11 Must-Eat Foods in Taiwan: My Top Underrated Favorites
After living in Taiwan for two years, gaining 7 kilos, and visiting multiple times since, I have a few absolute favorite foods that deserve to have the spotlight shined on them.
These must-eat foods in Taiwan are perfect for anyone who wants to make sure they try not just the top foods, but also explore other foods that some Taiwan food guides might miss.
Because if you’ve read any top Taiwan food guides, I know you’ve already added beef noodles, fried chicken, bubble tea, and black pepper buns to your list.
But I haven’t found a Taiwan food guide that mentions eating chicken butt or drinking mung bean milkshakes, two foods I’m absolutely crazy about. So I’m making sure you don’t overlook them.
Like, if we were to meet in Taiwan, these are the best foods I’m gonna make sure you try so I can brainwash you into wanting to come back.
Albeit, some of my friends weren’t too sure about taro/cheese savory pancake, but at least they were open to it! And I hope after you read this list of my top foods to try in Taiwan, you’ll want to explore beyond the (also still delicious) beef noodles and bubble tea.
Disclosure: Some links to products and recommendations are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase (at no extra cost to you).
Best Foods to Eat in Taiwan: What to Know First
In this guide, I’ve included the best must-eat foods in Taiwan you can find at breakfast shops, night markets, restaurants, and dessert/drink shops.
Here are a few important things to remember as you explore Taiwan’s foodie scene.
Haven’t booked a hotel in Taiwan yet? Here are my favorite budget-friendly hotels and hostels I’ve stayed at (includes Taipei, Tainan, Kaohsiung & more).
Tips for the Best Food in Taiwan to Try
- Just like anywhere, the quality of some places varies. If you try something at the wrong place, you might never give it another chance. Since it’s easy to find Google reviews for places to eat in Taiwan, I recommend checking them, especially for restaurants and breakfast shops.
- Don’t just visit the most popular tourist-catering night markets. Consider checking out ones like Lingjaing (Xinyi) or Nanjichang (Zhongzheng)
- Taiwan loves its lines, and some are most definitely worth the wait. If you pass a place with a long line of locals, get curious. That’s how I’ve found some places I never would have thought to stop for.
- Most hot food at night markets is prepared fresh or reheated on the grill, but always double-check. I remember one place handed me a chicken butt stick that was probably cooked much earlier. While it was still good, the best places would reheat it on the grill to make it hot and crisp.
My Favorite Must-Eat Foods in Taiwan
Now that we’ve covered a bit of my backstory with food in Taiwan and tips, let’s talk about the places and foods that you have to add to your list.
Note: I share general places where to find these foods in Taiwan, plus some of my favorite spots, mainly in Taipei since most travelers (& those reading this post) are likely to pass through.
Chicken Butt (Ji PiGu 雞屁股)
Where to get it: Chicken butt is easy to find at night markets, alongside other skewers and small bites.
Tips: Chicken butt is typically cooked and ready to serve at stands, but make sure they put it back on the grill before serving, because that’s when it tastes best.
Yep, we’re starting this must-eats-in-Taiwan list with chicken butt.
The first time I tried chicken butt was almost a confusing experience, because it is crunchy, soft, and fatty. There’s a lot of textures going on at once, really.
In Taiwan, like in many Asian countries, it’s popular to eat every part of the animal. So most places serve chicken butt, but you’ll also find hearts, intestines, cartilage, and more.
Mung Bean Milkshake (LuDou NiuNai 綠豆牛奶）
Where to get it: You can find mung bean milkshakes at night markets and even at tea shops, especially in the summertime.
Tips: You can also get mung bean without the milk (beans, sugar, and ice). Ask to confirm if it’s vegan, just in case! This is the way I prefer to make it creamier.
I don’t remember the first time I tried mung bean milkshakes, but it is absolutely one of my favorite icy drinks in Taiwan. Every visit to Taiwan, it’s one of the first and last things I drink.
Be warned: it is quite filling, so if you try it at a night market, definitely get one to share so you have room for more!
Tea Eggs (ChaYe JiDan 茶葉雞蛋)
Where to get it: You can get tea eggs at any 7-Eleven or Family Mart. You can also find them as a specialty, especially in Sun Moon Lake, where they are brewed with locally grown tea.
