Taiwanese Food Culture: an Introduction to 22 Must Eat Food in Taiwan 

Food is such a big part of Taiwanese culture. Foodies from all over the world will find Taiwan to be an exciting culinary destination. The simplest and basic ingredients can become the most delicious food you will ever taste. Sampling all the culinary delights is truly a highlight of a trip to Taiwan.

If you are planning a solo trip to Taiwan, make sure to explore the Taiwanese food culture by trying different types of food in Taiwan. From local restaurants to bustling night markets, there is something for everyone!

In this post, I’ll show you the top 22 Taiwanese food you must try while travelling in Taiwan. And I included some of the best places to eat this Taiwanese traditional food throughout the country.

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Things you need to know about Taiwanese food culture

Before you dive into Taiwan food culture, take a look at my post on everything you need to know before going to Taiwan. I included a lot of travel information, including how to get around Taiwan, getting a Taiwan SIM card, and other travel tips.

Here are a few additional tips for experiencing food culture in Taiwan:

• Many of the best places are found in small local neighbourhood restaurants and night markets throughout Taiwan.
• Taiwan traditional food is very affordable, especially at night markets.
• Make sure to bring cash because 99% of the vendors only take cash as payment.
• Generally speaking, the food portion is quite small compared to North American standards. But the good news is you can order several and try different food!
• Look for long queues for any restaurants or food vendors. When there is a long queue, it means the food is excellent and worth the wait!
• Don’t be afraid of the language barrier! Some places have English menus and photographs where you can point and order food.

Taiwan Food Culture: Overview

Food is such an important part of everyday life. And food culture in Taiwan is all about simple and local ingredients. Best of all, you can find food at any hour of the day and anywhere!

Between sampling food from local restaurants and the endless aisles of night markets, you will find your stomach very happy when travelling in Taiwan. You may even find some of your favourite Taiwanese food at 7-Eleven!

And most of all, Taiwanese food is not expensive. It is quite cheap. Eating locally in Taiwan will not break your budget.

What to eat in Taiwan: 22 food to eat in Taiwan

While each region has its own regional specialties, some Taiwanese food is served nationwide. The best way to introduce yourself to the food culture in Taiwan is to try everything! 

And if this is your first time experiencing the Taiwan food culture, I’ll show you exactly what to eat in Taiwan and where to find these delicious specialties. You can easily create your own Taiwanese food tour around a specific city or even the whole country. So use this Taiwan food guide however you wish!

Must eat in Taiwan: traditional Taiwanese food

1. Beef Noodle Soup or Niu Rou Mian (牛肉麵)

The classic beef with noodles in a soup broth is a must-try food in Taiwan. The cut of beef varies, but most restaurants like to cook beef shank to pair with bouncy noodles. And the broth has many layers of flavours that complement well with the noodle. 

Beef noodle soup is a big part of Taiwan food culture. It is a staple diet so you should have no problem finding a beef noodle place in a local neighbourhood, night market and almost anywhere!

Where to eat Beef Noodles

• Niu Dien Beef Noodles (牛店牛肉麵) in Taipei – The restaurant specializes in beef noodles, and you can tailor the spiciness level to your liking. They have an English menu, and the staff speaks some English.
• Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles (老山東牛肉麵) in Taipei – This Michelin Bib Gourmand 2019 recommendation is so good! The handmade ribbon noodle goes well with the tender beef.
• Gubami in Taichung – Get an expensive but really delicious bowl of Michelin-level beef noodle soup. Call and reserve a table.
• Gang Yuan Beef Noodle Restaurant (港園牛肉麵) in Kaohsiung – Order your noodle at the counter, pay and wait at a table for your delicious bowl of beef noodles. The place is always busy, so there might be a queue. Don’t worry if you don’t speak Mandarin; the menu has photos so you can point to the item you want to order.

2. Braised Pork Rice or Lurou Fan (魯肉飯)

Perhaps one of my favourite classic Taiwanese food of all time! It is a braised pork in a soy sauce cooked with five spices and served over white rice. The pork is served as a piece of pork belly or diced-up pork belly. Either way, it goes really well with the radish and white rice. Savour the flavourful sauce and the tenderness of the pork.

Lurou fan is a very common dish so you should not have any issues finding this Taiwanese food. They are very common in restaurants and night markets.

Where to eat Braised Pork Rice

• Xi Men Gin Fong (西門金鋒魯肉飯) in Taipei – Portions are small so that means you can order different dishes and try them all. I tried their turkey rice, braised pork, vegetables and homemade soup.
• 南豐魯肉飯 at Ziquang Night Market (自強夜市) in Kaohsiung – The portion is quite good especially when they serve such a big piece of delicious pork belly (pictured above). You can either eat in or take away at this Kaohsiung night market.

