Taiwan Night Markets
The enormous variety of typical Taiwanese street food is worldwide known and perfectly illustrates the food cultures of the Taiwanese. Famous and special Taiwan street foods range from Bubble Tea to Papaya Milk, Oyster Omelets to Stinky Tofu, and Cuttlefish Thick Soup to Braised Pork Rice. These delicacies give visitors an insight of the people of the area it originates from. You will also have a greater idea of the different specialties and cultures by trying out these street foods. The food in night market is relatively cheap but also delicious, so visitors are recommended to try them before saying NO for a whole new perspective of travel.
Pan-Fried Bun
Pan-Fried Bun, also known as shengjianbao, is a type of small, pan-fried baozi common street food in Taiwan. There are different flavors based on the stuffing, from vegetable-based ones like leek or cabbage version to juicy pork-based versions. The buns are lined up in a nice and hot oily pan and cooked until the bottoms are very crispy. The texture of these buns is soft and fluffy with a crispy bottom.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Jingmei Night Market: Shanghai Pan-Fried Bun (上海生煎包)
- Gongguan Night Market: Liu Pan-Fried Bun (劉家水煎包)
- Shilin Night Market: Zhong Pan-Fried Bun (鐘家原上海生煎包)
Pork Chops in Chinese Medicine Soup
Pork chops in Chinese medicine soup is a traditional food in Taiwan. It’s especially popular in winter since people usually eat it as a winter dietary supplementation. The soup is stewed with Chinese herbs, making one warm after eating it. The smell and taste of the soup will be slightly different according to the herbs they use.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Raohe St. Night Market: Chen Pork chops in Chinese medicine soup (陳董藥燉排骨)
- Shilin Night Market: Haiyou Pork chops in Chinese medicine soup (海友十全排骨)
Gua Bao
Gua Bao, also known as steamed bao or pork belly buns, is a Taiwanese street food food consisting of a slice of stewed meat and other condiments in the middle of flat steamed bread. The steamed bread is semi-circular and flat in form, with a horizontal fold in that holds the fillings. The traditional filling for Gua Bao is a slice of stewed pork belly, typically dressed with sauerkraut, coriander, and ground peanuts.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Gongguan Night Market：Lan Gua Bao (藍家割包)
- Jingmei Night Market：JAN'S BAO (詹氏刈包)
Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang
Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang is Taiwanese Sausage with Sticky Rice, also known as 'Taiwanese hot dog' and 'big sausage wrap small sausage'. Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang is a popular local Taiwan snack, which is char grilled on the spot, topped up with salted vegetables, garlic, and soy sauce. There are many different flavor of Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang, including original, spicy, black pepper and wasabi.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- BanQiao Night Market: Hao Duo Wei (好多味大腸包小腸)
- Feng Chia Night Market: Guan Zhi Lin (官芝霖大腸包小腸)
Honey Barbecue
Honey Barbecue is a common local snack in Taiwan, which can be found in every night market. The vender use a vertical oven to heat the snacks with the perfect amount of sweet and saltiness full of Taiwanese flavors. Some of the most popular items are chicken wings, chicken drumsticks, chicken tail, dried bean curd, sticky rice sausage, and pork blood cake.
