What to eat in Taiwan? — 24+ most popular food to try & must eat food in Taiwan

What to eat in Taiwan? Enjoy all the delicious Taiwanese dishes on this list. Surely the foodies will love it. Taiwanese cuisine is a wonderful harmony between Chinese and Japanese cultures and distinct identities, creating an irresistible appeal to tourists. Famous for its richness and diversity, Taiwanese cuisine offers a unique and unforgettable culinary experience. Now, check out our Taiwan street food blog with the list of 24+ must-try, must eat street food in Taiwan, best food to eat in Taiwan as well as where to find them as we suggest below!

Are you a foodie, fascinated by delicious street food? Taiwan is the ideal destination for you! Get ready for a journey to “break through” the dining paradise with countless “top of the “top Taiwanese dishes, from popular to high-end, guaranteed to please every taste of any diner!

Taiwanese Wulao Hot Pot (must eat food in taiwan)

• Address: No. 74號, Section 2, Gongyi Rd, Nantun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 408
• Hours: 11:30 AM–4 AM

When you come to Taichung, take the opportunity to eat the famous Wulao Hotpot because the branch here will be less crowded than in Taipei. The creamy tofu hot pot broth is richer and tastier than the spicy hot pot broth. The spicy hot pot part is a bit salty, the taste is not as unique as expected.

If you only eat the creamy tofu hotpot, it will cost about 179 NTD. If you eat both types of hotpot, it’s 360 NTD. The hot pot broth is fragrant and rich, mixed with a bit of salty duck blood, so it is very suitable for dipping beef. In addition, each table will receive a vase of sweet peach snow.

When going to eat Wulao hot pot, you should avoid peak hours. I arrived at 4:30 p.m. so there were only 2 tables, and they were served very enthusiastically. If you go during lunch/dinner time, you have to queue for a long time and it will be very noisy. Each time you come in to eat, it’s only 90 minutes.

Chun Shui Tang Tea House Bubble Milk Tea Since 1983

• Address: No. 21-1, Zhongshan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist National Theater Concert Hall, Zhongzheng District, Taipei Taiwan
• Phone: +886 2 3393 9529

This is a long-standing bubble milk tea shop in Taipei. The shop is located at National Concert Hall Gate 2 (Go from the main gate on the left). The restaurant also has traditional beef noodle soup, you can combine both eating and drinking here. Other milk tea shops in Taiwan are usually only around NT$40 – 65, however at Chun Shui Tang, a small cup costs NT$85 and a large cup costs NT$160. The bubble milk tea here has a very fragrant tea flavor. Another plus point is that tapioca pearls are very flexible and chewy.

 

Taiwanese Stewed Beef Noodle soup (best food to eat in taiwan)

Stewed beef noodles – a famous Taiwanese dish, made from soft braised or stewed beef in rich broth. Enjoying stewed beef noodles, you will find the delicious flavor of beef, chewy noodles and the fresh flavor of green vegetables like cabbage and green onions.

Not only found in luxury restaurants in Taipei, beef stew noodles can also be found at street vendors and traditional noodle shops on Yongkang Street. Regardless of location, everywhere is devoted to bringing customers the most delicious stewed beef noodles, marking pride in Taiwanese cuisine.

Taiwanese Dimsum (must try food in taiwan)

• Address: 110, Taiwan, Taipei City, Xinyi District, City Hall Rd, 45號B1
• Hours: 11 AM–8:30 PM/Wednesday: Closed

A must-see place to visit and eat is the Taipei 101 building, the pride of Taiwan. The basement of this building is a dining area with many delicious European and Asian restaurants. The restaurant that people always mention when they come to Taiwan is Din Tai Fung. During peak lunch/dinner hours, the line of people waiting for their turn is very large. So when you come here, hurry in and wait to sign up for a table, give out a waiting number, then go out and shop. Or go avoid rush hour. You can also go to KLOOK to book a Din Tai Fung voucher to shorten waiting time and save costs.

