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Dishes That Define Taiwanese Food
15
items From beef noodle soup to bubble tea, this is the ultimate guide to what, where, and when to eat in Taipei.
Why try it?
• It’s a local icon of Tamsui: When you stroll through Tamsui Old Street, A-gei stalls are everywhere and part of the food culture there. 
• Texture & flavour experience: The contrast of the soft tofu shell, slippery seasoned nood...
A-gei
💡 What Is It?
Iron eggs (Tiě Dàn, 鐵蛋) are small, dark, chewy eggs—a famous specialty from Tamsui (淡水), New Taipei City.
They start as regular quail or chicken eggs, then go through a painstaking process:
1. Boiled in soy sauce and spices (star an...
Iron egg (Tie Dan)
📍 Where to Try Kao Youyu
You can find it at almost every major night market, but these spots are especially famous for it:
1. Shilin Night Market (士林夜市, Taipei) – Stalls here often serve massive, perfectly charred squid on skewers.
2. Raohe Stree...
Grilled Squid (Kao Youyu)
📍 Where to Try Guà Bāo
You’ll find Guà Bāo everywhere in Taiwan, from night markets to modern cafés, but here are some of the best spots:
1. Lan Jia Gua Bao (藍家割包) – 📍No. 3, Lane 8, Roosevelt Rd. Sec. 3, Taipei
• The gold standard — juicy pork, ...
Pork Belly Buns (Gao Bao)
📍 Where to Try Yù Yuán
The best taro balls hail from Jiufen (九份) — the mountain town northeast of Taipei, where this dessert became legendary.
1. 🥇 Grandma Lai’s Taro Balls (賴阿婆芋圓) – 📍Jiufen Old Street
• The most famous stall — chewy, handmade,...
Taro Balls (Yu Yuan)
📍 Where to Try O Ah Jian
Almost every night market has its famous oyster omelet stall, but these are local favorites:
1. Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市, Taipei) – Small, traditional stalls known for fresh oysters and bold sauces.
2. Raohe Street Nigh...
Oyster Omelet (O Ah Jian)
📍 Where to Try Chòu Dòufu
Stinky tofu is ubiquitous at Taiwanese night markets, with some places famous for their legendary fermentation recipes:
1. Shilin Night Market (士林夜市, Taipei) – Classic fried stinky tofu with pickled cabbage.
2. Raohe Str...
Stinky Tofu (Chou Doufu)
📍 Where to Try Cōng Yóu Bǐng
Scallion pancakes are widely available at night markets, street stalls, and breakfast shops across Taiwan:
1. Shilin Night Market (士林夜市, Taipei) – Traditional versions with extra crispy layers.
2. Raohe Street Night M...
Scallion pancakes (Cong You Bing)
📍 Where to Try Zhà Jī Pái
Fried chicken cutlets are ubiquitous in night markets across Taiwan, but some famous spots include:
1. Shilin Night Market (士林夜市, Taipei) – Giant, perfectly fried chicken cutlets that attract long lines.
2. Raohe Street ...
Fried Chicken Cutlet (Zha Ji Pai)
📍 Where to Try Peanut Ice Cream Roll
• Raohe Street Night Market (饒河街夜市, Taipei) – Famous for traditional versions with fresh peanut powder.
• Shilin Night Market (士林夜市, Taipei) – Big portions and multiple ice cream flavors.
• Jiufen Old Street (...
Peanut Ice Cream Roll
📍 Where to Try Niúròu Miàn
1. Yong Kang Beef Noodle (永康牛肉麵, Taipei) – Famous for flavorful broth and tender beef.
2. Lin Dong Fang (林東芳牛肉麵, Taipei) – Classic braised beef noodle, a must-visit for purists.
3. Taichung Second Market (台中第二市場) – Trad...
Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)
🔥 Pro Tips
• Order broth wisely: Some restaurants offer half-and-half pots for two flavors.
• Cook thin meats quickly: Beef and lamb only take seconds; seafood cooks fast too.
• Mix your dipping sauces: Combine sesame paste, soy sauce, garlic, an...
Hot Pot (火鍋)
📍 Where to Try Zong Zi in Taiwan
1. Night markets: Small vendors often sell steamed or pre-wrapped zong zi.
2. Traditional shops:
• Yonghe Zongzi (永和粽子, Taipei) – Famous for savory pork belly zong zi.
• Chun Shui Tang (春水堂, Taichung) – Offers mo...
Zong Zi: Sticky Rice Dumpling (粽子)
📍 Where to Try Lǔ Ròu Fàn
1. Formosa Chang (鬍鬚張, Nationwide chain) – Famous for consistently flavorful braised pork rice.
2. Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice (金峰魯肉飯, Taipei) – A classic local favorite with generous portions.
3. Street vendors & sma...
Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯)
📍 Where to Try Fan Tuan
1. Breakfast shops in Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung – Nearly every shop sells them, often alongside soy milk or Taiwanese tea.
2. Night markets or street stalls – Some morning markets sell freshly made Fan Tuan.
3. Famou...
Fan Tuan (飯糰)