.

Traditionally paired with an egg noodle called Yi-mien (意麵) that is pre-fried to bring extra aroma and texture, there are also 2 ways of serving this dish, one being a “dry” preparation of sautéing the eel and noodles with spices and aromatics, another being a “wet” preparation, where the eel and noodles gets a quick stew in a sweet and sour sauce that is thickened with cornstarch.

As this dish is so synonymous with Tainan, there hasn’t been much re-inventions of this dish, most of the restaurants that specializes in the baby eel noodle in Taipei has an origin story that can be traced back to their Tainan roots, such as the popular food stall An-Ping Baby Eal Yi-Mien (安平鱔魚意麵) or the tourist friendly restaurant Tainan Ah-Hui Fried Eel (台南 阿輝炒鱔魚) .

5) Braised Pork Rice / Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯)

If beef noodle soup is the king of all noodles, then Lu Rou Fan is the master of all rice, this is that one dish that every grandma has a secret recipe to, it is essentially a sweet and savory soy braised pork belly that is poured over steamed rice, but the Lu Rou can also be used in many applications, poured over noodles, poured over vegetables, or add more ingredients into the braising liquid and make braised eggs or braised tofu.

With that said, you can imagine just how many places serve this humble dish, but it wouldn’t be hard to figure out which restaurants reigns supreme, if there is a line of locals waiting, you know you came to the right place, Huang Ji Braised Pork (黃記魯肉飯) and Fu Ba Wang Pork Knuckles (富霸王豬腳) are always busy during rush hours, like 30 min long wait busy, so either come early or come late.

But even if you weren’t able to avoid the lines, their Lu Rou Fan is well worth the wait, the fatty pork is tender and packed with flavor, the fat is rendered out from the gentle braise leaving a gelatinous and slightly sticky texture on your lips, and when the braising soy syrup mixes with the steamed rice, that is what Taiwanese comfort food taste like.

6) Goose Rice (鵝肉飯)

Goose became a popular meat option during the early 70’s, where goose specialty restaurants ran by goose farmers first opened their doors in the Taoyuan area, and because it is so delicious, goose took the country by storm, and goose specialty stores opened shop in every city in Taiwan. The meat is usually cooked in a salt water bath, similar to Singapore’s Hainan chicken, then served at room temperature over rice that is mixed with a little bit of goose fat to give it a richer flavor.

Goose is still only served at specialty restaurants that focuses on the goose, you can try out Yong Le Goose Shop (詠樂鵝肉店) where they were voted the best Goose rice in Taiwan in 2018, or Acheng Goose (阿城鵝肉) which received a Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendation in 2019.

7) Tube Rice Cake 筒仔米糕

Don’t be fooled by name, it is a savory rice dish all the way. Sticky rice stir fried with dried shrimp, shallots, mushrooms in a soy based seasoning, then shaped into a tube and steamed until the rice becomes tender, often topped with a sweet and spicy sauce and coriander, it is usually eaten as a snack rather than a meal, a good boost of energy to get ready for the rest of the day.

A popular option of pairing with this dish is a side of fish ball or meat ball soup, to slightly cut through the rich flavor and dense texture.

Bao, Bing & Sandwiches

Bao is a yeast flour dough formed into a ball with filling inside, then steamed until cooked all the way through. Whereas, the Bing is a similar dough that is pressed flat then grilled or toasted, sometimes with a thin filling, sometimes with the ingredients mixed within the dough.

And then there are sandwiches, Taiwanese love bread, but the characteristics of the loaves are more related to Japan than Europe, as Taiwanese likes to add in a wide variation of fillings or toppings for different flavors and texture, and has created several original sandwiches that are quite delicious and a good representation of the Taiwanese bread culture.

1) Baozi (包子)

For many, the Baozi is the go-to snack for any time of the day, breakfast, late-morning, early afternoon, mid-night, you can find it in the frozen section in supermarkets, or in a dedicated steamer at a convenient store, it is EVERYWHERE.

But who can blame it, with a near endless variation of filling, it can be savory or sweet, it can be soft with a ground meat center or crunchy with chunks of bamboo shoots, there are also regional variations, such as the famous Cantonese Cha-Siu Bao , with a sweet braised pork filling and a spongy bun that melts in your mouth, or if you happen to be near Chao Zhao Baozi (潮州包子) , their signature Chao Zhao style Pork Baozi is so addicting, you will probably end up ordering a 2 nd one and eating it standing in front of their stall.

2) Soup Dumpling / Xiao Long Bao (小籠包)

Xiao Long refers to the small bamboo steamer the buns are steamed in, although this version of the Baozi is originally a Shanghai style snack, it has become synonymous to Taiwan food culture thanks to the global restaurant chain Ding Tai Fung, where they have turned the making of Xiao Long Bao into a science.

What makes the Xiao Long Bao special is the splash of flavorful pork broth that bursts out when eaten, giving an umami filled unctuousness that leaves an unforgettable impression. The soup inside the dumpling is created by adding a pork broth jelly to the filling, which melts back into its soup form once steamed and cooked.   And if you were in Taipei, you will want to visit original Ding Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) that started it all. Yes the line is usually 1-2 hours long, but eating their world famous Xiao Long Bao at the original location that’s been around for over 60 years is the kind of experience that great memories are made of.

3) Pan Fried Bun (生煎包)

Similar preparation to the Japanese Gyoza , where the Baozi is steamed and grilled at the same time, to create a crunchy crust that not just adds a layer of texture, but the caramelisation also adds flavor and aroma to the dish, making it a very popular form of the Baozi . The pan fried bun also uses the same technique as the Xiao Long Bao by added soup to the filling, so be careful not to burn yourself when you bite into it.

You will be able to find a pan fried bun stall at most night markets ( Shanghai Pan Fried Dumplings (上海生煎包) ), or you can give Old Shanghai SFRY-Dumpling (老上海生煎) a try, they have been dominating Instagram in 2019 with their beautiful presentation, and is considered by many to be the best pan fried bun in Taipei. You can try both soup dumplings and pan fried buns on Taipei Eat’s Iconic Tour .

4) Gua Bao (掛包)

With a presentation that resembles a hamburger, guabao has made a name for itself through western food culture. The traditional guabao is a big slab of soy braised pork belly sandwiched between a thin steamed bun, topped with pickled mustard greens, coriander, sprinkled with of a crushed peanut and sugar mixture, to give it a little sweetness and texture.

You can find the traditional preparation at almost any night market, but there are also modern interpretations where the pork belly is replaced with fried chicken, braised beef, or even seafood, so don’t hesitate to give it a try if you happen to pass one by during your visit. You can line-up at the very popular Lan Jia Traditional Taiwanese Snacks or try the above 3 foods on the Iconic Food Tour .

5) Scallion Pancakes (蔥油餅)

The staple of the Taiwanese bing , it is savory and light, flaky on the outside, chewy on the inside, this is one of those street foods that can be found not just in night markets, but sometimes at the most random street corner because the demand for it is so high, it can turn into a business almost anywhere.

Some stalls has fried eggs as an add-on option, ALWAYS add the egg. Eat the egg scallion pancake with a brush of thick soy sauce and some chili paste, and you will be asking yourself where has this been all your life.

5) Pepper Cake(胡椒餅)

Unlike its baozi cousin, the pepper cake is baked inside a clay pot similar to the Indian tandoori oven, giving the pepper cake a much flaky and crunchier exterior. The filling is usually a ground pork mixture flavored with an intense black pepper spice mix, which might make it a little too spicy if spicy is not your thing, but for those who do enjoy a little spice in their food, then the pepper cake will leave a fragrant aroma and a spicy aftertaste that will make you go back for more. Raohe Night Market has a pepper cake stall that is recommended by tourists and locals alike.

7) The “Nutritious” Sandwich (營養三明治)

This sandwich was first introduced by a food stall in Keelung, using an egg and milk dough rolled into a long roll shape, served warm by frying the dough to order, so it stays crunchy on the outside and fluffy on the inside.

The roll is cut open and a layer of mayonnaise is squeezed from edge to edge, then adding in tomatoes for acidity and moisture, cucumber for freshness and crunch, ham for its smoky flavor and lastly some soy-braised eggs for creaminess, it is truly a winning combination. You can find this sandwich through out Taipei in most night markets, sometimes in a food stall, or a food truck.

8) Hongrui Zhen Sandwich (洪瑞珍三明治)

Originally created in Taichung by Hong Rui Zhen, this is a deceivingly simple sandwich, their signature ham sandwich only has 4 ingredients, white bread, mayonnaise, eggs and ham, but somehow they were able to make it into one of the best ham sandwiches you can find anywhere in the world, the secret lies in their house made sweet mayonnaise, and the pro tip of eating this sandwich is to eat it chilled.

After decades of operation, this is still a family owned business with multiple outlets in Taipei, you should also try out their strawberry jam sandwich if you were ever to visit one of their locations.

Street Food

Taiwan is most famous for its night markets and street food, just in Taipei alone are 6 night markets bustling 7 nights a week, 51 weeks a year (most night markets don’t operate during Chinese New Years), including the world famous Shilin night market and Raohe Night market. You can find most of this list in almost every night market, with just a few exceptions that are a little more regional.

1) Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)

This is perhaps the most infamous street food Taiwan has to offer. The stink of the tofu comes from its fermentation process, where the bean curd is often fermented up to a few weeks, but as foul as it may smell, you don’t really taste the fermentation, it is more of a deeper soy bean flavor that adds a complex umami to the tofu.

There are usually 3 ways of preparing stinky tofu, steamed, stewed or deep fried, the deep fried version can be found in almost every night market, served with pickled cabbage and chili sauce. Don’t think you can stomach an whole order? Go on the Iconic Food Tour with Taipei Eats .

2) Oyster Omelet (蚵仔煎)

Oysters are a big part of the Taiwanese diet, and the oyster omelet is probably the most eaten oyster preparation as it has been a staple of the street food category for decades. You first pan fry the oysters with eggs and vegetables, then a sweet potato batter is ladled over the oysters to form a slightly chewy and springy thin pancake (this texture is called “Q” in Taiwan, a sought out characteristic in starchy foods), served with a sweet and spicy chili sauce. Ningxia night market has 3-4 wildly popular omelettes such as 圓環邊蚵仔煎 . However, if you are looking for an hidden, cities best oyster omelette go on the night market tour with Taipei Eats .

3) Grilled Corn (烤玉米)

Taiwanese grilled corn is quite different than the grilled corn you find anywhere else, mostly because Taiwanese likes to use waxy corn for grilling compared to the sweet corn variety that Western cultures are more accustomed to. The reason of choosing the waxy corn is mostly for its chewy texture, you guessed it, the Q texture.

At the end of the grilling process, a BBQ sauce made of soy sauce, oyster sauce, Sha-cha sauce, garlic and sesame is then brushed onto the corn and thrown back onto the grill to give the sauce a sticky and gooey finish.

4) Pig’s Blood Cake (豬血糕)

This is a very popular street food that can be found at every night market, Pig’s blood is first mixed with sticky rice and steamed until cooked all the way through, giving it a chewy mochi like texture. A thick layer of a sweet soy sauce is brushed onto the blood pudding and sprinkled with a generous amount of finely crushed peanuts and some coriander.

5) Shrimp Roll (蝦捲)

The shrimp roll is a historic snack, where people used to ground leftover seafood into a paste and deep fry them so the uneaten seafood wont go to waste. The modern shrimp roll has many interpretations, but the body of the roll still maintains a similar combination of shrimp, squid and fish paste, fried until the outer layer turns golden brown, and served with a simple mustard sauce. Can be found on the Taipei Eat’s Old School Food Tour .