Din Tai Fung in Taiwan

Taiwanese intestine Noodles at Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle

• Address: No. 8-1號, Emei St, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
• Hours: 8:30 AM–10:30 PM

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle is a shop that sells specialty pig intestine noodles in Taiwan. The price for this delicious Taiwanese dish is NT$70/large bowl and NT$55/small bowl. The shop is quite deserted between 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and crowded in the evening. The shop does not have seats, so you will eat standing up. You can buy Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle vouchers on Klook for a cheaper price!

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle at Ximen and Zhongxiao Fuxing Station

Enjoy Fresh Seafood In Taiwan at Taipei Fish Market

• Address: No. 20號, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
• Hours: 7 AM–8 PM

In Taipei, there is a fish market just about 1 hour away from Taipei Main Station by MRT and bus. Taipei Fish Market is very clean with no fishy smell, it’s more like a supermarket. The sashimi here is as fresh and delicious as in Japan and the price is quite cheap. A large tray of mixed Sashimi for 3-4 people costs only about 1200 – 1600 NTD. If you like to eat sashimi, you should not miss this place.

When you enter the Taipei fish market, you will be quite surprised with a series of beautiful outdoor shops right in front of the market gate. No one thought it is a fish market, I thought I went to the wrong place. Turn left and you will enter the supermarket with fresh seafood and attractive trays of sashimi and sushi.

This fish market is divided into 3 areas. The first area is a supermarket with processed seafood, canned food but fresh and extremely attractive. After buying, pay and then go outside to have a separate dining area, standing eat and very clean. Remember to clean up after eating and throw away trash in the right place. This area also sells everything from main dishes to desserts.

The second area of the fish market is a beautiful small restaurant. The restaurant waits for a table, eats standing, and eats while watching the chefs dance with their knives. Waiting for the number will take about 20-30 minutes. When invited in, you will be given a place to stand and eat with an English menu.

The third area is the “noble” area, a restaurant with luxurious dining tables and chairs under romantic yellow lights. This area sells alcohol, customers are not allowed to bring drinks from outside.

Taiwanese Grilled Chicken Thigh Mushrooms

In Vietnam, chicken thigh mushrooms are often used in stir-fried dishes, soups or hot pots. If you are a “fan” of mushrooms, remember to visit Jiufen old village to eat grilled chicken thigh mushrooms. Fresh mushrooms have a gentle aroma, the juice in the mushrooms when grilled is very rich, plus the well-marinated grilled part. When eating, there is only one word to describe: “satisfied”. This dish costs NT$100/piece.

Taiwanese Giant Fried Squid

Street Food Walking Tour in Taipei

More options for those who like “super huge” Taiwanese dishes or more specifically battered fried squid. The squid in Jiufen village is large but still moderately chewy, salty and fragrant of the sea. The fried dough layer is thin but crispy and… very memorable. If you don’t like giant squid, you can also try super large fried chicken for only NT$80.

Taiwanese Dumplings Baked in Chimneys Stock

Truly Taiwanese Cuisine in Taipei

Not only famous for its unique cooking method, baked dumplings in a chimneys stock are also a combination of flavors of many ingredients. The cake is soft and fragrant with a crispy crust, embracing the salty meat and vegetables inside. Simple but delicious, the price of this dish is only NT$55.

Taiwanese Scallion Pancakes

Scallion pancake is a famous Taiwanese dish on rainy days. The thin, crispy crust with Scallion filling prepared according to a secret recipe is a memorable culinary experience for anyone. This dish is delicious served with chili sauce. The price is only about 50 NTD.

Taipei Fun Pass in Taiwan (Unlimited)

Taiwanese Stinky Tofu

Tofu is soaked until fermented, creating a special scent and is called “stinky tofu”. This unique flavor makes it a special local snack when fried or stewed. Normally, restaurants in Taiwan mainly make fried stinky tofu with Taiwanese kimchi (or Sichuan kimchi), which has a sweet and sour taste, is not spicy, and is limited in fat.

