5 most famous night markets in Taipei

Coming to Taipei, visitors do not miss the opportunity to explore the markets and also provide the quintessential culinary experience. Eating and walking around the markets at night is the embodiment of Taiwanese indigenous culture.

Night markets began as small gatherings of shops and food stalls in front of temples or street corners about 100 years ago. And now they have gradually become a unique cultural feature that many people around the world talk about when talking about Taiwan. Night markets are scattered throughout the city of Taipei and attract a large number of tourists to visit and experience the quintessential culinary experience. There are more than 70 night markets across Taiwan and the number of markets in Taipei accounts for half of this number. All of these night markets are amazing and similar in many ways, but each will have its own unique features and dishes.

Shilin Night Market originated in 1899. This is the most famous night market in Taiwan and also the largest and busiest in Taipei. It is shaped like an inverted triangle between Jihe and Wenling streets, surrounded by more than 500 food stalls. The food court of Shilin night market is a place that visitors should not miss when coming here. An underground food court is air-conditioned, and is an ideal place for visitors to both enjoy food and escape the summer heat. In addition, Shilin night market also has some Michelin-listed street food spots such as Hai You Pork Ribs (海友十全排骨), Chung Chia Sheng Jian Bao's fried dumplings (鍾家原).上海生煎包), Good Friend cold noodles (好朋友涼麵).

Raohe will be Taipei's second most famous night market. With an area of about 600 square meters from east to west with a number of shops and food stalls located along several alleys. When coming here, do not miss the opportunity to enjoy Fuzhou Shizu Black Pepper Cake (福州世祖胡椒餅), Chen Dong Ribs with Chinese medicine stew (陳董藥燉排骨), Shi Boss Spicy Tofu (施老闆麻辣臭豆腐). ), Beef Noodles and Beef Gut Soup (紅燒牛肉麵牛雜湯), A Kuo Luwei (阿國滷味). This is one of the stalls in Raohe market that are recognized by Michelin. Besides delicious food, coming to Raohe, visitors can also easily move to some other interesting attractions such as Songshan CI You Temple, Matsu Shrine, Goddess of the Sea, which is also the most beautiful temple in Taipei. .

Ningxia Night Market, also known as Ningxia, is one of the places frequented by locals. In Ninh Ha, visitors will easily encounter stalls running along the street of the same name. With its location close to the historic Dadaocheng and Dihua streets, it is also one of the most beautiful and interesting neighborhoods to wander around and take street photos in Taipei. This is a relatively small market but has many delicious dishes and some other stalls that are also on the Michelin list such as Rong's Pork Liver soup (豬肝榮仔), Fang Chia Chicken Rice (方家雞肉飯) ). There are also oysters or fried shrimp, a specialty of the Gia Nghia people, and most especially, the traditional mochi cake. Most mochi in Taiwan are covered with peanut powder, but the cakes in Ningxia are traditionally made, boiled just before serving so they are still warm and the atypical selection of ground sesame seeds instead of peanut powder . In addition, visitors can also enjoy them on shaved ice or dipped with sweetened condensed milk.

Some people think that Tonghua (Tonghua) night market is a very "local" market, with a location one train station from the Taipei 101 commercial center. “Local” here refers to the food. Because when you come here people can find classic dishes with recipes that haven't changed for decades, in a way that older Taiwanese remember and love them. There are three Michelin-starred places here such as Tien Hsiang rotten tofu (雅口麻辣豆腐) because the beans are delicious and crispy. There are also five boiled rice with peanuts or sesame paste and shaved ice binghou tangyuan, called Yu Pin Yuan Iced and Hot Tangyuan (御品元冰火湯圓) and soy sauce braised dishes at Liang Ji Lu Wei (梁)記滷味). There are also other dishes in Tonghua such as traditional Chinese herbal soup called si shen tang, Zhong Ji Tonghua You Yu Geng (鍾記通化魷魚羹) stewed squid , classic Taiwanese fried dishes in Luo Ji Xiao Chao (or “Lo Chi Hsiao Chao”駱記小炒). Especially in Thong Hoa, there is also a vegetarian stall, which is not common in night markets, but it is frequented by local elderly people during the day.

Located near the Longshan or Longshan Temple, Taipei's most important place of worship, is the famous Huaxi night market. About 30 years ago, this place was called Hoa Tay Quarter and was a red light district serving tourists. Later, Huaxi became more famous for its restaurants specializing in snake meat, hence the nickname "Snake Alley or Snake Alley" from here. Later, with growing awareness of animal rights, Snake Alley has lost its appeal to most tourists and young locals. Instead, in present-day Huaxi, people are known for mouthwatering dishes such as Hsiao Wang Steamed Minced Pork served with pickle juice (小王清湯瓜仔肉) famous for its older recipe. 40 years on the Michelin list. This area actually has four night market streets connected or close to each other, namely Xichang, Guangzhou, Huaxi and Wuzhou night markets. Each street is quite different, interesting and diverse in terms of local dishes that visitors can enjoy when coming here.

Taipei Night Market is home to the best, most unique food and also a place with a lot of Taiwanese culture that visitors cannot find anywhere else. Therefore and extremely popular not only with tourists but also with locals.

Address: 

Shilin Night Market: No. 101, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111

Ningxia Night Market or Ningxia: Ningxia Road, Datong District, Taipei City 103

Raohe Night Market: Raohe Street, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105

Tonghua or Tonghua Night Market: Alley 1, Lane 40, Linjiang Street, Da'an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106

Huaxi Night Market: Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108

Operating time:

daily

Entrance ticket price:

All free