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| Boilerpipe Text | Table of Contents
Taiwanese food guide
22 x best Taiwanese food
1. Bubble tea (boba)
2. Coffin bread
3. Sausage in a rice bun
4. Pork pepper buns
5. Stuffed chicken wings
6. Peanut ice cream rolls
7. Squid
8. Taiwanese fried chicken (TFC)
9. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
10. Other dumplings
11. Pineapple cake
12. Scallion pancakes
13. Japanese food
14. Beef noodles
15. Stinky tofu
16. Taro ball dessert
17. Shaved ice
18. Sweet potato balls
19. Clams
20. Vermicelli noodles
21. Wheel cakes
22. Bubble waffles
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Hello and welcome to my Taiwan food guide! If you have no idea what Taiwanese food is, I donât blame you. Before my visit this May, I didnât have a clue either. After lots of research and many many meals, Iâm now sharing the best food in Taiwan with you, including the must-try dishes and restaurants.
Like
food around the world
? Donât miss my
Korea food guide
& my
Mexico food guide
!
Letâs start with the obvious question, what actually
is
Taiwanese food?
In my opinion, the food in
Taiwan
is some of the most underrated in the world. You wonât find many Taiwanese restaurants in other countries or see dishes on menus and think âthatâs Taiwanese!â. However, donât let that deter you from eating some of the best food in Asia.
Taiwanese cuisine is about more than individual dishes: itâs a culture. Rather than saying âhow are you?â, locals say âhave you eaten?â. Iâm not quite sure what happens if the answerâs no but Iâd imagine get you some food!
Taiwan is hands-down the best country Iâve visited for food markets. I challenge you to find a city without one. In
Taipei
, I went to five. These are sociable affairs often with outdoor restaurants, live music and whole families spending the evening together.
Locals of all ages and backgrounds rub shoulders as they eat the best food in Taiwan, and the culture is so much greater for it. The many markets also make
Taiwan great for solo travellers
because you never need to dine solo in a restaurant if you donât want to.
Better yet, Taiwanese food is very affordable and wonât eat into your
Taiwan budget
. A few dollars will buy you a delicious and filling dinner!
22 x best Taiwanese food
Now you understand a bit more about the food culture, letâs get stuck into popular Taiwanese dishes to try.
Once you know what to look out for, it will be easy to explore food markets and find Taiwanese food wherever you go. Some dishes are quite unusual (fried curry sandwich, anyone?) so a little research will set you in good stead.
I started writing about the top 10 must try Taiwanese foods but there was too much competition and I updated
the li
st to 22. Any excuse to eat more in the name of researchâŚ
1. Bubble tea (boba)
Boba tea
Iâm starting my Taiwan food guide with a drink. Acceptable? Letâs roll with it. The chewy tapioca pearls in bubble tea are so sweet and filling that itâs almost like a dessert.
Itâs fair to say I had way too many bubble teas in Taiwan. Aside from being a bit of a coffee addict, Iâm usually quite good at avoiding sugary drinks, saving my calories for food. This all changed in Taiwan as my love for bubble tea flourished!
Bubble tea
was born in Taiwan so itâs definitely the place to try it. The original blend is made from sweetened milk tea but a popular variation is brown sugar bubble tea which is even more indulgent.
Ordering one involves more questions than border control: what level of sugar? Full, 80%, 50%, 30%, zero? What level of ice? Standard, less, extra? Once you work out your perfect combo, youâll be hooked on bubble tea.
2. Coffin bread
One of the stranger Taiwanese foods
Of all the food to try in Taiwan, thereâs none weirder than coffin toast, also called coffin bread.
Actually, itâs just the name thatâs bizarre. Coffin toast may be calorific but itâs plain delicious: a deep-fried sandwich stuffed with meaty curry. If youâve tried bunny chow in South Africa, youâll see the similarity although Iâll argue this is even less healthy since the sandwich is deep-fried. Oh well, no one comes to Asia expecting to lose weight, do they?
If you find yourself in Hualien on Taiwanâs east coast, take a trip to
Dongdaemun Night Market
and locate the stand with the long queue at the back left. I paid 60 TWD for a slab of coffin bread filled with moreish pepper chicken and served with milk tea. You canât beat that.
3. Sausage in a rice bun
This Taiwanese dish is sometimes described in English as âlittle sausage in big sausageâ which actually hits the nail on the head.
The
first
thing to know? Asian sausages are soo much better than English sausages; just try
sai
ua
(one of the best
Chiang Mai foods
) if you donât believe me. In Taiwan, youâll find rich spicy sausages served inside what looks like a hot dog bun but is actually a sliced-open sausage made from rice.
So, little sausage in a big sausage is pretty accurate!
4. Pork pepper buns
Pork pepper buns at Raohe Night Market
One of my first meals in Taiwan was at Fuzhou Pepper Buns inside Taipeiâs
Raohe Night Market
. The recipe for these meaty morsels has been perfected over several decades and the result is undeniably delicious. Raohe have set up airport queuing ropes simply because the line to try their pork pepper buns is so long. If thatâs not a measure of their success, I donât know what is.
Fuzhou Pepper Buns are divinely simple: juicy marinated pork in freshly baked pastry, straight from a tandoor oven and sprinkled with sesame seeds. I could have eaten 10.
5. Stuffed chicken wings
An upgrade on regular chicken wings
How to make chicken wings more delicious than they already are? Give them an Asian makeover and stuff them with rice and spices!
I loved this Taiwanese dish although I only tried it once in the small village of Shifen, an hour outside of Taipei. You wonât find these in fancy restaurants but theyâre one of the best street foods in Taiwan for sure.
6. Peanut ice cream rolls
Unusual Taiwanese desserts
The Taiwanese certainly have a sweet tooth. As youâll learn, plenty of the best Taiwanese foods are desserts including peanut ice cream rolls. If that sounds weird to you, take a second to think of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Canât be weirder than that, right?
For this dish, plain ice cream is paired with peanut candy shavings and secured inside a delicate flour crepe wrap. You barely taste the wrap that holds it all together. The sweet flavour, crunchy texture and icy temperature make this dish one of my favourite Taiwanese foods. I ate this ice cream peanut roll in the famed foodie spot of
Jiufen
village, an hour from Taipei.
7. Squid
Fresh seafood
Another of the best street foods in Taiwan is battered seafood. Every night market I visited had row upon row of squid stands, all serving my
favourite
seafood dish for
practically
pennies.
I donât know what the secret is but the squid I ate in Taiwan was some of the best Iâve had. It was fresh, soft and lightly battered with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Winner winner seafood dinner!
8. Taiwanese fried chicken (TFC)
The biggest fried chicken I ever did eat
Next in my Taiwan food guide, another dish that isnât unique to Taiwan but is done
so
well. People tend to think of Korean fried chicken before they do Taiwanese fried chicken but having tried both, I can vouch for TFC being just as tasty.
The most famous place to eat fried chicken slabs bigger than your head is
Hot Star
, underneath KFC (the irony) in Taipeiâs most fashionable neighbourhood, Ximending. Fresh white meat is battered in front of you and seasoned to your liking. Order it spicy.
9. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
A top 10 meal in the world
While they might look like regular dumplings,
xiao long bao
are
soup dumplings and probably Taiwanâs most famous food. Before trying them, I was confused because where was the soup? After neglecting to follow the instructions at my table, taking a bite and getting soup all down me, I quickly
realised
it was insideâŚ
Din Tai Fung
was voted one of
Taiwanâs
best restaurants and one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. It spread to other countries and can now be found in Singapore, Hong Kong
and
London.
They have a few restaurants around Taiwan where you can sample their famous xiao long bao soup dumplings. I tried them in the basement of Taipei 101 but you can also visit the original
Xinyi
store.
Xiao long bao
Xiao long bao are undeniably tasty and moreish. The vinegar and soy dip went perfectly with smoky pork. Theyâre a little overpriced at 220 TWD for 10 but Iâm glad I can say I tried them.
10. Other dumplings
Dumplings galore
If you donât fancy the queue for Din Tai Fung, itâs not a problem because there are dumplings all over Taiwan. Youâll find them at night markets, restaurants, street stalls and my favourite chain,
Bafang Dumpling
. Food at this no-frills franchise is so cheap â I paid 50 TWD for 10 dumplings which is a quarter of the price of Din Tai Fung.
There are so many combinations available including pork, leek, curry and shrimp. Choose either steamed dumplings, fried dumplings or dumpling noodle soup. Why not try all three?
Dumpling noodle soup at Bafang Dumpling
11. Pineapple cake
Taiwanese sweets
Iâd heard a lot about pineapple cake but didnât get around to trying it until my last day in Taiwan. In fact, I ended up with a large box that I simply had to gorge my way through before leavingâŚ
Is it like English pineapple upside-down cake made with real pineapples? Nope. This Taiwanese dessert is quite different: the filling is like a jam only thicker and stickier. Itâs served inside a pastry similar to shortcake.
Apparently, pineapple imports were an important part of the Taiwanese economy during Japanese rule, hence this Taiwanese dish became popular. Today pineapple cake is mainly served at weddings and celebrations. Word has it the best in Taipei is served at
Chia Te Bakery
near Songshan station.
12. Scallion pancakes
Find these at every Taiwan food market
Donât leave without at least one scallion pancake clogging up your arteries. This famous Taiwanese street food is deep-fried dough folded over with a gooey fried egg in the middle. Many vendors throw in bacon or cheese in case you
really
want to accelerate that heart attack ;)
Taiwanese cuisine is rarely spicy but you can choose to add hot seasoning to dishes like this.
13. Japanese food
Taiwan is widely renowned as the best place to eat Japanese food outside of Japan. Night markets, restaurants
and
even 7Elevens serve authentic Japanese dishes. Sushi is particularly cheap and I ended up eating it almost every other day whilst visiting the city of
Kaohsiung
.
Japanese dishes to try include
takoyaki
, little balls of fried batter with squid inside, topped with mayo and seaweed flakes.
Ramen
is also a popular food in Taiwan and tastes just like it does in Japan. For a Japanese drink, try
matcha
green tea. Youâll find it flavouring lattes, bubble tea and even ice cream and other desserts.
14. Beef noodles
A classic Taiwan dish
Beef noodle soup
may sound Chinese,
however
itâs a well-loved Taiwanese dish eaten by locals all around the country.
I find noodle soups to be hit and miss: a bad one can be weak and watery but a good one is warming and
flavoursome
. The latter applies to the best noodle soups in Taiwan. These include cuts of braised beef, beef broth, veggies
and
noodles. Itâs not one for veggies but many traditional Taiwanese foods arenât.
If you try this Taiwanese food just once, ensure itâs at
Yongkang Beef Noodles
. I took a 40-minute round trip to sample these Michellin guide noodles and I didnât regret it. They were pricey at 250 NTW â I guess they know theyâre the best!
15. Stinky tofu
Stranger Taiwanese cuisine
Say what? No Taiwan food guide would be complete without stinky tofu getting a mention. Locals love this dish and for that reason, Iâd say itâs a must-try Taiwanese food. However, if youâre after something tasty that youâll genuinely enjoy⌠well, maybe give it a miss.
Stinky tofu isnât a funny or ironic name. Itâs actually tofu that stinks. Locals love it although personally I canât see why. The reason for the stench is that itâs been fermented for some time to add to its pungent flavour.
Youâll commonly find stinky tofu served at street food markets across the country. I tried it in
Taichung
which is a popular foodie city. My best advice is to order it with a group so you donât get stuck with a whole box if you donât like it.
Top Taiwan tip
â the
Hunger Game tour
from Tour Me Away is a great way to try unusual dishes in Taipei and a bargain at 600 TWD.
16. Taro ball dessert
Taro balls are so tasty
If thereâs one Taiwanese food that tastes so much better than it sounds, itâs taro ball soup. If you donât know, taro is a root vegetable commonly used to flavour desserts and drinks in Asia. The texture of taro balls is unusual, made with a floury dough thatâs soft yet springy.
To try one of the most famous Taiwanese dishes, I would suggest sampling sweet taro ball soup at Jiufen market, an hour from Taipei.
17. Shaved ice
Yet another dessert
Shaved ice is a popular Taiwanese food with the young generation. Frozen ice (essentially ice cream) is shaved into a large pile and served with whatever topping you choose â I went for mango.
Like pineapple cake, this dish is closely tied to Japanese rule. Immigrants from Japan took the dish to Hawaii with them and nowadays, many people think it originated there. But the truth is that it actually began life in Taiwan. What better reason to try it during your trip?
18. Sweet potato balls
This list of the best Taiwanese food isnât in order of taste,
otherwise
sweet potato balls would be higher. I didnât know what to expect of this dish but I love sweet potato so I had high hopes. What I didnât anticipate was how light and snackable theyâd be.
Sweet potato balls are usually served at night markets in servings of around eight. Wander on through the market and youâll look down and realise youâve scoffed the lot! These balls are hollow so theyâre great as a pre-dinner snack which wonât leave you feeling too stuffed.
19. Clams
Popular market food
As a small island, thereâs an abundance of fresh seafood served across Taiwan. The best bit is how affordable it is. Seafood fans visiting Taipei should make a trip to
Tonghua Night Market
on Linjiang Street where fresh clams are served as Taiwanese street food.
One unnamed stall had a queue around the corner which indicated to me that it would be good. This fresh serving of clams with
chilli
and lime only set me back a couple of dollars.
20. Vermicelli noodles
These thin rice noodles are popular in Taiwan, served with oyster, cuttlefish or pig intestine. Itâs the rich, flavoursome sauce with the silky noodles that makes this Taiwanese dish a classic.
The most famous place to try vermicelli noodles is Shilin Night Market in Taipei. Thereâs a modest stall named A Hui Vermicelli which you could miss if it werenât for the long queues. If they werenât proof enough, itâs been listed in the Michelin Guide for 2018, 2019 and 2020. A hearty portion of vermicelli noodles is 30 TWD ($1).
21. Wheel cakes
These light, snackable desserts are a popular snack in both Taiwan and Japan. Theyâre essentially rounded pancakes stuffed with popular Asian filling, bean paste. Red bean paste is a classic but these days youâll also find other flavours like matcha and boba.
