Intro
I spent one week traveling in Taiwan from late April to early May 2023. I discovered an enormous range of restaurants and unfamiliar foods, and the notes felt too useful to keep to myself.
This article records 74 things I actually tried during the trip. I hope it gives other people considering Taiwan a practical starting point.
First pick
Dry noodles from Ningxia Night Market. I no longer remember the exact stall, but the flavor was remarkably clean: just different enough from Korean food to feel new, while still fitting my palate immediately. It was certainly indulgent, yet inexpensive and the most memorable dish of the trip.
Second pick
Across Taiwan, street stalls grill and slice a sausage called xiang chang. I tried it in several places, but this shop was the best even though I was already completely full.
It is popular, so expect to wait at least 30 minutes. Local customers seemed to order more than ten at a time.
The lemon juice stall is right beside the sausage shop. It was not quite a five-star drink on its own, but together with the sausage it became an exceptional pairing. If you make the trip for xiang chang, order both.
Third pick
Ji-pai is Taiwan's giant fried chicken cutlet. Many places sell a large piece that is easy to eat while walking, including several famous chains. My recommendation is the shop I found in Tamsui. The flavor was not radically different from familiar fried chicken. It was simply, genuinely delicious.
Taiwan had many other foods that Korean travelers would enjoy. The full list below preserves my own ratings, price impressions, dates, and map links.
Full list
| Item | Place | Type | Rating | Price | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grilled mushrooms with cheese | Tamsui izakaya | Meal | ★★★★ | Expensive | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Grilled pollock roe and yam | Tamsui izakaya | Meal | ★★★★★ | Expensive | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Oyster omelet | Yehliu | Meal | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Grilled rice triangle | Tamsui izakaya | Meal | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Fish cake soup | Tamsui | Meal | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-04-30 | - |
| Wilted greens | Tamsui izakaya | Meal | ★★★ | Expensive | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Squid soup | Yehliu | Meal | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Stir-fried bamboo shoots | Tamsui | Meal | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-04-30 | - |
| A-gei | Tamsui | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-04-30 | - |
| Chow mein | Jinshan Old Street | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Duck | Jinshan Old Street | Snack or dessert | ★★ | Moderate | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Fish balls and fried fish | Yehliu | Meal | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-04-30 | Map |
| Pork ribs | Tamsui | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Soy milk | Tamsui brunch cafe | Drink | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Fried rice | Tamsui | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Assorted glutinous-rice sausage | Ningxia Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Meat noodle soup | Tamsui | Meal | ★★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Glutinous-rice shaved ice | Ningxia Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Fried milk | Ningxia Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Scallion pancake | Tamsui brunch cafe | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Tamsui ji-pai | Tamsui | Meal | ★★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Dry noodles | Ningxia Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Fried sweet potato balls | Ningxia Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Ay-Chung flour-rice noodles | Ximending | Meal | ★★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-01 | Map |
| Stir-fried noodles with bean sprouts | Ximending | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Wilted bok choy | Ximending | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Cubed steak | Ningxia Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Sunmerry pineapple cake | Ximending | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Egg rice bowl | Ximending | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Mango shaved ice | Ximending | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Milk tea | Houtong | Drink | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Xiang chang sausage | Shifen | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Cream-puff snacks | Convenience stores and Carrefour | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | - |
| Crispy garlic bread | Shifen | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Expensive | 2023-05-02 | - |
| Iced Americano | Houtong | Drink | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Brown sugar milk tea | Jiufen | Drink | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Candy ice cream | Houtong | Snack or dessert | ★★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Boneless chicken wing stuffed with fried rice | Shifen | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Fruit drink | Shifen | Drink | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-02 | Map |
| Wushiland milk tea | Ximending | Drink | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-03 | Map |
| WooTEA milk tea | Ximending | Drink | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-03 | Map |
| Egg-roll cookies | Convenience stores and Carrefour | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Expensive | 2023-05-03 | - |
| Hot-Star ji-pai | Shilin Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-03 | Map |
| Taroko tour lunch | Hualien | Meal | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-03 | Map |
