Like many of its Asian counterparts, Taiwan is a gastronomical treasure when it comes to food. The streets here are lined with hawkers peddling bowls of noodles and hot soup, and small family-run eateries cook up simple yet delicious fare with the most enticing aromas. Where to begin, and how do you know you're making the best choice? Check out our guide to help you on the right track.
Pineapple Yolk Pastry
In Taiwan, pineapple pastries are the most popular souvenir for tourists to bring back home as gifts. To match with the sweet tartness of the pineapple filling, a new flavour has been created that adds egg yolk to the mix to balance the sweetness out with a tinge of savouriness. Where to get it? Head to well-known heritage name ChiaTe, which was established in 1975. Their pineapple yolk pastry is very popular among local and international tourists.
Chiate pastry：No.88, Sec. 5, Nanjing East Rd., Songshan District, Taipei City 105, Taiwan
Coffin Bread
Don't be fooled by its ominous-sounding name. The popular street snack is really a Western-style bread fried until crispy, then sliced open at the top and filled with chicken, or creamy ham and cheese. To taste the most authentic sandwich, head to the Chikan coffin lid stall within Tainan Kangle Market. The stall has been around since 1942, and is known for its signature coffin lid, where the deep-fried toast is coupled with chicken liver, vegetables pottage, or curry filling.
Chikan coffin：No.180, You’ai St., West Central Dist., Tainan City 700, Taiwan
In Taiwan, pineapple pastries are the most popular souvenir for tourists to bring back home as gifts. To match with the sweet tartness of the pineapple filling, a new flavour has been created that adds egg yolk to the mix to balance the sweetness out with a tinge of savouriness. Where to get it? Head to well-known heritage name ChiaTe, which was established in 1975. Their pineapple yolk pastry is very popular among local and international tourists.
Chiate pastry：No.88, Sec. 5, Nanjing East Rd., Songshan District, Taipei City 105, Taiwan
Coffin Bread
Don't be fooled by its ominous-sounding name. The popular street snack is really a Western-style bread fried until crispy, then sliced open at the top and filled with chicken, or creamy ham and cheese. To taste the most authentic sandwich, head to the Chikan coffin lid stall within Tainan Kangle Market. The stall has been around since 1942, and is known for its signature coffin lid, where the deep-fried toast is coupled with chicken liver, vegetables pottage, or curry filling.
Chikan coffin：No.180, You’ai St., West Central Dist., Tainan City 700, Taiwan
Popiah
In the old days, people would only eat popiah(fresh spring roll) wrapped with different ingredients during Qingming festival. One of the most popular popiah is located in the old area in West district of Taipei — WanFu Hao, an 80-year-old signboard. Its popiah is famous among customers, and they wrap popiah skin with bean sprouts, cabbage, dried bean curd, peanut flour and parsley and other fillings to create the most delicious taste.
Wanfu Restaurant：No.29, Sec. 2, Chongqing N. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103, Taiwan
In the old days, people would only eat popiah(fresh spring roll) wrapped with different ingredients during Qingming festival. One of the most popular popiah is located in the old area in West district of Taipei — WanFu Hao, an 80-year-old signboard. Its popiah is famous among customers, and they wrap popiah skin with bean sprouts, cabbage, dried bean curd, peanut flour and parsley and other fillings to create the most delicious taste.
Wanfu Restaurant：No.29, Sec. 2, Chongqing N. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103, Taiwan
Pig's intestine and oyster vermicelli
This dish is a bit of an acquired taste, but it's one you won't forget easily. A good bet is to have this dish atChen Ji, located in Heping West Road in the Wanhua District. Look out for the red eye-catching signboard. Here, the pig's intestine and oyster vermicelli are made with handmade noodles, with fresh clams from Chai Yi Dong Kong. and chewy juicy sauce pig intestine. Pile on the extra vinegar, garlic and pepper according to your personal taste. Shop opens at 6:30 am, and having this for breakfast is a good option.
Chen Ji Intestine & Oyster Taiwanese Vermicelli Shop：No.166, Sec. 3, Heping W. Rd., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City 108, Taiwan
Pig heart bean noodle
This is the comfort food dish for many locals in Tainan city. Located in Tainan city Bao'an street, Amin Pig Heart Bean Noodle always has a queue, even late at night. The secret is their soup, which is different from other stores. It comes with very fresh, sliced pig heart, plus the aroma of ginger, rice wine that is bound to get you hooked.
Amin Pig Heart Bean Noodle：No.72, Bao’an Rd., West Central Dist., Tainan City 700, Taiwan
This dish is a bit of an acquired taste, but it's one you won't forget easily. A good bet is to have this dish atChen Ji, located in Heping West Road in the Wanhua District. Look out for the red eye-catching signboard. Here, the pig's intestine and oyster vermicelli are made with handmade noodles, with fresh clams from Chai Yi Dong Kong. and chewy juicy sauce pig intestine. Pile on the extra vinegar, garlic and pepper according to your personal taste. Shop opens at 6:30 am, and having this for breakfast is a good option.
Chen Ji Intestine & Oyster Taiwanese Vermicelli Shop：No.166, Sec. 3, Heping W. Rd., Wanhua Dist., Taipei City 108, Taiwan
Pig heart bean noodle
This is the comfort food dish for many locals in Tainan city. Located in Tainan city Bao'an street, Amin Pig Heart Bean Noodle always has a queue, even late at night. The secret is their soup, which is different from other stores. It comes with very fresh, sliced pig heart, plus the aroma of ginger, rice wine that is bound to get you hooked.
