Taipei is world-renowned for its night markets and street food. While in Taiwan, you may find yourself in the dilemma of not knowing which night markets to visit. The hustle and bustle of Taipei’s nightlife is not confined to bars and nightclubs, but encapsulates a vibrant street scene. As such, the night markets stay open until well past midnight, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning.Taipei is world-renowned for its night markets and street food. While in Taiwan, you may find yourself in the dilemma of not knowing which night markets to visit. The hustle and bustle of Taipei’s nightlife is not confined to bars and nightclubs, but encapsulates a vibrant street scene. As such, the night markets stay open until well past midnight, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning.
ONE – Oyster Mee Sua 阿宗麵線
Even though oyster mee sua is readily available at many street snack stalls around the world, this is what many people come to Taiwan to eat. What you may have had abroad is likely nothing to what you will get on the street here. It’s also extremely cheap, at about $1 a bowl.
TWO – Oyster Omelet 蚵仔煎
The oyster omelet is self explanatory, but in Taiwan it comes drenched in a thick chili that is slightly sweet, and not really spicy at all.
THREE – Lu Rou Fan 滷肉飯
Salty and flavorful, good lu rou fan is normally cooked and prepared with a minced, fatty pork. Served with a braised egg on the side, this traditional Taiwanese dish is a must try, and very affordable, with bowls going for just $1.
FOUR – Beef Noodles 牛肉麺
Another dish that Taiwan is well known for: the beef noodles. Braised beef served with noodles in broth that is, itself, to-die-for. There are many variations of beef noodles that you can find in Taipei. A good place to start would be Yong Kang Beef Noodles, conveniently located near Xi Men Ding.
FIVE – Chicken Cutlet 大雞排
Deep fried chicken breast cutlet seasoned with a special salt and pepper mixture, and optional hot chili powder, is another staple of the Taiwanese snacker. This is best gobbled on a frigid winter night. There always seems to be space in the human stomach for additional fried chicken, and as such this street food has an enduring appeal.
SIX – Potato Cheese 起司馬鈴薯
Fried mashed potato with ham, minced boiled eggs and German sausage (and subsequently smothered in nacho cheese) may not sound exactly Taiwanese, but trust us: it’s essential.
SEVEN – Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang 大腸包小腸
Directly translating as “small sausage in big sausage,” this was invented by street stall vendors. The big sausage is actually glutinous rice, molded into a kind of sausage bun, and the little sausage is a traditional Taiwanese pork sausage. This is exactly as good as it sounds.
EIGHT – Grilled Squid
You can smell the uniquely Taiwanese approach to grilled squid a mile away. Although it’s an acquired taste, the chewy texture and mouth-watering smell of the squid will keep you coming back for more.
NINE – Flame Grilled Beef Cubes 火焰骰子牛
The raw beef on the grill may not look overtly appetizing, but don’t walk by without giving it a try. Five minutes under the fire torch, and what you taste will be nothing short of life changing. Succulent and sprinkled with rose salt seasoning, these once-dubious looking beef cubes melt in your mouth.
TEN – Smelly Tofu 臭豆腐
Many people are turned off by the awful smell produced by 臭豆腐. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, it does have a very unique taste, but the smell disappears when you eat the stuff. A traditional Chinese and Taiwanese dish, the smell of 臭豆腐 comes from its preservation and fermentation in bean curd.
ELEVEN – Deep Fried Milk 炸牛奶
These are frozen milk cubes dipped in batter before being deep-fried. Deep fried milk is very unique to the street markets of Taiwan, and is absolutely delicious. It’s extremely hot and you’ll want to take a lot of very small bites to finish one ball. But the taste that comes out of this hard work, and this milk, is sweet- and a must try.