The island country of Taiwan is known for many things, from the largest collection of Chinese antiquities at the National Palace Museum to the the former highest building in the world, Taipei 101, Taiwan is a travellers delight with many things to see and do.
But what makes Taiwan famous are its vibrant night markets and fascinating and tasty street food. From its capital Taipei all the way south to Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, night markets hosting a wide range of street food outlets are a common sight come sunset. In fact, Taipei alone has six recognised night markets with Shilin Night Market being the biggest.
Here is a quick guide on what to eat when exploring any of Taiwan’s night markets.
Hot off the grill
Taiwan loves grilled food and any visit to a night market is not complete without a taste of Taiwan’s famous grilled sausages which are sweet, salty and smoky with a nice snap when one bites into it. It is similar to Macanese sausage but the grilling makes each bite pop in the mouth.
Aside from sausages, be on the look out for grilled squid balls on a stick. These plump balls are grilled and finished with a light dash of hua-jiao fen (Taiwanese pepper powder) which give it a nice spicy bite with a bright citrusy finish.
In the more touristy night markets, look for the grilled wagyu beef stalls where the beef is cooked with a blowtorch and some dancing on the side. Perfect for entertaining hungry kids and kids at heart.
Anything fried
Everyone loves fried chicken, and in Taiwan, fried chicken comes in one size, extra large. A staple at any night market are stalls selling “giant” fried chicken cutlets which are basically a whole chicken breast breaded and fried to perfection and finished with a light powdering of spices.
If you are into seafood, then why not look for whole fried squid? Most fried chicken stalls also serve these crispy morsels on the side. Imagine my amazement when I first saw the squids all spread out and fried, some places serve them “naked” and some serve them with a light batter for some crunch.
Steamed and baked goodness
For those who want lighter fare, then try to look for stalls that serve boiled dumplings. Usually filled with vegetables and pork, boiled dumplings are best enjoyed on the spot with a dipping sauce of sesame oil, light soy sauce, and a bit of chilli.
Some may associate Taiwan with xiao long bao from a famous restaurant chain, but take a walk around any night market and you are sure to find a xiao long bao that can easily compete with the ones from any restaurant.
If ever you are at Taipei’s Shida Night Market, you might want to look for “water-fried” dumplings. These are dumplings that are fried to have a crispy bottom, then steamed to finish cooking. These dumplings are much like Japanese gyoza but jucier.
Milk tea madness
Any traveller to Taiwan is sure to notice the proliferation of milk tea stalls from North to South. With the Taiwanese love for tea and the fun of mixing and matching flavours, milk tea stalls are a staple in any night market. In fact, while I was exploring Tainan City, I realised that there were milk tea stores in almost any corner of the city, some right beside each other!
Taiwan’s milk tea craze has spawned many different and inventive ways to drink tea such as milk tea with Yakult and milk tea with burnt brown sugar. I was also able to try a unique tea concoction in Tainan which mixed green tea, campari, and Heineken beer for a sweet refreshing drink with a slightly hoppy finish.
Traditional fare
What is the Taiwan night market food experience without sampling the island country’s traditional fare right? On the top of my list are oyster omelettes. Freshly-made omelettes filled with bean sprout, spring onions and plump oysters served with a special sauce, each briny bite takes me back to my first Taiwan visit.
Filled with pork and vegetables or potato and cheese, kiln-baked buns can be found in many night markets.The buns are cooked by sticking them onto the walls of a round brick kiln that looks much like an Indian tandoori. Each bun is juicy to the bite and is the perfect pick-me-up on any cold evening.
For the adventurous, there is nothing that says Taiwan street food more than stinky tofu. Looking for a stall selling stinky tofu? All you need to do is smell the air. I personally cannot overcome the smell of it but people who have tasted it swear the pungent dish tastes amazing.
I know this list is short and sweet and is still missing many other things to eat at Taiwan’s night markets, but with its vibrant food culture, there is always something new or trendy popping up which makes exploring every nook and cranny of every night market worth it. Just notice the queues and you know you are on the right track.
