No trip to Taipeiㅡthe buzzing capital of Taiwanㅡis ever complete without going on a gastronomic adventure to sample the city’s most sumptuous night market delights. Really nowㅡyou can ask any Taipei local about where to eat in the city, and they will most likely recommend something you can get for cheap at their well-loved night markets.
From stinky tofu and oyster omelette to juicy chicken cutlets and blood rice cakes, here are the mustn’t-miss street food in Taipei’s well-loved night markets:
Stinky Tofu
With its strong odor that can be pretty offensive to the nostrils, it’s nearly impossible not to recognize this infamous dish even from afar. Chou doufu—more commonly known as “stinky tofu”—is one of Taiwan’s well-loved night market eats. To make this dish, tofu is fermented in brine and various spices, resulting in its pungent aroma. It is served hot from the iron pan with mixed vegetables.
Where To Try It: Stinky tofu is available in most night markets across Taiwan. If you’re in Taipei, though, Shilin Night Market is among the best places to try it.
How To Get There: Hop on a Red Line MRT to Jiantan Station, and take Exit 1. Shilin Night Market is a 10-minute walk away. Jiantan is the station that comes before Shilin Station, which is a bit farther from the market.
Oyster Egg Omelette
Another night market favorite is the oyster egg omelette. Taiwan’s take on this Asian specialty usually makes use of potato starch in addition to its staple ingredients: Fresh oysters and eggs. It also served with a sauce that blends sweet, salty, and sour flavors.
Where To Try It: When it comes to oyster omelettes in Taipei, Ningxia Night Market’s Yuan Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette is the place to go! This long-time MICHELIN Recommendation recipient sources its oysters from the coastal city of Tainan daily.
How To Get There: Take a Red Line MRT to Shuanglian Station, and take Exit 1. From there, Ningxia Night Market is a 6-minute walk away. Alternatively, you can take the MRT to Zhongshan Station. From Exit 5, Jiancheng Traffic Circle—where most foodies begin their Ningxia Night Market Food Trip—is about 7 minutes away on foot.
Chicken Cutlet
What’s a trip to a night market in Taipei without having a piece of chicken cutlet that’s crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside? Lines for this absolute must-try can be quite long, but it is well worth the wait!
Where To Try It: Shilin Night Market’s HotStar stall is arguably the most sought-after chicken cutlet shop in the city. So much so that it has branched out internationally to address the worldwide demand for its mouthwatering fried chicken! Nothing quite beats the OG, though!
How To Get There: The Hot Star Stall is located near the main entrance of Shilin Night Market to the left.
Braised Pork Rice
Any lover of rice toppings must put this on top of their night market must-try list! Imagine this: Bite-sized pieces of pork in a thick, almost gelatinous sauce that’s both sweet and savory—simply divine!
Where To Try It: Located near Shuangcheng Street Night Market, Huang Chi Lu Rou Fan has been drawing in hungry crowds from near and far for decades now thanks to its heavenly braised pork rice. It is worth mentioning that their specialty can appear fatty, but despite that, it doesn’t feel greasy at all!
How To Get There: Take the Zhonghe-Xinlu MRT to Zhongshan Elementary School Station. From Exit 1, Huang Chi Lu Rou Fan is a 4-minute walk away.
Duck Wings
Can’t get enough of braised eats? Try braised duck wings! Marinated in a special sauce infused with various spices that seep through the skin, meat, and bones, these duck wings make for an exquisite treat sans the hefty price tag.
Where To Try It: The best braised duck wings can be found at A Kuo Lu Wei in the ever-busy Raohe Night Market. While you’re there, you might want to try the Michelin-recognized shop’s other popular menu items like marinated pork uterus and baby sweetcorn.
How To Get There: Ride the Green Line MRT to Songshan Station and take Exit 5. Raohe Night Market’s imposing arch entrance should be on your right across the street.
Guabao
This delightfully soft white bun is packed with simple fillings, such as a slice of marinated pork belly, pickles, coriander leaves, and ground peanuts, but the result is an explosion of flavors and textures that will make you line up for more.
Where To Try It: Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market’s Yuan Fang Guabao is the place to go for a succulent serving (or two, or more!) of guabao. The shop has long been an institution, satisfying cravings for over six decades!
How To Get There: Take an MRT to Lungshan Temple Station. From the exit, Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market is about seven minutes away on foot.
Cabbage Rice and Pork Rib Soup
If you are looking for something more filling, cabbage rice and pork rib soup are the answer. In all its simplicity, this pairing brings a hearty feast of flavors reminiscent of a nice home-cooked meal.
Where To Try It: The cabbage rice and pork rib soup of Yansan Market is a hit to locals and foreigners alike. It’s also been commended by the Michelin Guide.
How To Get There: Ride the Orange Line MRT to Daqiaotou Station. From Exit 1 or Exit 1A, Yansan Night Market is just a minute away.
Zhu Xie Gao
A true treat to any adventurous eater, zhu xie gao—or ti hoeh koe—is a uniquely Taiwanese street food find that combines the fragrance of cilantro with the crunch and earthy taste of peanuts to elevate the flavors of savory mini cakes made of steamed pig’s blood and rice. The bouncy cakes may also be drizzled with or dipped in a sweet and spicy sauce.
Where To Try It: Zhu xie gao is a night market staple and is widely available across the city. A sure bet would be Shilin Night Market.
How To Get There: Ride a Red Line MRT to Jiantan Station, then take Exit 1. Shilin Night Market is 10 minutes away on foot.
Things You Should Know Before Your Taipei Night Market Food Trip:
Do Your Research
Since you’ve read this article up to this point, we assume you’re doing a pretty good job at researching Taipei’s night markets. But aside from reading this post, we highly suggest that you read more guides, watch various vlogs, and even ask for recommendations from members of travel forums who’ve visited Taipei before. Collect as much helpful information as possible for your gastronomic adventure.
Organize Your “Eatinerary”
It’s easier to hit the night markets of Taipei if you mapped them out in your itinerary in such a way that traveling to them doesn’t feel like a chore. For instance, on the day of your visit to Taipei 101, you might want to consider visiting Linjiang Street Night Market (also known as Tonghua Night Market) next, as it’s the closest night market to the world-famous landmark.
Bring Cash
Although Taiwan is becoming more and more open to cashless transactions, most night market stalls still accept cash only. See to it that you have some loose bills and coins ready whenever you visit night markets.
Learn Basic Mandarin Phrases
Most night market stall vendors in Taiwan can’t carry out straight conversations in English, so learning basic Mandarin to place your order will be extra helpful! Of course, having a translator app ready is always a good idea, but making an effort to talk to the locals is something that doesn’t go unappreciated! Don’t forget to say xièxie (thank you) with a smile after receiving your order.
Make Sure You’re HUNGRY
We couldn’t stress this enough! What’s the point of sampling the city’s best eats when you’re full? Night markets in Taipei are best visited when you’ve got the space in your stomach to fill with sumptuous food.
Try the Unfamiliar
Some of Taiwan’s most popular street food can challenge even the most seasoned travelers. But no fun comes with sticking to the familiar. Prepare your palate for something new. Explore different tastes and textures that you wouldn’t find anywhere else in the world!
Take It Easy
As tempting as it is to try everything, it’s better to pace yourself. Take your time to enjoy the food and the vibe of the market. Allow every flavor to find its place in your tastebuds. And most importantly, avoid overeating because the last thing you’d want is to wind up in a hospital while you’re on your holiday.
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***Featured image by Clement Souchet on Unsplash
