20 Foods to Eat // Taipei, Taiwan
There are few cities in the world that love and fondly reminisce about their food as much as Taipei. You’ll understand once you’ve had it. Taipei has a food culture and identity the same way Italy does — think of Italian food, and images of pizza and pasta immediately come to mind. Think of Taiwanese food, and images of night market skewers and beef noodle soup immediately come to mind.
The number one thing most people will tell you to experience in Taiwan is the food, and there is a reason for this. The food is abundant, delicious, and can be super cheap.
In this blog post, I’ve included a list of the must-try foods in Taipei, as well as where to get them. I’ve also included some more adventurous foods that are off-putting at first smell or read, but definitely palatable. This list is curated from my own experience and Taiwanese friends of mine. If you’re looking for an itinerary that covers trying many of these foods, check out this blog post here.
Foods to Try in Taiwan
1. Bubble Tea (Boba Milk Tea, 珍珠奶茶)
This isn’t even food but it has to be first. Bubble tea is probably Taiwan’s most famous drink, a blend of tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls. Locals drink it at all hours, and most have a carrier tote for it. There are probably at least a hundred chains, and every person has their own favorite.
If you’ve never had this before, get the classic/original, which is just a black tea with milk (usually creamer) and tapioca pearls.
Where to Get It:
Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) — Multiple locations
Widely credited with inventing bubble tea
Anywhere you see it and crave it. If there are multiple options in the area, look for the one with the longest line.
2. Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian, 牛肉麵)
Considered the national dish of Taiwan (although its origins are Chinese), this Taiwanese staple, this dish features tender beef chunks in a rich, flavorful broth with wheat noodles, and is a must-try while in Taiwan.
Where to Get It:
Yongkang Beef Noodles (永康牛肉麵) — Da’an District
Niu Dian Beef Noodles (牛店精燉牛肉麵) — Ximen District
Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles (老山東牛肉家常麵店) — Ximen District
Lin Dong Fang (林東芳牛肉麵) — Zhongshan District
3. Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings, 小籠包)
I always associate Xiao Long Bao (or XLB) with Shanghai, where they’re originally from, but they are very well-known and eaten in Taiwan. These delicate steamed dumplings are filled with juicy pork and rich broth, often served with vinegar and ginger.
Where to Get It:
Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) — multiple locations
This world-famous spot is much cheaper in Taiwan than the States, and has delicious xiao long bao.
Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (杭州小籠包) — Da’an or Minsheng Districts
4. Taiwanese Fried Chicken (Popcorn chicken, 鹽酥雞)
Taiwanese fried chicken comes in two forms: bite-sized pieces of chicken known as popcorn chicken, or cutlets. Both are deep-fried to golden perfection and seasoned with a mix of salt, pepper, and spices. The cutlet form can be found dry or wet (deep-fried, then painted with bbq sauce, then grilled again). A warning, though: be careful when eating this! It comes piping hot and will definitely burn your mouth.
Where to Get It:
Hot-Star (豪大大雞排) — Shilin Night Market (cutlet style)
J&G Fried Chicken (繼光香香雞) — Ximending (popcorn style)
5. Oyster Omelet (蚵仔煎)
A gooey, savory omelet made with fresh oysters, eggs, sweet potato starch, and topped with a sweet and tangy sauce.
Where to Get It:
Raohe Night Market — Songshan District
Shilin Night Market — Shilin District
6. Pepper Pork Bun (Hu Zhao Bing, 胡椒餅)
A baked bun stuffed with juicy pork marinated in black pepper and scallions, cooked in a clay oven for a crispy exterior. Be careful when eating this! It is very hot inside, so I suggest you crack it open and let it vent before trying to eat it.
Where to Get It:
Fuzhou Pepper Bun (福州胡椒餅) — Raohe Night Market
This stand is one of the most famous in Taipei and often has long lines.
7. Braised Pork Rice (Lu Rou Fan, 滷肉飯)
Even before I moved to Taiwan, this was one of my favorite dishes. A simple but satisfying dish of minced pork belly braised in soy sauce, served over steamed white rice. It is frequently primarily fat, but the mouth feel is unparalleled.
Where to Get It:
Wang’s Broth — Wanhua District
MoonMoonFood — near Taipei Main
Jin Feng Lu Rou Fan (金峰魯肉飯) — Zhongzheng District
Huang Ji Braised Pork (黃記魯肉飯) — Zhongshan District
8. Gua Bao (Taiwanese Pork Belly Bun, 割包)
Often called “Taiwanese hamburger,” a Gua Bao is a steamed bun stuffed with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, crushed peanuts, and cilantro. It sounds a little strange but tastes delicious.
Where to Get It:
Lan Jia Gua Bao (藍家割包) — Near National Taiwan University.