Wheel cakes can be found at night markets all over Taiwan. Theyâre a cute snack often made in a mould that stamps a cat or cartoon character onto your dessert. Whatâs not to like?
22. Bubble waffles
This final entry in my Taiwan food guide is one I donât need to explain as weâve probably all heard of bubble waffles by now. I thought these originated in Taiwan like bubble tea but actually, theyâre from Hong Kong.
Theyâre now a popular Taiwanese food, especially with the younger generation. Youâll find them topped with chocolate, ice cream, fruit, nuts and sweets.
Thanks for reading my Taiwan food guide
Check out my other Taiwan blogs:
The ultimate 2 week Taiwan itinerary
Complete Taiwan budget guide & spending tips
Solo female travel in Taiwan
17 Taiwan tips for travellers
A complete guide to visiting Taipei
Things to do in Jiufen and Shifen
The story of Taichung Rainbow Village
How to visit Yehliu Geopark from Taipei
Taroko National Park day trip guide
Best things to do in Kaohsiung
10 Taiwan facts
See you next time for more adventures,
Rose
Ps. Liked these best foods to try in Taiwan? Pin it for later!
TAIWAN QUICK LINKS
Getting there
â itâs easy to arrive by flight. I use
Skyscanner
to find the best-value flights, using the âsearch by monthâ tool to find the cheapest dates.
Stay connected with an
unlimited 4G SIM card
for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days.
In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest
Lonely Planet Taiwan
.
Car hire
â I recommend
RentalCars.com
for car hire in Taiwan and around the world.
For
Taiwan High Speed
Trains
, use
12Go
. The search feature allows you to compare prices and durations.
I use
Booking.com
for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use
Hostelworld
.
To save money on accommodation, I use
Trusted Housesitters
, a website that connects homeowners going away and travellers who can sit their homes & pets.
For activities, I use
GetYourGuide
and
Viator
as they both have a huge range of affordable tours.
Need
travel insurance
? I use
True Traveller
(for UK & Europe residents) since itâs affordable but covers everything youâd need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if youâre already travelling / donât yet have your flight home booked.
Get a quote
.
For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend
Hey Mundo
and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest
Safety Wing
.
Check out my
resources
page for more travel discounts and tips!
Rose
Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes! |
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###### [Food](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/category/food/), [Taiwan](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/category/taiwan/)
# Taiwan Food Guide: 22 x Best Taiwanese Foods\!
[](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/)
18
Nov
Table of Contents
Toggle
- [Taiwanese food guide](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#Taiwanese_food_guide)
- [22 x best Taiwanese food](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#22_x_best_Taiwanese_food)
- [1\. Bubble tea (boba)](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#1_Bubble_tea_boba)
- [2\. Coffin bread](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#2_Coffin_bread)
- [3\. Sausage in a rice bun](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#3_Sausage_in_a_rice_bun)
- [4\. Pork pepper buns](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#4_Pork_pepper_buns)
- [5\. Stuffed chicken wings](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#5_Stuffed_chicken_wings)
- [6\. Peanut ice cream rolls](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#6_Peanut_ice_cream_rolls)
- [7\. Squid](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#7_Squid)
- [8\. Taiwanese fried chicken (TFC)](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#8_Taiwanese_fried_chicken_TFC)
- [9\. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#9_Xiao_long_bao_soup_dumplings)
- [10\. Other dumplings](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#10_Other_dumplings)
- [11\. Pineapple cake](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#11_Pineapple_cake)
- [12\. Scallion pancakes](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#12_Scallion_pancakes)
- [13\. Japanese food](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#13_Japanese_food)
- [14\. Beef noodles](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#14_Beef_noodles)
- [15\. Stinky tofu](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#15_Stinky_tofu)
- [16\. Taro ball dessert](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#16_Taro_ball_dessert)
- [17\. Shaved ice](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#17_Shaved_ice)
- [18\. Sweet potato balls](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#18_Sweet_potato_balls)
- [19\. Clams](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#19_Clams)
- [20\. Vermicelli noodles](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#20_Vermicelli_noodles)
- [21\. Wheel cakes](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#21_Wheel_cakes)
- [22\. Bubble waffles](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#22_Bubble_waffles)
*This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.*
Hello and welcome to my Taiwan food guide! If you have no idea what Taiwanese food is, I donât blame you. Before my visit this May, I didnât have a clue either. After lots of research and many many meals, Iâm now sharing the best food in Taiwan with you, including the must-try dishes and restaurants.
*Like [food around the world](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/food-around-the-world/)? Donât miss my [Korea food guide](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/best-south-korean-foods/) & my [Mexico food guide](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/mexican-foods-drinks/)\!*
## Taiwanese food guide
Letâs start with the obvious question, what actually **is** Taiwanese food?
In my opinion, the food in [**Taiwan**](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/destinations/asia/taiwan/) is some of the most underrated in the world. You wonât find many Taiwanese restaurants in other countries or see dishes on menus and think âthatâs Taiwanese!â. However, donât let that deter you from eating some of the best food in Asia.
Taiwanese cuisine is about more than individual dishes: itâs a culture. Rather than saying âhow are you?â, locals say âhave you eaten?â. Iâm not quite sure what happens if the answerâs no but Iâd imagine get you some food!
Taiwan is hands-down the best country Iâve visited for food markets. I challenge you to find a city without one. In **[Taipei](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taipei-to-jiufen-shifen/)**, I went to five. These are sociable affairs often with outdoor restaurants, live music and whole families spending the evening together.
Locals of all ages and backgrounds rub shoulders as they eat the best food in Taiwan, and the culture is so much greater for it. The many markets also make **[Taiwan great for solo travellers](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/solo-travel-taiwan/)** because you never need to dine solo in a restaurant if you donât want to.
Better yet, Taiwanese food is very affordable and wonât eat into your **[Taiwan budget](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-budget/)**. A few dollars will buy you a delicious and filling dinner\!
## 22 x best Taiwanese food
Now you understand a bit more about the food culture, letâs get stuck into popular Taiwanese dishes to try.
Once you know what to look out for, it will be easy to explore food markets and find Taiwanese food wherever you go. Some dishes are quite unusual (fried curry sandwich, anyone?) so a little research will set you in good stead.
I started writing about the top 10 must try Taiwanese foods but there was too much competition and I updated the list to 22. Any excuse to eat more in the name of researchâŚ
### 1\. Bubble tea (boba)
Boba tea
Iâm starting my Taiwan food guide with a drink. Acceptable? Letâs roll with it. The chewy tapioca pearls in bubble tea are so sweet and filling that itâs almost like a dessert.
Itâs fair to say I had way too many bubble teas in Taiwan. Aside from being a bit of a coffee addict, Iâm usually quite good at avoiding sugary drinks, saving my calories for food. This all changed in Taiwan as my love for bubble tea flourished\!
[**Bubble tea**](https://booksandbao.com/history-of-bubble-tea-make-it-at-home/) was born in Taiwan so itâs definitely the place to try it. The original blend is made from sweetened milk tea but a popular variation is brown sugar bubble tea which is even more indulgent.