| Sugar apple | Hualien | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-03 | Map |
| Potato, cheese, bacon, and corn snack | Shilin Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-03 | Map |
| Pineapple | Hualien | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-03 | Map |
| Lemon juice | Zhongzheng | Drink | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Soy milk ice cream | Yongkang Street | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Meat bun | Jinshan | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Mung bean bubble tea | Yongkang Street | Drink | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Soy latte | Yongkang Street | Drink | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Chia Te nougat crackers | Yongkang Street | Snack or dessert | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Ming Chen beef noodle soup | Yongkang Street | Meal | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Mala dumplings | Din Tai Fung | Meal | ★★★★ | Expensive | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Xiang chang sausage, Baek Jong-won pick | Zhongzheng | Snack or dessert | ★★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Wilted vegetables | Din Tai Fung | Meal | ★★★ | Expensive | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Whole fried squid | Linjiang Night Market | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Pork fried rice | Din Tai Fung | Meal | ★★★ | Expensive | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Mango juice | Linjiang Night Market | Drink | ★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Xiaolongbao | Din Tai Fung | Meal | ★★★ | Expensive | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Tian Jin scallion pancake with egg | Yongkang Street | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-04 | Map |
| Red bean shaved ice | Datong | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| Assorted fruit shaved ice | Datong | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| Assorted fruit drink | Datong | Drink | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| Papaya drink | Datong | Drink | ★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| Beef noodle soup | Ximending | Meal | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| Hot pot | Ximending | Meal | ★★★★★ | Expensive | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| Chong Ying nougat crackers | Chong Ying | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Moderate | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| Ruyi Sunny pineapple cake | Taipei Ruyi Sunny | Snack or dessert | ★★★★ | Expensive | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| 58-degree kaoliang liquor | Carrefour | Drink | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-05 | Map |
| Pork, soft egg, and cheese sandwich | Ximending | Meal | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-06 | Map |
| Glutinous-rice pizza | Ximending | Meal | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-06 | Map |
| Sugarcane Americano | Ximending | Drink | ★★★ | Inexpensive | 2023-05-06 | Map |
- Grilled mushrooms with cheese★★★★
Tamsui izakaya
- Grilled pollock roe and yam★★★★★
Tamsui izakaya
- Oyster omelet★★★
Yehliu
- Grilled rice triangle★★★
Tamsui izakaya
- Fish cake soup★★★
Tamsui
- Wilted greens★★★
Tamsui izakaya
- Squid soup★★★
Yehliu
- Stir-fried bamboo shoots★★★
Tamsui
- A-gei★★★★
Tamsui
- Chow mein★★★
Jinshan Old Street
- Duck★★
Jinshan Old Street
- Fish balls and fried fish★★★
Yehliu
- Pork ribs★★★★
Tamsui
- Soy milk★★★★
Tamsui brunch cafe
- Fried rice★★★★
Tamsui
- Assorted glutinous-rice sausage★★★
Ningxia Night Market
- Meat noodle soup★★★★★
Tamsui
- Glutinous-rice shaved ice★★★
Ningxia Night Market
- Fried milk★★★★
Ningxia Night Market
- Scallion pancake★★★★
Tamsui brunch cafe
- Tamsui ji-pai★★★★★
Tamsui
- Dry noodles★★★★★
Ningxia Night Market
- Fried sweet potato balls★★★★
Ningxia Night Market
- Ay-Chung flour-rice noodles★★★★★
Ximending
- Stir-fried noodles with bean sprouts★★★★
Ximending
- Wilted bok choy★★★★
Ximending
- Cubed steak★★★★
Ningxia Night Market
- Sunmerry pineapple cake★★★
Ximending
- Egg rice bowl★★★★
Ximending
- Mango shaved ice★★★★
Ximending
- Milk tea★★★
Houtong
- Xiang chang sausage★★★
Shifen
- Cream-puff snacks★★★★
Convenience stores and Carrefour
- Crispy garlic bread★★★
Shifen
- Iced Americano★★★
Houtong
- Brown sugar milk tea★★★★
Jiufen
- Candy ice cream★★★★★
Houtong
- Boneless chicken wing stuffed with fried rice★★★★
Shifen
- Fruit drink★★★
Shifen
- Wushiland milk tea★★★★
Ximending
- WooTEA milk tea★★★
Ximending
- Egg-roll cookies★★★
Convenience stores and Carrefour
- Hot-Star ji-pai★★★★
Shilin Night Market
- Taroko tour lunch★★★
Hualien
- Sugar apple★★★★
Hualien
- Potato, cheese, bacon, and corn snack★★★
Shilin Night Market
- Pineapple★★★★
Hualien
- Lemon juice★★★★
Zhongzheng
- Soy milk ice cream★★★
Yongkang Street
- Meat bun★★★★
Jinshan
- Mung bean bubble tea★★★
Yongkang Street
- Soy latte★★★
Yongkang Street
- Chia Te nougat crackers★★★
Yongkang Street
- Ming Chen beef noodle soup★★★★
Yongkang Street
- Mala dumplings★★★★
Din Tai Fung
- Xiang chang sausage, Baek Jong-won pick★★★★★
Zhongzheng
- Wilted vegetables★★★
Din Tai Fung
- Whole fried squid★★★★
Linjiang Night Market
- Pork fried rice★★★
Din Tai Fung
- Mango juice★★★
Linjiang Night Market
- Xiaolongbao★★★
Din Tai Fung
- Tian Jin scallion pancake with egg★★★★
Yongkang Street
- Red bean shaved ice★★★★
Datong
- Assorted fruit shaved ice★★★★
Datong
- Assorted fruit drink★★★★
Datong
- Papaya drink★★
Datong
- Beef noodle soup★★★★
Ximending
- Hot pot★★★★★
Ximending
- Chong Ying nougat crackers★★★★
Chong Ying
- Ruyi Sunny pineapple cake★★★★
Taipei Ruyi Sunny
- 58-degree kaoliang liquor★★★★
Carrefour
- Pork, soft egg, and cheese sandwich★★★★
Ximending
- Glutinous-rice pizza★★★
Ximending
- Sugarcane Americano★★★
Ximending