3. Braised Taiwanese Food (滷味王)

Braised Taiwanese food is a very popular Taiwanese food and can be found at night markets all over Taiwan.

Basically, it is food cooked in a light soy sauce broth, and the braised food is served in a bowl.

Here’s how you eat at one of these types of braised food restaurants. First, grab a basket and pick all the ingredients for your meal. Then pay at the cashier while the chef cooks your food. You pay exactly what you selected. So if you tend to eat less, your bowl of braised food can be very cheap.

Eat in or have it to go. Either way, this is a must-eat food in Taiwan!

Where to eat Braised Taiwanese Food

• Braised Taiwanese Food (一中滷味王) at Yizhong Street Night Market in Taichung – This is an eat-in restaurant where you can pick and choose your favourite ingredients for your bowl of braised food.
• Ni Jia Wou Jia (你家我家滷味) at Feng Chia Night Market in Taichung – order braised food to-go and you don’t even need to get up from your scooter!

4. Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)

One of Taiwan’s famous street food is deep-fried tofu also known as stinky tofu. Small pieces of fermented tofu are deep-fried in oil and are eaten with a sweet and spicy sauce. You will either love it or hate this weird must eat in Taiwan.

The tofu gives off a strong odour. I’m not sure how to describe it except it smells like something is rotting. But a lot of people love eating stinky tofu! Don’t diss it until you try it!

Where to eat Stinky Tofu

Almost night markets in Taiwan have at least a stall or two of deep-fried stinky tofu. You don’t need to look for it; your nose will find it for you!

5. Oyster omelet (蚵仔煎)

Taiwanese people really love their pan-fried eggs with oysters. Basically, it is a plate of scrambled eggs with fried small oysters. 

Try this classic Taiwanese dish with tangy sauce. You can eat it by itself or as a side dish.

Where to eat Oyster Omelet

You can find oyster omelet at any night market in individual stalls that only serves oyster omelet (pictured above). You know the oyster omelet is good when the food stall only has oyster omelet on their menu and nothing else.

Taiwanese restaurants will also serve oyster omelets as well.

6. Scallion pancake (蔥油餅)

Okay, I don’t like scallions, but I love scallion pancakes! But I only eat the ones in Taiwan and not anywhere else.

The typical scallion pancake is really thin, fried with a lot of oil, and has very small pieces of green scallion. Even though the flour pancake is pan-fried in a lot of oil, there is still a crispy and flaky texture. No wonder it is such a popular Taiwanese snack!

The scallion pancakes in Yilan are a bit thicker and have more scallions.

Both types of pancakes are delicious on their own. Some places will have the option to add cheese, egg and different types of toppings and sauces.

Where to eat Scallion Pancake

• Tian Jin Flaky Scallion Pancake (天津蔥抓餅) in Taipei – You know the pancake is good when there is a long queue. Even though it sounds weird to add egg and basil in the scallion pancake, the combination of ingredients is mind-blowing!
• Scallion pancake (逢甲丹丹香蔥油餅) in Feng Chia Night Market in Taichung – Order the original flavour or with flavours like pepper, curry, cheese, wasabi, plum or garlic. Buy a small portion (quarter), half or full portion.
• Yellow Car Fried Spring Onion Pancake (炸彈蔥油餅黃車) in Hualien – This food stall is famous for its scallion pancake, and there is always a long queue. I went back a couple of times and always see massive line-ups. But it is worth the wait!
• Ke’s Scallion Pancake (柯氏蔥油餅) in Jiaoxi in Yilan County – Yilan’s most famous food is the scallion pancake. This Michelin guide recommended pancake is thicker than your typical scallion pancake and has many more scallions.

7. Scallion pancake sandwich wrap

Adapting from one of the best traditional Taiwanese food, this must-try food is a sandwich wrap made with the classic pan-fried flakey pancake.

Then choose different ingredients for your sandwich wraps like a fried egg, pork floss, kimchi, cheese, basil, chicken, and beef.

Where to eat Scallion pancake sandwich wrap

• Flakey wrap (半月燒餡餅) at Yizhong Street Night Market in Taichung – makes an awesome beef scallion pancake wrap
• Hit Cookie Home (打餅舖烙餅) is also in Yizhong Street Night Market

8. Traditional Taiwanese Breakfast

Taiwanese breakfast might be my favourite type of breakfast! And I love all kinds of breakfast food, but the Taiwanese really know how to make a solid meal in the morning.