Spicy stinky tofu is a new culinary trend in Taiwan in recent years, combining swan blood spices, pickles and stinky tofu in a soup with a special flavor. Some stores also add fatty intestines (pig’s large intestine) to this dish, and it is called “large intestine stinky tofu hot pot” in popular parlance. The average price for a portion usually ranges from 20-30 NTD.

Taiwanese Pineapple Cake

Taiwanese pineapple cake is a famous and typical Taiwanese snack, prepared with flour, butter, sugar, eggs, Chinese squash and fresh pineapple jam from the Bagua Mountains in Taiwan. The wonderful blend of these ingredients has created a cake with rich flavors, representing the true identity of Taiwanese cuisine.

ChiaTe Bakery Pineapple Pastry (Airport Pickup / Hotel Delivery / Home Delivery)

Made from fresh ingredients, the cake has a soft, smooth crust, beautiful yellow color and the aroma of fresh pineapple. When you sip a piece of cake, you will feel the sweetness, greasiness and a little bit of sourness from the pineapple jam, creating a unique and memorable culinary experience.

Taiwanese Oyster Omelet

Taiwanese oyster omelet is an iconic dish of the island of Taiwan, harmoniously combining ocean and mainland flavors. This is a popular and interesting street food, made from eggs, oysters and sweet potato starch, accompanied by a special sweet and sour sauce.

When enjoying oyster omelet, you will feel the sweetness of eggs, the fresh flavor of oysters, and the crunch of sweet potato starch. The added sweet and sour sauce adds balance and sophistication to the dish. Taiwanese egg oyster omelet is a wonderful culinary experience, bringing joy and satisfaction to diners. The average price for a portion of egg oyster omelet is about 40 NTD.

Eatogether E-Voucher in Taiwan

Taiwanese Candied Fruits (Tanghulu candy)

Tanghulu candy, passed down by Chinese people, has become a symbol of luck and good things for those who eat it. The round, vibrant shape of each candy represents fullness and prosperity in life. Initially, Tanghulu candy was only made from hawthorn fruit combined with traditional sugar. However, today, it has been modified with many different fruits and a layer of colorful syrup on the outside. Average price: 50 NTD/portion.

Shi Yun Taiwanese Fried Chicken in Taipei

Taiwanese Three Cup Chicken (San Bei Ji)

Three Cup Chicken is not simply a chicken dish served with three cups of rice, but is actually a unique method of preparing chicken. This dish is made by frying chicken in a cup of sesame oil, a cup of soy sauce and a cup of soaked wine.

Three Cup Chicken is often enjoyed with white rice in daily meals. A small piece of chicken is enough to bring rich flavor with a blend of sour, spicy, salty and sweet flavors, completing the meal. The average price for a portion of Three Cup Chicken is 70 NTD.

Taiwanese Mala Hot Pot

Red 99 Personal Mala Hot Pot at Taipei Arena Station

Famous for its characteristic spicy taste from Sichuan chili, Taiwanese Mala hot pot conquers diners with its rich broth, mixed with fresh meats, seafood, and vegetables. Enjoying Mala hot pot with friends and relatives is an experience not to be missed when coming to Taiwan. Some famous Mala hot pot locations in Taiwan:

• Shilin Night Market: Busy night market with many diverse Mala hot pot restaurants, reasonable prices, from 150 TWD to 300 TWD/person.
• Ningxia Night Market: Famous for quality street food, Mala Hot Pot here has a moderate spicy flavor, suitable for many diners, prices range from 200 TWD to 400 TWD/person.
• Mala Hotpot 88: Prestigious Mala hot pot restaurant chain with many locations across Taiwan, serving a variety of broths and ingredients, prices from 300 TWD to 500 TWD/person.