Tips: I find the most flavorful eggs tend to be the ones with the most cracks. If the egg has zero cracks, it will not have any flavor yet.
The longer you spend in Taiwan, the more you turn to tea eggs for a quick snack, something to grab and go, or to include as a part of your breakfast.
The history of tea eggs actually starts in China, where brewing them with spices and salt helped preserve them for longer.
Once you’ve tried tea eggs, you’ll recognize the scent the moment you walk into a Taiwan convenience store.
They are especially great if you’re traveling Taiwan on a budget (about .75/each), and whenever I’m planning a day of cycling or hiking, I always grab a few to take with me.
Taiwanese Golden Kimchi (HuangJin PaoCai 台式黃金泡菜)
Where to get it: You can usually find Taiwanese golden kimchi as a side dish at restaurants. The one pictured above is from Bafeng, a popular dumpling chain across Taiwan. If you’re staying longer, you can grab a whole jar at the grocery store.
I love Korean kimchi, but I have to admit I love the Taiwanese version of kimchi more. Taiwanese golden kimchi is garlicy, creamy, and a tad sweet, without the typical kick you find in Korean kimchi.
I’d say it’s not something many people know about as a must-eat in Taiwan, and I tried it by absolute chance. So if you love kimchi, don’t miss the Taiwanese style.
Taiwanese Hot Dog (DaChang Bao XiaoChang 大腸包小腸)
Where to get it: Usually found at night markets; sorry, I don’t have a favorite spot to recommend this time!
Tips: Taiwanese “hot dogs” are usually wrapped in a plastic baggie to keep them together. Eat it like a push pop!
The Taiwanese hot dog is said to have been popularized in the 1980s, with roots in Taiwanese Hakka culture from Hualien.
Taiwanese sausage is already a must-try; some are even made from boar meat, which comes from indigenous cuisine in Taiwan. If you visit Wulai (south of Taipei), home to the Ayatal tribe, their boar-meat sausages are particularly well known.
That said, most sausages for the Taiwanese hot dogs you’ll find in night markets are made of pork.
The sausage is stuffed into a glutinous rice bun, and make sure to get all the toppings offered, especially garlic!
Stinky Tofu (Chou DouFu 臭豆腐)
Where to get it: Found at night markets. For great deep-fried stinky tofu, go to this Michelin-star-rated one; it’s fantastic (and heavy on the garlic sauce).
Tips: If you’re nervous about trying stinky tofu, start with the grilled version on a stick (photo above). I would call it a “beginner” stinky tofu. This style has a slightly less pungent taste and is delicious, especially topped with cabbage and thick, sweet soy sauce.
Stinky tofu originated in China during the Qing Dynasty and made its way to Taiwan in the mid-20th century. In Taiwan, it’s boiled, fried, or grilled and is often paired with pickled cabbage.
My student’s Grandma first introduced me to it, and I have been in love with it ever since, especially the grilled version on a stick.
While it’s often listed as a must-eat in Taiwan foodie guides, I had to include it to share the best tips for trying it, especially if it’s your first time.
Sesame Noodles (Ma Jiang Mian 麻醬麵, or 涼麵 Liang Mian)
Where to get it: Cold Sesame Noodles (Liang Mian) are sold at morning/early afternoon market stands. Hot sesame noodles (Ma Jiang Mian) are usually sold at local canteens.
Tips: Liang Mian is best for a lighter noodle dish, while Ma Jiang Mian has a heavier sauce, perfect for dinner.
I had to include both types of sesame noodles because I love them both, and you should try them too!
Cold sesame noodles (Liang Mian) are usually a breakfast/early lunch meal, with firm cold noodles, a light, flavorful peanut/sesame sauce, and shredded carrots and cucumbers on top. Sometimes they have shredded chicken. You can even find them at convenience stores!
As for the warm sesame noodles (Ma Jiang Mian), the sauce is heavier with a deep, nutty flavor. You can usually get just the noodles, but some places let you add in wontons or other mix-ins.
Rice Ball (FanTuan 飯糰)
Where to get it: Keep an eye out for them on the streets, usually posted up on the sidewalk, usually out until 10 or 11 AM (sometimes later). 米太丰手作飯糰 東門店 is one of my favorites, located in Daan.
