In Taiwan, snacking is a national pastime. Known as xiaochi (small eats), any time, day or night, a huge range of affordable and diverse bites are available to indulge in. It is an essential part of daily life and the backbone of the nation’s delicious street food culture. At the very heart of this penchant for snacking is the iconic Taiwanese night market; for visitors there is no more immersive cultural experience than a wander and a bite to eat in one of these foodie institutions.
But what makes Taiwan’s food so exciting? Its cuisine reflects centuries of cultural exchange, shaped by Hakka traditions, indigenous heritage, and influences from different historical periods and cultures. This in the hands of innovative street food vendors means classic flavours, techniques and ingredients have had many creative twists, creating the treasure trove of snacking that you’ll find on Taiwan’s streets today.
Taiwan’s Night Markets
Taiwan’s foodie scene revolves around night markets, meaning that you don’t have to go expensive and upmarket to eat well, the very best food experiences you’re likely to have will be on the streets. The night market is the perfect place to have those experiences, with rows and rows of stalls that are frying, grilling and steaming their wares as you watch, to graze from.
Night markets evolved around temples; after worship, the congregation would stop to eat as a community from food stalls set up for that purpose – you’ll find that many of today’s night markets are still found around temples. Over time they have grown from small local gatherings to major cultural and economic hubs that spring up as twilight falls – even the smallest of towns have a row of sizzling street hawkers serving up local favourites. In cities, you’ll find whole networks of stalls occupying streets and side streets (selling not just food but clothes, electronic goods etc too) often a centre of nightlife, with loud music and hungry crowds.
Many stalls in the night markets are family-run, some for generations, and are focused on one item that the vendors have perfected over time; some are even Michelin-recognised! A queue often shows the quality of what’s being served – if you want to know what to try, look to the locals, many of whom return to their favourite vendors night after night to get their snack fix.
Must-try Foods at Taiwan’s Night Markets
A huge array of foods are available at Taiwan’s night markets, much of which is sizzled, grilled or steamed right in front of you as you queue to order. There are, however, staple items that you’ll find at any market, big or small.
Savoury staples include things like ba-wan – a chewy dumpling filled with pork and bamboo shoots served in a sweet and savoury sauce, gua bao – a steamed bun stuffed with braised pork belly and various toppings, soup dumplings – parcels of pork with a burst of flavourful broth, and beef noodle soup – tender beef and noodles served in a slightly spicy soup. At the more unique end of the scale, keep a nose out for stinky tofu – a popular, highly savoury deep-fried bite of fermented tofu, and oyster omelettes.
For sweets, bubble tea is a must try, a milk or fruit-based tea with tapioca pearls, born in Taiwan in the 1980s. Shaved ice is another popular option, topped with sweet syrups and other sweet ingredients. For something more substantial, suncakes, a flat, crumbly pastry filled with sweet wheatgerm, honey or taro, or muaji, cakes of sticky, glutinous rice that are stuffed with a sweet filling are both excellent options for those craving something sweet.
Where are the best night markets in Taiwan?
There are hundreds of night markets across Taiwan, each offering an authentic experience and some delicious things to eat, but these ones are our favourites:
In Taipei:
Raohe Street Night Market – In the Songshan District, Taohe is one of the city’s most famous attractions, lined with hundreds of stalls selling lots of food options as well as unique handicrafts.
Shilin Night Market – One of Taiwan’s oldest (built in 1899), largest and most popular night markets, Shilin is centred around Yangming Theatre and Cixian Temple.
Nanjichang Night Market – in the Zhongzheng area of the city, Nanjichang is considered a hidden gem; a smaller market more frequented by locals, it has a more authentic vibe.
Across the island:
Keelung Miaokou Night Market – in the seaside city of Keelung, Miaokou is considered one of northern Taiwan’s most famous culinary destinations thanks to its fresh seafood. Open all day, but livelier at night, this market is particularly photogenic.
Flower Garden Night Market – Although relatively new, Flower Garden is Tainan’s largest and most famous night market. Open from Thursday to Sunday, it has hundreds of vendors to choose from.
Ruifeng Night Market – Where many of the locals of the city of Kaohsiung flock for their snacks, Ruifeng offers lots of innovative dishes, with plenty of local options as well as international ones.
Liuhe Tourist Night Market – In Kaohsiung city centre, Liuhe is a good market for first timers. With just over 100 stalls it is easy to navigate with plenty of classic Taiwanese snacks to choose from and is particularly known for its seafood.
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