It’s no secret that the Taiwanese capital of Taipei boasts some of the best culinary treats in Asia. But any visitor eschewing its more humble offerings in favour of fine dining fare is missing out on some truly delightful gastronomic treats. Even if you are short on time, we highly recommend you try these top three hotspots to sample the best Taipei street food.
Breakfast: Yonghe Soy Milk King
Part of a chain that spans across the entire city, Yonghe Soy Milk King serves up the best local breakfasts for the adventurous foodie. As its name suggests, it specializes in soy milk, both sweet and savoury – the latter served with countless condiments reminiscent of Chinese congees. Other must-tries include you tiao (Chinese-style deep-fried savoury churros), shao bing jia dan (flaky bread with an omelette filling), and fan tuan (warm sticky rice wrapped around pork floss or other fillings).
Lunch: Taipei Fish Market
Given that the Taipei Fish Market was completely renovated in 2012 and now occupies a fancy, air-conditioned building, it’s doesn’t quite meet the category of ‘Taipei street food’. But we highly recommend this classed-up venue as it serves some of the freshest and tastiest seafood fare in the city – and at bargain prices. And there’s even outdoor seating on the fringes of the market to enjoy your newly-bought meals.
Dinner: Rao He Night Market
Taipei is famous for its night markets, and Rao He Night Market ranks as one of the best. Throngs of vendors line the entirety of Rao He Street, offering everything from grilled squid and deep fried sweet potato balls to pan-fried xiao long bao (soup-filled pork dumplings). If you’re in the mood for more hearty fare, try one of the teppanyaki restaurants along the outer edges of the walkway. Make sure you come with an empty stomach, because you won’t be disappointed with the variety of Taipei street food on offer.