Oyster Omelet | O-A-Chian
Unless your palate prevents you, no visit to a Taiwan night market is complete without sampling at least one famous oyster omelet. Quite literally, O-A-Chian is the all time number one favorite for locals and visitors who visit Taiwan night markets.
Oyster Vermicelli Noodles | O-A-Mee Sua
Although not statistically proven, we’re confident you won’t visit a single night market in Taiwan without uncovering a stall that sells oyster vermicelli. Effectively a noodle soup, oyster vermicelli noodles are topped with juicy oysters and it’s a dish that’s a true icon of Taiwan cuisine.
Taiwanese Milkfish Soup | Shimuyu Geng
Given that people in Taiwan consume around hundreds of millions of tonnes of milkfish annually, you can understand that milkfish is a popular ingredient in Taiwanese cuisine. Appreciated for its tenderness, milkfish is typically served in a soup or as a congee, hence the inclusion of Shimuyu Geng in our list. Milkfish emerged as a Taiwan food staple towards the end of the Ming dynasty and remains a favorite. Maybe it will become a favorite for you too. Discoverable at night markets around Taiwan, but especially Tainan from where it originated.
Taiwan-Style Hamburger | Gua Bao
For an incredibly popular Taiwan street food snack, you have to try the famous local gua bao - or Taiwan style hamburger. These steamed buns filled with the flavorsome braised pork belly and a handful of other ingredients, such as sour pickled mustard greens, chopped parsley, and lightly sweetened peanut powder. They are without question, the Taiwan equivalent of a hamburger, but way more delicious. Almost guaranteed to demand a second serve!
Taiwanese Stir Fried Squid Thick Soup | Sheng Chao Huazhi
Taiwanese stir fried squid thick soup - also known as stir fried cuttlefish stew - is an absolute must eat if you plan to visit Shilin Night Market in Taipei. It’s pretty hard to go past the aroma of fresh cuttlefish stir fried with garlic, scallion, chili and carrots, which is then seasoned with rice wine, soy sauce, salt, sugar, vinegar and Shacha sauce - so we recommend you don’t! Ingredients are then stewed in a stock with cabbage thickened with potato starch. A handful of fresh basil is added just prior to serving. Run, don’t walk to the Shilin night markets for a truly delicious dish.
Taiwanese Fried Chicken | Yansu Ji
Frequently rated among Taiwan’s night market top three favorite street food snacks, Taiwanese fried chicken (or popcorn chicken) is traditionally flavored with salt, pepper, garlic, and basil. These small pieces of chicken, usually thigh meat, are coated in potato or corn starch, then deep fried. Modern interpretations of Yansu Ji have included other seasoning flavors, such as seaweed or mustard powder and allspice, but the outcome is all the same: An irresistible street food snack for locals and visitors alike.
Tainan Danzai Noodles | Ta-A-Mi
The creation of a resourceful fisherman in 1895, Ta-A-Mi also referred to as ‘shoulder pole noodles’ - this classic local street food snack from Tainan is potentially the most delicious soup you’ll enjoy in Taiwan. A shrimp-flavored broth of wheat noodles, pork mince, and spices, every outlet maintains strict secrecy around its recipe. We think you’ll love a bowl or two of Tainan danzai noodles.
Small Sausage in A Large Sausage | Dachang Bao Xiaochang
A quirky name for what is essentially the Taiwan equivalent of a hotdog. A pork sausage is grilled, then wrapped in a half-cut sticky rice ‘sausage’ and topped with sauce, condiments like garlic, pickled veggies, ground peanuts, and herbs such as coriander and basil.
Stinky Tofu | Chou Doufu
Just as the name describes, stinky tofu is just that; tofu with a pungent smell that has a loyal following among dedicated locals. Found at virtually every night market in Taiwan, stinky tofu is fermented tofu; a process which involves the tofu being placed in a jar of brine, together with bamboo shoots, shrimps, and green cabbage. Fermented for a month (incredibly, the jars are left open), the tofu is then soaked in a container jars for several hours, a step which results in the ‘stinky’ part of the tofu. Vendors often concoct their own flavors to complement the tofu, including garlic or chili sauce, or pickled cabbage. Stinky tofu is served fried, steamed, or stewed, but novices should opt for deep-fried as this is one Taiwan street food snack that is definitely an acquired taste.
