What to Eat in Taiwan: Must-Try Foods & Street Eats

If you’re wondering what to eat and drink in Taiwan, get ready for one of the most exciting food scenes in Asia. Taiwan blends bold flavours, comforting classics, and creative street food in a way few places can match.

You’ll spend evenings in lively night markets, where stalls serve crispy fried chicken, steaming dumplings, and freshly made bubble tea. During the day, you might sit down to a rich bowl of beef noodle soup or try braised pork rice, a true local favourite. Every meal feels easy, affordable, and full of flavour.

Food in Taiwan tells a story of tradition, culture, and everyday life. Recipes pass down through generations, but vendors keep things fresh with new twists and seasonal ingredients. You don’t need a plan – just follow the queues and trust your instincts.

In this guide, you’ll discover what to eat and drink in Taiwan, from must-try street food to classic Taiwanese dishes and refreshing local drinks. From Taipei’s night markets to hidden spots across Taiwan, these are the flavours you shouldn’t miss.

If you’re planning your trip, don’t miss our guide on what to do in Taiwan for more travel ideas alongside the food.

1. Traditional Taiwanese Hot Pot – what to eat in Taiwan

If you’re looking for something comforting in Taiwan, start with a traditional hot pot spot where locals actually eat. Each guest gets their own pot, so you can cook and enjoy everything at your own pace. This small, welcoming restaurant is run by a friendly Taiwanese owner and his wife from Hong Kong, creating a warm, personal atmosphere from the moment you walk in. The hot pot stands out for its rich broths, fresh ingredients, and wide choice of meats, plus plenty of vegetarian options. It’s also great value and just a short walk from the station. In a busy city, this is the kind of place where you slow down, enjoy the food, and take your time with every bite.

📍 Location: Ohohyes Wanlong, Taipei, Taiwan – a local hot pot spot near Wanlong MRT Station, easy to reach and popular with locals

2. Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

Beef noodle soup is one of Taiwan’s most loved comfort dishes, and you’ll find it everywhere from small family-run shops to famous specialist restaurants. It’s popular because it brings together simple ingredients in a deeply satisfying way – tender slow-braised beef, springy noodles, and a rich, aromatic broth that often simmers for hours to build flavour.

The dish reflects Taiwan’s mix of influences, especially Chinese culinary traditions, but it has evolved into something uniquely Taiwanese over time. Every bowl feels slightly different depending on the cook, which is part of its charm. Some versions are spicy and bold, others are lighter and more herbal, but all focus on depth of flavour and warmth.

It’s also a dish that fits everyday life in Taiwan. It’s affordable, filling, and easy to find, making it a go-to meal for locals of all ages.

3. Pork Knuckle Vermicelli (Pork Trotter Vermicelli)

This dish is called Pork Knuckle Vermicelli (or Pork Trotter Vermicelli), a classic Taiwanese comfort food with deep cultural meaning. It features tender braised pork knuckle served over thin vermicelli noodles in a rich, savoury broth. The pork is slow-cooked until soft, creating a deep, comforting flavour while the noodles soak up the broth. In Taiwanese culture, this dish is often eaten during birthdays and Lunar New Year. It symbolises long life, good luck, and prosperity. The pork knuckle represents strength and longevity, while the noodles reinforce the idea of a long and healthy life. It’s a hearty dish rooted in tradition and everyday Taiwanese home cooking.

4. Taiwanese Oolong Tea & Green Coriander Doritos

Taiwanese oolong tea is one of the country’s most iconic drinks. It has a smooth, floral taste with a light roasted aroma. Locals drink it hot or iced throughout the day. You’ll find it everywhere, from tea shops to night markets. It also pairs perfectly with rich Taiwanese street food and classic dishes.

Taiwan also has a strong snack culture, and Green Coriander Doritos are a great example of its creativity. They taste savoury, herbal, and slightly citrusy. The flavour reflects Taiwan’s playful approach to food, where familiar ingredients appear in unexpected forms.

Coriander is especially popular in Taiwan. Locals use it widely in soups, noodle dishes, and street food. It adds freshness and a strong aromatic lift to rich flavours. Because of this, coriander-flavoured snacks feel natural to many people in Taiwan rather than unusual.

