Can you still vaguely remember watching those Taiwanese variety shows with attractive hosts going around town tasting a wide array of mouthwatering local snacks and cuisines? One of my childhood dreams is to visit Taipei to do just that and thankfully I managed to visit three popular night markets three nights in a row! 🙂
1. Night Markets
A bustling night market is the best place you can find yourself experiencing the local food culture without having to spend a lot. Swarmed with people most of the time, you have to push through the crowd strolling under bright signs and neon lights to get to your favourite stall. Also, queuing to get your hands on those well-seasoned grilled squids and flavourful Taiwanese sausages is inevitable as it seems like the whole world wants to eat them at the same time as you do. However, every little time spent here is time well spent as all of that brings immense joy to my tummy.
Tonghua Night Market (通化夜市, Linjiang Street)
My first night was spent at Tonghua night market eating to my heart’s content. As it is less known, there are more locals than tourists here. This is the best place to go if you want to experience authentic local vibe. Located at Linjiang street, it is also called Linjiang Night market, so don’t go looking for two thinking they are different!
Best eats:
Fried Squid
Queue: No
Ratings: 4/5
Cost: 80 NT
Cheese Potato
Queue: No
Ratings: 3/5
Cost: 80 NT (Depending on the ingredients chosen)
Fried Cheese Sweet Potato Balls
Queue: No
Ratings: 3/5
Cost: 80 NT
Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)
One of the most popular places to visit at night, Shilin night market is filled with stalls selling a variety of local and traditional snacks to attract both locals and tourists. The vibrancy of this place is what you can’t get at other night markets.
Best eats:
Grilled Squids
Queue: Yes
Ratings: 3/5
Cost: 100 NT
Whole Squid Takoyaki
Queue: Yes (minimum 15 minutes waiting time)
Ratings: 4/5
Cost: 120 NT
Ink Fried Chicken Cutlet
Queue: No
Ratings: 4/5
Cost: 80 NT
Prince Cheese Potato
Queue: Yes
Ratings: 5/5
Cost: 80 NT (Depending on the ingredients chosen)
Raohe Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市)
Being the oldest night market in Taiwan, Raohe Night Market is the epitome of authentic and traditional snacks. With a great festive atmosphere, the street is lined with makeshift stalls, push carts and quaint shops. There are even carnival games to relieve childhood times (way cheaper than what we have at Uncle Ringo).
Best eats:
Taiwanese Sausages
Queue: No
Ratings: 3/5
Cost: 50 NT
Fried Pork Ribs
Queue: No
Ratings: 4/5
Cost: 80 NT
Double Cheese Chocolate Pancake @ 巧手韓式蛋中蛋
Queue: Yes (Minimum 10 minutes waiting time)
Ratings: 3.5/5
Cost: 60 NT for 2
2. Restaurants/Cafes/Tea-houses
Din Tai Feng
Even though Din Tai Feng is everywhere, you definitely should give the one in Taipei a try as this is the most original one you can get! Approach the staff at the door and get a queue number. Ask for the estimated waiting time before deciding to wait at the spot or shop around Yongkang Street to whilst away time.
Not only is the food better than the franchise in Singapore, the service is fantastic as well. They go all out to serve their customers and make them feel extremely satisfied. Even the toilets are immaculately clean.
Formosa Chang (鬍鬚張)
With more than 30 outlets across Taipei, Formosa Chang is a must-visit eatery for their famous braised pork rice. For NT $ 30, you can get a small bowl of rice topped with bits of fatty stewed pork drizzled in sweet soy sauce. Looks aside, the melt in the mouth pork pieces are not bad at all!
Maokong Qing Quan Villa (貓空清泉山莊)
As it was raining quite heavily, we came across Qing Quan Villa while searching for shelter and decided to go in to have a pot of tea. It was a blessed find indeed! Since we were still full from lunch, we decided to order their recommended snacks – Rainbow Buns and Fried Oolong Tea Leaves. Most of their dishes are tea-infused with the leaves they have grown in their backyard.
Though the price of food and drinks are pretty steep, these unique dishes and breathtaking view justify it.
Xiao Le Tian Dumplings (小乐天饺子馆)
We had our very first meal here and it proves the right choice. The steamed and pan-fried dumplings are equally delicious.
Do give these places a visit in Taipei and feel free to share more great places with me in the comment box below! 😀
| Food Places | How to go | Cost |
| Tonghua Night Market |
Address: Alley 1, Lane 40, Linjiang St, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 Direction: Take the Red Line 2 to Xinyi Anhe (信義安和) station. After leaving Exit 3, continue walking straight until Tonghua Street (通化街) and take a right. Continue walking for around 5 MINS and the night market will become visible on the left side. |
Free |
| Shilin Night Market |
Address: Lane 101, Wenlin Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111 Direction: Take the Red Line 2 to Jiantan Station (劍潭), not Shilin Station. After leaving Exit 1, diagonally cross the street to the left to enter the night market). |
Free |
| Raohe Night Market |
Address: Raohe Street, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105 Direction: Take the Green Line 3 to the terminal station Songshan (松山), exit 5. The night market entrance is just to the right across the street next to the temple. |
Free |
| Ding Tai Feng | Address: No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Direction: Take the Red Line 2 or Orange Line 4 to Dongmen Station (東門). After leaving Exit 5, continue walking straight and cross Yongkang St. The restaurant will be on the right. |
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| Formosa Chang | Address: No. 533號, Yongji Road, Nangang District, Taipei City, Taiwan 115
Direction: |
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| Maokong Qing Quan Villa | Address: No. 33-3, Lane 38, Section 3, Zhinan Rd, Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 116
Direction: |
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| Xiao Le Tian Dumplings House | Address: No. 151, Sec. 5, Zhongxiao E. Rd., Xinyi Dist, Taipei, Taiwan
Direction: Take blue line to Taipei City Hall station and exit 2. |
Check out Travel Taipei – Photo-worthy Places for recommended sight-seeing places to explore.
Check out How To Apply Taiwan Visa for a fuss-free procedure.
