Taipei street food blog. 15+ must try & best street food in Taipei

What to eat in Taipei? What are the Taipei dishes that make the city famous? Check out these delicious Taipei dishes that represent Taiwanese cuisine through this Taipei street food blog with 15+ Taipei best eats, best street food in Taipei, must eat food in Taipei and must try food in Taipei suggested by Klook below!

If you think Taiwanese cuisine is just a “lighter version” of Chinese cuisine, you’re wrong! It’s true that Taiwan is heavily influenced by China, but the cuisine here has a more subtle and balanced blend of flavors, ingredients, and preparation methods. Not as greasy as Chinese cuisine, nor as rich in spices as Hong Kong, Taiwanese cuisine offers a unique and unforgettable taste experience.

Let’s join Klook on a journey to discover the must-try Taipei dishes!

Soup Dumplings – Xiao Long Bao (#best street food in taipei)

If you come to Taipei and haven’t tried Xiao Long Bao, it’s like you haven’t been there! These cute little soup dumplings, steamed in a bamboo steamer, are a “memorable” dish for anyone who has ever tasted them. The thin, almost transparent shell holds the full meat filling and the sweet, fragrant soup.

Din Tai Fung Xiaolongbao

Be careful, don’t be “captivated” by their lovely appearance and forget the hot soup inside. Use your chopsticks to skillfully separate the shell, take a sip of the rich soup before enjoying the delicious meat filling and soft wrapper. The perfect combination of the sweetness of the meat, the lightness of the soup and the chewiness of the wrapper will make you fall in love with it from the first time you enjoy it.

Taiwanese Steamed Pork Buns – Gua Bao

At first glance, you might mistake Gua Bao for a familiar hamburger. But they are quite different! This Taiwanese belly pork bun will surprise you with its unique combination of soft, spongy crust and rich, fragrant braised pork belly filling.

Not only delicious, Gua Bao also has a lucky meaning, symbolizing a bag full of money, promising to bring abundant fortune to the enjoyer, especially during the holidays, Lunar New Year. So, don’t miss the opportunity to taste this unique dish when coming to Taipei.

Beef Noodles – Niu Rou Mian – A Taipei Specialty Not to Be Missed

If Pho (beef noodle soup) is the pride of Vietnamese cuisine, then Niu Rou Mian beef noodles are the “treasure” of Taiwanese cuisine. This dish is simple but extremely sophisticated, with three main ingredients: delicious chewy noodles, tender beef and rich, fragrant broth.

The secret to the appeal of Niu Rou Mian lies in the broth. The beef is stewed for many hours, until the meat is tender, the tendons are crispy and the bones are tender, blending together to create a characteristic rich flavor.

MICHELIN Bib Gournand-Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles-MRT Nanjing Fuxing Station

Niu Rou Mian beef noodles are available almost everywhere in Taipei, from luxury restaurants to street vendors or ordinary shops. No matter where you are, you can enjoy the most delicious beef noodles in Taiwanese cuisine.

Tapioca Meatballs – Bawan – Delicious Food in Taipei

Crystal meatballs, also known as tapioca meatballs, are a simple but very special dish in the hearts of Taiwanese people. With a similar way of making Vietnamese tapioca dumplings, but the filling has its own flavor, Tapioca Meatballs have become a symbol of Taiwanese street food.

The small meatballs are made from minced lean meat, shiitake mushrooms, wood ear mushrooms and typical spices, then wrapped in a chewy tapioca dough skin. When steamed, they take on an attractive golden brown color and give off a fragrant aroma. Tapioca meatballs are often dipped in dark soy sauce, chili sauce or soy sauce, creating an unforgettable rich flavor. You can easily find this dish at night markets or small eateries when coming to Taipei.

 

Taiwan Oyster Vermicelli – Orh Ah Mee Sua

Besides the famous delicious beef noodles, oyster noodles are also loved by many “foodies” when coming to Taipei. The two main ingredients that make up this dish are the noodles mixed with the thick, sweet soup, combined with fresh, fatty oysters. It will definitely make you “hook” from the first spoonful.

In addition, the fatty pork intestines are also an important topping of this noodle dish. You should enjoy the dish while it is still hot, with a little satay, spicy pepper and fragrant green onions to enhance the flavor of the oyster noodles.

Braised Pork Rice – Lu Rou Fan – Famous Taipei Delicacy

The name sounds simple, but when you enjoy this braised pork rice dish, you will immediately be amazed by the delicious flavor and the harmonious combination of ingredients. The highlight of the dish lies in the braised pork that is seasoned richly and soaked in spices. Served with pickled vegetables and soy-soaked eggs, when enjoyed with white rice, it will bring a feeling of stimulating your taste buds.

Stinky Tofu – Chou Dou Fu – Taipei Specialty “Picky” Eaters (#must try food in taipei)

Stinky tofu is a special delicacy that you will easily find at many street food stalls in Taipei. Stinky tofu impresses with its extremely special aroma. The way to prepare this tofu is also extremely elaborate, the tofu is incubated with a broth consisting of a salt solution mixed with fresh milk, vegetables, herbs and fermented meat for about 6 months.

Before processing, the seller will remove the tofu from the marinade and wash it thoroughly, dry it and then start frying it. It is usually eaten with sweet and spicy sauce and pickled cabbage. At first, many people cannot stand this strange smell, but if you get past the initial stage, you will immediately understand why it is a famous dish and is so popular with many people.

Mala Hot Pot – Taiwanese Spicy Hot Pot

If you are a “hardcore fan” of spicy food, do not miss the opportunity to experience Taiwanese Mala Hot Pot, a unique and attractive dish that will make your taste buds explode.