And there is so much to choose from, including clay oven roll, egg crepe and dumplings. And everything goes well with a soy milk drink. The soy milk drink can be a cold or hot beverage on its own, or you can have a hot bowl of soy milk with a fried bread stick and green scallions.

Definitely try Taiwanese breakfast a few times. It is a huge part of the food culture in Taiwan! Whatever you choose, you will be satisfied with your choices. They are all delicious!

Where to eat Taiwanese Breakfast

• Yong He Soy Milk King (永和豆漿大王) in Taipei – One of my favourite breakfast places in Taipei, this local restaurant has all types of Taiwanese breakfast items. Try the egg crepe and salty soy milk drink. There are many locations throughout Taiwan.
• Xing Long Ju (興隆居) in Kaohsiung – Locals love this place! You can tell because there are always a ton of people early morning. The sesame bun with egg and dough fritter sandwich is to die for! Also, the steamed meat bun and iced black tea with soy milk ain’t bad either.
• Miao Kou Black Tea (廟口紅茶) or Liming Black Tea (黎明紅茶) in Hualien – They both have a great breakfast selection and milk tea. Order the egg crepe or breakfast sandwich. And of course, order a milk tea to go with your food!

9. Gua Bao (刈包)

A typical gua bao has braised pork belly, pickled Chinese cabbage stuffed in a steamed bun. The flavourful pork and tanginess of the pickled vegetable really complement each other.

But in Taiwan, you will also find other steamed bun sandwiches that combine non-traditional ingredients to make a fusion guo bao.

Where to eat Gua Bao 

• A Song Steamed Sandwich Shop (阿松割包) in Tainan – Their version of gua bao has sliced pork and pickled vegetables in a steamed bun. And they also serve pork broth with your tasty sandwich.
• Bashi Bao (盛橋刈包) in Taichung – They have a breakfast gua bao and other types too. The menu keeps changing, so you must return a few times.

10. Fried Chicken

Who doesn’t like fried chicken? And in Taiwan, it is no exception that fried chicken is a great snack or meal.

And it comes in so many different forms: deep-fried popcorn chicken, boneless nuggets, chicken wing, chicken leg, or chicken breast. But the most interesting one is where the chicken breast is flattened into a giant sheet of chicken steak and deep-fried. The resulting fried chicken is quite big!

Where to eat Fried Chicken

• 繼光香香雞 (J&G Fried Chicken) in Taipei and all over Taiwan – Get their signature popcorn chicken, made with tender and juicy pieces of chicken breast. Get it with the original flavour or spicy.
• 艋舺ㄟ雞排 (Monga Fried Chicken) all over Taipei – They specialize in fried chicken steak flattened to 2cm. Then they add different flavours like seaweed or chilli to your delicious fried chicken steak.
• 豪大大雞排 (Hot-Star) in Taipei – This is the original deep-fried chicken food vendor that popularized this food group in Taiwan. The giant chicken filet is huge – it can be up to 30cm big!

11. Soup Dumplings or Xiao Long Bao (小籠包)

If there is one thing you need to try in Taiwan, it is xiao long bao.

But wait, there are different types of xiao long bao.

The one that we are most familiar with is the tiny dumplings with soup inside. These dumplings are steamed to perfection! And it tastes best if you dip it in soy sauce and vinegar. The best way to eat a soup dumpling is to bite it first, drink the soup, dip it in sauce, and eat it in one bite.

There is another kind that is uniquely famous in Hualien (pictured below, top right). The skin of the dumpling is a bit thicker, almost resembling bread more than a dumpling wrap. They are a bit bigger; you still eat them with soy sauce and vinegar.

Where to eat Xiao Long Bao 

• Din Tai Fung (鼎泰豐) all over Taiwan – The restaurant is famous for its soup dumplings. Even though they have locations worldwide, it is still worth trying in Taipei because they also have chocolate dumplings as a dessert (pictured above, left). I believe Taiwan is the only place you can order this. So how can you say no to chocolate in a dumpling?
• Gongzheng Baozi (公正包子店) in Hualien – You can order as many dumplings as you want. But these bready dumplings are a little bigger than the traditional dumplings, you might want to pace yourself.
• 7-11 in Taiwan – I’m not even kidding! The convenience store sells frozen xiao long bao and they will even microwave it for you! And it tastes so good!

12. Pepper Bun (胡椒餅)

A delicious savoury treat that is good for any time of the day. The pepper bun is made has minced pork, green scallions and pepper in the middle of a flakey bun. The bun is rolled together and baked on the wall of a clay oven.

