26 Taiwanese Street Foods

Have you ever spent time learning more about Taiwanese street foods? I know foods in Taiwan are prevalent globally, and you can easily find their variations in your neighborhood; yet, the authentic ones are different.

Therefore, you should take a look at my suggestions today to know more about them. From the hearty noodles, yummy seafood treats to the luscious desserts, Taiwanese people sell all of them on the streets.

Thanks to that, their street cuisine is unique and worth trying once in a lifetime.

Noodles, Rice And Bao (Dumplings) To Try On Taiwan Streets

When it comes to favorable Asian recipe or dish recommendations, you should first mention their signature soupy noodles, dumplings, and delicious rice-y dishes. Trust me; you will regret not giving these foods a try.

1. Tà-Á-Mī (Slack Season Noodles Soup / Danzai Noodles)

Danzai Noodles, or Tà-Á-Mī, is an ancient treat initially created in Tainan during the Qing dynasty (a hundred years ago). Some records show that it was introduced to the whole region in 1895, and they believe a local fisherman was its creator.

Although shrimp is a must-have component in a Danzai Noodles bowl; yet, it is not a dish that calls for shrimp only. Besides the chewy wheat noodles and shrimps/prawns, the chefs will use pork sauce, minced pork, bean sprout, and veggies in this delicacy.

About the interesting name, Slack Season Noodles Soup, people in Taiwan call the food that way because they initially prepared it during the off-season/slack season. During that time, the typhoons caused tons of trouble, and the fishers could not go fishing for a living/food.

Because of that, fish is not a common ingredient or topping for Tà-Á-Mī. Don’t worry; these other things are already enough to make this noodle soup filling.

2. Ô-Á Mī-Sòa / Oyster Mee Sua (Oyster Vermicelli / Oyster Noodles)

Let’s move on to another Taiwanese noodle delicacy with seafood! Besides the use of fresh oysters, the noodles used in this delicacy have their origin in Fujian, China.

If you have no idea for a delicious breakfast treat yet, you can try these palatable Oyster Noodles. The thin Misua noodle strands pair well with the starchy soup filled with bonito flakes, ginger, minced garlic, and other herbs.

With the same broth recipe, Taiwanese people also created several other variations with other toppings. Although it is best to have Oyster Mee Sua for breakfast, feel free to have it in other meals of the day.

Don’t forget to flavor your noodle bowl with additional black rice vinegar, chili, and soy sauce! These condiments can enhance your food drastically.

The top-tier instruction to make Oyster Mee Sua that you might ask for is here.

3. Niu Rou Mian (Taiwanese Beef Noodles)

You will undoubtedly be “bewitched” if you experience Taipei’s (Taiwan) famous beef noodles. When wandering around the Niu Rou Mian stores, you can feel the smell of the food filling up the atmosphere.

The delicacy is an authentic Taiwanese treat and was first made by the Kuomintang veterans from Sichuan province.

Although there aren’t many sophisticated components in the recipe, the chefs need to handle each part with care. For example, they will braise the beef with plenty of herbs and spices before pairing with the golden noodles.

The thick broth with beef bones, herbs, tomatoes, garlic, and fragrant spices is the heart of this meal. They all resonate and provide a delightful flavor that you adore. You will surely want to try this meal again after tasting it once.

4. Lu Rou Fan (Taiwanese Braised Pork Rice)

This Taiwanese street food is made from stewed pork belly or shoulder with many ingredients in a long time. A secret here is that the cooks will utilize the unused sauce from the previous day for the next day, and that is why it has such a special deliciousness.

It takes quite a while to complete, but you will definitely find it completely worth it once you try it. Traditionally, the yummy Braised Pork matches well with white rice; but you still have the second option of noodles.

For the side dishes for this food, pickled cucumbers and shiitake mushrooms are some of my most favorite ones. This is a prevalent filling dish at night markets, so if you want to find a dish that will fill up your empty stomach, then opt for Lu Rou Fan.

Don’t miss this review of trying Lu Rou Fan in the Taiwan market!

5. Hoe-Koe Bah-Pn̄g / Huo Ji Rou Fan (Turkey Rice)

Not in the mood for pork? Then this Turkey Rice will be a preferable option. Turkey is not native to Asia; Dutch settlers were the first to bring this chicken to China in the 1600s.

