July 23, 2025
Taiwan street food scene is a vibrant tapestry of flavors, textures, and cultural influences. From bustling night markets to humble street corners, here are 10 must-try Taiwanese street foods that showcase the flavor, culture, and creativity found in night markets and street stalls across Taiwan:
What to Eat in Taiwan?
Read more about Popular Street Foods in Taiwan
If there’s one thing you can’t skip in Taiwan, it’s the street food. From sizzling skewers to gooey desserts, Taiwan’s night markets are a feast for the senses, with bright lights, bubbling fryers, smoky grills, and the irresistible, delicious aromas that always waft from street corners.
Top 10+ Best Street Foods in Taiwan
Deep-Fried Chicken Cutlets
炸雞排
Crispy & Juicy: Large, flattened chicken breast deep-fried to golden perfection.
Savory Seasoning: Sprinkled with salt, pepper, and optional chili powder.
Street Staple: A must-try at night markets like Shilin or Raohe.
As big as your face and seasoned with a blend of salt, pepper, and sometimes chili, this ultra-crispy fried chicken cutlet is a night market classic. Hot-Star (豪大大雞排) is a classic Shilin Night Market stall.
Stinky Tofu
臭豆腐
Pungent Aroma: Fermented tofu with a strong, distinctive smell.
Crispy Outside, Soft Inside: Often deep-fried and served with pickled cabbage.
Love-It-Or-Hate-It: A bold flavor experience for adventurous eaters.
Pepper Popcorn Chicken
鹽酥雞
Bite-Sized Crunch: Marinated chicken pieces, fried with basil leaves.
Savory & Spiced: Seasoned with garlic, pepper, and chili.
Mix & Match: Often sold with fried mushrooms, tofu, or sweet potato fries.
Oyster Omelette
蚵仔煎
Chewy Texture: A starchy egg batter mixed with oysters and greens.
Savory-Sweet Sauce: Topped with a tangy, tomato-based glaze.
Night Market Classic: A local favorite across Taiwan.
Grilled Taiwanese Sausage
香腸
Sweet & Smoky: Pork sausage with a hint of sweetness, grilled to a juicy finish.
Garlic on the Side: Often eaten with raw garlic cloves.
Wrapped Variation: Sometimes served “small sausage in big sausage” (with sticky rice bun).
Try the famous “small sausage wrapped in big sausage” (大腸包小腸)—a grilled sausage wrapped in sticky rice “bun” with garlic, pickled veggies, and sauces. It’s like a Taiwanese hot dog, but way better.
Peanut Roll with Ice Cream
花生捲冰淇淋
Unusual Combo: Ice cream rolled in a peanut brittle shaving wrap.
Fresh Cilantro: Optional herb adds a surprising twist.
Cool & Crunchy: Sweet, nutty, and refreshing.
Black Pepper Bun
胡椒餅
Hot & Hearty: Meat-filled bun baked in a tandoor-like oven.
Peppery Kick: Ground pork mixed with scallions and black pepper.
Crispy Shell: Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.
Grilled King Oyster Mushroom
烤杏鮑菇
Meaty Texture: Thick, juicy mushrooms grilled to perfection.
Umami-Rich: Brushed with soy sauce or garlic butter.
Vegan Favorite: Flavor-packed without meat.
Taro Balls
芋圓
Chewy & Colorful: Made from taro or sweet potato starch.
Served Cold or Hot: Found in dessert soups or icy bowls.
Traditional Treat: Originated from Jiufen.
Sweet Potato Balls
地瓜球
Golden Puff: Deep-fried dough balls with a hollow, chewy interior.
Lightly Sweet: Naturally flavored with sweet potato.
Snackable: Addictive and fun to eat by the handful.
Wheel Cake
車輪餅
Stuffed Pastry: Pancake-like dough filled with red bean, custard, or taro.
Street Cart Favorite: Made fresh on circular molds.
Warm & Comforting: A cozy snack with nostalgic appeal.
Bubble Milk Tea
珍珠奶茶
Taiwan’s Icon: Sweet milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls.
