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Taipei For Foodies - Hidden Delights

If you’re a food lover, you really have to visit Taipei. Taiwan’s dazzling capital is famous for its food, offering an almost endless variety of delicacies to try. Much of Taiwanese cuisine has been influenced by China and Japan over the centuries, creating a rich food culture that, quite frankly, you’d be mad to miss out on.

Many Taipei travel guides focus firmly on food, glorious food, and this is no exception! With that in mind, here's my own rundown of where to go in Taipei and what to eat.

Night Markets

Taipei’s night markets are legendary. You can stroll around them for hours and hours and never get bored. Best of all, as well as being great for shopping, they also provide a scrumptious selection of foods for you to feast on.

With so many night markets in Taipei, you’d have to stay in the city several weeks to try them all. If you don’t have that kind of time, here are a few of my top recommendations.

Shilin Night Markets

The largest and probably most popular night market in Taipei, Shilin Night Market is a good first stop if you’re new to the city. The huge range of food on offer at this market makes it an ideal starting point on your culinary odyssey. Be sure to try the grilled beef cubes, fried dumplings and the pepper pork buns.

Raohe Night Markets

Raohe Night Market isn’t quite as lively as Shilin, but don’t let that put you off. It still has plenty of tasty food for you to choose from. In fact, the market has a more relaxed, friendly feel. The grilled squid and the pork ribs soup are just two dishes you'll find here that will have your taste buds tingling.

Ningxia Night Markets

One of the smaller night markets, Ningxia is made up of a single, narrow street with stalls exclusively focused on food. If you’re looking for a less touristy experience and high-quality food, then Ningxia Night Market is for you. Have a giant deep-fried seafood wanton and a yummy custard apple for dessert.

Local Food Experiences 

There are more places and things to eat in Taipei than you could probably manage in a lifetime – here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Breakfast at Fu Hang Dou Jiang

No trip to Taipei would be complete without a traditional Taiwanese breakfast. Head to Fu Hang Dou Jiang for the Shaobing – a kind of baked, layered flatbread – with sweet soy milk. It’s divine!

Beef Noodle Soup at Tao Yuan 

Beef noodle soup (niu rou mian) is the national dish of Taiwan and a must-try for any food-lover looking to indulge in the most popular local delicacy. Pretty much everywhere serves niu rou mian, but Tao Yuan are known to make some of the best in Taipei.

Rice Noodles at Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle 

The sheer number of people waiting outside the tiny Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle shop should tell you all you need to know about just how tasty their rice noodles served with a delicious gravy are. They don’t sell anything else, so they’ve got really rather good at it.

Bubble Tea at Chun Shui Tang 

Bubble Tea, also known as boba tea or pearl milk tea, was invented by Chun Shui Tang in the 1980s. Now the Taiwanese are practically addicted to the stuff. The basic bubble tea recipe consists of cold tea with milk and tapioca balls, but there are all kinds of flavours and combinations you can try.

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