Ordering one involves more questions than border control: what level of sugar? Full, 80%, 50%, 30%, zero? What level of ice? Standard, less, extra? Once you work out your perfect combo, youâll be hooked on bubble tea.
### 2\. Coffin bread
One of the stranger Taiwanese foods
Of all the food to try in Taiwan, thereâs none weirder than coffin toast, also called coffin bread.
Actually, itâs just the name thatâs bizarre. Coffin toast may be calorific but itâs plain delicious: a deep-fried sandwich stuffed with meaty curry. If youâve tried bunny chow in South Africa, youâll see the similarity although Iâll argue this is even less healthy since the sandwich is deep-fried. Oh well, no one comes to Asia expecting to lose weight, do they?
If you find yourself in Hualien on Taiwanâs east coast, take a trip to [**Dongdaemun Night Market**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/j3WSNb7cJE8SBEEG9/) and locate the stand with the long queue at the back left. I paid 60 TWD for a slab of coffin bread filled with moreish pepper chicken and served with milk tea. You canât beat that.
### 3\. Sausage in a rice bun
This Taiwanese dish is sometimes described in English as âlittle sausage in big sausageâ which actually hits the nail on the head.
Thefirst thing to know? Asian sausages are soo much better than English sausages; just try *sai ua* (one of the best **[Chiang Mai foods](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/chiang-mai-food-guide/)**) if you donât believe me. In Taiwan, youâll find rich spicy sausages served inside what looks like a hot dog bun but is actually a sliced-open sausage made from rice.
So, little sausage in a big sausage is pretty accurate\!
### 4\. Pork pepper buns
Pork pepper buns at Raohe Night Market
One of my first meals in Taiwan was at Fuzhou Pepper Buns inside Taipeiâs [**Raohe Night Market**](https://migrationology.com/raohe-night-market/). The recipe for these meaty morsels has been perfected over several decades and the result is undeniably delicious. Raohe have set up airport queuing ropes simply because the line to try their pork pepper buns is so long. If thatâs not a measure of their success, I donât know what is.
Fuzhou Pepper Buns are divinely simple: juicy marinated pork in freshly baked pastry, straight from a tandoor oven and sprinkled with sesame seeds. I could have eaten 10.
### 5\. Stuffed chicken wings
An upgrade on regular chicken wings
How to make chicken wings more delicious than they already are? Give them an Asian makeover and stuff them with rice and spices!
I loved this Taiwanese dish although I only tried it once in the small village of Shifen, an hour outside of Taipei. You wonât find these in fancy restaurants but theyâre one of the best street foods in Taiwan for sure.
### 6\. Peanut ice cream rolls
Unusual Taiwanese desserts
The Taiwanese certainly have a sweet tooth. As youâll learn, plenty of the best Taiwanese foods are desserts including peanut ice cream rolls. If that sounds weird to you, take a second to think of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Canât be weirder than that, right?
For this dish, plain ice cream is paired with peanut candy shavings and secured inside a delicate flour crepe wrap. You barely taste the wrap that holds it all together. The sweet flavour, crunchy texture and icy temperature make this dish one of my favourite Taiwanese foods. I ate this ice cream peanut roll in the famed foodie spot of **[Jiufen](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taipei-to-jiufen-shifen/)** village, an hour from Taipei.
### 7\. Squid
Fresh seafood
Another of the best street foods in Taiwan is battered seafood. Every night market I visited had row upon row of squid stands, all serving my favourite seafood dish for practically pennies.
I donât know what the secret is but the squid I ate in Taiwan was some of the best Iâve had. It was fresh, soft and lightly battered with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Winner winner seafood dinner\!
### 8\. Taiwanese fried chicken (TFC)
The biggest fried chicken I ever did eat
Next in my Taiwan food guide, another dish that isnât unique to Taiwan but is done *so* well. People tend to think of Korean fried chicken before they do Taiwanese fried chicken but having tried both, I can vouch for TFC being just as tasty.
The most famous place to eat fried chicken slabs bigger than your head is **[Hot Star](https://goo.gl/maps/S73tZ6QfJWKvbi866)**, underneath KFC (the irony) in Taipeiâs most fashionable neighbourhood, Ximending. Fresh white meat is battered in front of you and seasoned to your liking. Order it spicy.
### 9\. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
A top 10 meal in the world
While they might look like regular dumplings, **[xiao long bao](https://taiwan-scene.com/taiwans-top-10-soup-dumplings/)** are soup dumplings and probably Taiwanâs most famous food. Before trying them, I was confused because where was the soup? After neglecting to follow the instructions at my table, taking a bite and getting soup all down me, I quickly realised it was insideâŚ
[**Din Tai Fung**](https://www.dintaifung.com.tw/eng/) was voted one of Taiwanâs best restaurants and one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. It spread to other countries and can now be found in Singapore, Hong Kong and London.
They have a few restaurants around Taiwan where you can sample their famous xiao long bao soup dumplings. I tried them in the basement of Taipei 101 but you can also visit the original **[Xinyi](https://goo.gl/maps/e3tESMpizjZX6VWK7)** store.
Xiao long bao
Xiao long bao are undeniably tasty and moreish. The vinegar and soy dip went perfectly with smoky pork. Theyâre a little overpriced at 220 TWD for 10 but Iâm glad I can say I tried them.
### 10\. Other dumplings
Dumplings galore
If you donât fancy the queue for Din Tai Fung, itâs not a problem because there are dumplings all over Taiwan. Youâll find them at night markets, restaurants, street stalls and my favourite chain, **Bafang Dumpling**. Food at this no-frills franchise is so cheap â I paid 50 TWD for 10 dumplings which is a quarter of the price of Din Tai Fung.
There are so many combinations available including pork, leek, curry and shrimp. Choose either steamed dumplings, fried dumplings or dumpling noodle soup. Why not try all three?
Dumpling noodle soup at Bafang Dumpling
### 11\. Pineapple cake
Taiwanese sweets
Iâd heard a lot about pineapple cake but didnât get around to trying it until my last day in Taiwan. In fact, I ended up with a large box that I simply had to gorge my way through before leavingâŚ
Is it like English pineapple upside-down cake made with real pineapples? Nope. This Taiwanese dessert is quite different: the filling is like a jam only thicker and stickier. Itâs served inside a pastry similar to shortcake.
Apparently, pineapple imports were an important part of the Taiwanese economy during Japanese rule, hence this Taiwanese dish became popular. Today pineapple cake is mainly served at weddings and celebrations. Word has it the best in Taipei is served at **[Chia Te Bakery](https://goo.gl/maps/b1iDL3zyXDaJCJHA7)** near Songshan station.
### 12\. Scallion pancakes
Find these at every Taiwan food market
Donât leave without at least one scallion pancake clogging up your arteries. This famous Taiwanese street food is deep-fried dough folded over with a gooey fried egg in the middle. Many vendors throw in bacon or cheese in case you really want to accelerate that heart attack ;)
Taiwanese cuisine is rarely spicy but you can choose to add hot seasoning to dishes like this.
### 13\. Japanese food
Taiwan is widely renowned as the best place to eat Japanese food outside of Japan. Night markets, restaurants and even 7Elevens serve authentic Japanese dishes. Sushi is particularly cheap and I ended up eating it almost every other day whilst visiting the city of **[Kaohsiung](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/things-to-do-kaohsiung/)**.