6) Salt Water Chicken (鹽水雞)

As the name mentions, salt water chicken is chicken cooked in salt water and chilled in an ice bath to tighten up the skin and the meat, to give the chicken a chewier texture. There are also a wide variety of vegetables and tofu products to choose from that are also blanched in the same salt water cooking liquid, this is one of the most popular street foods to enjoy with a nice cold beer.

7) Fried Chicken (鹹酥雞)

Fried chicken is probably the most beloved guilty pleasure in Taiwan, and of course when we talk about Taiwanese fried chicken, it’s not just chicken, but also the huge selection of all the other ingredients you can find at the stall, from green beans to baby crabs to sticky rice sausage, it is hard not to be excited when you’re choosing from those small sinful piles of deep fried goodness.

8) Ba Wan (肉圓)

The typical Ba Wan is a pork mixture wrapped inside a starchy and chewy (that “Q” texture) wrapper made from sweet potato starch, imagine an oversized translucent dumpling. There are many schools for this dish, where southern Taiwan steams the ba wan, and northern Taiwan adds another confit process after steaming, to add another crunchy element on top of the Q texture. Same with the sauce, where some likes to serve it with a sweet and spicy miso sauce, some prefer a more savory garlic and soy sauce. Sample this delicious dumpling on Taipei Eat’s Old School Tour .

9) Tien Bu La (甜不辣)

Tien Be La , also known as tempura, is originally a roll shaped deep fried fish paste that is braised in a light katsuo-bushi broth, but don’t get it mixed up with the Japanese tempura, which is a method of fried food preparation.

Tien bu la now refers to the method of braising a variety of ingredients in the light broth, ranging from pork meatballs, Daikon radish, eggs, and all kinds of seafood balls, it is often served with a sweet chili sauce.

10) Lu Wei (滷味)

Lu wei is a variety of ingredients braised in a soy and five spice liquid that is served at room temperature, the usual Lu wei ingredients include chicken wings, been curds, eggs, beef shank and pig’s blood cake. There is also the warm version called Heated Lu Wei (加熱滷味)，where your ingredients of choice are reheated to order, which you can also have the option of adding instant noodles or glass noodles to your lu wei , turning the lu wei into a complete meal.

11) Sausage (香腸)

Meat in tube form is beloved all over the world, the same goes in Taiwan, you will find grilled sausage stalls literally everywhere, from music concerts to political rallies, if there is a gathering of people, there is a sausage stand.

The Taiwanese sausage is a sweet pork sausage, the traditional way of eating it is with a side of raw garlic, or another popular variation called “Big Sausage Wrapped Small Sausage (大腸包小腸)”, which is the pork sausage stuffed into a sticky rice sausage. You can try the original presentation of this night market staple on Taipei Eat’s Night Market Tour .

Sounds greasy? Yes.

Taste delicious? YES!

12) Hakka Rice Cake (草仔粿)

The Hakka Rice Cake is a variety of fillings wrapped in a green glutinous rice cake, the green hue comes from wormwood juice, a medicinal herb that adds a pungent herbal aroma to the rice cake. There is a wide range of what the fillings can be, from sweet red bean pastes to savory dried radish and dried shrimp.This is a specialty in the Jiufen area, so if you have planned a trip to Jiufen , don’t miss out on Ah Lan’s Hakka Rice Cake (阿蘭草仔粿) , they have been operating since the 50’s and is widely considered as the best Hakka Rice Cake in Taiwan.

13) Ah Gei (阿給)

Ah Gei is the specialty of Tamsui, the name comes from the Japanese term a-ge, which is short for Abura-age , meaning fried tofu. Ah gei is a hollowed out fried tofu stuffed with glass noodles and sealed with fish paste, usually served with a sweet chili sauce. This dish was created in the 60’s, the original store that invented it is still operating under the name Tamsui Old Ah gei (淡水老牌阿給) , and because they open their doors at 5am and close shop after they’re sold out, it is common to see their closed sign hung up right before noon, so make sure to get there early.Popular Spot: Tamsui Old Ah gei (淡水老牌阿給)

14) Oyster Fritter (蚵仔酥)

As mentioned, Taiwanese find ways to consume oysters, and the oyster fritter is probably one of the simplest forms, dipped in a thin batter and fried to golden brown and delicious, usually seasoned with a salt and pepper, the burst of oceanic flavors from the plump oysters are always delightfully satisfying. Taipei Eat’s Old School Food Tour

Hot Pot & Soups

Hot pot is one of those fundamental pillars that define Taiwanese food culture, and despite it taking on the form of a winter meal option, Taiwan locals enjoy it any time of the year.

And then comes soup, soup is viewed as a standard part of the meal in Taiwan, your server will often ask you if you would like some soup when you order, not just because they’re trying to rack up your bill, but because it really is how the locals eat.

There is even an official statement to back up this claim, the Taiwanese government actually promoted a 5 dish 1 soup meal combination called the “Plum Blossom meal” for small families, to reduce excessive eating back in the early 70’s, that truly shows how important soup is.

1) Hot Pot (火鍋)

Hot Pot begins with a simmering pot of hot broth sitting on a burner as the centerpiece, accompanied by a spread of thinly sliced meat, vegetables, seafood, meatballs, tofu, and fish cakes, you gently place your desired ingredients into the pot to cook, then dipping it into a savory sauce you’ve just customized from a variety of condiments.

For the adventurous eaters, spicy hot pot (麻辣鍋) is something you won’t want to miss, with spicy hot pot institutions that have been around for decades, like Taihodien Restaurant (太和殿麻辣火鍋 ) or Ning Chi (寧記火鍋店) , or new schools restaurants like Spicy God Hot Pot (麻神麻辣鍋) are all good options to consider.

If you’re looking for something more mild, you can try Hsiao Hong Mei Hot Pot Restaurant (小紅莓自助石頭火鍋城), where they sauté your choice of meat with onions, garlic and sesame oil inside the pot before adding the broth and other ingredients, or try Yuan Xiang Sha Cha Hot Pot Restaurant (元香沙茶火鍋) where they’re famous for their specialty house-made Sha Cha Sauce, with the option of the local beef breed Taiwanese Yellow Cattle.

2) Four Spirit Soup (四神湯)

Four spirit soup is a pig intestine soup that is cooked with 4 kinds of Chinese herbal ingredients,traditionally, the 4 ingredients are gorgon nut, lotus seeds, Chinese yam, and Chinese Tuckahoe, which has the medicinal effect of strengthening the stomach and improve indigestion.

The modern four spirit soup often replaces the gorgon nut with Chinese pearl barley to lower its medicinal taste, and give a more desirable texture, it is a popular soup that can be found in most night markets. An optional tasting is offered on Taipei Eat’s Iconic Tour .

3) Milkfish Soup (虱目魚湯)

Milkfish is a beloved fatty white fish that is heavily consumed in Southern Taiwan, especially in Tainan, where milkfish farming is a big part of the local economy.

Milkfish soup is a light soup that is usually just seasoned with ginger, scallions, and salt, but keep in mind that milkfish is a bony fish, always check for pin bones before biting into it.

4) Medicinal Pork Rib Soup (藥膳排骨湯)

The medicinal pork rib is a winter staple in Taiwan, as the medicinal effect of the soup is aimed to increase circulation and relax soreness from joints and muscles, which often gives a warm and fuzzy feeling after eating during the wintertime.

The medicinal broth is usually simmered for hours to cook off the bitterness from the medicinal ingredients, which later the pork ribs are added to tenderize and absorb the flavors from the broth. This is another one of those dishes where every household or restaurant has its blend of medicinal ingredients, resulting in every store tasting a little different from the other.

5) Fish Ball Soup (魚丸湯)

Fish paste products are very popular in Taiwan, other than the tien bu la genre, you can also find it in almost every restaurant or food stall in its purest form, the fish ball soup.

Milkfish ball soup is one of the more popular options, there is also the Fuzhou fish ball soup, which is unique in the way of having a pork filling, basically a meatball wrapped inside a fish ball. There are many other seafood ball options as well, like the squid ball or shrimp ball, which are also fan favorites when eating hot pot. One of the best fish ball soups in Taipei can be savored on the Taipei Eat’s Old School Food Tour .

6) Geng (羹)

As mentioned in the Misua section, geng is a Taiwanese specialty of thickening a soup with a cornstarch slurry that gives a silky and slippery texture, since the slurry can be used in almost any type of soup, that makes it difficult to narrow down how many types of geng are served in Taipei.

The most commonly seen is the pork geng (肉羹), or sometimes pork and mushroom geng (香菇肉羹) that are offered in many small eateries, there are also duck geng (鴨肉羹) and squid geng (花枝羹) that are typically served in specialty stores, then there is the southern Taiwan favorite that made its way to Taipei, the narrow barred Spanish mackerel geng (土魠魚羹), which the Spanish mackerel is often considered as the top 5 best tasting fishes to eat in Taiwan.

“Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is somewhat of an understatement in Taiwanese food culture, there are just as many breakfasts only restaurants and eateries as there is any other type of cuisine, with the shao bing you tiao and the Taiwanese breakfast shop representing the 2 largest genres.

1) Shao Bing You Tiao (燒餅油條)

Shao bing (燒餅) is a toasted sesame flatbread and the you tiao is a fried breadstick, both being essential parts of the traditional Chinese style breakfast, alongside the rice roll (飯糰), egg crepe (蛋餅) and soy milk.This is the type of breakfast that has been eaten for centuries by the Chinese Han culture, and there are a few institutions that are masters of this type of breakfast, while Fuhang Soy Milk (阜杭豆漿) is famous for their shao bing with a guaranteed 15-20 minute wait any time during business hours, there is also Yong He Soy Milk King (永和豆漿大王) that is open 24 hours, which also makes it a popular destination for late-night cravings.

2) Taiwanese Breakfast Shop (台式早餐店)

When it comes to the Taiwanese breakfast shop, we are talking about the shops that serve mainly sandwiches and egg crepes, which can be found near schools, business districts, residential communities, or hospitals. It’s basically everywhere.

What makes the Taiwanese breakfast sandwich unique is the usage of a sweet salad dressing that is smeared from edge to edge onto the toast, with shredded cucumbers to add freshness and crunch. The latest trend for the sandwich is to use a charcoal grill to toast the bread, giving it an extra layer of smokiness.  

The egg crepe is a wheat and sweet potato flour crepe thrown on top of a griddled egg with a variety of toppings to choose from, like bacon, pork floss, corn, cheese or tuna. There are usually other menu additions to order from that also utilizes the griddle, such as the radish cake or pan-fried noodles in mushroom or black pepper sauce.

Although traditionally Taiwan doesn’t have a strong dessert culture, as fresh fruit is usually served as the ending to a meal, but that doesn’t mean that Taiwanese doesn’t enjoy a sweet snack whenever they have the chance, and there are many delicious specialty desserts that you will find only here in Taiwan. 

1) Fruit (水果)

Being known as the fruit kingdom, Taiwan has a diverse and abundant production of fruit thanks to its subtropical climate and distinct geography, you will be able to find fresh fruit in supermarkets, traditional markets, fruit stores, and also food stalls that sell pre-cut fruit at most night markets.

There are a variety of fruit options for different seasons, there are strawberries and star fruits during springtime, watermelon, mango and lychee during summer, persimmon, passion fruit, and peach during fall, tangerines, wax apple, and jujubes during winter, with pineapple, papaya, banana and guava almost year-round, so don’t miss your chance to try some of these out.

Note: I definitely recommend avoiding pre-cut fruits in the night markets as most of the vendors soak the fruits in sugar water and with fruits already being sweet in Taiwan, it becomes really sweet!