Together, Taiwanese oolong tea and Green Coriander Doritos show how Taiwan blends tradition with modern, experimental food culture.

5. Soy Milk Chicken – what to eat in Taiwan

Zai Zai no Soy Milk Chicken is the kind of place you notice without planning to. The menu is short and simple, which usually means it’s worth stopping. You’ll find a soy milk chicken steak for $75 and boneless salt crispy chicken in small or large portions.

And yes – don’t ask me why it’s called “no soy milk chicken” when they clearly sell soy milk chicken. I never quite figured that out.

The chicken is marinated in soy milk, which gives it a softer texture and a subtle sweetness. Once fried, it turns golden and crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside. It’s the kind of street food you eat straight away, standing nearby, while everything is still hot.

It’s simple, a little confusing, and completely delicious – exactly what makes Taiwan’s night markets so good.

📍 Location: Lehua Night Market, Yonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan – easily accessible from Dingxi MRT Station (Yellow Line), just a short walk away.

6. Yih Shun Shiuan Beef Tongue Cake

Yih Shun Shiuan Beef Tongue Cake is one of those traditional Taiwanese snacks you might walk past without realising how special it is. Despite the name, it doesn’t actually contain beef. The “tongue” refers to its long, thin shape.

The pastry is light and flaky, with delicate layers that break apart easily. Inside, you’ll often find a sweet malt filling that melts slightly as you eat it. The texture is soft, slightly crisp on the outside, and gently chewy in the centre.

It’s a popular local treat, especially in older streets and markets, and a great example of Taiwan’s traditional baking. Simple, slightly unexpected, and easy to snack on as you explore.

📍 Location: Yih Shun Shiuan, Yilan County, Taiwan – a well-known local bakery famous for traditional beef tongue cakes.

7. Taiwanese Pinapple Cake – what to eat in Taiwan

Taiwanese pineapple cake is one of the country’s most iconic traditional sweets. It has a soft, crumbly pastry shell filled with a thick, slightly tangy pineapple jam. The texture is rich but not too heavy, and the flavour balances sweetness with a gentle fruit sharpness.

The pineapple filling carries cultural meaning in Taiwan. In Hokkien, the word for pineapple (旺來, ong-lai) sounds like “prosperity comes.” Because of this, pineapple cakes symbolise good luck, success, and wealth.

People often give them as gifts during festivals, weddings, and Lunar New Year. They represent wishes for a bright and prosperous future. Many travellers also bring them home as souvenirs because they are easy to carry and widely loved.

Simple, sweet, and symbolic- pineapple cake is more than just a dessert.

8. Taiwanese milky bread (milk bread)

Taiwanese milky bread (milk bread) from Yih Shun Shiuan (奕順軒) in Yilan is a classic example of Taiwan’s bakery culture. It looks simple, but the texture makes it stand out. The bread is extremely soft, fluffy, and lightly springy. It almost tears apart when you pull it. This comes from a careful dough process with high hydration and long fermentation. The flavour is gentle and comforting. It has a light milky sweetness with a soft buttery aroma. Nothing feels heavy or overpowering. In Taiwan, this style of bread is very popular. Bakeries like Yih Shun Shiuan are known for turning simple ingredients into something memorable. Locals often enjoy it as a snack, gift, or shared treat at home.

9. Licorice Guava – what to eat in Taiwan

Licorice guava (甘草芭樂) is a popular Taiwanese street snack made from fresh, crisp guava cut into bite-sized pieces. It’s coated in a mix of salt, sugar, and ground licorice, creating a flavour that is sweet, slightly salty, and gently herbal at the same time.

The guava stays crunchy, which balances the bold seasoning and keeps the snack feeling light and refreshing. It’s a simple combination, but it highlights how Taiwan turns everyday fruit into something completely different and memorable.

💡 Insider tip: Let the guava sit in the seasoning for around 20 minutes before eating. This allows the flavours to fully soak in and makes the taste noticeably richer.