Japanese dishes to try include **takoyaki**, little balls of fried batter with squid inside, topped with mayo and seaweed flakes. **Ramen** is also a popular food in Taiwan and tastes just like it does in Japan. For a Japanese drink, try **matcha** green tea. Youâll find it flavouring lattes, bubble tea and even ice cream and other desserts.
### 14\. Beef noodles
A classic Taiwan dish
[Beef noodle soup](https://sethlui.com/7-taipei-beef-noodles-taiwan/) may sound Chinese, however itâs a well-loved Taiwanese dish eaten by locals all around the country.
I find noodle soups to be hit and miss: a bad one can be weak and watery but a good one is warming and flavoursome. The latter applies to the best noodle soups in Taiwan. These include cuts of braised beef, beef broth, veggies and noodles. Itâs not one for veggies but many traditional Taiwanese foods arenât.
If you try this Taiwanese food just once, ensure itâs at **[Yongkang Beef Noodles](https://goo.gl/maps/CfSAgagtQB7CyWyJ8)**. I took a 40-minute round trip to sample these Michellin guide noodles and I didnât regret it. They were pricey at 250 NTW â I guess they know theyâre the best\!
### 15\. Stinky tofu
Stranger Taiwanese cuisine
Say what? No Taiwan food guide would be complete without stinky tofu getting a mention. Locals love this dish and for that reason, Iâd say itâs a must-try Taiwanese food. However, if youâre after something tasty that youâll genuinely enjoy⌠well, maybe give it a miss.
Stinky tofu isnât a funny or ironic name. Itâs actually tofu that stinks. Locals love it although personally I canât see why. The reason for the stench is that itâs been fermented for some time to add to its pungent flavour.
Youâll commonly find stinky tofu served at street food markets across the country. I tried it in [**Taichung**](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/best-food-taichung/) which is a popular foodie city. My best advice is to order it with a group so you donât get stuck with a whole box if you donât like it.
**[Top Taiwan tip](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-travel-tips/)** â the **[Hunger Game tour](https://tourmeaway.com/tours/hungergame)** from Tour Me Away is a great way to try unusual dishes in Taipei and a bargain at 600 TWD.
### 16\. Taro ball dessert
Taro balls are so tasty
If thereâs one Taiwanese food that tastes so much better than it sounds, itâs taro ball soup. If you donât know, taro is a root vegetable commonly used to flavour desserts and drinks in Asia. The texture of taro balls is unusual, made with a floury dough thatâs soft yet springy.
To try one of the most famous Taiwanese dishes, I would suggest sampling sweet taro ball soup at Jiufen market, an hour from Taipei.
### 17\. Shaved ice
Yet another dessert
Shaved ice is a popular Taiwanese food with the young generation. Frozen ice (essentially ice cream) is shaved into a large pile and served with whatever topping you choose â I went for mango.
Like pineapple cake, this dish is closely tied to Japanese rule. Immigrants from Japan took the dish to Hawaii with them and nowadays, many people think it originated there. But the truth is that it actually began life in Taiwan. What better reason to try it during your trip?
### 18\. Sweet potato balls
This list of the best Taiwanese food isnât in order of taste, otherwise sweet potato balls would be higher. I didnât know what to expect of this dish but I love sweet potato so I had high hopes. What I didnât anticipate was how light and snackable theyâd be.
Sweet potato balls are usually served at night markets in servings of around eight. Wander on through the market and youâll look down and realise youâve scoffed the lot! These balls are hollow so theyâre great as a pre-dinner snack which wonât leave you feeling too stuffed.
### 19\. Clams
Popular market food
As a small island, thereâs an abundance of fresh seafood served across Taiwan. The best bit is how affordable it is. Seafood fans visiting Taipei should make a trip to [**Tonghua Night Market**](https://goo.gl/maps/B5AXT66Meh9eDqvu9) on Linjiang Street where fresh clams are served as Taiwanese street food.
One unnamed stall had a queue around the corner which indicated to me that it would be good. This fresh serving of clams with chilli and lime only set me back a couple of dollars.
### 20\. Vermicelli noodles
These thin rice noodles are popular in Taiwan, served with oyster, cuttlefish or pig intestine. Itâs the rich, flavoursome sauce with the silky noodles that makes this Taiwanese dish a classic.
The most famous place to try vermicelli noodles is Shilin Night Market in Taipei. Thereâs a modest stall named A Hui Vermicelli which you could miss if it werenât for the long queues. If they werenât proof enough, itâs been listed in the Michelin Guide for 2018, 2019 and 2020. A hearty portion of vermicelli noodles is 30 TWD (\$1).
### 21\. Wheel cakes
These light, snackable desserts are a popular snack in both Taiwan and Japan. Theyâre essentially rounded pancakes stuffed with popular Asian filling, bean paste. Red bean paste is a classic but these days youâll also find other flavours like matcha and boba.
Wheel cakes can be found at night markets all over Taiwan. Theyâre a cute snack often made in a mould that stamps a cat or cartoon character onto your dessert. Whatâs not to like?
### 22\. Bubble waffles
This final entry in my Taiwan food guide is one I donât need to explain as weâve probably all heard of bubble waffles by now. I thought these originated in Taiwan like bubble tea but actually, theyâre from Hong Kong.
Theyâre now a popular Taiwanese food, especially with the younger generation. Youâll find them topped with chocolate, ice cream, fruit, nuts and sweets.
## Thanks for reading my Taiwan food guide
**Check out my other Taiwan blogs:**
- [The ultimate 2 week Taiwan itinerary](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/2-week-taiwan-itinerary/)
- [Complete Taiwan budget guide & spending tips](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-budget/)
- [Solo female travel in Taiwan](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/solo-travel-taiwan/)
- [17 Taiwan tips for travellers](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-travel-tips/)
- [A complete guide to visiting Taipei](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taipei-itinerary/)
- [Things to do in Jiufen and Shifen](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taipei-to-jiufen-shifen/)
- [The story of Taichung Rainbow Village](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/visiting-taichung-rainbow-village-taiwan/)
- [How to visit Yehliu Geopark from Taipei](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/visiting-yehliu-geopark-from-taipei/)
- [Taroko National Park day trip guide](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taroko-itinerary-day-trip/)
- [Best things to do in Kaohsiung](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/things-to-do-kaohsiung/)
- [10 Taiwan facts](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/10-taiwan-facts/)
See you next time for more adventures,
### Rose
*Ps. Liked these best foods to try in Taiwan? Pin it for later\!*
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I use [**Booking.com**](https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=1859128) for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use ******[Hostelworld](https://hostelworld.tp.st/AYP6BmVK)******.
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Need **travel insurance**? I use [**True Traveller**](https://www.truetraveller.com/?tag=4501) (for UK & Europe residents) since itâs affordable but covers everything youâd need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if youâre already travelling / donât yet have your flight home booked. [**Get a quote**](https://www.truetraveller.com/?tag=4501).
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**Check out my** [**resources**](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/resources/) **page for more travel discounts and tips\!**
This entry was posted in [Food](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/category/food/), [Taiwan](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/category/taiwan/) and tagged [Asian food](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/tag/asian-food/), [Taiwan food](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/tag/taiwan-food/).