2) Eight Treasure Ice (八寶冰)

Shaved ice has been a summer staple with a long history that goes back to the early 20 th century, and the eight treasure ice can be considered as the granddaddy of them all. Borrowing from the concept of the traditional dessert eight treasure rice, the eight treasure ice uses some of the same ingredients, such as sweet red beans, sweet taro, and sugar braised peanuts.One of the most beloved institutions that sell the eight treasure ice is Long Du Shaved Ice Experts (龍都冰菓專業家), which has been selling their signature eight treasure ice since 1920.

3) Mango Shaved Ice(芒果冰)

If you think mango shaved ice is simply using mango as a topping, then you are in for a treat. Besides using fresh mango, the ice itself is also shaved from a mango juice ice block, drizzled with mango syrup, and sometimes with a couple of scoops of mango ice cream depending on how the store constructs it, the mango shaved ice has been named one of the worlds finest desserts by CNN travel.If you were to visit during May and August when mango is in season, remember to visit Ice Monster for the ultimate mango experience.

4) Aiyu Jelly, Grass Jelly (愛玉、仙草)

The aiyu jelly is made from a fruit called the jelly fig that can only be found in Taiwan, while the grass jelly is made from the Chinese mesona plant, which is also a regional plant unique to southeast China and Taiwan.The aiyu jelly is typically enjoyed as a summer snack, flavored with lemon juice and honey, but the grass jelly can be eaten in both cold and warm preparations, with a light licorice taste, the grass jelly is delicious with just a simple brown sugar syrup, and can often be found added into milk or milk tea. Can be tried on the Taipei Eat’s Old School Food Tour .

5) Wheel Cake (車輪餅)

What makes the wheel cake so irresistible is its contrast in texture, using a batter similar to the waffle as the outer crust, the batter becomes crispier as it cooks, while the center filling remains soft and gooey, with red bean paste, custard cream, sesame and taro being the most popular flavor options. The wheel cake is a popular street food that can be found not just in night markets, but also in food stalls near train stations or MRT stations, and sometimes near hospitals and schools.

6) Taro (芋頭)

Taro is a national favorite when it comes to dessert flavors, you can find taro cakes, taro puffs, fried taro balls, sweet taro gnocchi, taro popsicles, taro milk tea, taro slushy, there really isn’t any limitations on how the taro can be made into a dessert.

7) Pineapple cake (鳳梨酥)

The pineapple cake is an iconic Taiwanese pastry, one of the most purchased food souvenirs by far. The pineapple cake is a chewy and sweet pineapple filling baked inside a crumbly and buttery pastry, Chia Te Bakery (佳德糕餅) and SunnyHills (微熱山丘 ) are some of the most popular brands, and will be a memorable gift to give out or simply enjoy all by yourself. There is a hidden pineapple cake bakery tucked away in the Xinyi district that is visited on the Iconic Food Tour by Taipei Eats .

8) Buffalo’s Tongue (牛舌餅)

The buffalo’s tongue is a cracker with a maltose center, it got the name buffalo’s tongue because of its long shape. Although this is a specialty of Yilan, it has made its way to most souvenir stores and is a great gift to choose from.

9) Sun Cake (太陽餅)

Sun cake is a buttery and flaky pastry with a maltose filling, originally a specialty of Taichung, it can now be found in many traditional pastry stores throughout Taipei, just like the pineapple cake and buffalo’s tongue, the sun cake is a popular food souvenir option.

Taiwanese are very enthusiastic about beverages, and we’re not just talking about tea and coffee, but also many other specialty drinks that have been favorites for the local palate, after all, beverage brands are becoming one of Taiwan’s’ largest food exports, with expansions to Europe, northern America and southeast Asia. 

1) Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶)

Bubble tea, also known as boba, has become one of the food items that put Taiwan on the map, the concept is very simple, sweet tapioca pearl added to milk tea, but the flavor and texture combination really makes this an addicting drink, and the fulfillment from the tapioca pearls also makes this beverage a great snack option.

The origins of the bubble tea has been linked to Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) and Hanlin Tea Room (翰林茶館) , whoever was the real inventor of this drink will most likely remain a mystery, but we are glad that they did, as the bubble tea is now a part of daily life for many, local and abroad.

2) Oolong Teng (烏龍茶)

Taiwan’s oolong tea is renowned as being the best in the world, one reason being the combination of climate and geography, the other reason being the mature production methods. Taiwan produces over ten varieties of oolong tea, each with a unique characteristic and flavor profile. You can find tea houses all around Taipei, with some being direct distribution sites of the tea plantations from southern Taiwan.

3) Papaya Milk (木瓜牛奶)

The papaya milk was one of the early inventions that sparked a beverage trend way before the popular tea houses or coffee shops. Although the popularity of the papaya milk has gone down due to all the new beverage options, it can still be found at most juice stores or papaya milk chain stores like City Milk or Taipei Milk King (台北牛乳大王) .

4) Herbal Tea (青草茶)

Also known as 100 herb tea, this is another one of those items that doesn’t have a standard recipe, making every herbal tea taste a little different from the other, but all maintaining the same medicinal effect of lowering what the Chinese medicine refers to as “internal heat”, which is the cause of all types of body discomforts, from bad breath to mouth inflammation, insomnia, and mood swings.

Other than specialty stores like Healing Herbar (老濟安) or Taiwan Herbal Shop (一兩十錢青草舖) . While you can find herbal teas in most beverage shops or even convenient stores, if you want to visit a 3rd generation shop that has been selling teas for 3 generations, give the Old School Food Tour a look.

5) Winter Melon Punch (冬瓜茶)

Winter melon punch has a long history that can be dated to almost 200 years ago, the method is simple, you cook down the winter melon with malt sugar into sugar blocks, and then melt the winter melon sugar blocks with water to the sweetness of your liking.  

To most Taiwanese, the flavor of winter melon punch will always bring back childhood memories no matter which generation they belong to. You will be able to find the winter melon punch at any beverage shop, and one of the popular versions of it is the winter melon punch lemonade, a great summer drink to cool down during those hot and humid days. Grab a cup at most night markets or try some on the Iconic Tour .

6) Craft Beer (精釀啤酒)

This might be a surprise to many, but microbreweries have been popping up left and right in Taiwan for the past 10 years, and have reached a point where craft beer has become commonplace, with many local brands gaining critical and commercial success. So if a nice cold pint is what you enjoy, you can visit Taihu Craft Beer Tasting Room (啜飲室) or Jim & Dads Taipei (吉姆老爹 台北大稻埕店) to experience some of the fantastic local brews Taiwan has to offer.

Here are 2 honorable mentions of Taiwan food culture that don’t necessarily fit into the categories above, but are a huge part of how the locals like to eat.

1) Re Chao (熱炒)

Re Chao means hot stir fry, similar to a Japanese izakaya or a British pub, the food at the re chao is mostly designed to accompany the star of the show, beer. You can find all kinds of cuisines at the re chao , from Taiwanese specialties like the three-cup chicken and sha cha lamb noodles to sashimi and kimchi pork stir fry, the re chao restaurants are almost always crowded, noisy and full of energy, a great way to experience Taiwan’s’ drinking culture.

2) Seafood Restaurants (海產店)

Taiwan is an island in the Pacific Ocean, so you can count on the seafood is a big part of the locals’ diet. The typical seafood restaurant will display their ingredients right in front of the store, where the customers can choose exactly which ingredients they like, and request the chef to prepare the dish however they like, whether it’s deep-fried, stir-fried or steamed, the customer has total control.But don’t be too intimidated by all the decisions you need to make, the staff is always happy to recommend what the catch of the day is, and what kind of cooking method they think suits it the best. So if you’re up for the challenge, you can try out Shien Jin Seafood Restaurant (先進海產店) or Shin Tung Nan Seafood Restaurant (新東南海鮮餐廳) for a memorable seafood experience.

I hope this article will shed some light on what places to visit in Taipei for your next Taipei trip, if you have any questions or have any comments, please leave a message in the comment section, we would love to help.

Great content! Super high-quality! Keep it up! 🙂

Taiwanese-Style Vermicelli (Mee Sua) The queue for Ah Zong Mian Xian (or Ay Chung Rice Noodles) ???? has extended to a lengthy line with a throng of crowd surrounding the shop at Ximending

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Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, taipei food: 10 must eat food and where to find them.

Taipei is truly heaven for foodies. There is so much good food available around the clock and all over the city.

When I first visited Taipei seven years ago, I was a newbie traveler. I didn’t do much research and relied on whatever food I happened to find, or friends to take me around. It has always killed me to realize how much food I missed out on! So when I finally had the chance to go back, and I went back to Taipei multiple times after that, I redeemed myself by going on a Taipei food marathon each time I was in the city.

Read on to find out which food I ate and enjoyed in Taipei, so you won’t miss out as I did on my first visit.

General Travel Tips on Visiting Taipei

Taipei is a very safe and tourist-friendly city. Here are some quick tips that would make your trip even easier.

💡 Tip: This is just a summarized version of my travel tips for Taipei. For the full version, head over to my Taipei travel guide !

• Buy a prepaid SIM Card – I cannot stress how important it is to have an internet connection during your visit to Taiwan, especially if you don’t speak the language.
• Buy an EasyCard – EasyCard is the transport card used across Taiwan. It works on the local trains as well as buses. You’ll definitely want to get the card so that you can use public transport easily while you’re in Taiwan.
• Download Google Maps and the traditional Chinese language pack from Google Translate – This is my tip for pretty much every destination. Pre-download Google Maps so that you can use it when you don’t have the internet on your phone. Taiwan uses traditional Chinese, so download the traditional Chinese language pack from Google Translate!

What to eat in Taipei

Alright, now that we’ve got the practical stuff out of the way – on to the fun stuff: good local Taiwanese food in Taipei!

Here are my 10 must eat food in Taipei:

1. Braised Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian 牛肉麵)

I was introduced to Taiwanese cuisine when I moved to Singapore. There is a stall I frequent at Food Republic (a food court in Singapore) called Formosa Delights, which specializes in… well, Taiwanese food.

Throughout the years of coming here, I’ve become fond of their beef noodles, especially with the “ Dao Xiao ” style – I’ll elaborate more on what this means later!

So while I was in Taipei, it was a no-brainer that I had to go look for the authentic version of Taiwanese beef noodles. I went to Yong Kang Beef Noodle  as it has been lauded as one of the city’s best beef noodles!

This is kinda silly of me, but I decided to go on a Sunday afternoon, shortly before 1 PM, when they were probably at the busiest. Sure enough, when I arrived there was already a line of 30 people ahead of us. It was very intimidating. But thankfully, they are very efficient and the line moved fast. We waited only about 10-12 minutes for a table for two.

I ordered the small dark-broth spicy noodles, which is the typical Taiwanese style, for myself while my boyfriend ordered the small clear broth noodles, both of which are actually not very “small”. I think most people would be happy with the small portion especially if you plan to walk around Taipei and eat more after this.

You can also get some side of stir-fried vegetable dishes, which you have to order separately from the booth next to the entrance – this will get added to your bill later.

So remember how I said I would elaborate on what “ dao xiao ” means? “ Dao Xiao ” means knife-cut, and this refers to the way the noodles are cooked – by literally hand-shaving a huge block of dough straight into a boiling pot of broth. It results in uneven cuts of noodles which are chewy and thicker in the middle and thin on the edges. Love it!

Tip: You could also order the noodles “Dao Xiao” style at Yong Kang but I totally forgot while I was there!

I loved both styles of broth at Yong Kang. The beef chunks are so tender and just fall apart on the first bite. The soup broth is made from tomatoes and dark soy sauce so it tasted slightly sweet, but very savory thanks to the beef chunks. And although they said it’s spicy, honestly it’s not THAT spicy.

I personally prefer the dark broth style as the broth is more flavorful. If you want to taste more of the beef chunks then you’d want to try the clear broth version.

Thanks to my friend Jasmine Chen for recommending this one!