📍 Location: Lehua Night Market, Yonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan – easily accessible from Dingxi MRT Station (Yellow Line), just a short walk away.

10. Handmade taro paste balls (相芋, Xiang Yu)

Taro is a root vegetable that grows across Asia and is widely used in Taiwanese desserts. It has a pale purple flesh and a starchy texture. When cooked, it becomes soft and creamy. It tastes mildly sweet with a slightly nutty flavour. It is not very sugary on its own, which is why it works so well in desserts and drinks. In Taiwan, people often mash it, steam it, or turn it into paste for sweets.

Handmade taro paste balls (相芋, Xiang Yu) use this ingredient in a simple but satisfying way. The taro is mashed into a smooth paste and shaped into soft, chewy balls. They have a dense yet tender texture with a natural earthy sweetness. Each bite feels slightly elastic on the outside and soft inside. Vendors often serve them with syrup, ice, or sweet soup to lift the flavour.

You’ll find them in night markets and traditional dessert shops. They are simple, handmade, and deeply tied to Taiwanese dessert culture.

📍 Location: Lehua Night Market, Yonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan – easily accessible from Dingxi MRT Station (Yellow Line).

11. Liang Yuan (涼圓) – what to eat in Taiwan

Traditional Taiwanese desserts made from glutinous rice dough. They are small, round, and often filled with sweet pastes like sesame, peanut, or red bean. The texture feels soft and chewy, similar to mochi. In addition, these colourful, translucent treats are usually served chilled. This makes them especially refreshing in Taiwan’s warm climate. As a result, they feel light and easy to eat after a meal or as a street snack. Flavour-wise, Liang Yuan are gently sweet rather than rich. The fillings carry most of the taste. Sesame adds a deep, nutty aroma. Peanut brings a warm, roasted flavour. Red bean delivers a soft, earthy sweetness. The name literally means “cool rounds.” It refers to their shape and chilled serving style. Overall, Liang Yuan highlight Taiwan’s love for soft textures, subtle sweetness, and refreshing desserts.

📍 Location: Lehua Night Market, Yonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan – easily accessible from Dingxi MRT Station (Yellow Line).

12. Taiwanese pork sausage – what to eat in Taiwan

Taiwanese pork sausage is a popular night market snack known for its sweet and savoury flavour. It is made from seasoned ground pork stuffed into a thin casing and then grilled or pan-fried until slightly caramelised on the outside. The texture is juicy and tender, with a light snap when you bite into it. Unlike many Western sausages, it often tastes slightly sweet. This comes from the seasoning mix, which usually includes sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and rice wine.

13. Taiwanese sweet potato balls (地瓜球)

Taiwanese sweet potato balls (地瓜球) are a popular night market snack in Taiwan. Vendors make them from mashed sweet potato mixed with flour. Then they deep-fry them until they puff up into light, golden balls. As a result, the texture becomes the main highlight. The outside turns crisp and slightly crunchy. Meanwhile, the inside stays airy and chewy with a soft bounce when you bite into it. In terms of flavour, they are naturally sweet but not heavy. Sweet potato adds an earthy sweetness with light caramel notes from frying. Therefore, they feel rich enough to enjoy on their own, but still light enough to keep eating. You’ll often see them made fresh at night markets. They are simple, addictive, and a perfect example of Taiwan’s freshly made street snacks.

14. Asparagus Drink and Honey Chrysanthemum Tea

Asparagus Drink (left) and Honey Chrysanthemum Tea (right) are classic Taiwanese beverages often found in night markets and traditional drink stalls.

The asparagus drink has a light vegetal sweetness with a slightly earthy, refreshing taste. It sounds unusual, but it feels clean and cooling, especially when served cold. Locals often drink it for its refreshing quality in warm weather.

Meanwhile, honey chrysanthemum tea offers a floral and naturally sweet flavour. The chrysanthemum gives a gentle herbal aroma, while honey softens the taste and adds warmth. As a result, it feels smooth, soothing, and easy to drink.

Together, these drinks show Taiwan’s mix of bold and traditional flavours. One feels fresh and unexpected, while the other feels calming and familiar.