Price may be different for different items and may change according to vendor and location
- Lehua Night Market: Hong Lu Fa Honey Barbecue (鴻爐發蜜汁燒烤)
- Feng Chia Night Market: Mei Ting Honey Barbecue (梅亭蜜汁燒烤)
Fruit Juice
Locals love to have fresh fruit juice after having heavy food. There are many juice stalls in a night market, providing all kinds of juice and smoothies. Some of the popular choices are papaya milk, watermelon juice, orange juice, and avocado milk.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Nanjichang Night Market: Mei Lan Juice Bar (美蘭阿姨果汁吧)
- Hualien Dongdamen Tourist Night Market: Miao Bu Ke Yan Juice Bar (妙不可言果汁店)
- Taitung Tourism Night Market: Jinfang Shaved Ice (津芳冰城)
Fried Squid
The whole squid is dipped in sauce and coated with flour or pastry before frying. The coat gives the fried squid a crispy texture. The vender will then cut it into small pieces. Visitors can choose from a variety of flavors, which normally include salt and pepper, garlic, mayonnaise, mustard, and hot and spice. This chewy and satisfying food item is easily sharable because visitors can just grab a couple more skewer sticks and share it with others.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Ningxia Night Market: Crispy Fried Squid (爆漿脆皮魷魚)
- Lehua Night Market: Squid Boat (魷魚船)
Pearl Milk Tea
Pearl Milk Tea, also known as bubble tea, is a famous Taiwan drink favored by both locals and foreigners. Originated from the Spring Water Teahouse in Taichung, this special tea drink is made from small tapioca balls that are cooked with brown sugar syrup and put in the milk tea. The tapioca balls apply a sweet, creamy, and chewy taste in the milk tea. Today, the pearl milk tea becomes more popular that you may also find Bubble Tea stores in many countries.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Lehua Night Market: Ali Mountain Green Tea (天下佈武日月潭紅茶)
- Gongguan Night Market: Chensanding Brown Sugar Pearl Milk Tea (陳三鼎黑糖青蛙鮮奶)
Oyster Omelet
Oyster Omelets are consisted of an omelet primarily composed of oysters, vegetables, and starch. The starch is mixed into the egg to give a thicker consistency. The dish is served with savory sauce (in rosy color) on top of the omelet for an added flavor. Today, you may also find substances substituted for oysters with either shrimp or plain egg. It is a typical yet authentic Taiwan street food that you may find it in over the island.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Ningxia Night Market: Lai Oyster Omelet (賴記雞蛋蚵仔煎)
- Taoyuan Tourist Night Market: JiaYiShunHeZiJianShengChaoHuaZhiGeng嘉義順蚵仔煎花枝羹
- Shilin Night Market: Zhong Cheng Hao (忠誠號蚵仔煎
Stinky Tofu
The distinctive smell of this special snack- Stinky Tofu, often scares off people before giving a try. The snack is prepared in various ways: fried, steamed, simmered in sweet soy sauce, cooked in chili sauce, etc. Although some people comment on the disturbing smell of Stinky Tofu, many Stinky Tofu lovers really enjoy its distinct flavor and odor.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Liaoning Night Market: Jinxian Stinky Tofu (金賢手工臭豆腐)
- Nanjichang Night Market: Stinky Tofu Boss (臭老闆清蒸臭豆腐)
- Raohe St. Night Market：Xiagangmingpeng Stinky Tofu (下港名彭臭豆腐)
Fried Chicken Fillet
Fried Chicken Fillet is not a traditional Taiwan street food, but it became popular around last decade or two. It is made of chicken breast which was hammered till soft. The chicken breasts are dipped in sauce and coated with flour or pastry before frying. The coat gives a crispy taste while the meat is juicy and tender. Nowadays, you may also find creativities for this yummy snack. They might have cheese wrap together, or have different flavor seasoning such as curry, plum, mustard, garlic, etc. Fried Chicken Fillet are easy to take away, so do not forget to get one for your night market tour!