Later on, in 1949, Ling Tianshou created Huo Ji Rou Fan and started to sell it in his hometown, Chiayi. Including only shredded turkey meat on a plate/bowl of hot rice with drizzled soy sauce, Huo Ji Rou Fan is simple, yet incredibly delicious.

In Taiwan, Turkey Rice is a prevalent late-night treat so you can easily find random street vendors or night markets. Remember to eat it with pickled vegetables to enhance its flavors. My recommendation for you is daikon radish.

6. Gua Bao / Koah Pau (Pork Belly Buns)

Gua Bao is a renowned “hamburger” of Taiwanese street gastronomy and is now available worldwide.

At first glance, Gua Bao resembles a soft white clam with succulent flesh. In addition, they also call this dish Hu Yao Ju (meaning “tiger bites pig”) because it looks like the tiger jaws with a pig inside.

Basically, this Gua Bao consists of a steamed bun with braised pork (marinated with plenty of spices and condiments), pickled vegetables, peanut powder, and fresh coriander. In addition to the yummy pork filling, there are also roast duck or fried turkey fillings.

Gua Bao symbolizes wealth and prosperity, so people serve this delicious soft cake on New Year’s Eve in Taiwan. This is equivalent to wishing a happy new year to family and loved ones.

So, where to find this treat? Night markets or my recommendation below is worth referring to.

This is an ultimate review to tell you more about Taiwanese Gua Bao.

7. Hu Jiao Bing (Black Pepper Buns)

Another suggestion for those who want to enjoy Taiwanese snacks is Hu Jiao Bing. These flavorsome baked buns are a delicious Taiwanese dish that attracts people globally, so you will definitely have to spend a lot of time in line to enjoy them.

Hu Jiao Bing is an authentic Taiwanese bun since its true hometown is in Fujian province. Therefore, you can also call it “Fuzhou Pepper Buns”.

Taiwanese people bake the buns in a traditional earthen oven to create a crispy crust and a hint of rustic flavor.

Inside, a portion of Black Pepper Bun will be filled with many different toppings such as pork, green onions, and pepper (the reason why the dish is called Pepper Buns). You can recognize the pungent pepper easily from the first bite.

8. Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang (Taiwanese Sticky Rice Sausage / Small Sausages Wrapped In Big Sausages)

Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang looks like a Taiwanese-style Hot Dog with a ” loaf-like ” exterior covering a meaty sausage inside. The food appeared in Taiwan in the 20th century, and people in this region love eating it a lot.

Taiwanese people will use the outer layer of sticky rice bun instead of regular Hot Dog bread (seasoned to taste) to wrap a large sweet sausage grilled until golden brown. All create a perfect combination that can attract “nightlife hunters” in this place.

4 Meaty Street Dishes Not To Be Neglected

If you are a meat lover, you should never neglect this category. Let’s see my recommendations for you below right away!

9. Yan Su Ji / Kiâm-So͘-Ke (Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken)

Taiwan is known for having many different kinds of attractive fried chicken dishes. Among the most popular ones is the Chicken Popcorn created in 1979 in Tainan by Ms. Yeh.

The boneless chicken thighs are sliced into bite-sized cubes, breaded and deep-fried until golden brown. Thanks to detailedly marinating step of the meat with salt, five-spice powder, pepper, and other condiments, this dish has a delicious and highly satisfying taste.

You can eat it alone since it already tastes great, or you can accompany it with deep-fried basil leaves to experience a new way of enjoying Fried Chicken.

Something you want to know more about Yan Su Ji will be told here.

10. Ji Pai (Fried Chicken Cutlet)

This dish has a longer history than you think, even older than the previous Popcorn Chicken. Although its exact origin is unclear, many theories say Taiwanese people created Ji Pai during the Japanese colony (sometime between 1895 and 1945).

The previously mentioned theories are somehow reasonable because these Fried Chicken Cutlets look like a famous Japanese treat, Katsu (Fried Pork Cutlets). Initially, Taiwanese people use Ji Pai as a part of a Taiwanese lunch box.

Later on, since it is loved a lot when eating alone, they are now serving it more frequently as street food.

The Fried Chicken Cutlets are also made by deep-frying marinated chicken in sizzling oil, making them an oily treat in Taiwanese night markets. Yet, you can eat it occasionally without worrying about the greasy feeling.

