Taiwan is a food-obsessed island where night markets are a way of life. Taipei alone has over 30 night markets.
1. Xiao Long Bao — Din Tai Fung
Soup dumplings with exactly 18 folds and a burst of hot broth inside.
Must-try: Pork XLB (10 pcs) — NT$250 (~$8 USD)
2. Bubble Tea — Chun Shui Tang
Invented in 1988 — chewy tapioca pearls in creamy sweet tea.
Must-try: Original Pearl Milk Tea — NT$70 (~$2.20 USD)
3. Stinky Tofu — Shilin Night Market
Fermented tofu that smells terrible but tastes incredible deep-fried.
Must-try: Deep-fried Stinky Tofu — NT$60 (~$1.90 USD)
4. Beef Noodle Soup — Yong Kang
Taiwan's national dish — tender braised beef in rich broth with noodles.
Must-try: Beef Noodle Soup — NT$240 (~$7.60 USD)
5. Oyster Omelette — Raohe
Fresh oysters in starchy egg crepe with sweet chili sauce.
Must-try: Oyster Omelette — NT$70 (~$2.20 USD)
6. Pepper Bun — Raohe
Crispy clay-oven bun filled with peppered pork and scallions.
Must-try: Pepper Bun — NT$60 (~$1.90 USD)
7. Mango Shaved Ice — Smoothie House
Mountainous shaved ice with fresh mango and condensed milk.
Must-try: Mango Super Ice — NT$200 (~$6.30 USD)
8. Scallion Pancake — Shilin
Flaky savory flatbread with green onions, pan-fried until crispy.
Must-try: Scallion Pancake — NT$45 (~$1.40 USD)
9. Gua Bao — Various
Taiwanese hamburger — steamed bun with braised pork belly.
Must-try: Gua Bao — NT$60 (~$1.90 USD)
10. Fried Chicken Steak — Shilin
Massive crispy chicken cutlet seasoned with five-spice powder.
Must-try: XXL Fried Chicken — NT$80 (~$2.50 USD)
Taipei Food Budget
Sources: Taiwan Tourism Bureau, Michelin Guide Taipei