Taiwanese Scallion Pancake | Cong You Bing
Much loved by the locals, you can find versions of flaky scallion pancakes in most night markets in Taiwan. An iconic favorite that is crispy and flaky (what a combination), scallion pancakes can be eaten on their own, or wrapped around eggs, fresh basil, cheese, kimchi, spicy sauce and other ingredients, you’ll probably have to try this one multiple times. These pancakes are definitely a ‘must try’ and can be enjoyed at any meal from breakfast through to dinner. And if you do happen to make it to Yilan, be sure to try the Sanxing scallion pancakes there. They’re considered the very best; a big call considering there is plenty of competition.
Pineapple Shrimp Balls with Mayonnaise | Feng Li Xia Qiu
For a pick-me-up dish in summer months, it’s hard to walk past pineapple and shrimp balls. These are usually served with mayonnaise and are the most popular dish ordered at re chao restaurants - famously casual (but delicious) local eateries that are a staple of the Taiwanese food culture. Again, like many other dishes, you will find this one is a perennial family favorite. Prawns are deep fried, stir fried with pineapples, and mixed with mayonnaise for the perfect match of sweet and sour pineapple with prawns.
Tube Sticky Rice Pudding | Tongzai Gao
Although we would typically associate a pudding with being a sweet dessert, Tongzai gao or tube sticky rice pudding is actually a savory dish. Often served with mushrooms, pork, shallots, and eggs, the pudding immersed in a sweet and spicy sauce. A delicious breakfast that originated in Qingshui of Taichung, but today found in many specialty restaurants all over the island, be sure to try Tongzai Gao at least once during your Taiwan vacation.
Taiwanese Pineapple Cakes | Fenglisu
A buttery, flaky cake with a crust, Taiwanese pineapple cakes are delicious, sweet cakes and a popular ‘gift’ or souvenir for visitors to the island. A bit like traditional mooncake pastry in texture, the filling for these delights is a sweet pineapple jam or pineapple mixed with winter melon. Behind this treat, it’s said there is a lovely story of romance. During the Three Kingdoms dynasty, the Shu Emperor sent a large pineapple cake to a sister of the Wu emperor in an effort to win her over. We think that if she enjoyed a Fenglisu with a hot tea, as is recommended, it’s likely Emperor Shu’s advances were worth the effort! The reality is, however, that the popularity of pineapple cakes is closely aligned to the importance of pineapples in Taiwan’s economy. For nearly 100 years, Taiwan has been a net exporter of pineapples, and local bakers have made good use of excess by creating their own version of these famous treats.
Bubble Tea | Zhen Zhu Nai Cha
Really requiring no introduction at all, the reputation of bubble tea precedes it. Also referred to as pearl milk tea, tapioca tea, boba tea, and foam milk tea, bubble tea is now a popular beverage worldwide. Incredibly, local Taiwan people consume about 100 million bubble teas annually. It is said that Chun Shui Tang, a teahouse founded in 1983, started to make a kind of ‘iced tea’ by using premium tea. In 1986, a young employee mixed her favorite tapioca balls into the iced milk tea and iced lemon tea by chance, and even sold this ‘private recipe iced tea” for a trial. Positive customer feedback sealed its success, so when she asked to sell the tea as an official product, approval was a fait accompli. In the Spring of 1987, the pearl milk tea was officially launched in Chun Shui Tang. Today there are countless bubble tea shops all over Taiwan. Expect to find many variations that are created by adding different ingredients, with herbal jelly, coconut jelly, taro balls, puddings, aloe, coffee jelly, and fruit pieces among them.