##### Rose
Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes\!
[2 Days in Bangkok Itinerary For Culture Lovers](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/2-day-bangkok-itinerary/)
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| Readable Markdown | Table of Contents
- [Taiwanese food guide](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#Taiwanese_food_guide)
- [22 x best Taiwanese food](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#22_x_best_Taiwanese_food)
- [1\. Bubble tea (boba)](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#1_Bubble_tea_boba)
- [2\. Coffin bread](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#2_Coffin_bread)
- [3\. Sausage in a rice bun](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#3_Sausage_in_a_rice_bun)
- [4\. Pork pepper buns](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#4_Pork_pepper_buns)
- [5\. Stuffed chicken wings](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#5_Stuffed_chicken_wings)
- [6\. Peanut ice cream rolls](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#6_Peanut_ice_cream_rolls)
- [7\. Squid](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#7_Squid)
- [8\. Taiwanese fried chicken (TFC)](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#8_Taiwanese_fried_chicken_TFC)
- [9\. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#9_Xiao_long_bao_soup_dumplings)
- [10\. Other dumplings](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#10_Other_dumplings)
- [11\. Pineapple cake](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#11_Pineapple_cake)
- [12\. Scallion pancakes](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#12_Scallion_pancakes)
- [13\. Japanese food](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#13_Japanese_food)
- [14\. Beef noodles](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#14_Beef_noodles)
- [15\. Stinky tofu](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#15_Stinky_tofu)
- [16\. Taro ball dessert](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#16_Taro_ball_dessert)
- [17\. Shaved ice](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#17_Shaved_ice)
- [18\. Sweet potato balls](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#18_Sweet_potato_balls)
- [19\. Clams](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#19_Clams)
- [20\. Vermicelli noodles](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#20_Vermicelli_noodles)
- [21\. Wheel cakes](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#21_Wheel_cakes)
- [22\. Bubble waffles](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-food/#22_Bubble_waffles)
*This post may contain affiliate links to things like tours, hotels, Amazon associates and products. These help me earn a small commission at no additional charge to you.*
Hello and welcome to my Taiwan food guide! If you have no idea what Taiwanese food is, I donât blame you. Before my visit this May, I didnât have a clue either. After lots of research and many many meals, Iâm now sharing the best food in Taiwan with you, including the must-try dishes and restaurants.
*Like [food around the world](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/food-around-the-world/)? Donât miss my [Korea food guide](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/best-south-korean-foods/) & my [Mexico food guide](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/mexican-foods-drinks/)\!*
Letâs start with the obvious question, what actually **is** Taiwanese food?
In my opinion, the food in [**Taiwan**](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/destinations/asia/taiwan/) is some of the most underrated in the world. You wonât find many Taiwanese restaurants in other countries or see dishes on menus and think âthatâs Taiwanese!â. However, donât let that deter you from eating some of the best food in Asia.
Taiwanese cuisine is about more than individual dishes: itâs a culture. Rather than saying âhow are you?â, locals say âhave you eaten?â. Iâm not quite sure what happens if the answerâs no but Iâd imagine get you some food\!
Taiwan is hands-down the best country Iâve visited for food markets. I challenge you to find a city without one. In **[Taipei](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taipei-to-jiufen-shifen/)**, I went to five. These are sociable affairs often with outdoor restaurants, live music and whole families spending the evening together.
Locals of all ages and backgrounds rub shoulders as they eat the best food in Taiwan, and the culture is so much greater for it. The many markets also make **[Taiwan great for solo travellers](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/solo-travel-taiwan/)** because you never need to dine solo in a restaurant if you donât want to.
Better yet, Taiwanese food is very affordable and wonât eat into your **[Taiwan budget](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-budget/)**. A few dollars will buy you a delicious and filling dinner\!
## 22 x best Taiwanese food
Now you understand a bit more about the food culture, letâs get stuck into popular Taiwanese dishes to try.
Once you know what to look out for, it will be easy to explore food markets and find Taiwanese food wherever you go. Some dishes are quite unusual (fried curry sandwich, anyone?) so a little research will set you in good stead.
I started writing about the top 10 must try Taiwanese foods but there was too much competition and I updated
the li
st to 22. Any excuse to eat more in the name of researchâŚ
### 1\. Bubble tea (boba)
Boba tea
Iâm starting my Taiwan food guide with a drink. Acceptable? Letâs roll with it. The chewy tapioca pearls in bubble tea are so sweet and filling that itâs almost like a dessert.
Itâs fair to say I had way too many bubble teas in Taiwan. Aside from being a bit of a coffee addict, Iâm usually quite good at avoiding sugary drinks, saving my calories for food. This all changed in Taiwan as my love for bubble tea flourished\!
[**Bubble tea**](https://booksandbao.com/history-of-bubble-tea-make-it-at-home/) was born in Taiwan so itâs definitely the place to try it. The original blend is made from sweetened milk tea but a popular variation is brown sugar bubble tea which is even more indulgent.
Ordering one involves more questions than border control: what level of sugar? Full, 80%, 50%, 30%, zero? What level of ice? Standard, less, extra? Once you work out your perfect combo, youâll be hooked on bubble tea.
### 2\. Coffin bread
One of the stranger Taiwanese foods
Of all the food to try in Taiwan, thereâs none weirder than coffin toast, also called coffin bread.
Actually, itâs just the name thatâs bizarre. Coffin toast may be calorific but itâs plain delicious: a deep-fried sandwich stuffed with meaty curry. If youâve tried bunny chow in South Africa, youâll see the similarity although Iâll argue this is even less healthy since the sandwich is deep-fried. Oh well, no one comes to Asia expecting to lose weight, do they?
If you find yourself in Hualien on Taiwanâs east coast, take a trip to [**Dongdaemun Night Market**](https://maps.app.goo.gl/j3WSNb7cJE8SBEEG9/) and locate the stand with the long queue at the back left. I paid 60 TWD for a slab of coffin bread filled with moreish pepper chicken and served with milk tea. You canât beat that.
### 3\. Sausage in a rice bun
This Taiwanese dish is sometimes described in English as âlittle sausage in big sausageâ which actually hits the nail on the head.
The
first
thing to know? Asian sausages are soo much better than English sausages; just try *sai ua* (one of the best **[Chiang Mai foods](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/chiang-mai-food-guide/)**) if you donât believe me. In Taiwan, youâll find rich spicy sausages served inside what looks like a hot dog bun but is actually a sliced-open sausage made from rice.
So, little sausage in a big sausage is pretty accurate\!
### 4\. Pork pepper buns
Pork pepper buns at Raohe Night Market
One of my first meals in Taiwan was at Fuzhou Pepper Buns inside Taipeiâs [**Raohe Night Market**](https://migrationology.com/raohe-night-market/). The recipe for these meaty morsels has been perfected over several decades and the result is undeniably delicious. Raohe have set up airport queuing ropes simply because the line to try their pork pepper buns is so long. If thatâs not a measure of their success, I donât know what is.
Fuzhou Pepper Buns are divinely simple: juicy marinated pork in freshly baked pastry, straight from a tandoor oven and sprinkled with sesame seeds. I could have eaten 10.
