Taipei’s night markets and its plethora of street food are defining characteristics of the city’s immense food culture. Sure, Taipei may boast its fair share of high-class Michelin-starred restaurants too. But for us, the best way to experience its cuisine and to witness the country’s devotion to gastronomy is through taking a stroll through one of the city’s many high-spirited night markets.
Truly, they are a must-visit for tourists regardless of whether you’re a foodie or not. Here we explore 9 terrific late-night spots to find food from hearty hot pots to street food delights galore.
1. Hai Yu Pork Ribs | Award: Bib Gourmand
The epitome of comfort, Hai Yu Pork Ribs specialises in their signature herbal pork rib soup that’s both nutritious and deeply satisfying to have on any occasion. The folks who run it have been in the business for over 40 years now and their recipe hasn’t changed since. Their signature elixir of herbal pork rib goodness comprises over 15 different herbs.
Address: 49 Dadong Road, Shilin, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 2.30PM – 1AM (Daily)
2. Hsien Chin Seafood | Award: The Plate
Browse through a wide array of fresh seafood options and have the staff at this cosy little eatery recommend how best to appreciate it. Steamed, char-grilled, deep-fried or stir-fried with crazy amounts of garlic, whatever you’re given, you can trust it’ll be good.
Here, the seafood is mega fresh and the owner himself even goes through the trouble to shop for his seafood daily to ensure that. Signature dishes to consider include their steamed leopard coral grouper and pan-fried pork liver.
Address: 5, Lane 23, Yanji Street, Songshan, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 5.30PM – 12.30AM (Daily)
3. Hsiung Chi Scallion Pancake | Award: Bib Gourmand
Scallion pancakes aren’t much of a rarity in Taiwan. In fact, walk down a busy food street and chances are you’ll bump into a pushcart selling it.
How does Hsiung Chi set itself apart from the rest of the pack you might ask. The answer is in the consistency of their pancakes which never fail to turn out outrageously crispy on the outside yet light and fluffy in the middle, speckled with generous dices of scallions which give the pancake a savoury flavour.
Address: 2, Lane 108, Section 4, Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 4.30PM – 12.30AM (Daily)
4. Liang Chi Lu Wei | Award: Bib Gourmand
Soy sauce-braised duck parts and various offal is immensely popular in Taipei and locals will tend to point you in the direction of Liang Chi Lu Wei. The secret to this humble eatery’s success lies in its unique, multi-generation-old soy sauce-based broth that not only tastes wonderful but effectively gets rid of whatever gaminess there is.
They have more than 20 marinated delights to choose from, from dried tofu, marinated duck wings to braised cow stomach and chicken offal.
Address: Alley 50, Lane 39, Tonghua Street, Da’an, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 5.50PM – 1.30AM (Daily)
5. Lin’s Vegetable Lamb Hotpot | Award: The Plate
Simple yet nourishing and insanely gratifying—not to mention on chilly nights—Lin’s Vegetable Lamb Hotpot has to be, hands down, one of the suppers you can possibly have in Taipei.
Their concentrated yet nuanced broth is the real money-maker though. It’s made using a combination of shellfish, lamb bones and further enhanced with goji berries, ginger as well as seasonal vegetables. The lamb itself is melt-in-your-mouth tender and devoid of any gaminess.
Address: 327 Jilin Road, Zhongshan, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 4PM – 12.30AM (Daily)
6. Longtail | Award: One Michelin Star
Helmed by Chef Lam Ming Kin, who during his long, illustrious career, has worked in some of the world’s finest kitchens, Longtail presents diners a multifaceted affair encapsulating the sophisticated yet relaxed Taipei lifestyle alongside a repertoire of tasty food and impressive drinks. The seasonal menu focuses on contemporary cuisine, borrowing influences from all over Asia.
Think, Aussie beef tenderloin served in a mala sauce as well as Japanese wagyu that’s fried and served with raita and curry leaves. For dessert, they even take Singapore’s iconic kaya toast for a spin.
Address: No. 174號, Section 2, Dunhua South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Opening Hours: 6PM – 2AM (Sun to Wed), 6PM – 3AM (Thu to Sat), Closed on Tuesdays
Contact: +886 2 2732 6616
7. Rong’s Pork Liver | Award: Bib Gourmand
More famously known for their ultra-rich and soul-satisfying soup, Rong’s Pork Liver is where you should definitely hole up when it gets cold out.
Everyone goes for their pork liver and pork strip soup, which is clear, concentrated and brimming with meaty goodness with a very slight mineral tinge. Their liver is cooked to just the right texture—silky smooth with a slight chew—and pairs excellently with a touch of grated ginger.
Address: Stall 8 & 10, Ningxia Night Market, 68 Ningxia Road, Datong, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 6.30PM – 1AM (Daily)
8. Tien Hsiang Stinky Tofu | Award: Bib Gourmand
Stinky tofu is a popular delicacy in Taipei that’s pretty difficult to appreciate, especially by Westerners who aren’t used to eating foods that smell super funky. To be fair, it’s an acquired taste. But the folks at Tien Hsiang Stinky Tofu take special care in preparing this delicate fried dish to ensure that it’s rid of most of its funk yet still tastes amazing.
In fact, that’s precisely what earned them the Bib Gourmand in the first place. Truth be told, their rendition of the classic night market staple is so approachable that even foreigners are willing to give it a go.
Address: 21 Linjiang Street, Da’an, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 4.30PM – 1.30AM
9. Yuan Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette | Award: The Plate
These folks first started selling their signature oyster egg omelette since 1965 and though it has been more than half a decade, the recipe hasn’t changed.
The epitome of comfort food, their tasty omelettes feature a generous ladleful of fresh oysters sourced from Tainan enveloped within. The exterior is fried until crispy and golden while the centre stays fluffy. The finished dish is drizzled with a homemade reddish sauce that’s slightly spicy, piquant and sweet.
Address: 46 Ningxia Road, Datong, Taipei, 110, Taiwan
Opening Hours: 12PM – 2.30PM, 4.30PM – 1.30AM (Daily)
Read our guide to Taiwan’s nightlife.
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