Food & Dining in Taiwan
Taiwan is widely considered one of the world's best food destinations. From legendary night markets to Michelin-starred restaurants, the variety and quality are exceptional.
Night Markets
Taiwan's night markets are essential experiences:
Famous night markets:
- Shilin (Taipei) - Largest, most famous
- Raohe (Taipei) - More local, excellent food
- Ningxia (Taipei) - Food-focused
- Fengjia (Taichung) - Largest in Taiwan
- Liuhe (Kaohsiung) - Seafood focus
Typical prices:
| Item | Price (NT$) | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Bao (steamed bun) | 15-35 | $0.50-1 |
| Bubble tea | 40-70 | $1.50-2.50 |
| Oyster omelet | 60-80 | $2-2.50 |
| Stinky tofu | 40-60 | $1.50-2 |
| Grilled squid | 100-150 | $3-5 |
| Full meal | 80-150 | $2.50-5 |
Must-Try Taiwanese Foods
Iconic dishes:
- 滷肉飯 (Lǔ ròu fàn) - Braised pork rice
- 牛肉麵 (Niúròu miàn) - Beef noodle soup
- 小籠包 (Xiǎolóngbāo) - Soup dumplings
- 蚵仔煎 (Ô-á-chian) - Oyster omelet
- 珍珠奶茶 (Bubble tea) - Invented in Taiwan
- 鳳梨酥 (Fènglí sū) - Pineapple cake
- 臭豆腐 (Chòu dòufu) - Stinky tofu
Breakfast:
- 燒餅油條 (Shāobǐng yóutiáo) - Flatbread with fried dough
- 蛋餅 (Dànbǐng) - Egg crepe
- 飯糰 (Fàntuán) - Rice roll
- 豆漿 (Dòujiāng) - Soy milk
Restaurant Types & Costs
| Type | Cost/Person | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Night market | $2-5 | Best value |
| Local eatery (小吃) | $3-6 | Authentic, simple |
| Casual restaurant | $8-15 | A/C, variety |
| Mid-range | $15-30 | Good service |
| Fine dining | $50-150 | International quality |
Grocery Shopping
Supermarkets:
- Carrefour - French, large selection
- RT-Mart - Local, affordable
- PX Mart (全聯) - Cheapest, everywhere
- Wellcome - Quality, mid-range
Convenience stores:
- 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Hi-Life everywhere
- Hot meals, drinks, snacks
- Quality surprisingly good
Traditional markets:
- Fresh produce, meat, seafood
- Cheaper than supermarkets
- Open early morning
Vegetarian & Dietary Options
Taiwan is vegetarian-friendly due to Buddhist influence:
Options:
- 素食 (sùshí) restaurants everywhere
- Buddhist vegetarian (may include eggs/dairy)
- Look for 素 or 🌱 symbols
- Night market has veggie options
Vegan challenges:
- Oyster sauce often hidden
- Broth may contain meat
- Ask: 純素嗎? (Is it fully vegan?)
Other diets:
- Halal: Limited but available
- Gluten-free: Challenging (soy sauce everywhere)
- Kosher: Very limited
Tipping Culture
No tipping expected:
- Restaurants: No tip
- Taxis: No tip
- Bars: No tip
- Service charge (10%) sometimes added at upscale places
Food Safety
- Street food is safe (high turnover)
- Tap water: Don't drink (use filtered)
- Ice in restaurants: Safe (purified water)
- Very high food safety standards
Dining Etiquette
- Share dishes family-style
- Rice comes last (fills you up)
- Slurping noodles is acceptable
- Chopsticks: Don't point or stick upright in rice
Pro Tips
- •Night markets are the best food value in the world
- •Try beef noodle soup - it's Taiwan's national dish
- •Bubble tea was invented here - try the original
- •Vegetarian food is widely available due to Buddhist culture
- •Convenience store food is actually good in Taiwan
Have questions about food & dining in Taiwan?