Although originating from Sichuan province, China, Taiwanese Mala Hot Pot has been transformed and developed into a separate version, bearing the mark of local cuisine. The characteristic of this hot pot is the unique spicy taste from Sichuan pepper, harmoniously combined with the sweet taste of bone broth and the aroma of herbs and spices.

When enjoying, you will feel the explosion of flavors in each piece of meat, seafood and vegetables dipped in the spicy hot pot. The perfect combination of fresh ingredients and rich broth will bring an unforgettable culinary experience, making you exclaim endlessly.

Gui Ling Gao – Feng Fan Fai

Feng Fan Fai, a typical Chinese dessert, is also known for its cooling and detoxifying properties, especially suitable for hot summer days.

With the main ingredient being Gui Ling Gao powder, this dish has a characteristic light bitter taste, balanced by the sweetness of rock sugar. You can enjoy Gui Ling Gao in many different ways. You can eat it as is to fully experience the characteristic flavor, or combine it with nuts such as peanuts and almonds to increase the crunchiness and richness.

If you like freshness, you can add fresh fruit toppings such as mango, strawberry, or add a little condensed milk to create a new flavor.

Fried Omelette Oyster – Orh Jian – Famous Snack at Taipei Night Market

If you are a fan of Taiwanese street food, you definitely cannot miss the delicious and attractive Fried Omelette Oyster. The combination of the fatty taste of fresh oysters and the crispy egg shell will make you hard to resist.

Oyster fried eggs are often sold at bustling night markets, with a simple preparation method but a very special flavor. Eggs are beaten with flour and potato starch, creating a thick mixture, then fresh oysters are added with bean sprouts and lettuce. All are fried until golden brown on a hot pan, creating a fragrant dish that is attractive to both the eyes and taste buds.

Sun Cake – Tai Yang Bing

In Taiwan, sun cakes are also known as sun cakes or Tai Yang Bing. The name “Sun Cake” comes from the round shape of the cake, symbolizing the bright sun. The islanders believe that enjoying Sun Cake will bring good luck and positive energy.

The cake has a soft crust and a concentrated malt filling inside, and is often enjoyed with a cup of hot tea. The sweet taste of the cake combined with the light astringency of the tea creates a harmonious, relaxing flavor.

Taiwanese Wheel Cake – Che Lun Bing

Taiwanese wheel cake, a “national” street snack, has conquered the hearts of many diners with its delicious flavor and variety of fillings. Take a bite, and you will immediately feel the golden, crispy crust, mixed with the sweet, fatty custard or red bean filling that is not greasy.

But wait, don’t think that’s all milk cake is! Food lovers will go crazy with creative fillings such as melted chocolate, creamy cheese or fresh fruit. Each filling brings a unique taste experience, making you want to eat forever.

Taiwanese Bubble Tea

Bubble Milk tea – an “addictive” drink with delicious flavors and eye-catching colors, has become an indispensable part of the lives of young people around the world. But did you know that Taiwan is the birthplace of this “divine” drink?

As the “cradle” of premium teas, Taiwanese milk tea has its own unique style, more sophisticated and refined. It is not just a cup of milk tea, it is also an art of mixing, where the flavor of tea is honored and cherished.

Taiwanese bubble milk tea is more about “enjoying tea”, so the tea flavor is always rich, fragrant and not bitter at all. Combined with the light creaminess of milk and the chewy texture of tapioca pearls or other toppings, each sip of milk tea is a wonderful taste experience, making you “melt” from the first try.

Jiguang Xiangxiang Chicken

If you are a street food lover, you definitely cannot miss Jiguang Xiangxiang fried chicken – a “legend” that has captivated many diners in Taiwan since 1973. The irresistible taste of this chicken dish comes from a secret family recipe, carefully marinated, creating a perfect blend of crispy crust and soft, juicy chicken inside.

Take a bite and you will immediately feel the explosion of flavors on the tip of your tongue. Add a little special sauce and you will be even more “addicted” to this fried chicken. It is not an exaggeration to say that Jiguang Xiangxiang chicken is a dish that makes you “remember it forever after eating it once”.

Currently, Jiguang Xiangxiang chicken is available in most major cities in Taiwan, becoming an indispensable street food when coming here. If you have the opportunity to visit Taiwan, don’t forget to enjoy this “legendary” fried chicken!

Taiwanese Pineapple Cake – Feng Li Su

It can be said that pineapple cake is a famous snack and is often chosen as a gift from Taiwan that every tourist wants to buy to bring back. The pineapple cakes are small and cute in size, when you peel off the crust you will immediately smell the light aroma of butter and milk. Take the first bite and you will see that the crust is very soft, surrounded by a layer of pureed pineapple filling with a sweet and sour taste that is very delicious!

Some famous places selling delicious pineapple cakes in Taipei that you should visit are Chia Te, Sunny Hills. In addition, Ximending Night Market is also a familiar place selling pineapple cakes for many tourists.

Taiwanese cuisine is a wonderful delicacy that you should try once, if you are a fan of delicious food, remember to save this article to have culinary suggestions for your trip to Taipei.

The post first appeared on Klook Vietnam and was translated and edited by Living Nomads. If you find any images or text that belong to you, please contact us, so we can credit you or give us permission to use them. Thank you very much!

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Are you finding more top things to do in Taipei: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Read more: Taipei itinerary 4 days — How to spend 4 days in Taipei & what to do in Taipei for 4 days perfectly?