Famous for its perfectly balanced gua bao, some consider it the gold standard of gua bao in Taipei
Yuan Fang Guabao (源芳刈包) — Ximen District
Michelin Bib Gourmand, cash only
9. Scallion Pancake (Cong Zhua Bing, 蔥抓餅)
There are actually two types of Scallion Pancakes, 蔥油餅 and 蔥抓餅, and this is the latter. A crispy, flaky pancake made with dough and scallions, fluffed (critical), sometimes served plain or with fillings like eggs, cheese, or beef.
Where to Get It:
Tian Jin Onion Pancake (天津蔥抓餅) — Da’an District, Yongkang Street.
One of the most famous scallion pancake stalls in Taipei. If you’re going to try this food, you have to try it here. Get the Taiwanese basil and egg — you can thank me later.
10. Taiwanese Hotpot (Huo Guo, 火鍋)
What It Is: Taiwanese hotpot is a communal dining experience where thinly sliced meats, seafood, vegetables, tofu, and noodles are cooked in a simmering pot of broth at the table. Diners can choose from a variety of broths like spicy, herbal, or bone broth, and add dipping sauces to customize the flavor.
Where to Get It:
Tripod King (鼎王麻辣鍋) — Zhongshan District. Famous for its flavorful spicy broth and top-quality ingredients, it’s one of the best hotpot restaurants in Taipei.
Wulao (無老鍋) — Xinyi District. Known for its luxurious hotpot experience, offering both mild and spicy broths, including a signature milk broth.
Xiao Fei Yang (小肥羊火鍋) — Ximending. A popular spot offering a wide selection of fresh ingredients and rich broths.
11. Taiwanese Sausage with Sticky Rice (大腸包小腸)
A grilled Taiwanese sausage stuffed inside a sticky rice “bun,” often garnished with garlic, pickled vegetables, and sweet sauce.
Where to Get It:
Raohe Night Market — Songshan District
Shilin Night Market — Shilin District
12. Egg Pancake Roll (DanBing, 蛋餅)
A savory breakfast dish made from a thin pancake (usually a green onion crepe) filled with eggs and sometimes other ingredients like cheese, ham, or vegetables.
Where to Get It:
Fuhang Soy Milk (阜杭豆漿) — Zhongzheng District
Yonghe Soy Milk King (西門町永和豆漿) — Ximen District
These two are the most popular/famous breakfast spots in Taipei
For more Taiwanese breakfast thoughts, see below.
13. Lu Wei (滷味)
A customizable street food where you pick various ingredients (like tofu, vegetables, noodles, and meats) and they’re braised in a savory soy sauce broth.
Where to Get It:
14. Ginger Duck (Jiang Mu Ya, 薑母鴨)
Only available in the winters, my local friends were insistent this be on the list. Ginger Duck is a nourishing stew made with tender duck meat, aged ginger, and Chinese medicinal herbs, simmered in a flavorful broth. The dish is believed to have health benefits and people (justifiably) freak out about this as soon as they can start eating it, usually around October.
Where to Get It:
Diwang Shibu (帝王食補) — Multiple Locations
This restaurant brought ginger duck to Taipei, and is a classic. Banqiao District is the original
Ba Wei Ginger Duck (霸味薑母鴨) — Multiple Locations
People say the original, Sanchong location is the best, but it’s often crowded, so expect to wait.
You get a duck inside soup, then you order other things to add to your hotpot, and they refill the soup as long as you’re cooking. It’s so good.
Adventurous Foods
15. Stinky Tofu (Chou Dou Fu, 臭豆腐)
You’ll know it when you smell it, especially at night markets. Stinky tofu is fermented tofu that’s deep-fried and served with pickled cabbage and garlic sauce. Its strong odor is polarizing, but when you bite into it, you can’t taste the stink. Make sure to get the fried version (not the boiled one), and make sure to eat it with the pickled cabbage.
Where to Get It:
Basically any night market will have it (eg. Ningxia Night Market or Raohe Night Market)
Shenkeng Old Street (深坑老街) — Shenkeng District, known as Taipei’s “stinky tofu street.”
16. Pork Blood Cake (豬血糕)
A street snack made from sticky rice and pig’s blood, steamed, and then coated with peanut powder and coriander. It’s eaten straight (on skewers as snacks) or cooked in hot pot.
Where to Get It:
Ningxia Night Market — Datong District
Raohe Night Market — Songshan District
Desserts
17. Pineapple Cake (Feng Li Su, 鳳梨酥)
A sweet pastry filled with pineapple jam, often given as gifts or souvenirs. Most are filled with a mix of pineapple and winter melon, which I personally hate. Pineapple is more expensive, so the higher-end brands tend to use more (or 100%) pineapple, and thus charge more.
Many shops around Ximending will allow you to taste various kinds, so try some before you purchase to make sure you like it!