### 5\. Stuffed chicken wings
An upgrade on regular chicken wings
How to make chicken wings more delicious than they already are? Give them an Asian makeover and stuff them with rice and spices\!
I loved this Taiwanese dish although I only tried it once in the small village of Shifen, an hour outside of Taipei. You wonât find these in fancy restaurants but theyâre one of the best street foods in Taiwan for sure.
### 6\. Peanut ice cream rolls
Unusual Taiwanese desserts
The Taiwanese certainly have a sweet tooth. As youâll learn, plenty of the best Taiwanese foods are desserts including peanut ice cream rolls. If that sounds weird to you, take a second to think of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Canât be weirder than that, right?
For this dish, plain ice cream is paired with peanut candy shavings and secured inside a delicate flour crepe wrap. You barely taste the wrap that holds it all together. The sweet flavour, crunchy texture and icy temperature make this dish one of my favourite Taiwanese foods. I ate this ice cream peanut roll in the famed foodie spot of **[Jiufen](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taipei-to-jiufen-shifen/)** village, an hour from Taipei.
### 7\. Squid
Fresh seafood
Another of the best street foods in Taiwan is battered seafood. Every night market I visited had row upon row of squid stands, all serving my
favourite
seafood dish for
practically
pennies.
I donât know what the secret is but the squid I ate in Taiwan was some of the best Iâve had. It was fresh, soft and lightly battered with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Winner winner seafood dinner\!
### 8\. Taiwanese fried chicken (TFC)
The biggest fried chicken I ever did eat
Next in my Taiwan food guide, another dish that isnât unique to Taiwan but is done *so* well. People tend to think of Korean fried chicken before they do Taiwanese fried chicken but having tried both, I can vouch for TFC being just as tasty.
The most famous place to eat fried chicken slabs bigger than your head is **[Hot Star](https://goo.gl/maps/S73tZ6QfJWKvbi866)**, underneath KFC (the irony) in Taipeiâs most fashionable neighbourhood, Ximending. Fresh white meat is battered in front of you and seasoned to your liking. Order it spicy.
### 9\. Xiao long bao (soup dumplings)
A top 10 meal in the world
While they might look like regular dumplings, **[xiao long bao](https://taiwan-scene.com/taiwans-top-10-soup-dumplings/)**
are
soup dumplings and probably Taiwanâs most famous food. Before trying them, I was confused because where was the soup? After neglecting to follow the instructions at my table, taking a bite and getting soup all down me, I quickly
realised
it was insideâŚ
[**Din Tai Fung**](https://www.dintaifung.com.tw/eng/) was voted one of
Taiwanâs
best restaurants and one of the top 10 restaurants in the world. It spread to other countries and can now be found in Singapore, Hong Kong
and
London.
They have a few restaurants around Taiwan where you can sample their famous xiao long bao soup dumplings. I tried them in the basement of Taipei 101 but you can also visit the original **[Xinyi](https://goo.gl/maps/e3tESMpizjZX6VWK7)** store.
Xiao long bao
Xiao long bao are undeniably tasty and moreish. The vinegar and soy dip went perfectly with smoky pork. Theyâre a little overpriced at 220 TWD for 10 but Iâm glad I can say I tried them.
### 10\. Other dumplings
Dumplings galore
If you donât fancy the queue for Din Tai Fung, itâs not a problem because there are dumplings all over Taiwan. Youâll find them at night markets, restaurants, street stalls and my favourite chain, **Bafang Dumpling**. Food at this no-frills franchise is so cheap â I paid 50 TWD for 10 dumplings which is a quarter of the price of Din Tai Fung.
There are so many combinations available including pork, leek, curry and shrimp. Choose either steamed dumplings, fried dumplings or dumpling noodle soup. Why not try all three?
Dumpling noodle soup at Bafang Dumpling
### 11\. Pineapple cake
Taiwanese sweets
Iâd heard a lot about pineapple cake but didnât get around to trying it until my last day in Taiwan. In fact, I ended up with a large box that I simply had to gorge my way through before leavingâŚ
Is it like English pineapple upside-down cake made with real pineapples? Nope. This Taiwanese dessert is quite different: the filling is like a jam only thicker and stickier. Itâs served inside a pastry similar to shortcake.
Apparently, pineapple imports were an important part of the Taiwanese economy during Japanese rule, hence this Taiwanese dish became popular. Today pineapple cake is mainly served at weddings and celebrations. Word has it the best in Taipei is served at **[Chia Te Bakery](https://goo.gl/maps/b1iDL3zyXDaJCJHA7)** near Songshan station.
### 12\. Scallion pancakes
Find these at every Taiwan food market
Donât leave without at least one scallion pancake clogging up your arteries. This famous Taiwanese street food is deep-fried dough folded over with a gooey fried egg in the middle. Many vendors throw in bacon or cheese in case you
really
want to accelerate that heart attack ;)
Taiwanese cuisine is rarely spicy but you can choose to add hot seasoning to dishes like this.
### 13\. Japanese food
Taiwan is widely renowned as the best place to eat Japanese food outside of Japan. Night markets, restaurants and even 7Elevens serve authentic Japanese dishes. Sushi is particularly cheap and I ended up eating it almost every other day whilst visiting the city of **[Kaohsiung](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/things-to-do-kaohsiung/)**.
Japanese dishes to try include **takoyaki**, little balls of fried batter with squid inside, topped with mayo and seaweed flakes. **Ramen** is also a popular food in Taiwan and tastes just like it does in Japan. For a Japanese drink, try **matcha** green tea. Youâll find it flavouring lattes, bubble tea and even ice cream and other desserts.
### 14\. Beef noodles
A classic Taiwan dish
[Beef noodle soup](https://sethlui.com/7-taipei-beef-noodles-taiwan/) may sound Chinese,
however
itâs a well-loved Taiwanese dish eaten by locals all around the country.
I find noodle soups to be hit and miss: a bad one can be weak and watery but a good one is warming and
flavoursome
. The latter applies to the best noodle soups in Taiwan. These include cuts of braised beef, beef broth, veggies
and
noodles. Itâs not one for veggies but many traditional Taiwanese foods arenât.
If you try this Taiwanese food just once, ensure itâs at **[Yongkang Beef Noodles](https://goo.gl/maps/CfSAgagtQB7CyWyJ8)**. I took a 40-minute round trip to sample these Michellin guide noodles and I didnât regret it. They were pricey at 250 NTW â I guess they know theyâre the best\!
### 15\. Stinky tofu
Stranger Taiwanese cuisine
Say what? No Taiwan food guide would be complete without stinky tofu getting a mention. Locals love this dish and for that reason, Iâd say itâs a must-try Taiwanese food. However, if youâre after something tasty that youâll genuinely enjoy⌠well, maybe give it a miss.
Stinky tofu isnât a funny or ironic name. Itâs actually tofu that stinks. Locals love it although personally I canât see why. The reason for the stench is that itâs been fermented for some time to add to its pungent flavour.
Youâll commonly find stinky tofu served at street food markets across the country. I tried it in [**Taichung**](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/best-food-taichung/) which is a popular foodie city. My best advice is to order it with a group so you donât get stuck with a whole box if you donât like it.