Where to eat Beef Noodle in Taipei:

• Yong Kang Beef Noodles (永康牛肉麺館)
• Liao Jia Beef Noodle Restaurant (廖家牛肉麵)
• Liu Shandong Beef Noodles (劉山東牛肉麵)
• Lin Dong Fang (林東芳牛肉麵)
• Chun Shui Tang – Yes they are more known for Bubble Tea, but their braised beef noodle is also good!
• In addition to the above, many beef noodle restaurants/stalls have received the Michelin Bib Gourmand title. You can view the list here .

2. Scallion and Daikon (Radish) Pancake

One of my fondest memories from my first visit to Taipei in 2011 was getting a freshly fried scallion pancake from a street stall in Ximending. It was one of the modern stalls, so they had a bunch of toppings you could add to your pancake – I added egg, cheese, and ham. The pancake was delicious, especially during cold winter!

It wasn’t until later that I learned that authentic pancakes are not supposed to have that many toppings, maybe just the option to add eggs.

Fast forward to last weekend, I was on a bus to Shida night market with my friend Kyle – except I wasn’t sure if we were on the right bus. We had problems communicating with the bus driver and even though I showed him the location on the map, he could not confirm whether the bus was going in that direction.

While I was busy racking my brain on how to get out of this situation, with the bus speeding and us holding on to dear life so that we wouldn’t fall, a kind lady behind me started talking to us (in perfect English, I should add) and asked where we were going. She told us that we were on the correct bus, but since she knew we were visiting, she asked if we would like to get off one stop earlier and come with her to get some scallion pancakes that are popular with the locals – it took me about 0.2 seconds to agree and follow her.

When we got to the place, which I found out from Google Maps is called Wenzhou Street Daikon Pancake , there was already a long queue forming. The total wait time was about 15-20 minutes, but it was so worth every second. Most people in the queue were locals who would buy multiple pancakes to bring home to their families.

While we were waiting in the queue, Anne, the lady who helped us, told me about Daikon (radish) pancakes. I’ve never tried this so I decided to get two pancakes – one normal scallion pancake with eggs and one daikon (radish) pancake . They’ll set you back about NT$35 each.

The scallion pancake was wonderful – perfectly chewy on the inside but crispy on the outside. The daikon pancake was also very interesting, it was much thicker than the scallion pancake and most of the filling is fresh daikon wrapped in a crispy deep-fried batter, which creates a contrasting texture as you bite into the pancake. I personally prefer the daikon pancake more than the scallion one.

And that’s the story of how I followed a stranger on a bus in Taipei. Kyle and I still joke about how easy it would be to kidnap me – just promise me some food and I’ll gladly follow any strangers! 😀

And, I’m happy to report that I went back to Wenzhou Street in 2023 and their pancakes are still as good as I remember them!

Where to find Scallion and Radish Pancakes in Taipei:

• Wenzhou Street Daikon Pancake (温州街蘿蔔絲餅達人)
• Tian Jin Onion Pancake
• Any of the Night Markets in Taipei

3. Authentic Taiwanese Breakfast

The traditional Taiwanese breakfast basically consists of loads of carbs, eggs, and soy milk. Dip a youtiao (dough fritters) into a warm bowl of soy milk, and get yourself a roll or two of the omelet cake.

I went to Yong He Soy Milk King near Da’an MRT which opens past breakfast except on Sundays. First of all, I must thank my friend Yi-Wei for sending me here, as well as for telling me exactly what to order. There was no English menu and I would have been pretty lost.

So, I’m paying it forward by telling YOU what to get! Order a portion each of 甜豆浆 (Tian Dou Jian – Sweet Soy Milk)， 蛋饼 (Dan Bing – Omelette Cake)，油条 (You Tiao – Fritters)， 葱油饼 (Cong You Bing – Scallion Pancakes). This should be good to share between two people. If you want, you can also order 小籠包 (Xiao Long Bao – the beloved soup dumpling).

The cashier could speak basic English, but showing the items written in traditional Chinese characters and showing him on my phone definitely made the ordering process MUCH easier.

Where to eat:

• Yong He Soy Milk King (永和豆漿大王)
• Fu Hang Dou Jiang (阜杭豆漿)
• Shin Taipei Dou Jiang (新台北豆漿)
• Ji Di Dou Jiang (及第豆漿) – Their specialty is Yilan-style egg pancake, which is thicker and chewier.

Hot Pot is a universal meal in Asia – you can find variations of hot pot in China, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Hot Pot is usually best enjoyed with a group, where a boiling pot of soup is shared in the middle of the table along with a variety of raw ingredients (meat, vegetable, tofu, dumplings, and seafood). Usually, you choose two types of soup as a group but each individual can choose what they want to put into the pot.

In Taiwan, Hot Pot is also a popular choice for a group meal and it is often eaten with a DIY dipping sauce, which you can make your own personal sauce by combining different sauces and/or egg yolk.

We had a hot pot at Tai Ho Dien on our first night in Taipei seven years ago. We enjoyed the meal very much, especially because we went during winter, and the hot pot is perfect to have during cold months.

I’ve also visited Orange Shabu , and while they’re more Japanese than Taiwanese, it was one of the best hot pot experiences I’ve ever had so I feel compelled to share it here! The sets are huge, and they make you an amazing porridge using the leftover broth at the end of the meal, so you will not go home hungry.

Where to eat Hot Pot in Taipei:

• Tai Ho Dien (太和殿)
• Orange Shabu (Multiple branches in Taipei)
• Chien Tu Hot Pot (Multiple branches in Taipei)
• Ding Wang Spicy Hot Pot (鼎王麻辣鍋)

5. Pork Pepper Bun (Hu Jiao Bing 胡椒餅)

Take note, this might just be my favorite item among the entire list of food to eat in Taipei. MUST try.

I found the famous Fuzhou Pork Pepper Bun at Raohe Night Market, where the bun is baked en-masse by sticking the dough, filled with peppery minced pork, to the sides of a large cylindrical oven. This process oddly reminded me of the method used to cook Zarb underground barbecue in Jordan .

The result is a very tender, juicy, and very peppery pork bun. I’m a huge fan of pepper, so needless to say I was sold from the first bite. But if you get a freshly made one, be careful that it can get really hot! Let the steam escape from the bun and try to not burn your tongue trying to eat it too fast.

Fuzhou Pepper Buns is the very first stall you see if you enter Raohe Market from the northeast side, next to Songshan Temple.

Hat tip to my friends Yi-sheng and Michael Paravati for this recommendation!

Where to find Pork Pepper Bun in Taipei:

• Fuzhou Pepper Buns (福州世祖胡椒饼) at Raohe Night Market

6. Braised Pork Rice (Lu Rou Fan 滷肉飯)

Lu Rou Fan is another Taiwanese cuisine that keeps coming up on my recommendation list.

Lu Rou Fan is a very simple but comforting dish, consisting of small cubes of braised pork marinated in thick, dark gravy sauce, served over piping hot steamed rice. When you get your bowl of Lu Rou Fan, you can mix the meat gravy sauce into your rice – I found this to be the best way to enjoy the dish.

That taste of the sauce and fresh scallions coating over each grain of rice was the definition of comfort food. It kinda reminds me of Mapo Tofu in terms of comfort level, but they taste completely different.

Some say Lu Rou Fan is probably the most well-loved Taiwanese dish, tied with beef noodles, and I can see why! You can also order braised boiled eggs and braised tofu to complete the experience.

Where to find Braised Pork Rice in Taipei:

• Jin Feng Lu Rou Fan (金峰魯肉飯)
• Huang Ji Braised Pork Rice (黃記魯肉飯)
• Fu Ba Wang Zhu Jiao (富霸王豬腳)
• Formosa Chang

7. Taiwanese Fried Chicken

In recent years, street food in Taiwan has also become synonymous with Fried Chicken, thanks to its prevalence in the night markets, which is an important part of Taiwanese culture.

The Fried Chicken you can find in the night markets usually consists of bite-sized chicken coated in potato starch with salt, pepper, garlic, and basil leaves. You can then add some chili to it as you like. It’s basically Taiwan’s take on popcorn chicken, but because they usually use potato starch instead of simple, this result is a more tender coating around the chicken pieces.

My friend Yi-Wei (again) messaged me because he watched my Instagram stories and saw that I was at the Shida market. He recommended Shi Yun Fried Chicken , and that message came at perfect timing because I was actually standing right in front of the stall, wondering what to get! So I quickly placed my order for their most popular item – salt pepper chicken.

This place is actually a Yong Tau Foo type of place, where you can mark items to orders for items on a pink sheet of paper, or grab a basket and place ingredients you see on the stand into the basket, and they’ll fry it up for you. I was already eating non-stop that day so I just ordered the fried chicken – which was wonderfully juicy and very strong on the garlic side.

Thanks, Yi-Wei! I might have had bad breath for the rest of the night but it was worth it 😛

In more recent years, Taiwan has also become known for its deep-fried chicken cutlets, which were introduced by Hot Star XXL Fried Chicken and became popular due to their massive portion. Basically, fried chicken has earned its status as the most popular street snack in Taiwan.

Where to find Fried Chicken in Taipei:

• Shi Yun Fried Chicken (師園鹽酥雞) in Shida Night Market ( Facebook )
• Monga Fried Chicken in Ximending
• Shilin Night Market

8. Bubble Tea or Pearl Milk Tea

When I was living in Los Angeles in the early 2000s, Bubble Tea (aka “Boba”) had somehow gained popularity and became the hottest thing in the city. I remember my Taiwanese friends told me that Boba is not anything new to them – in fact, the concept of Bubble Tea was invented in the 1980s in Taiwan.

The original bubble tea was simply just black tea mixed with milk and tapioca balls, but since it became popular, it has sprouted new variations which include fruit-flavored juice (such as passion fruit, strawberry, mango, lychee, etc) and ice-blended base.

In recent years, it has also become a trend to be able to pick the level of sugars so you can feel slightly better when you are sipping on your milk tea drink. However, I personally think the traditional pearl milk tea with full sugar is still the best thing to get!

Where to find Bubble Tea in Taipei:

• Chun Shui Tang (春山茶水舖) – Known as the inventor of Bubble tea
• Chen San Ding Bubble Tea (陳三鼎黑糖粉圓鮮奶 專賣店)

9. Pineapple Cake

I suppose Pineapple cake is not something you actually eat while you are in Taipei – instead, it’s something often brought back as a souvenir.

Why Pineapple cake? Pineapples became a critical component of Taiwan’s economy during the Japanese era, during which the Japanese imported a wide variety of pineapples and established numerous processing plants.

When the export demand diminished, local bakeries did not let the pineapples go to waste and used them as jams inside pastries, which resulted in the Taiwanese Pineapple Cakes as we know them today.

There are many popular places to get your pineapple cakes from, with one of the names I kept hearing being Chia Te . I did not have enough time to go to the store but I happened to come across Amo Bakery at Taipei Main Station, which is the station you take the airport express from if you’re flying out from Taoyuan Airport.

I bought a dozen to share with my roommates and office friends. Many of them told me this was one of the best pineapple cakes they’ve had! So if you are taking the airport express from Taipei, I recommend saving your time and just getting your pineapple cakes from Amo Bakery. They are near locker 307 in the Taipei Main Station.

However, if you are still keen on buying the most famous one (Chia Te) but don’t want to visit the store in Taipei, you can still order Chia Te Pineapple Tart and pick it up at the airport when you fly out.

Where to get Pineapple Cake in Taipei:

• Amo Bakery at Taipei Main Station
• Chia Te Bakery (佳德鳳梨酥) (also available at Taipei Airport)
• SunnyHills Pineapple Cake

10. Pork Intestine & Oyster Noodle

During my time in Taiwan, I mostly employed the eat-first-google-later method. So when we found out that our accommodation was only a 5-minute walk from Ay Chung Flour Rice Noodle , which was recommended by friends and blogs, I quickly dragged my friend there without much research.