Pepper bun is really popular in Taiwan so you should have no problem finding it at any night market.

Where to eat Pepper Bun

• Fuzhou Ancestor Pepper Pie (福州世祖胡椒餅) in Taipei – They make the pepper bun fresh and on the spot. Sometimes there is a long queue. They also have another food cart at Raohe Night Market.
• Taiwanese pepper bun (高雄六合佳寶薯餅) at Yizhong Street Night Market in Taichung – The food cart makes a flakey pepper bun that has lots of scallions and pork with sesame scattered all over the top. I pinned the approximate location; hopefully, it will make it easier to find the pepper bun at this Taichung night market.

Taiwan must eat food: Regional Taiwanese food

13. Ba Wan (肉圓)

Ba wan is a giant dumpling made of starchy dough with pork and vegetable filling. The skin is translucent after it is cooked and served with a thick, tangy sauce. They don’t look like a typical dumpling, but I guarantee you will love the flavour. Also, the texture is sticky and gooey just in case you are wondering.

I found this Taiwan must eat food in the food markets of Hsinchu. They are probably all over the country as well but definitely try them while you are in Hsinchu.

Where to eat Ba Wan

• Cheng Huang Temple Night Market (城隍廟夜市) in Hsinchu – There are many food stalls serving ba wan in the market, but essentially they serve the same type. So pick one that you like.

14. Turkey Rice or Ji Rou Fan

Originating from Chiayi City, many restaurants in Chiayi serve small bowls of white rice, with shredded turkey meat on top. Then a bit of homemade oily sauce is added to add an extra layer of flavour.

Even though it is a Chiayi specialty, you can find turkey rice at any Taiwanese restaurant that serves typical Taiwanese dishes.

Where to eat Turkey Rice

• Liu Li Zhang Ji Rou Fan (劉里長火雞肉飯) in Chiayi City – The turkey rice restaurant serves yummy turkey rice. It is so good that it was featured on Netflix’s Street Food show.
• Turkey Rice (阿宏師火雞肉飯) in Chiayi City – another excellent restaurant in Chiayi serving turkey rice and other typical Taiwanese dishes.
• Xi Men Gin Fong (西門金鋒魯肉飯) in Taipei – Already mentioned earlier, this restaurant serves traditional Taiwanese food, including turkey rice, braised pork rice and other typical Taiwanese dishes.

15. Thick Pork Soup

There might be a better name than “Thick Pork Soup,” but I simply cannot find it in English or Chinese.

But it is exactly what it is: thick pork soup! Each spoonful of soup has thick pork broth with pork and garlic. Some restaurants will serve it with rice or noodles. Or you can eat it as is.

I found many soup restaurants in Yilan. But you can also try this in Taipei as well.

Where to drink Thick Pork Soup

• Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (阿宗麵線) in the Ximending area of Taipei – the popular food vendor sells only one thing: soup! Theirs is made with rice noodles and soy-braised pig intestines and is garnished with chilli sauce and black vinegar.
• Mother’s Love Garlic Meat Soup (阿娘給的蒜味肉羹) in Yilan City – a thick savoury soup with seasoned pork and lots of garlic. P.S. Bring breathe mints!

Taiwan must try food: beverages and desserts

16. Milk Tea (奶茶)

Taiwan has a strong tea culture. Tea is definitely more popular than coffee. But no matter where you are in Taiwan, you can always find milk tea at restaurants, convenience stores like 7-11, and stores that only sell milk tea.

It is one of my favourite drinks (I probably said this probably a few times now, but I have too many favourites in Taiwan). The black tea with whole milk is a classic! You can’t go wrong!

And FYI, yes, I had all the drinks in the photo! It looks like a lot, but I was in Taiwan for two months!!

Where to drink Milk Tea

• Shuang Fei Milk Tea (双妃奶茶) in Kaohsiung – If you love Taiwanese milk tea, go to specialty stores that sell milk tea only. This specialty store sells milk tea with different levels of sweetness. And you can add tapioca for free (pictured above, top row, fourth photo from the left).
• Taiwanese Milk Tea (樺達奶茶) several locations in Kaohsiung – I found most of them at the lower food level at department stores (pictured above, middle row, fifth photo from the left).

17. Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶)

Bubble tea is everywhere and not just in Taiwan! I’m sure by now you have at least heard of the name. But if you haven’t, you must try it, especially in Taiwan!

Typically, it is a milk tea with chewy tapioca “bubbles” at the bottom of your drink. You sip the tea and tapioca through a thick straw made specifically for this drink.