Taiwanese shaved ice dessert | Chua Bing
For those with a penchant for sweet treats, you cannot go past Chua Bing, Taiwan’s shaved ice dessert. Regardless of whether you’re a traditionalist and opt for a mound of shaved ice with a selection of chewy toppings and brown sugar; or go with a modern interpretation - shaved ice with pieces of fruit (often mango), ice cream, chocolate sauce, or condensed milk, you won’t be disappointed. Perfect summer or winter if you love desserts, and if you’re after an experience that sums up Taiwan in sweets.
Taiwanese Mochi | Mashu
Gooey, chewy, and glutinous, these rice cakes are a sweet dessert. Mochi come with various fillings, ranging from fruits to red bean paste and crushed peanuts. They also come coated with peanut powder or sesame seeds. There are even grilled mochi, and the very creative milk mochi. You will even find mochi added to a shaved ice dessert. Best consumed hot, explore the night market of your destination for a delicious local experience.
Du Hsiao Yueh Restaurant | Tainan, Taipei & Penghu
Who doesn’t love noodles? If you’re in that cohort like the ChinaTours.com team, then the famous ta-a-mi noodles from Du Hsiao Yueh Restaurant are a must. Whether you visit the Tainan, Taipei or Penghu outlets, you can also enjoy many other traditional Taiwanese dishes such as golden shrimp rolls, Gong Wan meatballs, braised pork rice and vermicelli rolls. A legendary foodie haunt? We think so!
Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice | Taipei
Located close to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, this popular local restaurant does some serious hours, operating daily from 8.00am to 1.00am. Amazingly, regardless of the time of day and the weather, there is quite literally always a queue of people who come to pay homage to Taipei’s most famous braised pork rice. A superlative experience for eating local food with local people if Taipei’s on your itinerary.
Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken | Taipei
Deemed a legend of local street food for over 20 years, Hot Star Large Fried Chicken serves just that: Large fried chicken that smells and tastes fabulous. First becoming famous in Taichung and then moving over to the Shilin Night Market in Taipei, it’s one outlet that’s endured the test of time. Expect long wait times at all hours of the day and night.
Yong-Kang Beef Noodle | Taipei
First opening in 1963, this tiny noodle stall is now the undisputed leader in Taiwanese beef noodle provedores. The house specialty? Sichuan flavored hot and spicy soup. The restaurant has operated over 50 years and still continues to delight loyal locals who love a low key, but delicious dining experience.
Tien Hsia San Chueh | Taipei
Attracting stars and regular folk alike, this upmarket version of a typical beef noodle soup restaurant provides a unique experience if you’re after a traditional Taiwanese beef noodle soup, but don’t want the rough and ready environment that are a feature of most outlets, then make your way to Tien Hsia San Chueh in Taipei. The food is as good as anywhere and is well matched by a stylish western cafe décor environment. There’s even wine available for those looking to complement their meal.
Tian Tian Li Restaurant | Taipei
Located in the area of Shi-men Ting (Ximending), Tian Tian Li is a local favorite. Hardly a glamorous affair, this is where to go for seriously authentic braised pork rice, oyster omelet, braised eggs, and Chinese Lo Bak Go (turnip cake).
Chun Shui Tang
| Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung, Tainan, Hsinchu, Taoyuan
Chun Shui Tang is to bubble tea what Starbucks is to coffee. With Taiwan’s ongoing love affair with bubble tea, there are over 50 Chun Shui Tang shops in Taiwan. In addition to many varieties of bubble tea, this chain of restaurants also offers a range of other Taiwanese local flavors and snacks.
Ice Monster | Taipei
Looking for a local Taiwanese dessert specialty? Then go no further than the well-known Taiwanese dessert chain Ice Monster, which first opened its doors in 1997. Everyone knows the mango shaved ice is the ‘masterpiece’, but don’t be misled. There is a dazzling array of fresh fruit shaved ice, sorbet, ice cream, frozen yogurt, fruit tea, and dessert soups. The perfect place to stop after a day of taking in the local sites.