The shop is located in Ximending a popular shopping area in Taipei. Once you get to the vicinity, the shop was easy to find. Just look for a large crowd slurping noodles out of paper bowls on the street. Ay Chung is not a sit-down restaurant after all, and they only have one thing on their menu – the noodles!

You go up to the store and place your order size (either Small or Large) then immediately queue up to the left of the cashier to receive your noodles. The process is highly optimized and very fast so you’ll receive your order and before you know it, you’ll be joining the rest of the crowd slurping on your bowl in the middle of Ximending.

The noodles were really soft and slippery so you do need to use a proper soup spoon, or else it will be very challenging to eat. The soup was more like gravy, the consistency was rather thick but still slurp-able. I loved this type of noodle so I enjoyed my bowl very much. I had no idea what was in the noodles, but we knew they contained some sort of innards and seafood.

Later on, during the “Google-later” phase of the day, our suspicions were confirmed – they were indeed pork intestines and oyster sauce.

Where to eat Vermicelli Noodle in Taipei:

• Ay Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (阿宗麵線)
• Chen Ji Intestine & Oyster Taiwanese Vermicelli (陳記專業蚵仔麵線)

Quick Guide to Visiting Taipei Food Markets

Taiwan Night markets are, to put it in one word, AMAZING! They are the ultimate definition of what a night market should be: bustling atmosphere, great shopping, and most importantly: a large variety of street food with an affordable price tag.

Okay, now, the popular night in Taipei food markets are:

• Shilin Night Market – Shilin needs no introduction. This is Taiwan’s biggest and most popular night market. For most tourists, this is the ultimate night market since it has both: food and shopping!
• Shida Night Market – I would say Shida is more about fashion than food. I was told this is where Taiwanese students go to find cheap yet fashionable and good-quality clothes. Most of the styles I found were inspired by Korean fashion, which is all the rage across Asia these days. I found some cute earrings for a reasonable price here. That said, you can still find solid food options at Shida too, such as Shi yun fried chicken and Hsu Ji Shen Jiang Bao.
• Raohe Night Market – Raohe spans across a narrow street called Raohe street. While the two rows of temporary stalls in the middle of the street consist mostly of snacky street food and drinks, you can find some night market goodies in the shophouses that line up the street. This night market is extremely popular so expect it to be very crowded over the weekend. My favorite here is the Fuzhou pepper bun.
• Ningxia Night Market – In comparison to the other night markets, Ningxia is very small. However, I think they’re great to visit, especially if you are trying to avoid crowds. They still have at least one stall for each famous night market meal. My favorite here is the peanut ice cream stall.
• Nanjichang Night Market – I have not been to Nanjichang, but I expect it to be similar to Ningxia market where its slightly smaller.

Except for Nanjichang, I have been to all of the above markets. Shida and Ningxia is probably my favorite, simply because I get overwhelmed easily and Shilin and Raohe was too big and too crowded for me with way too many options. However, Ningxia and Shida might be too quiet if you’re looking for a bustling night market vibe.

What you should eat in Taipei Food Markets

And because night markets can be overwhelming, here are the items I recommend to try at the night market. There’s a bit of overlap with some food items I’ve covered above, but I’ll also add some stuff that I didn’t cover before.

• Taiwanese Fried Chicken – see above
• Pork Pepper Bun – MUST get! My favorite thing in Taiwan! see above
• Scallion Pancake – see above
• Roast Beef with Pink Salt – I kept seeing this in all the night markets I went to in Taipei – they are cubes of beef, freshly torched to perfection with each order. You can get other toppings but I personally loved the Himalayan pink salt!
• Shengjiang Bao – Originating from Shanghai , this pan-fried dumpling is also a common feature in Taiwan’s night market.
• Soy Beancurd (Tofu) Pudding – This is a favorite dessert in Asia. It’s a very silky pudding made from soybean (so basically Tofu) with syrup and any other toppings you might want. The most common one I’ve seen is the almond-flavored ones, but in Taiwan, they are also served with small tapioca balls like the ones from bubble tea!
• Papaya Milk – I know this sounds weird, but I tried it and loved it! You can also get a carton of this at any convenience store if you didn’t catch them at the night market.

Don’t want to go by yourself? Try these Street Food Tours with an English-speaking Guide

If the prospect of braving the night market on your own sounds intimidating, you might want to consider booking one of these night market tours! They are more expensive than going on your own, but the tours do come with an English-speaking guide.

I do find it better when a local takes you around since they are able to explain and provide the back story of the delicious food you are eating.

• Ningxia Night Market Michelin Food Tour
• Shilin Night Market Tour
• Rao He Night Market Tour

Other Notable Food Experiences and Restaurants in Taipei

Are you STILL looking for more food after all that? OK, fine, you might just be my worthy adversary when it comes to eating. Here are a few more places you can hit up if you’re still hungry!

1. Addiction Aquatic Development (上引水產) – Taipei Fish Market

I call this Tsukiji 2.0! Why? Because this is the place where you can get the freshest seafood in Taipei, but the market is more like a really huge, nicely decorated restaurant. Also, it’s half the price of what I would have expected. We ordered 4 sets of sushi platters, miso soups, and a dozen of oysters but the bill came out to be only NT$1,000 (US$33) per person. That’s MUCH cheaper than it would be in Singapore.

2. Xiao Long Bao (小籠包) at Din Tai Fung

I did not go to Din Tai Fung (DTF) in Taipei since there are plenty of DTF restaurants in Singapore and I eat there almost every week – it even made the list of favorite restaurants in Singapore . However, if you’ve never tried Xiao Long Bao (aka the soup dumpling, aka XLB) and have no plans to go to Shanghai any time soon (where XLB is originally from) you definitely must go to DTF in Taipei!

The original Din Tai Fung restaurant is on Xinyi Road, very close to Yong Kang area. You’ll most likely have to queue up, but if it’s anything like the Singapore experience they’ve got it all down with digital queue numbers and everything.

3. Huashan 1914 Creative Park

This was one of my favorite places in Taipei! Huashan 1914 is a block full of shops with local brands, cute cafes, and trendy restaurants. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon chilling with a cup of coffee and winding down. I bought a few cute succulent planters from one of the shops for a reasonable price too!

Need more help with your trip to Taipei?

I’ve written an extensive travel guide for Taipei . You’ll find detailed recommendations on where to eat, what to do in Taipei, where to stay, and things to do.

➡️ Read my Taipei travel guide here !

Phew, that was an extra long post. I told you it was going to be a food marathon trip 😛 Let me know below if you find this post useful or not, and if you have questions or suggestions to add. Until next time!

55 Comments

• April 14, 2024

Thanks for the information, especially the food where to get it and what to eat. Very helpful.

• January 28, 2024

your website font is WAYYYYY TOO BIG EVEN ON LAPTOP AND PHONE

• January 29, 2024

haha thanks for the feedback! maybe you’ll thank me when you get older 😂

• January 31, 2024

hehe yeah! i like them big…

• January 17, 2024

Hello, Melissa! Appreciate your informative & yummy post 😀 I’m curious about the succulent planters you bought. Are these allowed to be brought into Singapore?

Hey Bernice, it was only the planters without any plants, so they are allowed.

• December 11, 2023

Hi Melissa,

I have to say your blog is very informative, it provides me the most information I need to prepare for my Taiwan travel. It is very detailed yet effectively listed the top most important places to go, how to get there, and what to eat, including what to order as a must try food while in Taiwan. It’s amazing!! I have been browsing around, but your blog is the most comprehensive that I can get all the information I need in one place. Thank you so much for putting this information together, you have been a great help to all of us 🙂

– Bianca

• December 12, 2023

Hi Bianca, thanks for the kind word. I hope you will have fun in Taiwan!

• May 15, 2023

Hi Michelle,

It will be my first time to Taipei with my family. Could you recommend which hotel is nearer to the MRT at Ximending?

Hey Lisa, you can read my Taipei blog for this https://girleatworld.net/taipei-travel-guide/

• May 27, 2022

Great recommendations. We’re heading back to Taipei after a three-year absence due to the pandemic. My wife is from there, so I usually don’t seek out reccos, but I’m looking forward to trying some of yours in July. Another thing I like to eat there are the oyster pancakes. In LA, they’ve become quite expensive, but in Taipei, they’re about a third of the cost, as is everything else. Especially the tea!

Thanks for the comment Bob! hope you enjoy your time back. I live in Singapore so I can relate with the absence of travel.

• December 23, 2020

I have waited in line twice for the pepper buns at Raohe Market and waited 15 minutes to get them, soooooooooo Goodwood to eat, want to go back again

• September 14, 2020

Thanks for the commendation. A fantastic choices of food. This local handmade bun shop looks amazing too!

• July 6, 2020

One of my favourite country to visit. I always go there once a but not thia year because of covid-19. Food paradise and love the night market, easy public transport, easy to communicate- great hospitality and most people are very discipline and polite, great public transport nearly links across the whole country and most important affordable. Can’t wait to visit Taiwan again

Amazing article! Thank you for all the tips! I am planning a trip to Taiwan sometime this year or the next. My biggest concern is my nonexistent Chinese speaking skills. Do you think I’ll be able to get around and order food without knowing Mandarin?

I don’t speak Mandarin either and I feel it is very doable. People are friendly and they know basic english. Usually I just research ahead of time, or buy a phone data and have google translate ready!

• April 8, 2020

Thank you Melissa. Planning my honeymoon there and you have saved me a lot of trouble 🙂 will be traveling to the hot springs up north too. Along the way, we will be feasting on ice creams as well. I heard even the 7Es there have good soft serves! Wanna try 8%Ice too. Heard they’re one of the best in Taipei. Wish me luck!

• January 18, 2020

Wow, Melisa. All your photos are nice!! And I went to Taiwan too!! 🙂 I think your website can let me have a even good information for my taiwan project. Because I’m doing a manila card taiwan project. and it can really help me, so ya. Thx

• January 16, 2020

Your pictures looks really amazing and you’ve provided me more information upon the pepper cakes that I never knew about as well as reminded me to have beef noodle soup when I go back soon. Thank you! 🙂

• December 14, 2019

I used this as my “tour guide book” for Taipei! Thanks for writing!!

• December 15, 2019

thanks for stopping by Crystal!

• October 29, 2019

Which Airbnb did you stay at in Taipei?

• October 30, 2019

hi there, it’s linked above.

Hi, I noticed that you recommend Klook for the bundle package. Tried to get information from Klook website but no avail, may I know whether Klook package you bought include : 1) SIM Card 2) One way (or is it two way?) MRT trip to Taipei 3) EasyCard that we have to top up?

Hey Arvyl, the bundle includes 1x SIM Card (Unlimited data for 5 or 8 days) and 1x EasyCard. You can then use the EasyCard to take the MRT to Taipei, but yes you need to top up the EasyCard. Normally if you had bought it separately the EasyCard costs NT$100 just for the card itself without any balance and SIM Card costs NT$500 for Unlimited data 5 days at the airport, so the Klook bundle is still the economical choice at ~NT$320.

• November 26, 2019

Great article Melissa! It was very helpful for me when I was in Taipei with my daughter. We just finished our review of some really good Ramen restaurants in Taipei so you might want to share with your audience. https://youtu.be/WDKdAoSIRSE

• September 3, 2019

Did the Authentic Taiwanese Breakfast have meat in it?

Hey Renee, the items I mentioned in this blog post for breakfast didn’t seem to have meat in it, but if you’re vegetarian you might want to do more thorough research on the pancakes. The soy milk and fritters is definitely meat-free, the pancakes probably contains eggs.