Endless Variations: Available with fruit teas, jellies, or cheese foam.
Cool & Customizable: Sugar and ice levels to your liking.
Taiwanese Shaved Ice
刨冰
Icy Mountain: Shaved ice topped with fruits, beans, and condensed milk.
DIY Style: Choose your own toppings at many stalls.
Summer Essential: A cooling treat in hot weather.
Shaved snow
雪花冰
Silky Texture: Milk-based ice shaved into fine, snow-like ribbons.
Melt-in-Your-Mouth: Creamier than regular shaved ice.
Flavorful Base: Comes in mango, matcha, chocolate, and more.
Mein Mein Ice
綿綿冰
Soft & Fluffy: A softer, traditional shaved ice with a slushy texture.
Old-School Vibe: A nostalgic dessert found in older markets.
Simple Sweetness: Often flavored with brown sugar or fruit syrups.
5 Best Night Markets in Taipei
Taiwanese street food isn’t just about snacks. It’s a whole culture, a nightly ritual, and a delicious introduction to the island’s rich culinary roots.
Must-Try Street Foods in Taiwan Night Markets
Where to Try These Street Foods in Taiwan?
Top 1. Raohe Night Market (饒河夜市)
Raohe Night Market is one of Taipei’s oldest and most iconic night markets, known for its traditional atmosphere and famous black pepper buns. The market stretches along a single, vibrant street lined with street food, games, and souvenirs.
How to get there:
MRT Line: Green Line (Songshan–Xindian Line)
Station: Songshan Station (G19)
Directions: Take Exit 5, and you’ll be just a 2-minute walk from the market entrance, right beside Ciyou Temple. It’s one of the easiest markets to access directly from the MRT.
Top 2. Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市)
Ningxia Night Market is a compact but highly popular spot, loved for its rich variety of classic Taiwanese street snacks. It’s especially known for traditional dishes like oyster omelets, fried taro balls, and braised pork rice.
How to get there:
MRT Line: Red Line (Tamsui–Xinyi Line)
Stations: Get off at Shuanglian Station (R12) or Zhongshan Station (R11)
Directions: From either station, it’s about an 8–10 minute walk to the market. Zhongshan is more central, while Shuanglian offers a quieter walk. Follow Minsheng West Road toward Ningxia Road.
Top 3. Nanjichang Night Market (南機場夜市)
Nanjichang Night Market is a hidden gem favored by locals for its authentic and affordable Taiwanese food. Less touristy than other markets, it’s a great place to sample time-honored dishes in a relaxed setting.
How to get there:
MRT Line: No direct MRT access
Closest Station: Longshan Temple Station (Blue Line) or Xiaonanmen Station (Green Line)
Directions: From either station, walk around 15 minutes or take a short bus ride to the “Nanjichang Apartments” stop. It’s a bit hidden but worth the trip for authentic local eats.
Top 4. Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)
Shilin Night Market is the largest and most famous night market in Taipei, offering a huge range of food, clothing, games, and souvenirs. It’s a must-visit for first-timers looking to experience the full energy of Taiwan’s night market culture.
How to get there:
MRT Line: Red Line (Tamsui–Xinyi Line)
Station: Jiantan Station (R15)
Directions: Exit from Exit 1 and walk across the street around 8 minutes. Don’t confuse this with Shilin Station—Jiantan is much closer.
Top 5. Linjiang Street Night Market (臨江街觀光夜市)
Also known as Tonghua Night Market, Linjiang Street Night Market is located near Taipei 101 and combines tasty local snacks with a neighborhood vibe. It’s a favorite for late-night eats and less crowded than the bigger markets.
How to get there:
MRT Lines:
Red Line: Xinyi Anhe Station (R04)
Brown Line: Liuzhangli Station (BR08)
Directions: From either station, it’s about a 5–10 minute walk. From Xinyi Anhe, walk along Tonghua Street. From Liuzhangli, head west along Keelung Road. This market is popular with locals and less touristy.
Read more about Night Markets in Taiwan