People call it bubble, boba or pearl. You can add grass jelly or milk pudding, and tailor the sweetness to your liking. And you can get almost any flavour from all types of fruits and teas.

Where to drink Bubble Tea

• Ximending area in Taipei – I counted at least six bubble tea shops on the same block in Ximending. That’s how popular it is in Taiwan! Some stores are right next to each other.
• Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) in Taichung or anywhere in Taiwan – This is the place where bubble tea first originated. The location in Taichung is THE original bubble tea store!

18. Aiyu Jelly (愛玉冰)

I didn’t know what this was initially because the sign at the food stall had a photo of a frog on it. And it says “frog eggs”!

But it is not anything like that at all! Aiyu jelly is a sweet summery drink with citrus jelly made from aiyu seeds. It can be served as a drink or dessert.

It is quite refreshing. And it is not too sweet – just perfect! And no frogs were harmed in the process!

Where to drink Aiyu Jelly

• Most night markets will have at least a stall selling aiyu jelly. The drink is very affordable and totally worth trying!

19. Papaya Milkshake

Besides milk tea and bubble tea, papaya milkshake has to be one of the most refreshing drinks in Taiwan. Made with the sweetest papaya, milk and ice, the drink is creamy, sweet, and oh-so tasty!

The drink is made to order. And you can also order other fruit shakes like strawberry, mango, dragonfruit and much more.

Where to drink Papaya Milkshake

• Papaya Milkshake (高北牛乳大王) at Yizhong Street Night Market in Taichung – This vendor only sells papaya milkshakes and watermelon milkshakes. Pick either, and you won’t regret it!
• Zheng’s Old Brand Papaya milk (鄭老牌木瓜牛奶) at Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung – the fruit drink vendor has been around since 1965, making the best papaya milkshake. I also tried the strawberry shake, and it is just as amazing!

20. Shaved Ice Mountain (刨冰)

Taiwanese people love their shaved ice mountains. It is literally what it is – a shaved ice mountain. You can get different flavours in a giant bowl of fluffy shaved ice and with various toppings like ice cream, tapioca, cake, etc.

Where to eat Shaved Ice Mountain

• Snowflake Shaved Ice Dessert (花藏雪) in Taipei – The strawberry shaved ice sits on top of a bed of cut strawberries while the tiramisu cake sits above a mountain of shaved ice. It was worth the wait!
• daOnegong (大碗公冰品) several locations in Taiwan – I had the mango-shaved ice mountain (pictured above, right) in Kaohsiung just before hopping on a ferry to Cijin Island. It is quite big, but somehow I managed to finish it. Ha!

21. Tofu Dessert or Douhua (豆花)

Douhua, or tofu dessert, is a Chinese dessert made with very soft and silky tofu or bean curd. And it is eaten with plain sugar syrup or ginger syrup.

This is a very typical Chinese dessert that you can find throughout China and Taiwan. Try one and let me know what you think.

Where to find Douhua Tofu Dessert

• Bai Shui Tofu Pudding (白水豆花) in Taipei – Order from the tofu cart and eat it in Yongkang Park across the street. Bai Shui also has another location in Jiaoxi in Yilan County.
• Summer Tree Sweet (夏樹甜品) on Dihua Street in Dadaocheng, Taipei – The dessert store has a delicious red bean with almond tofu dessert.

22. Pineapple Cake (鳳梨酥)

If there is one Taiwanese snack to bring home as a souvenir, this is it! Pineapple cake is a favourite amongst the Taiwanese. I can see why – it is quite unique and tasty. It is a small pastry filled with dried pineapple. Not super fancy, but it is super tasty!

Where to find Pineapple Cake

Many retail stores have packaged pineapple cakes prepared so you can bring them home easily. There are plenty of stores selling pineapple cakes all over the country. And if you forget to pick up some in the city, you can also buy them duty-free at the airport in Taipei.

• Sunny Hill Kaohsiung Store (微熱山丘 高雄駁二特區門市) and in various places in Taiwan – The store sells pineapple cake, and you can sample the honey cake or pineapple with tea for free (if you are a tourist).

Taiwan food culture: which must eat food will you try?

I hope you enjoyed this post and it will inspire you to try some of the best things to eat in Taiwan. Experiencing Taiwanese food culture is all about trying new food. And eating solo in Taiwan is not intimidating at all. Trying new food is one of the best activities for a solo traveller!

I’ll keep adding other Taiwan must try food as I come across them So bookmark this page.

And if I miss any of your favourite places to eat in Taiwan, let me know by leaving a comment below.

Thank you for reading my Taiwan food culture post

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