11. Huoyan Kao Niurou Kuai (Flame-Grilled Beef Cubes)

Flame-Grilled Beef Cubes are often sold throughout the night markets in Taiwan. When you come across a stall selling this delight, you will immediately see the chefs grill uniform beef cubes over a red fire by the skillful hands of the vendors.

The chef/seller trained to cook Flame-Grilled Beef Cubes needs particular skills to accomplish this palatable steak delicacy. Many eaters are attracted to stalls selling grilled beef because of the eye-catching movements when scorching beef with a blowtorch.

These Flame-Grilled Beef Cubes are then sprinkled with additional seasonings, including pepper, chili powder, Xinjiang cumin, rose-pink salt, and more. After that, glittering teriyaki sauce enhances the beef’s flavors.

You should have the treat when it is still hot. Once it is cooler, you will be less likely to feel all the sweetness of the beef and the softness in each fiber of the meat.

How do Taiwanese people bring Flame-Grilled Beef Cubes to the street?

12. Ba-Wan (Taiwanese Meatballs)

Ba Wan has its origin in the Beidou township of Changhua County and has been a prominent Chinese delicacy since 1898. Therefore, there is no reason to neglect this food.

Ba Wan’s variations vary by locality, but the Changhua version is always the “standard”. Usually, these meatballs include pork, chopped shiitake mushrooms, and bamboo shoots. Yet, the chef can change the ingredients a bit (but not too much). The “dough” or the exterior of Ba Wan consists of corn starch, sweet potato starch, and rice flour.

The combination of flour makes the exterior more flexible and stickier. You can see that it looks slimy and has a translucent grayish color.

After putting your Taiwanese Meatballs into a bowl of starchy gravy, sweet chili sauce is the most used sauce for Ba Wan since it complements the dish perfectly. Absolutely tasty!

4 Must-Try Taiwanese Seafood On The Streets

In addition to the Taiwanese meaty dishes suggestions, I will tell you something more about seafood in this gorgeous place. Check it out now!

13. O-A-Chian / O Ah Jian (Oyster Omelet)

If you are getting bored with the regular egg recipes, it is time to give this Oyster Omelet a go. The freshness from the seafood treat complementing well with the simple, flavored eggs can simply please your taste buds.

Taiwanese O Ah Jian is a specialty of Hokkien communities in this area, and the food has its roots in Fujian or the city of Chaozhou from the old days.

You can encounter various variations of this simple Oyster Omelet in Taiwan because each restaurant/stall develops its own flavoring method for the food.

The rich fried oysters mixed with eggs are already delicious. However, adding a little sweet and sour sauce will create an unforgettable taste explosion for you.

14. Tian Bu La (Taiwanese Fish Cakes)

Tian Bu La is a Taiwanese soup-based fish cake with a similar appearance to Oden, a famous Japanese street dish. This delicious Taiwanese dish consists of unique fish balls in various shapes and sizes.

To start processing, first, the cook will deep-fry the fish balls and then put them to boil in a special broth. Then, the sellers might skew those flavored, luscious fish balls into long sticks so that you can eat them more easily on the go.

Taiwanese people often eat Tian Bu La with a special brown sauce or sweet chili sauce to taste better overall. You will know how much love Taiwanese people give to the dish when seeing its appearance in almost every night market there.

Do you want to know more about the authentic way to make Tian Bu La?

15. Hî-ôan / Yu Wan (Tamsui Fish Balls)

Tamsui Fish Ball is a famous dish in Taiwanese restaurants, and it doesn’t call for only fish in its ingredient list.

These filled fish balls (with pork and garlic) with a distinctive oval shape and chewy texture are usually added to a bowl of hot fish-paste soup and vermicelli/noodles.

To create a more expensive variation of Tamsui Fish Balls, Taiwanese people sometimes use shark meat paste instead of regular fish.

The chef will season a standard bowl of Tamsui Fish Balls soup with pepper and oil splashes. They also use chopped veggies such as celery sometimes for more tastes. Feel free to enjoy the food anytime you like in a day since this Yu Wan is relatively versatile.

16. Kao Youyu (Grilled Squid)

The aromatic smell of Grilled Squid is the signature smell you can easily detect in every Taiwanese night market. Although this is not an exotic dish for Asians, you will notice a distinct flavor that only Taiwanese version possesses when eating it in Taiwan.