Amin Pig Heart Bean Noodle：No.72, Bao’an Rd., West Central Dist., Tainan City 700, Taiwan
Jellied Beancurd
There are countless delicious snacks in Taipei's Ningxia night market, but Douhua Zhang has held its own for 52 years, specialising in douhua (jellied beancurd). The stall uses only non-genetically modified soybeans, and with boiled sugar cane for a natural sweetness. The most authentic way to enjoy this sweet treat is to add black sugar water, with black tapioca balls, taro balls, barley and fruits for a rich dessert.
Douhua Zhuang：No.49, Ningxia Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103, Taiwan
There are countless delicious snacks in Taipei's Ningxia night market, but Douhua Zhang has held its own for 52 years, specialising in douhua (jellied beancurd). The stall uses only non-genetically modified soybeans, and with boiled sugar cane for a natural sweetness. The most authentic way to enjoy this sweet treat is to add black sugar water, with black tapioca balls, taro balls, barley and fruits for a rich dessert.
Douhua Zhuang：No.49, Ningxia Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103, Taiwan
Aiyu jelly
Aiyu jelly is made from the unique Aiyu seed in Taiwan. During the hot summer days in Taiwan, ice jelly is the best way to cool you down. Retro outfit A-Shen Aiyu jelly ice located in Taipei Circle is a fun place to try this dessert. The store's version of Aiyu jelly ice only uses Aiyu jelly, black sugar water and crushed ice for a simple yet refreshing treat.
A-Shen Aiyu jelly：Ln. 262, Nanjing W. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103, Taiwan
Aiyu jelly is made from the unique Aiyu seed in Taiwan. During the hot summer days in Taiwan, ice jelly is the best way to cool you down. Retro outfit A-Shen Aiyu jelly ice located in Taipei Circle is a fun place to try this dessert. The store's version of Aiyu jelly ice only uses Aiyu jelly, black sugar water and crushed ice for a simple yet refreshing treat.
A-Shen Aiyu jelly：Ln. 262, Nanjing W. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103, Taiwan
Mochi
'Cheung Kee Bridge Hakka Pure Sugar Mochi' snack stall has been around since 1970, serving up only toasted mochi. The owner puts the mochi into the hot oil pot to cook until boiled, removes it then dusts it generously with peanut powder for a sweet toasted mochi. Meat floss and sesame are sprinkled over the mochi for a savoury treat.
Cheung Kee Bridge Hakka pure sugar Mochi：No.12, Sec. 3, Yanping N. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103, Taiwan
'Cheung Kee Bridge Hakka Pure Sugar Mochi' snack stall has been around since 1970, serving up only toasted mochi. The owner puts the mochi into the hot oil pot to cook until boiled, removes it then dusts it generously with peanut powder for a sweet toasted mochi. Meat floss and sesame are sprinkled over the mochi for a savoury treat.
Cheung Kee Bridge Hakka pure sugar Mochi：No.12, Sec. 3, Yanping N. Rd., Datong Dist., Taipei City 103, Taiwan
Gua Bao
Pork belly bun has a lot of aliases, such as "gua bao ", "tiger bite pig", "Taiwan burger" and so on. Recently, gua bao has become a trendy snack overseas in big cities such as London and New York. But in Taiwan, the most famous gua bao, is at A Song gua bao located in Tainan city. Try the innovative pig tongue gua bao, filled with a stewed pig tongue, plus sauerkraut, and white radish. The tongue is tender, and goes well with the tangy sauerkraut and fresh crisp white radish.
A Song gua bao：No.181, Sec. 3, Guohua St., West Central Dist., Tainan City 700, Taiwan
Scallion pancake
Who can resist the crispy and fragrant scallion pancake? In Yilan Luo Dong, Ke's scallion pancake started their business from a food truck, and has since grown into a successful store boasting a long line daily. This family's scallion pancake is made with juicy and crispy fresh Yilan Sansing Green Onion, and hand-made dough, deep-fried until crispy. Drizzle soy and sweet chill sauce over this to bring together all the flavours and textures.
Ke's scallion pancake：No.128, Sec. 4, Jiaoxi Rd., Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County 262, Taiwan
Pork belly bun has a lot of aliases, such as "gua bao ", "tiger bite pig", "Taiwan burger" and so on. Recently, gua bao has become a trendy snack overseas in big cities such as London and New York. But in Taiwan, the most famous gua bao, is at A Song gua bao located in Tainan city. Try the innovative pig tongue gua bao, filled with a stewed pig tongue, plus sauerkraut, and white radish. The tongue is tender, and goes well with the tangy sauerkraut and fresh crisp white radish.
A Song gua bao：No.181, Sec. 3, Guohua St., West Central Dist., Tainan City 700, Taiwan
Scallion pancake
Who can resist the crispy and fragrant scallion pancake? In Yilan Luo Dong, Ke's scallion pancake started their business from a food truck, and has since grown into a successful store boasting a long line daily. This family's scallion pancake is made with juicy and crispy fresh Yilan Sansing Green Onion, and hand-made dough, deep-fried until crispy. Drizzle soy and sweet chill sauce over this to bring together all the flavours and textures.
Ke's scallion pancake：No.128, Sec. 4, Jiaoxi Rd., Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County 262, Taiwan
This article was written and translated by Megan Huang. Click here to read the original version of this story.