• August 22, 2019

Thank you for this list! We are in Taipei now and are loving your suggestions!

I’m glad to hear this! 🙂

• June 25, 2019

Thank you for this great article! What’s the name of the stall/shop where you had your sushi platter meal for NT1000 at Addiction Aquatic Development? Would love to visit the place!

Thanks for the comment! Honestly, I don’t remember but it’s inside the market (we walked past the aquarium of fish). It’s a standing stall and there are plenty of them, we just chose one that has a spot for us!

• May 29, 2019

Planning a trip to TPE and just came to this page for food. I bookmarked it because you basically covered everything I need to hit the ground running.

Thank you very much! I never comment on blogs like this, but figured this one deserved it 🙂

thanks Mehran. Have fun in Taipei!!

• May 22, 2019

Thank you so much for this informative article! We’re actually going to travel to taipei in a few days and I’m already so excited. I’m a little nervous because I don’t speak Chinese though XD. I’ll be sure to go to the places you mentioned. Thank you so much, again!

• March 21, 2019

Hello! Do you have more info about the lockers? Can I easily spot them in the station? Thank you for this blog

Hey Anne, the lockers are really easy to spot. I remember it was located between the Main station and the airport express train. The one I used is locker 307 across Amo Bakery.

• June 6, 2019

many stations have lockers that can be easily spot in open areas

• March 6, 2019

This is great! Thanks so much for all the details I can’t wait to try to some of these.

have a fun trip Alisa!! Thanks for the comment xx

• February 12, 2019

Hi! Nice article. Thank you for this. I would this as a reference in visiting Taiwan next month! Do you have list of prices of the above-mentioned foods? 😉

Hey Katrina, unfortunately I don’t remember! But it was quite affordable, ranging from $5-10 and even less for the street foods.

• February 5, 2019

This blog is fantastic. I live in Shanghai but am going to Taiwan on my own in a few days and this has sorted me right out. Thanks a bunch!

Thanks for the kind words David! Hope you have fun in Taipei!

• January 17, 2019

Thanks for your article! I’m going there tomorrow and staying for 4 days, was wondering if you had any recommendations for a date night in Taipei?

• January 21, 2019

Hey there! Unfortunately, I did not go anywhere fancy while I was in Taipei.. just the night markets and street food. I hope you enjoyed your stay!

• December 17, 2018

thanks, took your advice and book a hotel in ximending itself. be going there in Feb to catch the lantern festival, besides all the food 🙂

you won’t regret it! have fun! Feb might be a little cold so prepare some jackets

• June 29, 2018

They all look amazing! I love Taiwan cause the night markets are everywhere in any cities. Thanks for the recommendation!

• July 4, 2018

No problem! I hope you get to try them!

• June 28, 2018

This sounds so delicious. I am already getting hungry!

Haha yeah, I was eating non-stop when I was there.

• May 10, 2018

This list is great and I 100% agree with all of it! Thanks for sharing Melissa~

Also great that you mentioned Amo Bakery–what really makes them good for me is their rectangular cakes! The Dutch butter layer cake specifically is so amazing. So for those who are picking up pineapple cakes there (though Chie Te is super good too!), don’t forget to also pick up a rectangle cake! 🙂

• May 16, 2018

Thanks Hau 😀 I wish i had time to get more stuff from Amo but I only discovered them in my last hours in Taipei!

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Taipei travel guide for food lovers

Introduction to taipei.

If you love food, this Taipei Travel Guide is for you!

Having heard about the amazing night markets and the abundance of delicious food, I knew Taipei would be a city that any food lover should visit at some point. And so I was excited to have an opportunity to visit.

My wife and I ended up staying for almost two full weeks in Taiwan’s biggest city, and both the food and the friendliness of the people, kept us wanting to stay longer.

Taipei is a big, but very manageable, modern, clean, and friendly city. It’s easy and hassle free to get around, there’s an amazing selection of restaurants and street food, and the night markets, with their never ending supply of interesting foods, are a highlight.

In this Taipei travel guide blog I’ll be sharing with you travel details from my personal trip there, plus lots of food.

Arriving and Leaving Taipei

If you fly into Taipei on an international flight, most likely you’ll land at  Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport . It’s located north of Taoyuan City, to the west of Taipei City. It takes about an hour or more to get from the airport to the center of the city.

Here’s how I got into the center of Taipei from the airport.

• Once you go through immigration and grab your bag, you then exit the airport and look for the signs leading to the High Speed Rail / Bus Station .
• At the bus counter there are a bunch of different buses you can take. I bought a ticket with UBus that went directly to THSR Taoyuan Station – 30 TWD ($0.96)
• At THSR Taoyuan Station I bought a ticket on the high speed train to Taipei Station – 165 TWD ($5.28)
• From Taipei Station you can get the local Metro to whichever station you need to get to.

The journey from the airport to Taipei city center can take about 1 – 1.5 hours, so it’s important to be aware of that, both for when you arrive or leave.

When leaving Taipei, you can take the same journey, just in reverse. When you get to THSR Taoyuan Station, there will be a line of buses waiting, that go straight to the airport.

Places to stay in Taipei

Choosing a place to stay when you’re in Taipei, and picking a good location, is one of the keys to having a successful trip. If you can get a good place to stay in a good location, that improves everything during your trip.

I’d also like to mention that in comparison to some other cities, the good thing about Taipei is that the central part of the city is really not all that big, and public transportation is really good. So even if you’re staying somewhere a bit far out, as long as you’re close to a public transportation station, it should still be pretty easy to get around.

Here are a couple of best areas in Taipei to consider staying in and why, and a couple of hotel suggestions in each.

1. Ximending

Ximending is the shopping, nightlife, and entertainment heart of Taipei. If you want to stay at a hotel where you walk out the front door and have all-you-can handle shopping, street food and restaurants, and plenty of people watching opportunities, Ximending has some of the best places to stay in Taipei. You’ll find everything from budget hotels like Energy Inn , and plenty of mid-range hotels like Via Hotel Ximen . Do some good research though, because there are also quite a few love hotels in Ximending.

2. Zhongshan

Zhongshan is one of the main districts of Taipei, and it’s considered both the center of Taipei tourism, and a central business district of Taipei. If you want to feel like you’re in the heart of suburban Taipei (yet with plenty of pleasant neighborhood side-streets), Zhongshan is a great area to choose. There’s plenty of shopping and restaurants to choose from. Zhongshan has a range of hotels from mid-range like Homeyhouse Hotel where I stayed to many high end hotels like the elegant  Okura Prestige Taipei .

3. Da’an District

Another one of Taipei’s main districts, that includes a mix of business and residential is Da’an district. You’ll find a mix of everything in this area of Taipei, and it’s just a short distance from Yongkang Street which has plenty of great restaurants, cafes, and places to hang out. In Da’an district accommodation tend to be on the higher end side like the trendy Home Hotel Da’an and Shangri-La , but there are also some budget places to stay like Green World Hostel .

When my wife and I were in Taipei while writing this Taipei travel guide, we I stayed at two different hotels, and here are the pros and cons of each.

Here’s where I stayed:

• Go Sleep Hotel Xining (Ximending, I paid about $75 per night for a triple room) – Right after landing in Taipei, my wife and her sister and I checked into Go Sleep Xining Hotel, located in the busy fashion district of Ximending. The hotel, located on the top of a building, was basic, a little old, but it had everything we needed, and I thought it was of decent value. The location is great, right in the heart of the main fashion, shopping and young cultural area of Taipei.
• Homeyhouse Hotel (Zhongshan District, I paid about $50 per night for a double deluxe room) – Halfway through our trip to Taipei, my wife and I transferred to Homeyhouse Hotel, which was an excellent place, and a completely different environment. The hotel itself was very nice, the staff were friendly, and the room was spacious and modern – even including a high-end electronic heated toilet seat. The only thing is that it is about a 10 – 15 minute walk from the nearest Metro station (Zhongshan station), which was not an issue for my wife and I as we love to walk, but it is something to think about.

I’d highly recommend Homeyhouse as my favorite place my wife and I stayed during our trip to Taipei.

NOTE : The links to hotels are affiliate links, meaning that if you make a hotel booking, at NO extra cost to you, I will get a small commission. Thank you for your support.

Travel packing list

A good travel packing list makes it easy to pack quickly and not forget anything. Here are some of the essentials I carried with my during my trip to Taipei:

Also, if you’re interested you can see my complete camera and electronics gear list here .

Restaurants and Street Food in Taipei

Taipei, just like many cities in Asia like Bangkok or Seoul , has an incredible food culture, and in Taipei, there seems to be a never ending supply of delicious and interesting foods to try.

One of the best things about eating in Taiwan is that there are many different types of Chinese and even Japanese food influences in the cuisine. And along with local Taiwanese dishes, you’ll find restaurants in Taipei that serve dishes from around continental China.

Additionally, Taiwan is one of the world leaders when it comes to night markets… there are so many different night markets throughout Taipei that offer both shopping and an opportunity to walk around and feast.

In this Taipei Travel Guide for Food Lovers I’ll first share some of my favorite Taipei food night markets and some of my personal favorite Taiwanese dishes.

Best Taipei Night Markets:

There are lots and lots of night markets in Taipei, and I wasn’t able to visit them all, but out of the ones I did visit, here are my favorites.

• Shilin Night Market – Despite being the most famous and one of the biggest night markets in Taipei, and also supposedly one of the most touristy markets as well, after visiting, I still think it’s a must visit night market when you’re in Taipei. The sheer size of the market, the busyness of the lanes, the amount of snacks and shopping, and just the amount of people that go there, give the market a lot of energy. You’ll find things like fried dumplings, everything on skewer, and blowtorched steak.
• Raohe Night Market – One of the things I loved about Taipei is that even when some attractions or markets are well publicized and have potential to be too touristy, they still remain pretty local in many ways. Raohe Night Market is another famous night market, and while there are many tour groups that frequent the market, I found it to be an amazing mix of shopping and food, plus packed with Taiwanese culture. While Shilin Night Market is exciting and energizing, Raohe is much more relaxed and has more of a friendly neighborhood feel to it. One of the best things to eat at Raohe Night Market are the pepper pork buns right at the entrance of the market and pork ribs soup.
• Ningxia Night Market – Ningxia Night Market is a Taipei night market that I just kind of showed up at without much planning, and it turned out to be fantastic. The market is exclusively focused on food and I didn’t really notice any other stalls, just solid food. It has a neighborhood feel, in a good location, still very much local, and there are lots of food choices. I enjoyed the skewers of meat and vegetables, all grilled and seasoned, and also there are a number of legendary oyster omelet restaurants at this night market.
• Keelung Miaokou Night Market – This night market is not in Taipei, but because it’s close enough and easy enough to get here, and because it’s one of the most mind-blowing displays of food in one place, I’ve included it on this Taipei list. You can get to Keelung City by train in about 30 – 45 minutes from Taipei Station, and what awaits you at Keelung Miaokou Night Market are a few bedazzling streets packed with food.

My favorite Taiwanese dishes:

Listed below are just a few of my absolute favorite Taiwanese dishes. For a more complete Taiwanese food guide, be sure to check out Taiwanese Food Guide blog post (coming soon).