In general, Taiwanese people will use fresh, medium-sized squid for this dish since the seafood flesh will be thicker and sweeter. After a preliminary cleansing, they thoroughly marinate it with yellow or orange sauce (including mainly soy and garlic).

Taiwanese street sellers will skew the squid on a long stick and masterfully grill it on a charcoal burner. The ideal way to consume this meal is when the cooks have just made it (or at least still hot) so that you can enjoy the natural flavor.

The use of fresh squid is the key to making a perfect batch of Kao Youyu.

10 Palatable Taiwanese Desserts, Sweet Treats Or Snacks

Shall I end today’s article with something lighter or sweeter? If you have the same thought as me, the following category will be outstanding.

17. Tie Dan (Iron Egg)

Although these Taiwanese specialty eggs look simple, the steps to make them are not quick at all. Specifically, the cooks will stew the eggs for about 1 week until the egg white is slightly browner and the yolk turns into a dark green hue.

With a black exterior and a slightly strong scent that makes many people feel uneasy, this dish is not recommended for the fearful. However, if you have enough courage to try it, you’ll find Taiwanese Iron Eggs are well worth tasting once.

To describe the taste more closely, the yolk of this type of egg will be softer, and the white will also become crispy. Since it is quite convenient to consume, people in Taiwan usually have it as a quick snack.

Originating from Tamsui and made from various eggs such as chicken eggs, quail, or pigeon eggs, this Tie Dan dish can satisfy diners very easily. That’s because the diners can choose their favorite eggs to enjoy from many kinds of Tie Dan.

Tie Dan might look simple, yet, it takes quite a long time to prepare.

18. Aiyu Jelly

Suppose you want to find a flavorsome dessert that contains no butter or any other dairy products and taste refreshing. In that case, this Taiwanese Aiyu Jelly recipe is my recommendation for you.

Aiyu Jelly is a bland jelly made from extracting a particular creeping fig fruit (of the Ficus mulberry family) of the Taoyuan Mountain, Chiayi region. It was first discovered and made into jelly in the 19th century and has been a favorite Taiwanese delicacy since then.

Because Aiyu Jelly doesn’t offer many flavors but has cooling characteristics, Taiwanese people use it as a topping for milk tea or serve it with lemon juice or honey. On a hot evening or a hot summer afternoon, this jelly will help you feel much more relaxed.

19. Zhen Zhu Nai Cha (Bubbles Milk Tea)

Bubbles Milk Tea is the first dish you should try when you arrive in Taiwan, and Zhen Zhu Nai Cha also has its roots here. Taipei is known as the capital of Zhen Zhu Nai Cha in Taiwan since there are various famous Milk Tea brands or stores located here.

The tea in this area is particularly fragrant, beautifully harmonized with a creamy taste of milk. Different tea leaves can offer you a distinguished taste experience with this luscious drink.

Taiwanese Milk Tea, as a whole, has a mild sweetness that is not too sharp and goes well with the chewy bubbles. All the mentioned features create a flavor that is only attainable in Taiwan and are also the reason why Bubbles Milk Tea has become a craze globally.

Don’t need to go to a fancy store, you can still find Zhe Zhu Nai Cha at the markets.

20. Cong You Bing (Taiwanese Scallion Pancake)

Although sold in many parts of China, this Taiwanese version of the Scallion Pancake is prevalent. Taiwan’s Cong You Bing will usually be spongier than the original version.

Instead of deep-frying like the original Chinese delicacy, Taiwanese will pan fry Cong You Bing. Don’t worry if the food will be too greasy. The scallions used help a lot in neutralizing the oily taste from the treat.

There are many ways to enjoy Cong You Bing, such as pairing with some other components, such as cheeses, eggs, hams, or serving it as a side dish for a heartier treat.

Both ways will be great, anyway. Taiwanese people sell these flat pancakes at most night markets in Taiwan.

21. Taiwanese Popcorn Mushrooms

Finding a vegetarian-friendly food created in Asian styles for your dessert/snack time in Taiwan night markets is not a difficult task. This Taiwanese Popcorn Mushrooms recipe is a great example for you.

Nothing can go wrong when you deep-fry your meal, believe me. Taiwanese chefs will coat your mushrooms (of any variety) with a thin layer of batter before deep-frying them in hot oil. They will then flavor with spices and peppers to taste.