Taiwanese Xiaolongbao (Soup dumplings)

Xiaolongbao is a famous Taiwanese steamed dim sum dish, with a thin crust hidden inside a minced meat filling and sweet soup. Gently biting into Xiaolongbao, you will feel the flavor exploding in your mouth, bringing an unforgettable culinary experience.

Gua Bao (Taiwanese Pork Belly Buns)

Gua Bao is known as the “Taiwanese hamburger”, a perfect combination of soft and smooth buns, rich braised meat filling, crispy pickles and cool herbs. This is also a fast food rich in energy and delicious flavor that is popular with tourists.

Taiwanese Fried Chicken

Unlike regular fried chicken, Taiwanese Fried Chicken is marinated with unique spices, resulting in a crispy, golden crust and soft, sweet meat inside. Enjoy Taiwanese Fried Chicken with French fries and spicy chili powder that will make you remember it forever. This dish is commonly sold at fried chicken shops and fast food restaurants with prices ranging from 100-200 TWD/portion.

Taiwanese Grilled Sausage

Grilled Sausage is a favorite street snack because of its harmonious sweet and salty flavor and mild spicy taste. Taiwanese Grilled Sausage is often eaten with bread, raw vegetables and chili sauce, creating the perfect combination. You can easily find Grilled Sausage at night markets and convenience stores with prices ranging from only 20-30 TWD/stick.

Taiwanese Kung Pao Chicken

Taiwanese Kung Pao Chicken is a unique version of the famous Kung Pao Chicken, with a characteristic spicy taste from Sichuan chili, along with ingredients such as chicken, roasted peanuts, and bell peppers, creating a unique flavor. and attractive. This dish is served at many Chinese restaurants in Taiwan with prices ranging from 200-300 TWD/portion.

Taiwanese Style Fried Rice Stuffed Chicken Wing

Fried Chicken Wings Stuffed with Rice is a unique dish with chicken thighs marinated with spices and fried crispy, stuffed with fragrant fried rice inside. Bite into a piece of Fried Chicken Wings Stuffed with Rice, you will feel the perfect blend between the crispy taste of chicken, the rich taste of fried rice and the delicate flavor of spices. This dish is popularly sold at snack bars and night markets with prices ranging from 50-100 TWD/piece.

Taiwanese Mochi Cake

Besides pineapple cake, mochi cake is also a Taiwanese specialty loved by tourists. Taiwanese Mochi Cake has a variety of flavors such as green tea, strawberry, mango,… Taiwanese Mochi Cake brings gentle sweetness, coolness, and is a favorite snack of all ages. You can find Mochi Cake at candy stores and supermarkets with prices ranging from 20-30 TWD/piece.

Taiwanese Domestic Beer

Enjoying Taiwanese cuisine is indispensable by sipping a cool glass of beer. Taiwanese domestic beer with many famous brands such as Taiwan Beer, Tsingtao Beer, Asahi Beer,… will bring you an interesting and flavorful experience. You can easily find beer at convenience stores, bars, and restaurants across Taiwan with prices ranging from 50-100 TWD/bottle.

Please save this article now and always make your dining journey in Taiwan more complete.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Taipei you can refer to

• Taoyuan Airport Private Transfers (TPE) for Taipei
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• Northeast Coast Scenic Day Tour
• Jiufen Shuttle Bus from Ximen
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• Taipei: Yehliu Geopark, Jiufen, Shifen, and Golden Waterfall Day Tour
• EasyCard (TPE Airport Pick Up)
• Klook Pass Taipei (For international travelers)
• Taipei 101 Observatory Ticket
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• [10% Off + 1 Extra Free Day] 4G SIM Card (TW Airport Pick Up) for Taiwan from Chunghwa Telecom
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Are you finding more top things to do in Taipei: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Taipei travel blog — The fullest Taipei city guide for a wonderful trip to Taipei for the first-timers.