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Luodong Night Market: Chi Zha Feng Yun (赤炸風雲)
- Shilin Night Market: Hsinchu Hometown Barbecue Chicken (新竹家鄉碳烤香雞排)
- Tainan Flowers Night Market: TDC (統大碳烤香雞排)
Braised Pork Rice
Braised Pork Rice is a palatable yet cheap Taiwanese dish that can be found everywhere in Taiwan. Pork are simmered and braised to give a rich and soft taste. The braised pork is served on rice with sauce giving a perfect blend.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Huaxi St. Night Market: Ayi Braised Pork Rice(阿義魯肉飯)
- Ningxia Night Market: Ya Tou Zheng Er Dai (鴨頭正二代)
- LinYa Night Market: Nan Feng Braised Pork Rice (南豐魯肉飯)
Oyster Thin Noodles
The portion of Oyster Thin Noodles includes fresh oysters, meat, or pig intestines, and distinctive rice noodles. The Oyster Thin Noodles have a slippery texture with starch blending the soup.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Raohe St. Night Market: Dongfahao Oyster Thin Noodles (東發號蚵仔麵線)
- Jingmei Night Market: A-Chang Thin Noodles (阿昌麵線)
Braised Snacks
Braised Snacks include a variety of items that are cooked in a braised sauce made with special herbal ingredients. Braised snacks often include chicken wings, tofu, seaweed, pork blood cake etc. With a strong herbal scent, braised snacks have a special taste with a special aroma.
Price may be different for different items and may change according to vendor and location
- Tonghua Night Market (Linjiang St. Night Market): Liang Braised Snacks (梁記滷味)
- Xinren Garden Night Market: A-Guo Braised Snacks (阿國滷味)
Cuttlefish Thick Soup
Cuttlefish Thick Soup is made by sliced cuttlefish and vegetables in a thick soup. The crispy taste of the cuttlefish and vegetables plus the creamy taste of the thick soup make the dish tasty with a blend of flavor. The Cuttlefish Thick Soup usually goes well with rice or noodles. Add some black vinegar in the soup may bring up another flavor.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Huaxi St. Night Market: Liangxihao Cuttlefish Thick Soup(兩喜號魷魚羹)
- Liaoning Night Market: Hokkaido Cuttlefish Thick Soup (北海道魷魚羹)
- Hsinchu City God Temple: Yuanyeshi Cuttlefish Thick Soup (原夜市魷魚羹)
Taiwanese Meatball
Taiwanese Meatballs may have a larger size from what you know about typical meatballs. First of all, they do not look like regular meatballs. The Taiwanese Meatballs have a thick layer of starch dumpling skin with stuffing of pork meatball, mushrooms, bamboos, and a variety of ingredients. They are cut a couple of times with scissors as well as a sweet sauce and some cilantro on top. Taiwanese Meatballs are chewy outside and the meat inside is tender and juicy. You may eat like a local, ordering a Four Chinese Herb Soup (四神湯) to go along with the Taiwanese Meatballs will provide you an authentic Taiwan experience.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Miao Dong Night Market: Zhenglaopai Taiwanese Meatball (正老牌肉丸)
- Tonghua Night Market: Tonghua Taiwanese Meatball (通化肉圓)
Xiao Long Tang Bao
Xiao Long Tang Bao, also known as soup dumpling, is one of the most noted delicacies of Taiwan. A fine Soup Dumpling should have unified number of folds at the top with thin and stretchy skins and juicy meat stuffing in side. Watch out for the juicy stuffing when giving it a bite!
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Tonghua Night Market: Zhenghao Xiao Long Tang Bao (正好鮮肉小籠湯包)
Green Onion Pancake
Green Onion Pancake, also known as scallion pancake, is a famous Taiwan street food favored by both locals and foreigners. It is a flatbread folded with oil and minced scallions (green onions). Variations exist on the basic method of preparation that incorporates other flavors and fillings. Usually served as a street food item, green onion pancake is also available in restaurants.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Dongmen Night Market: Peng Green Onion Pancake (彭記蔥油餅)
Shaved Ice
Shaved Ice is an ice-based dessert made by shaving a block of ice. Ingredients like adzuki beans, tapioca balls, taro balls, or pudding are commonly added on top of it. Brown sugar water or condensed milk is usually drizzled over the top adding more flavor of it.
Price may change according to vendor and location
- Miao Dong Night Market: Jinsu Pineapple Shaved Ice (金樹鳳梨冰)
- Huaxi St. Night Market: Longdu Shaved Ice (龍都冰菓專業家)