• Lu rou fan (minced pork rice) – Considered one of the national dishes of Taiwan, lu rou fan is the combination of rice topped with minced braised pork. The sauce seeps into the rice blending with the fatty, slow cooked, outrageously tender pork. It’s an amazingly comforting simple dish.
• Niu rou mien (beef noodle soup) – Another dish you can’t miss eating in Taipei is beef noodle soup. There are many different types, but the basic combination is a bowl of noodles, topped with tender beef, and a soothing complex beefy broth. Beef noodles are a Taiwanese favorite.
• Hujiao bing (pepper buns) – When I think about Taiwanese food, I never really imagined little bread buns, stuffed with a combination of meat and pepper, and baked in an Indian tandoor like oven. But hujiao bing, which is exactly that, is popular in Taiwan, and they are so incredibly delicious when they are piping hot. I could eat them all day long. The best one I had was at Raohe Night Market.
• Taiwanese hot pot – Hot pot is a meal popular all over Asia, and in Taipei it seems like every second restaurant serves hot pot. There are some different regional variations and even Japanese style shabu shabu in Taipei, but the basic components of a hot pot meal include a personal or table-side pan of boiling soup where you dip meat and vegetables in to cook right before you eat.
• Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) – Likely the most famous Taiwanese food in the world, in a large part due to the expansion of Din Tai Fung restaurant , are xiaolongbao, steamed soup dumplings. Despite their widespread popularity, xiaolongbao are originally from mainland China in Jiangnan near Shanghai. A tray of steamed soup dumplings with some extra side dishes, makes an outstanding meal in Taipei.
• Gua bao (pork belly sandwich) – Looking for one of the ultimate Taiwanese snacks? Gua bao, which is similar to a sandwich made with a steamed piece of bread stuffed with braised pork belly and pickled mustard greens, is one of the finest Taiwanese hand-held creations.
• Bubble tea – I’m personally not a huge bubble tea drinker, but my wife, along with basically the entire population of young people in Taiwan, are crazy for it. Bubble tea typically consists of extremely milky tea filled with boba tapioca pearls. What I do like about ordering bubble tea in Taiwan is that you can typically choose your sweetness level, or even choose to have no sugar at all. Bubble tea is definitely a Taiwanese national treasure of a beverage, and it’s now found just about everywhere in the world, from Bangkok to Los Angeles.
• Chou doufu (stinky tofu) – There’s no other food in Taiwan that’s more noticeable by smell or that has more passionate food followers, as the infamous Taiwanese stinky tofu, a national dish. On my first stinky tofu experience in Taiwan, I didn’t even know I had ordered it. It definitely had a little bit of a rotting taste to it, but I quite enjoyed it – it’s a bit unique and something you have to eat in Taipei.

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Things to do in Taipei

When my wife and I were in Taipei, we were on a mission to do quite a lot, and so along with eating, we ran around visiting many attractions in-between meals.

Here are some of the top things to do in Taipei, when you’re taking a break from the food!

Taipei 101 Observatory – Designed to look like a pole of bamboo, Taipei 101 is the tallest and most iconic landmark skyscraper of Taipei. At the bottom of the monstrous tower is a giant luxury mall, but the main attraction is the observatory from the 88th – 91st floors. It is a little pricey at 500 NTW entrance for adults, but it truly is a breathtaking view of the city. I spent about an hour at the observatory, admiring Taipei from all directions. Conveniently located on ground floor, as soon as you get out of the elevator is Din Tai Fung, and it’s kind of a rite of passage to have xiaolongbao after finishing at the observation deck… at least I think so. Address : 110, Taiwan, Taipei City, Xinyi District, Section 5, Xinyi Rd, 7號; Opening hours : 9 am – 10 pm daily; Entrance price : 600 TWD for adults.

Elephant Mountain – Just like Hong Kong, Taipei is not only an incredible city, but it’s surrounded by lush green mountains. Right in the middle of the city is a place called Elephant Mountain, where you can take a hike, and in literally just a few minutes, you feel like you’re in middle of the jungle rather than in a huge city. The main trail leads to a series of views of Taipei, with an amazing view of Taipei 101 and the entire downtown area of Taipei. Another great thing is that you can take a little hike at Elephant Mountain even if you just have an hour or two to spare.  Address : 110, Taiwan, Taipei City, Xinyi District; Opening hours : 9 am – 5 pm daily; Entrance price : it’s free to enter as it’s a memorial.

Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall – The Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall is a gigantic memorial landmark in Taipei, dedicated to Chiang Kai-shek, a former leader of the Republic of China. The overall structure and courtyard that it’s part of is gigantic. And also one of the main attractions at the hall is watching the elaborate changing of the guard ceremony which happens every hour on the hour.  Address : No. 21, Zhongshan S Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100; Opening hours : daylight hours; Entrance price : this is a free attraction.

Longshan Temple – Fully known as Mengjia Longshan Temple, the temple is one of the most important Chinese temple in Taipei, and considered to be a national treasure of history and cultural heritage. When I visited, the temple was packed full of people both inside and out, and the entire temple seemed to be going up in a cloud of incense smoke and scurrying people. The environment was very lively yet calm at the same time.  Address : No. 211, Guangzhou St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853; Opening hours : 6 am – 10 pm daily; Entrance price : it’s free to enter as it’s a temple.

Dalongdong Baoan Temple – In short just known as Baoan temple, this small incredibly well preserved and ornate temple, is another cultural Taiwanese heritage icon. Of all the temples I visited in my trip to Taipei, this was probably the most impressive for its incredibly detailed decorations and paintings. Also, in contrast to the lively action of Longshan Temple, Baoan Temple was extremely quiet and peaceful.  Address : No. 61, Hami St, Datong District, Taipei City, Taiwan 103; Opening hours : 7 am – 10 pm daily; Entrance price : free.

National Palace Museum – I’m not huge on museums when I travel, but sometimes I do enjoy visiting, and the National Palace Museum was what I considered to be a museum that’s worth the time and entrance fee – largely due to its important collection. According to Wikipedia , the museum includes 696,000 pieces, making it one of the largest museums in the world, mostly focusing on Chinese history and art. When I was in University I took a number of art history courses, and I remember studying some of the most famous masterpieces on display at the museum – pieces by artists like Fan Kuan and Zhang Zeduan. If you love art and Chinese history the National Palace is a museum you have to visit in Taipei.  Address : No. 221, Section 2, Zhishan Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111; Opening hours : 8:30 am – 6:30 pm on Sunday – Thursday and 8:30 am – 9 pm on Friday and Saturday; Entrance price : 250 TWD.

Night Markets – I’ve already covered this above, but it’s worth adding it to the attractions list as well, since night markets are such an important part of Taiwanese culture. Of all the attractions within this Taipei travel guide, visiting night markets is one of my favorites. You simply don’t go to Taipei without going to a night market a few times, or even every night you’re up for it. They are fun, entertaining, provide a cultural Taiwanese experience, and the greatest bonus is that you’ll find a never ending variety of delicious food to eat.

Maokong Gondola – I thought it was going to be a little short gondola ride, but the ride is actually a means of both transportation (connected to the mass transit system) and a touristy attraction. The entire Maokong Gondola ride takes about 30 minutes, offers incredible views, and when you reach the top there are tea houses in the mountains. The only setback is that the gondola closes if there’s rainy weather and sometimes there can be a pretty long line. But it’s very affordable and a great thing to do.  Address : At Taipei Zoo station – 116, Taiwan, Taipei City, Wenshan District; Opening hours : 9 am – 9 pm on Tuesday – Thursday, 9 am – 10 pm on Friday, 8:30 am – 10 pm on Saturday, and 8:30 – 9 pm on Sunday, hours are also subject to change due to festival, events, and weather; Entrance price : They have a variety of different ticket options, but a single ticket costs 120 TWD.

Lin Family Mansion and Garden – One of the things I wasn’t sure if I was going to have time to do, but I’m very happy I did, is visit the Lin Family Mansion and Garden, a privately opened house and museum. Walking around the ancient and well designed gardens was a true throwback in time. It was both peaceful and eerie.  Address : No. 9, Ximen St, Banqiao District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 220; Opening hours : 9 am – 5 pm daily, but close on the 1st Monday of each month; Entrance price : This is one of the best free attractions in Taipei.

Beitou hot springs area – When you arrive to Beitou, a hot spring mountainous resort area, it’s hard to believe you’re still right in Taipei. The area has a completely different countryside feel to it, and it’s most famous for the hot springs which can be accessed from both hotels and a public bathing facility. Additionally in the area you’ll find restaurants and other attractions that you can easily visit in a hale or full Taipei day trip.  Address : Beitou Station – No. 1, Guangming Rd, Beitou District, Taipei City, Taiwan 11246; Opening hours : Most things are open 9 am – 5 pm daily, but some museums close on Mondays (so best to not go on a Monday if possible); Entrance price : Depending on what you do, there are some free attractions, but to enter the public hot springs it costs 40 TWD per person.

There are many more things to do in Taipei, but I included just a concise list of my personal favorite attractions within this Taipei travel guide.

How to get around (transportation)

Taipei has one of the best, most convenient, and most clean and modern mass transportation systems in Asia. And another great thing is that it’s somehow never extremely crowded (very well managed) and it’s hassle free.

Pair the MRT with the great bus system as well, and Taipei has wonderful public transportation. For my entire trip to Taipei, I didn’t ever use a taxi, but relied completely on the Metro and bus.

• Metro – The Metro Taipei is extremely nice and convenient, and very affordable as well. You have a couple of options, depending on how long you’re in Taipei and how much you’ll be running around. A one day pass, including unlimited rides costs 150 TWD ($4.59). But if you’re in Taipei for a few days, I’d recommend purchasing an Easy Card, which you can purchase at any station, which allows you to add money so you can just touch and go. Rides on the Metro vary in price depending on distance and can range from 16 TWD – 55 TWD ($0.49 – $1.68). It’s very affordable.
• Bus – The bus system is also very easy to use if you know which bus to take. And to pay you can use your same Easy Card and just tap in.

Prices and expenses

I would say that Taipei is a mid to low priced range travel destination, and I think that overall the value for money in Taipei is excellent.

Accommodation:

• Hostel: $10 – $25 USD per bed
• Mid-range hotel: $25 – $75 USD per night
• High end: Everything above $75 USD

Transportation:

• Metro ride: Depending on how far you go, about 16 TWD – 55 TWD ($0.49 – $1.68)
• Bus ride: Also depending on how far you go buy similar prices to the Metro
• Taxi: Even taxis are not too high in price, and if you need to take one, they are very reliable option. The only reason I didn’t take a taxi in Taipei is just because the public transportation is so adequate if you can walk a little bit. For a taxi ride about a 10 kilometer ride should cost somewhere around 250 TWD – 300 TWD ($7.65 – $9.17).
• Street snack: 15 – 100 TWD ($0.46 -$3.06)
• Bowl of beef noodles: 100 – 250 TWD ($3.06 – $7.64)
• Rice and side dishes (local style meal): 100 – 200 TWD per person ($3.06 – $6.12)
• Local hot pot meal: 250 TWD per person ($7.64)
• Nicer indoor restaurant: About 300 – 600 TWD per person ($9.17 – $18.35)
• Bubble tea: 35 NTW ($1.07)

This is just an estimate of prices that I took note of while visiting and writing this Taipei travel guide. So it’s meant to just be a rough guide to give you an idea of prices and expenses you can expect.

Taipei travel guide videos

During my trip to Taipei, I decided to make a Taipei travel guide video blog for every day I was in Taipei.

So this series of videos covers all 12 days that we stayed in Taipei, including our full travel and food itinerary that we did each day. There are also a few extra Taiwanese food videos in the playlist at the end.

You can watch the full video series on YouTube here .

Map of Taipei

On this map (if you can’t see it above, here’s the direct link ), you’ll find all the attractions and restaurants listed in this Taipei travel guide. One of the ways I plan my daily itineraries is by studying a map of attractions and restaurants. So I hope this will be helpful for you.

Taipei is the capital and largest city of Taiwan, offering a wealth of shopping, art, culture, history, and most importantly food.

One of the reasons I was most excited to visit Taipei was to explore the famous night markets, and with an almost incomprehensible quantity and variety of different food stalls to choose from, and they didn’t disappoint.

