10 Street Foods You Should Be Eating When In Taiwan!

Taipei is a city that should be on every traveler’s itinerary. When you’re here, one of the first things you should do is visit one of the many Taiwanese street food markets that have popped up around the city. This is one way to enjoy good food in Taiwan without breaking the bank or compromising taste. 

Food markets are everywhere in Taipei, and you’ll find many Taiwanese street food stalls dedicated to selling snacks, desserts, and more. These are some of the most popular street foods in Taiwan that you need to look out for when you visit the country. 

A-gei is a specialty tofu skin dumpling that originated in Tamsui. It’s fried tofu that’s been hollowed out and filled with noodles, stewed ground pork, topped with a blended carrot mixture, and sealed with sumiri (fish paste). Each serving is stuffed to the brim and is often served alongside a fish ball soup. 

If you like boiled eggs, you’ve got to try iron eggs. Apart from the black color, this Taiwanese street food is notable for its chewy and flavorful profile. To get the dark color, the eggs are repeatedly stewed in a spice mixture and air-fried. It’s not to be confused with century eggs.

Grilled squid may not be unique to Taiwanese street food stalls, but it’s still distinct enough to give a try. The seafood is usually marinated in a soy and garlic mix, skewered on a stick, and cooked over a charcoal fire. It’s best consumed as soon as it’s taken off the grill so you can savor the smoky squid. 

Gao Bao’s are like sandwiches in the sense that they're stuffed bread rolls. The white bun is typically filled with braised pork belly, pickled veggies, and ground peanuts for that extra crunch. Fresh coriander is topped to tie in all the lovely flavors. Other variations of this filling Taiwanese street food include roast duck or crispy fried chicken. 

Mashed taro, water, and flour are mixed to create this simple and chewy Fujian treat. There are several ways to enjoy this beloved dessert food in Taiwan, such as with shaved ice and sweet syrup, warm with ginger soup, or deep-fried with a sweet filling. Most food stalls also serve it mixed with sweet potato or mung beans. 

You’ll find varying versions of this simple Taiwanese street food at every night market, each with its own flair. It’s a great alternative to your usual egg dishes and the fresh oysters add a nice salty taste. Some add sweet chili sauce and greens like lettuce or scallions to make the dish even more scrumptious. 

Every Taiwanese street food crawl should include stinky tofu. Just follow the scent and you’ll easily spot a stall that sells them. Don’t let the vile odor hinder you from sampling this dish because, believe it or not, it’s yummier than it sounds. In case you’re intrigued by the texture, it’s comparable to aged soft cheese and only has a mild flavor.  

Yes, you can get pancakes at a night market, but it’s not the type that’s served at an American breakfast. Scallion pancakes are a Taiwanese street food staple with almost every other store selling this savory flatbread. If you’re looking for more than something to snack on, add toppings like cheese, corn, or kimchi to make it a complete meal. 

The Taiwanese street food version of fried chicken can certainly rival those from fast-food chains. Chicken slices are flattened, seasoned, and breaded before being deep-fried and served in a paper bag. The result is a large chicken cutlet with a crunchy exterior and tender meat inside that’s easy to munch on while you explore the city. 

Who needs ice cream cones when you’ve got spring roll wrappers? Spring roll wrappers are filled with scoops of ice cream and crumbled peanuts to create a delectable treat that’s perfect for hot days. It’s a good balance of sweet and savory all wrapped into a piece of crunchy pocket.  

There are lots of delicious Taiwanese street food to try in Taipei. It’s a must-visit destination for foodies and people who love to try new things.