Making Popcorn Mushrooms is easy, but the result is spectacular. The food is pretty affordable, and you will be able to fill a large bucket at once without spending a fortune. As a result, if you’re tired of meatier fried goodies, try this dish instead.

22. Zha Niu Nai (Deep-Fried Milk)

Have you ever thought of frying milk? Is it possible? And yes, it is not only possible, but it is also toothsome. The idea to make this treat is quite creative when the cooks will freeze the milk custard before coating it with breadcrumbs and deep-frying it.

When you have a bite into the Fried Milk cubes, the crunchiness exterior will absolutely allure you before the creaminess from the milky interior comes and completes the dish.

Although Zha Niu Nai is not an authentic Taiwanese dish (it was originally made in the Shunde District of Guangdong province), it is long-favored in Taiwan.

You can find it in Taiwanese night markets, and my tip for you is don’t buy a small portion. You might crave for more of it after that.

23. Chou Tofu (Stinky Tofu)

Many people hesitate once hearing about Stinky Tofu because of its unpleasant scent. But when you come to Taiwan, you must be curious about this widely circulated dish, right? It will not be challenging to find a cart selling stinky tofu in Taiwan’s night markets.

In this Qing dynasty-originated dish, they will only deep fry the Fermented Tofu. The stinkier the tofu, the more delicious it is. Thanks to the yellow color of the tofu combined with the green of pickled cabbage and the orange of carrots, the dish looks more eye-catching.

Furthermore, in Taiwan, there are many kinds of Chou Tofu for you to opt for. Three most outstanding ones are steamed, barbecued and deep-fried Chou Tofu. In addition to that, the side dish for this food is regularly fermented cabbage which can offer a lovely crunchiness.

There are also some modern variations of Stinky Tofu that call for cheeses as a topping. When eating, you will feel its characteristic greasy taste after the pungent smell dissolves in your mouth. Finally, do not forget to enjoy and feel the unique taste of this dish!

The real reaction from visitors to the authentic Chou Tofu is revealed here.

24. Jiu Fen Yu Yuan (Taro Balls)

Taro Balls is  also a popular Taiwanese dessert, especially in Jiufen. Taro Balls are also a popular dessert found in most night markets and around this area in Taiwanese cuisine.

As its name suggests, this dish consists of soft taro balls that are exceptionally sweet and delicious and the vendors will serve it cold with shaved ice or hot with ginger syrup.

Besides taro, the chefs in Taiwan also use sweet potatoes or mung beans as the main ingredient. It will still offer a mild sweetness and a particular chewy texture.

25. Zha Yu Wan (Fried Taro Balls)

Everything tastes great when you batter and deep-fry it and these Fried Taro Balls verify my word. Zha Yu Wan or Fried Taro Balls are not a sweet treat since the chefs usually mix it with salted egg yolk inside to add some flavor layers to the dish.

Each piece of fried taro will typically have a thin, crispy exterior. Not until you have the first bite will you feel the smooth and lovely sweet, salty and rich taste from the mashed taro (combined with salted eggs).

Since the dish tastes best when it is hot, you should wait before the food stalls and eat your Zha Yu Wan immediately after that.

26. Bingqilin Chunjuan (Ice Cream Spring Roll)

Ice cream is the childhood dish of anyone and so do Taiwanese people. Besides the traditional way of eating ice cream, such as eating it alone or with cones, people in Taiwan also eat ice cream by rolling them up.

The main ingredients of this dish include cold cream, crushed peanuts, and a few other sweet toppings. The chef will then roll all of them in a thin rice paper crust, and the finished product will look like rice paper rolls.

In addition to the traditional vanilla scent, you can choose from many other flavors so that visitors can enjoy the best ice cream roll for themselves.

Since this Bingqilin Chunjuan is easy to make, visitors can easily detect the stalls selling it and enjoy Ice Cream Spring Roll anywhere in the night markets in Taiwan.

Time To Pack Your Luggage And Come To Taiwan ASAP!

The dishes that I have introduced to you above are the unique street foods in Taiwan. If you come here and skip the culinary exploration at night, you have not thoroughly enjoyed the uniqueness of this place.

I hope that the above dishes will help you have an enjoyable trip full of fascinating experiences. Don’t miss any chance to experience these delicacies, and please let me know your feeling after that!