15. Taiwanese Black Tea

Taiwanese tea is an essential part of what to eat and drink in Taiwan, especially black tea grown in mountain plantations. Here, tea fields stretch across green hills, often just steps away from where the leaves are picked and processed.

The tea feels incredibly fresh and connected to its origin. Farmers hand-pick the leaves, then carefully dry and oxidise them to create a deep amber brew. The flavour is smooth and rich. You get light malt notes, gentle natural sweetness, and a soft floral finish.

Unlike standard packaged tea, this one feels alive and local. You can often see the plantations nearby, which adds to the experience. It turns a simple cup into something more meaningful.

In Taiwan, people drink this black tea throughout the day, hot or iced. It pairs easily with both street food and desserts. Overall, it reflects Taiwan’s calm, grounded approach to food and drink.

📍 Location: Yulan Tea Garden, Yilan County, Taiwan – a scenic mountain plantation best reached by car or organised trip.

🚗 Travel tip: When visiting Yulan Tea Garden plan your return in advance, as transport options are limited.

16. Stinky tofu – only for the brave ones

Stinky tofu is one of Taiwan’s most famous and controversial street foods. You will smell it way before you see it. The aroma is strong, fermented, and impossible to miss as you walk through a night market.

Once served, it is usually deep-fried until golden and crisp on the outside. Inside, it stays soft and slightly custardy. It often comes with pickled cabbage and a savoury sauce that balances the flavour.

We reacted to it very differently. I honestly found the taste totally unbearable and couldn’t get through it. My travel partner, on the other hand, said it was actually not bad and even finished the portion without hesitation. The contrast made the experience even more memorable.

I can remember it so clearly that my face changed expression at the moment of pasting this photo.

Final Thoughts

Food in Taiwan rarely stays just food. It becomes memory, tied to steam in the air, night market lights, and the sound of footsteps between stalls. A simple bowl, a cup of tea, a street snack eaten without ceremony—each one marks a moment you actually felt present.

Nothing here feels far from its origin. Tea grows in nearby hills. Meals arrive warm and unpolished. Even the most unfamiliar flavours ask you to slow down instead of judge too quickly.

And then there are the small everyday scenes. The garbage truck plays its familiar, almost playful melody as it drives through the streets. Locals step outside, not just to throw things away, but to pause, greet each other, and share a few quiet words in the evening air. Life slows down in these moments without asking for attention.

Some tastes comfort you immediately. Others confuse you. A few stay with you because they challenge what you think food should be.

And slowly, something shifts. It stops being about what to eat and drink in Taiwan, and becomes about how you move through a place—how you notice, how you pause, how you let things unfold without rushing to define them.

So maybe the question isn’t what you will try next in Taiwan… but what you will notice when you finally slow down enough to taste where you are?

❓ FAQ – What to Eat and Drink in Taiwan

More Taiwan

If you’re planning your trip beyond just food, take a look at my detailed guide on what to do in Taiwan and Taipei nearby, where I share the best things to do, where to stay in Taipei, must-visit places, scenic day trips, and local experiences across the island.

More to Discover in Asia

If Taiwan has sparked your curiosity, there’s so much more to explore across Asia. In Japan, Okinawa offers a slower, coastal escape, while Tokyo brings energy, food, and endless city moments. Meanwhile, Shanghai blends historic streets with a modern skyline, which makes it ideal if you enjoy contrast.

In Southeast Asia, Bangkok stands out for its street food, temples, and vibrant atmosphere. You can explore more in my Bangkok travel guide, or go further with my recommended day trips from Bangkok you can easily do yourself. As a result, it works well for both short stays and longer trips.

If you prefer something quieter, Koh Yao Yai offers a completely different pace. It feels calm, local, and far from the crowds. Therefore, it’s perfect if you want to slow down and reset.

And if you’re open to stepping beyond Asia, Istanbul connects cultures, flavours, and history in a unique way. You can explore the city in my Istanbul travel guide, or focus on views and atmosphere in my best rooftops in Istanbul guide.

Each destination offers something different, but all share that same sense of discovery that makes travel so memorable.