Where to Get It:
Sunny Hills (微熱山丘) — Songshan District
I used to hate pineapple cakes growing up because I only had ones with a mix of winter melon. Sunny Hills, though, only uses real pineapple, and they are by far the best pineapple cakes I’ve had. These make great gifts, and we often fly these home for friends!
If you go the bakery, they will give you a free sample and tea.
Chia Te Bakery (佳德糕餅) — Songshan District
Another wildly popular pineapple cake bakery, and cheaper than Sunny Hills. Buy their pineapple cakes at a local 7-Eleven or gift shop, though. The Chia Te Bakery itself always has a ridiculously long line.
18. Taro Balls (芋圓)
Taro Balls are chewy, sweet dessert balls made from mashed taro mixed with sweet potato flour. They are typically served in a bowl of shaved ice or sweet syrup along with other ingredients like grass jelly, red beans, or sweet potato balls.
Where to Get It:
A-Gan-Yi Taro Ball (阿甘姨芋圓) — Jiufen Old Street
Jiufen has many famous taro ball shops
Meet Fresh (鮮芋仙) — Multiple locations
This Taiwanese dessert place is a chain with locatins all over the world
王福芋圓 — Ximen
19. Sweet Potato Balls (Di Gua Qiu, 地瓜球)
What It Is: Chewy, crispy, deep-fried sweet potato balls with a hollow center, served as a simple but addictive street snack.
Where to Get It:
Shilin Night Market — Shilin District. Several stalls sell perfectly fried, bouncy sweet potato balls.
Raohe Night Market — Songshan District. Another great place to try this sweet, chewy snack.
20. Mango Shaved Ice (Manguo Bing, 芒果冰)
This is not your western shaved ice — it’s infinitely better. Water and condensed milk are mixed together and then frozen into ice blocks, which are then finely shaven in special machines. This creates thin, delicious sheets of ice that are delicious on their own or made even better with toppings like sweet mango chunks, condensed milk, and mango syrup.
You can get the shaved ice in different flavors, but Taiwanese mangos are delicious.
Where to Get It:
Ice Una — Ximen District
They make really cute shaved ice monsters
Smoothie House (思慕昔) — Yongkang Street
Another top spot for Taiwan’s iconic shaved ice dessert.
Dining Cycles in Taiwan
Possibly the most important meal of the day, Taiwanese Breakfast deserves its own section, which you can find below. These are usually small hole-in-the-walls run by a couple, and the food is usually very quick to come out.
You’ll notice that most coffee shops open around 11am or later. We found this super bizarre when we moved here, but it’s because before 11am, people are eating at Taiwanese breakfast spots.
Throughout the day, Taiwanese snack on boba and “small foods” (小吃) like wheel cakes or onigiri. You can find these on the street or in convenience stories (the biggest being 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Hi-Mart which is a far-inferior 3rd sibling).
Like Japan, Taiwan is speckled with convenience stores — there is usually at least one every block or two. They have prepackaged meals by top restaurants/chains, and some of their foods have become the most loved in Taiwan. Family Mart’s seasonal soft serve and the 7-Eleven tea egg are both iconic and I recommend trying both while you’re in Taiwan. 7-Eleven (known as “Seven” here) is also where you settle utility bills, pick up packages, buy sports tickets, or hire taxis. They’re amazing.
For late night food, you have night markets, which are a big part of life here: young locals go to night markets about once a month, usually on dates. The night markets are your best chance for most street foods, and it’s best experienced with a group of friends: this way you can order and try a greater variety of food.
An alternative late night activity is Karaoke, a common bonding/hang out activity. The Karaoke Bars here have amazing food menus, including full hot pots that you eat out of while singing over. Most of the songs are in Chinese, but it is very interesting to see which English songs they have available that “made it to Taiwan.”
Taiwanese Breakfast
Taiwanese breakfast is its own beast that deserves a special section. It’s very carb-heavy, but delicious. The foods include:
Egg Pancakes (Dan Bing 蛋餅)
Green Onion Pancakes (Cong Zhua Bing 蔥抓餅)
Soup Dumplings (Xiao Long Bao 小籠包)
Sticky Rice Balls (Fan Tuan 飯糰)
Fried Dough Sticks (You Tiao 油條)
Clay Oven Rolls (Shao Bing 燒餅)
A flaky, sesame-coated flatbread that you can optionally get with YouTiao inside
Turnip Cake (Luobo Gao 蘿蔔糕)
And the drinks:
Soy Milk (Dou Jiang 豆漿)
Salty Soy Milk (Xian Dou Jiang 鹹豆漿)
This comes with vinegar, soy sauce, chili oil, and bits of fried dough. It sounds strange, but give it a try.
These days, hamburgers are also really popular, but those are not traditional.
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That’s it! Hope you enjoy your time eating in Taipei!