Tips: They usually add pork (or fish) floss and a fried dough stick, so mention if you don’t want them, especially if you’re vegetarian!
Rice balls are one of my favorite Taiwanese breakfast dishes when I want something on the go that also doesn’t feel too heavy. OK, yes, a rice ball can be pretty big, but compared with other Taiwanese breakfasts that can be quite oily, it’s perfect fuel to start a big day.
They usually come wrapped in white or purple rice, or you can even mix them together, which I love. For an extra kick, if the stand offers it, add in some kimchi.
You can also get them at 7-Eleven or FamilyMart, but the quality can’t compare to the ones you’ll find at morning stands.
Turnip Cakes (LouBo Gao 蘿蔔糕)
Where to get it: Served at breakfast shops almost everywhere. Mama Wang’s is a great place for a full Taiwanese breakfast.
Tips: The best ones for me are a bit crispy on the outside! Also don’t forget to add some thick soy sauce.
The first time I tried a radish cake in Taiwan, I knew it was game over. It’s hard for me to go to a breakfast shop and avoid it because I love them so much. I end up studden with turnip cakes, dan bing, and am ready for a nap before it’s even noon.
Historically, people ate turnip cakes mainly for New Year’s, but now they’re part of daily life, gracing the classic metal folding tables you find at eateries across Taiwan.
The dish originated in China, and a Cantonese version is also popular in dim sum. In Taiwan, people commonly make it with white daikon (radish) and long-grain rice flour. Check out an in-depth history of the turnip cake here.
To me, it’s most perfect when the inside is soft and almost melty, with a crispy outside.
Anything with Taro
Where to get it: For the taro & cheese pancake above, go to Oops! Foody, a small breakfast chain (use search to see locations in Taipei). I also LOVE the taro pastries at Master A-Tsung, with a location at Taipei Main Station (great for gifts back home).
Tips: The best taro experience is usually a sweet (or semi-sweet) version, like a part of shaved ice or a pastry.
I’m listing taro here as a food to try in general. You can try it in many ways, including in hot pot, on shaved ice, or even as a paste in a breakfast pancake (though that’s not very common).
Another delicious way to try Taro is as a smoothie, but be careful; some places add a lot of sugar, so I always ask first. I first fell in love with taro on Kinmen, where I used to order taro smoothies with no sugar on the reg.
Tofu Pudding (DouHua 豆花)
Where to get it: Popular around Taiwan! One of my summer favorites is Anping Douhua 安平豆花, which has a few locations around Taiwan but is from Tainan.
Tips: You can usually get it hot or iced, so tofu pudding is always a good choice, no matter the season!
Tofu pudding is the ultimate dessert: it’s not too sweet, you can choose your toppings, and you can have it hot or cold.
When I first moved to Taiwan, the liquidy dessert seemed “unusual” to me, but after a few tries, it became a favorite. Now I really love soupy desserts like this.
Boiled peanut tofu pudding is a classic, and red bean and mung bean are also fantastic options.
Citrus-based tofu puddings are also an option, though less common. A cold tofu pudding with a lemon base and mung bean is especially satisfying in the summertime.
Scallion Pancakes (Cong You Bing 蔥油餅)
Where to get it: Scallion pancakes are popular across Taiwan and can be found at breakfast shops and night markets. I love this scallion pancake shop in Beitou! They’re also famous in Yilan, where scallions are a popular crop.
Tips: I find that the best scallion pancakes are at places with a limited menu, meaning they specialize in them and make them fresh from scratch.
Scallion pancakes are one of the simplest yet delicious must-eats in Taiwan. They’re flaky, crispy, and oily, making them so satisfying.
While it’s common to get them plain, some places serve them with a fried egg. Don’t forget to add spices, pepper, or sauces to maximize the flavor.
Especially when I first moved to Taiwan, I ate so many of these, and very likely it contributed to the 15 pounds I gained over the two years I lived there.
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If you’ve added a few bites to your Taiwan eats list and found a few things to save, definitely check out more of my Taiwan articles! I share my experience and insights to make your Taiwan travels even better.
