Let the food marathon begin!
The one thing that is a must on every visitor’s Taipei itinerary is a night market. Constantly buzzing with activities, tempting smells, and delicious flavors, it’s impossible to resist the charm of a quintessential Taiwanese night market. Before you start salivating and daydreaming about snacking your way through a night market, make sure you keep this list of Taipei night markets handy for your next Taiwan holiday:
1. Shilin Night Market
The OG of night markets in Taipei, Shilin Night Market is undoubted the largest and most well-known not just in the city but across Taiwan. A top attraction in Taipei, the streets and alleys of Shilin Night Market are filled with a myriad of street food. You can also find everything from electronics to trendy clothes, bags and more in the market.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Must-try street food in Shilin Night Market:
- XXL fried chicken cutlet
- Cheesy mashed potato
- Oyster mee sua
- Pepper pork bun
Address: No. 101, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111 Nearest station: Jiantan MRT Station Opening hours: Daily, 3:30pm to 1am
2. Ningxia Night Market
Located in the heart of the downtown Taipei, Ningxia Night Market may be smaller in scale but it still delivers in charm and flavour. This night market focuses more on food, so if you’re here for a gastronomy adventure, you’re at the right place. With vendors tightly packed together allowing for a narrow walkway, you can expect to get up close and personal with strangers but most importantly, the food!
Photo Credit: Flickr
Must-try street food in Ningxia Night Market:
- Sesame-coated mochi
- Sesame oil chicken
- Oyster omelette
- Fried taro balls
Address: Ningxia Road, Datong District, Taipei City 103 Nearest station: Shuanglian Station and Zhongshan Station Opening hours: Daily, 5:30pm to 12am
3. Raohe Night Market
Photo Credit: Flickr
This traditional night market, older than the famous Shilin Night Market, is a highly frequented spot by both locals and tourists. In Raohe Night Market, you can find simple Taiwanese street food and staples, and other lesser common treats like buns, dumplings and even fried tea! The market is also close to other interesting sights like the Ci You Temple, at one end of the street.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Must-try street food in Raohe Night Market:
- Pepper pork bun
- Pork rib bone soup
- Grilled squid
- Grilled beef cubes
Address: Raohe Street, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105 Nearest station: Songshan Station Opening hours: Daily, 4pm to 12am
4. Tonghua (Linjiang Street) Night Market
Photo Credit: Flickr
Just an MRT stop away from the popular Taipei 101, the Tonghua Night Market has been said to be quite the local spot. Also known as Linjiang Night Market, it has gained more recognition amongst visitors over the years. Filled with many local eats, flavours and smells, it’s impossible to leave the market hungry!
Photo Credit: Flickr
Must-try street food in Tonghua (Linjiang Street) Night Market:
- Gua bao (Taiwanese hamburger)
- Lu rou fan (Pork braised rice)
- Shanghai pan-fried buns
- Stinky tofu
Address: Alley 1, Lane 40, Linjiang Street, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 Nearest station: Xinye Anhe Station Opening hours: Daily, 6pm to 12am
5. Huaxi Night Market (Snake Alley)
Photo Credit: Flickr
With a reputation of being Taipei’s seedy red light district a few decades back, Huaxi Night Market today is now a loud, bustling market with mouth-watering food. While it was known for its “Snake Alley” which sold snake meat and snake wine, you’ll be glad to know these businesses are no longer in practice. Also known as Guangzhou Street Night Market and Taipei Hwahsi Tourist Night Market, you’ll find many vendors specializing in Chinese medicinal stews and wine.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Must-try street food in Huaxi Night Market:
- Eel noodle soup
- Squid soup
- Tainan style dan dan noodles
- Taiwanese meatballs
Address: Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108 Nearest station: Longshan Temple Station Opening hours: Daily, 6am to 10pm
6. Shida Night Market
Photo Credit: Flickr
Located in a trendy university area, it’s no surprise that Shida Night Market is popular with the younger crowd. The major upside to this is that prices are lower compared to many other night markets in the major tourist areas. While the night market street itself isn’t as big, you can also find plenty of rock bars, cafes and restaurants surrounding the place.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Must-try street food in Shida Night Market:
- Beef noodle soup
- Salted water chicken
- Assorted fried snacks
- Jian bing (Taiwanese egg crepe roll)
Address: Lane 39, Shida Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106 Nearest station: Taipower Building Station Opening hours: Daily, 8am to 10pm
7. Liaoning Night Market
Photo Credit: Nomad Flag
If you’d like a little escape from the tourist hotspots, the Liaoning Street Market is smaller in scale and has less crowds. Spanning just one block, the night market still has the usual fares and local street food. While choices are plenty in Liaoning Night Market, they are also known for their seafood dishes, be it grilled or stir fried.
Photo Credit: Flickr
Must-try street food in Liaoning Night Market:
- Seafood stir fry
- Fried goose
- Oyster omelette
- Migao (Taiwanese sticky rice pudding)
Address: Liaoning Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104 Nearest station: Taipower Building Station Opening hours: Daily, 4pm to 2am
8. Gongguan Night Market
Photo Credit: Flickr
Located in the business district, Gongguan Night Market is part of the popular shopping and leisure are between Zhongzheng and Da’an. Around the night market, you can find clothing stores, tea houses, as well as a major university. Street vendors line the market selling a myriad of famous street food like scallion egg pancake, dumplings, sausages and more. If you want to eat something different, you can easily find restaurants nearby serving Thai, Malaysian, and Indonesian cuisine as well.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Must-try street food in Gongguan Night Market:
- Small sausage in big sausage
- Scallion egg pancake
- Pig’s blood cake
- Steamed dumplings
Address: Section 3, Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City Nearest station: Gongguan MRT Station Opening hours: Daily, 3pm to 11:45pm
9. Lehua Night Market
Lehua Night Market may not be the top must-go markets for visitors for the sole fact that it’s quite far away from the city centre, but it sure is loved by locals. Many tout is as the best market in Taipei and we can see totally see why. With a wide variety of shops and food available, you’d wish you have 10 stomachs to eat everything! Aside from food, you can also find places for shopping and entertainment around the market.
Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Must-try street food in Lehua Night Market:
- Stinky tofu
- Spicy duck blood
- Braised meat vermicelli
- Yolk-filled taro balls
Address: Yongping Road, Yonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 234 Nearest station: Dingxi Station Opening hours: Daily, 5pm to 1am
10. Miaokou Night Market, Keelung
Located in Keelung, just outside of New Taipei City, is a popular traditional market which focuses on mainly food! The Keelung Miaokou Night Market is only a 40-min drive from Taipei and is home to many fresh seafood amongst many other local food. If you’re not sold yet, you will be once you find that Anthony Bourdain ate in that very market when he visited Taiwan!
Photo Credit: Flickr
Must-try street food in Miaokou Night Market:
- Crab soup
- Butter sauce crab
- Pig’s trotter
- Nutritious sandwich
Address: No. 20, Aisi Road, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan 200 Nearest station: Keelung Station Opening hours: Daily, 12pm to 12am
Taipei essentials
For quick escape from the city, head over to Jiufen and Shifen to see the famous tea houses or release a paper lantern into the sky. Soaking in a hot spring is also a great way to unwind on your holiday to Taipei! Need more inspiration on your Taipei trip?
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