Taipei is an extremely modern, convenient, and even very friendly travel destination. You’ll love the mix of modern culture and ancient history, the contrast of skyscrapers and lush green parks and mountains, and the variety of Taiwanese and Chinese food you can eat.

Taipei has a lot going for it, and if you love to eat, you’re going to enjoy Taipei.

Thank you for reading this Taipei travel guide, and I hope it will assist you in planning your trip to Taipei.

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Taipei food tours: the best tours for food travelers to taiwan.

Taipei is one of the best cities in Asia for food travelers. There’s so much good food and so many food markets in Taipei, Taiwan it can be intimidating. A Taipei tour that is focused on food markets or street food is a great way to learn about Taiwanese food culture. In this post, we share our tips on how to book the best Taipei food tours, tea tours, and cooking classes. 

*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my  DISCLAIMER . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Book A Taipei Culinary Tour

There are lots of great reasons why booking a Taiwanese food tour could make your visit to Taipei that much more special.

First, there is a  language  barrier in Taipei. We found a good number of people who spoke English. There are some English translations or picture menus at night markets.

But, to make the most of your experience and to learn about Taiwanese food culture, a  food tour  can help overcome these hurdles. 

A local Taipei tour guide will also help with understanding what makes Taiwanese food special. This includes helping you understand what is specifically Taiwanese versus Chinese or even a Hong Kong specialty.

Taiwanese cuisine is loaded with influences from their neighbors and a Taipei guide can help explain all of these intricacies. 

Last, we love taking food tours at the start of our stay in a new city. It really makes the rest of our trip better.

Your guide will give you inside tips on where and what to eat in Taipei too. Over the years, we’ve received great restaurant recommendations from some of our food tour guides.

Want to learn more about food in Taiwan? Check out our recommendations for the  best breakfast foods in Taiwan .

See The Top Rated Food Tours In Taipei On Viator 

How About A 9 Day Taiwan Food Tour?

This post focused on recommendations for Taiwan street food tours and cooking classes within Taipei. But, if you have more time and want to really dive into Taiwanese food culture, consider booking a Taiwan tour with a focus on food.

Intrepid Travel  offers a  9 Day Real Food Adventure in Taiwan . This tour focuses on exploring Taiwan street food, local dishes, cooking classes, and demonstrations. We took Intrepid’s Real Food Adventure in  Morocco  and learned so much about Moroccan cuisine.

Their Taiwan food tour package includes visiting some iconic Taiwanese restaurants, learning how to make some iconic dishes, and visiting tea fields and a whiskey distillery.  Book A Taiwan Food Tour With Intrepid Travel Here 

How To See The Best Of Taipei On A Food Tour

A great  food tour  means that you can start to understand Taipei food culture while exploring a new city. It is more than just the food that is served.

It means you have the chance to meet locals, ask loads of questions, and learn about the history and culture of a new city. It’s one of our favorite ways to see a city! In this post, we share our recommended food tours and cooking classes in Taipei.

All pricing is provided in US dollars. With some tours, pricing will adjust based on how many people have already booked, how many people are in your party, and the time of year. 

We recommend using  Viator  for booking food tours and experiences. We like Viator for a few reasons. One, we’ve used them for tours around the world without any problems.

Second, you will receive immediate confirmation of your booking.

Last, Viator is a reputable company that is actually owned by TripAdvisor, so if there are any issues with your booking, there is a big company standing behind the booking. See The Top Rated Food Tours In Taipei On Viator 

TAIPEI FOOD TOURS

Small-Group Taipei Night Market Tour

Taipei is a 24-hour city that really comes alive at night. Seven days a week across the city, dozens of night markets pop up, cooking a wide range of local food specialties.

During this two-hour small-group Taiwan night market food tour, you’ll explore one of Taipei’s most renowned markets, Yansan Night Market. Known for its delicious ‘xiaochi’ or street food, Yansan Night Market is a must-visit for any trip to Taipei. 

While walking the market, guests will sample eight popular Taiwanese dishes and regional specialties including tasty  Taiwanese desserts . 

Pricing for the night tour begins at $60. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and comfortable shoes are recommended. 

Book this tour  here .

Why We Like This Tour

This walking tour is limited to an intimate group of just four people. The small group setting allows for the undivided attention of your guide and allows you to experience Yansan like a local.

As one of the oldest night markets in Taipei, guests will enjoy amazing food and enjoy a slice of Taiwan’s history. Check Rates For This Taipei Night Market Tour Here 

Taipei Backstreets Food Tour

Navigating Taiwan’s immense food scene can be difficult for any traveler. During this four-hour backstreet tour, sample some of the best street food Taipei has to offer.

Explore the XinYi district on foot, taking in the sights, sounds, and delicious smells of Taipei. Renowned for its culinary offerings, guests will sample some of XinYi’s best dishes including stinky tofu and soup dumplings. 

The tour can accommodate up to 8 guests with pricing beginning at $70. A fair amount of walking is involved during the tour.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Because of uneven street surfaces, the tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.

Guests with any dietary requirements are welcomed and asked to provide notice at the time of booking. 

Led by a local and knowledgeable guide, guests will receive personalized recommendations for after the tour.

In addition to delicious food, the tour will provide guests with views of stunning temples and other Taipei sights.

The tour includes over 10 different food tastings. Check Rates For This Taipei Backstreets Food Tour 

Full-Day Taipei Private Food Tour

Explore the wonders and tastes of Taipei on your very own Taipei private tour with a highly knowledgeable local guide.

From visiting the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall to taking selfies at Taipei 101, your private guide will escort your group around Taiwan’s capital highlighting the city’s many must-see sights.

In between stunning sights, taste a variety of traditional Taiwanese snacks  and dishes. Enjoy local favorites from beef noodle soup and dumplings to bubble milk tea and many other local dishes. 

The pricing for the tour begins at $310. The private tour begins promptly at 9 am with a pick-up at your local hotel.

Lasting eight hours, the tour includes a full lunch in addition to sampling snacks throughout the day.

Vegetarian options are available for guests with dietary restrictions. Notification at the time of booking is requested. Unfortunately, the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

As this is a private tour, customization to the itinerary can be made. We like private tours because they can be customized.

They are a great way to explore the city if you are traveling in a group with family or friends. This full-day Taipei city tour is also a great way to make the most of your time in the city. Check Rates For This Taipei Private Tour Here 

TAIPEI COOKING CLASSES

Xao Long Bao Cooking Class

One of the iconic dishes of Taiwan, Xiao Long Bao or ‘soup dumplings’ are at the top of everyone’s must-eat list in Taipei.

During this three-and-a-half-hour cooking class, guests will learn to make traditional Xiao Long Bao from scratch and enjoy them in a sit-down lunch.

This experience begins with a quick trip to the historic Kuang Fu market. Led by your chef and instructor, you’ll explore one of Taipei’s many fresh markets, shopping for fresh spices and ingredients.

After finding your ingredients, return to the kitchen and roll up your sleeves, because it’s time to cook. In addition to making the famous Xiao Long Bao, guests will also learn the secret to making delicious Braised Beef Noodle Soup, and Bubble Milk Tea. 

Dumpling Cooking Class In Taipei

Pricing for the market tour and cooking class begins at $87. The tour is suitable for all levels of culinary experience and is suitable for ages 12 and above.

Morning and afternoon classes are available. If you have any food allergies substitutions can be made with advanced notification. The cooking class is conveniently located near public transportation.

Book this cooking class  here .

Amber loves here xao long bao. It’s one of her favorite things to eat in the world. And it is one of the most famous dishes to eat in Taiwan. 

With a maximum number of 10 guests, each participant will receive hands-on guidance from the local chef.

After all the dishes are made, sit down with the group to enjoy your feast while hearing stories about Taiwan’s incredible cuisine.  Check Rates For This Taipei Xao Long Bao Cooking Class Here 

Taiwanese Cooking Class And Market Tour

Discover what makes Taiwanese cuisine one of the best in the world from an expert local chef during a private cooking session.

This four-hour market tour and cooking class begins a visit to Dongmen Market to shop for fresh ingredients. Learn about different Taiwanese produce and discover how locals shop for delicious ingredients.

After shopping, it’s back to the professional kitchen to begin cooking. Guests can choose from one of two set menus, each featuring traditional Taiwanese dishes. Choices range from chicken with sesame or delicious braised pork.

During the cooking class, each guest will receive hands-on lessons in a variety of Taiwanese cooking methods.

With a maximum of eight guests in class, the local expert chef will provide personalized help in preparing braised beef noodle soup and other signature Taiwanese signature dishes from scratch.

After all the dishes are ready, it’s time to savor them and learn more about Taiwanese cuisine. 

Taiwanese Cooking Class Details

Pricing for the cooking class begins at $130 and includes round-trip transport by taxi from Dongmen MRT Station. The tour and cooking classes are not wheelchair accessible. A minimum of two guests is required for the experience.

Guests with dietary requirements are welcome to participate. Substitutions to the menu are available with advance notice at the time of booking.

Learning how to cook local specialties is a great way to learn about a new culture. Plus, the tour starts with a local Taipei market tour. Exploring a local fresh produce market is another great way to experience a city.  Check Rates For This Taipei Cooking Class Here 

TAIPEI DRINKS EXPERIENCES

Taipei tea tour and experience.

Taiwan is world-renowned for its tea. During this small-group tour and tea tasting, guests will leave the noise of Taipei behind to see the tranquil natural beauty of Taiwan.

An eight-hour experience, guests are picked up at their hotels to set out by minivan to the green hills of the Bagua Tea Plantation.

Enjoy a scenic ride on the Maokong Gondola to reach the plantation, you’ll meet highly skilled local tea experts who will teach you how to steep the perfect pot of tea. The tea experts will provide the small group with insight into the history of tea cultivation in Taiwan.

Depending on the season, guests might have the opportunity to handpick tea leaves.

Regardless of the time of the year, guests will participate in a traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony with the tea expert. After your tea lesson, stop at a lookout point above Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Lake) and soak in Taiwan’s natural beauty. 

Tea Tour Details

The pricing for the tour begins at $100 and can accommodate a maximum of six travelers. A minimum of four guests is required for the tour. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions are advised not to participate. 

We love drinking tea but are always looking for ways to learn more about tea drinking culture in Asia. This Taipei tea tour is a great way to spend a day. It’s also one of the more unique day tours from Taipei.  Check Rates For This Taipei Tea Tour Here 

FAQS – HOW TO BOOK A TAIPEI FOOD TOUR

Comfortable shoes! Many food tours involve a lot of walking. Also, be prepared for bad weather. Just because it’s rainy doesn’t mean the tour will be canceled. The same goes for the summer when temperatures can soar. Just be prepared.

Some people look at the cost of the individual items eaten on a food tour to determine whether they’ve gotten their money’s worth. A quality culinary tour, though, is more than the food served. It’s the value of the guide, the history learned, and the overall experience. And, it is almost always worth it!

In addition to booking a one day tour in Taipei that focuses on food, definitely consider heading out to the Keelung night market and Beitou hot springs. Both of these spots are easily visited from Taipei.

Yes. Like all cuisines, Chinese food is regionalized. In Taiwan, the food is generally mild compared to Sichuan. The food has been been shaped by outside influences for centuries. It’s most similar to Cantonese Chinese food or Hong Kong Chinese food.

Amber Hoffman

Amber Hoffman, food and travel writer behind With Husband In Tow, is a recovering attorney and professional eater, with a passion for finding new food and drink destinations. She lives with her husband, Eric, in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Together over the last 20 years, they have traveled to over 70 countries. Amber is the author of the Food Traveler’s Guide to Emilia Romagna. She regularly lectures on social media marketing to travel professionals throughout Europe.

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