**[Top Taiwan tip](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-travel-tips/)** â the **[Hunger Game tour](https://tourmeaway.com/tours/hungergame)** from Tour Me Away is a great way to try unusual dishes in Taipei and a bargain at 600 TWD.
### 16\. Taro ball dessert
Taro balls are so tasty
If thereâs one Taiwanese food that tastes so much better than it sounds, itâs taro ball soup. If you donât know, taro is a root vegetable commonly used to flavour desserts and drinks in Asia. The texture of taro balls is unusual, made with a floury dough thatâs soft yet springy.
To try one of the most famous Taiwanese dishes, I would suggest sampling sweet taro ball soup at Jiufen market, an hour from Taipei.
### 17\. Shaved ice
Yet another dessert
Shaved ice is a popular Taiwanese food with the young generation. Frozen ice (essentially ice cream) is shaved into a large pile and served with whatever topping you choose â I went for mango.
Like pineapple cake, this dish is closely tied to Japanese rule. Immigrants from Japan took the dish to Hawaii with them and nowadays, many people think it originated there. But the truth is that it actually began life in Taiwan. What better reason to try it during your trip?
### 18\. Sweet potato balls
This list of the best Taiwanese food isnât in order of taste,
otherwise
sweet potato balls would be higher. I didnât know what to expect of this dish but I love sweet potato so I had high hopes. What I didnât anticipate was how light and snackable theyâd be.
Sweet potato balls are usually served at night markets in servings of around eight. Wander on through the market and youâll look down and realise youâve scoffed the lot! These balls are hollow so theyâre great as a pre-dinner snack which wonât leave you feeling too stuffed.
### 19\. Clams
Popular market food
As a small island, thereâs an abundance of fresh seafood served across Taiwan. The best bit is how affordable it is. Seafood fans visiting Taipei should make a trip to [**Tonghua Night Market**](https://goo.gl/maps/B5AXT66Meh9eDqvu9) on Linjiang Street where fresh clams are served as Taiwanese street food.
One unnamed stall had a queue around the corner which indicated to me that it would be good. This fresh serving of clams with
chilli
and lime only set me back a couple of dollars.
### 20\. Vermicelli noodles
These thin rice noodles are popular in Taiwan, served with oyster, cuttlefish or pig intestine. Itâs the rich, flavoursome sauce with the silky noodles that makes this Taiwanese dish a classic.
The most famous place to try vermicelli noodles is Shilin Night Market in Taipei. Thereâs a modest stall named A Hui Vermicelli which you could miss if it werenât for the long queues. If they werenât proof enough, itâs been listed in the Michelin Guide for 2018, 2019 and 2020. A hearty portion of vermicelli noodles is 30 TWD (\$1).
### 21\. Wheel cakes
These light, snackable desserts are a popular snack in both Taiwan and Japan. Theyâre essentially rounded pancakes stuffed with popular Asian filling, bean paste. Red bean paste is a classic but these days youâll also find other flavours like matcha and boba.
Wheel cakes can be found at night markets all over Taiwan. Theyâre a cute snack often made in a mould that stamps a cat or cartoon character onto your dessert. Whatâs not to like?
### 22\. Bubble waffles
This final entry in my Taiwan food guide is one I donât need to explain as weâve probably all heard of bubble waffles by now. I thought these originated in Taiwan like bubble tea but actually, theyâre from Hong Kong.
Theyâre now a popular Taiwanese food, especially with the younger generation. Youâll find them topped with chocolate, ice cream, fruit, nuts and sweets.
## Thanks for reading my Taiwan food guide
**Check out my other Taiwan blogs:**
- [The ultimate 2 week Taiwan itinerary](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/2-week-taiwan-itinerary/)
- [Complete Taiwan budget guide & spending tips](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-budget/)
- [Solo female travel in Taiwan](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/solo-travel-taiwan/)
- [17 Taiwan tips for travellers](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taiwan-travel-tips/)
- [A complete guide to visiting Taipei](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taipei-itinerary/)
- [Things to do in Jiufen and Shifen](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taipei-to-jiufen-shifen/)
- [The story of Taichung Rainbow Village](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/visiting-taichung-rainbow-village-taiwan/)
- [How to visit Yehliu Geopark from Taipei](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/visiting-yehliu-geopark-from-taipei/)
- [Taroko National Park day trip guide](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/taroko-itinerary-day-trip/)
- [Best things to do in Kaohsiung](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/things-to-do-kaohsiung/)
- [10 Taiwan facts](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/10-taiwan-facts/)
See you next time for more adventures,
### Rose
*Ps. Liked these best foods to try in Taiwan? Pin it for later\!*
**TAIWAN QUICK LINKS**
**Getting there**â itâs easy to arrive by flight. I use [**Skyscanner**](https://skyscanner.pxf.io/c/2440705/1027991/13416?associateid=AFF_TRA_19354_00001&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skyscanner.net%2Fflights-from%2Ftw%2Fcheap-flights-from-taiwan.html) to find the best-value flights, using the âsearch by monthâ tool to find the cheapest dates.
Stay connected with an **[**unlimited 4G SIM card**](https://klook.tp.st/3cNDcQIO)** for 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days.
In my opinion, Lonely Planet offer the best guidebooks. Get the latest ******[Lonely Planet Taiwan](https://www.amazon.com/dp/1787013855?tag=wheregoesrose-20/)******.
**Car hire** â I recommend [**RentalCars.com**](https://rentalcars.tp.st/KQ6hQZFf) for car hire in Taiwan and around the world.
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I use [**Booking.com**](https://www.booking.com/index.html?aid=1859128) for accommodation. They have the best range of hotels and self-catering apartments, plus you can filter by review score and price to find the best-rated budget places. For hostels, I use ******[Hostelworld](https://hostelworld.tp.st/AYP6BmVK)******.
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Need **travel insurance**? I use [**True Traveller**](https://www.truetraveller.com/?tag=4501) (for UK & Europe residents) since itâs affordable but covers everything youâd need including various activities, valuables and pre-existing conditions. Unlike some companies, they insure you if youâre already travelling / donât yet have your flight home booked. [**Get a quote**](https://www.truetraveller.com/?tag=4501).
For travel insurance for other nationalities, I recommend [**Hey Mundo**](https://heymondo.com/?utm_medium=Afiliado&utm_source=WHEREGOESROSE&utm_campaign=PRINCIPAL&cod_descuento=WHEREGOESROSE&ag_campaign=INPUT&agencia=3rgDKcCDZ0edbIwC8CtxeUgB0RwZqthT4k5iwJI5) and for long-term digital nomad travellers, I suggest **[Safety Wing](https://safetywing.com/?referenceID=24956985&utm_source=24956985&utm_medium=Ambassador/)**.
**Check out my** [**resources**](https://www.wheregoesrose.com/resources/) **page for more travel discounts and tips\!**
##### Rose
Rose is a solo traveller from the UK who has been on the road since 2015. She wants to show other women that solo travel isn't scary and doesn't have to be expensive! Rose has lived in Mexico, Canada and all over Asia, seeking out food, bubble tea and street art wherever she goes\! |
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