The best Taiwanese eats in Taipei - a food quest
Discover Taipei's unmissable Taiwanese eats from local legends to night market delights.
Taipei stands out as one of the top cities for food in Asia, and it’s easily one of our favourite places to visit for truly comforting meals. From classic Taiwanese breakfasts to steaming bowls of beef noodles and iconic night market eats, Taipei offers some of the best flavours of Taiwanese cuisine. To help you plan your eating adventure, we’ve rounded up the must-try Taiwanese dishes and the best spots to find them in Taipei.
Dive into our guide below and join Phoebe in our 'Must-Eats in Taipei' video as she explores these top spots for authentic local eats in Taipei.
Authentic Taiwanese Breakfast at Soy Milk King
Start your day with authentic Taiwanese breakfast in Taipei: a hearty, savoury ritual unlike sweeter Western options, featuring crunchy youtiao (fried dough sticks), dan bing (egg crepes), and steaming salty dou jiang (soy milk) for under NT$100 (USD$3.20). For the best spot for a Taiwanese breakfast, visit Soy Milk King, a classic since 1955 with fresh-ground soy milk and crispy fritters in a no-frills setting.
Location: Soy Milk King
Address: No. 102, Section 2, Fuxing South Rd, Da'an District, Taipei City
Iconic Noodles at Ay-Chung
For one of the best places to eat in Ximending, head to bustling Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodles for a bowl of thick, silky rice noodles in a rich bonito-flake broth packed with umami. A Taipei staple since the 1970s, this hearty bowl is stewed with pig intestines and topped with coriander - ingredients which may not appeal to everyone, so request without them if preferred. There's no seating available, so grab it to go and slurp standing by the street with the locals. Dip into condiments like minced garlic, black vinegar, and chilli sauce to customise the addictive texture and depth before exploring the city.
Location: Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodles
Address: No. 8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
The Best Braised Pork Rice at Jin Feng
For a more meaty meal, visit Jin Feng, one of the best Taiwanese braised pork rice restaurants in Taipei. This dish is slightly similar to Shanghainese hong shao rou, with fatty pork belly stewed in soy and spices over fluffy white rice. The savoury topping transforms basic rice into the iconic Taiwanese staple dish. Pair this with popular sides like stewed egg (lu dan), braised tofu, dried bamboo shoots, or a side of soup for a complete meal.
Jin Feng draws loyal crowds of locals, often resulting in long lines during lunchtimes and early evenings. Visit off-peak, around 3–5 PM or after 8 PM, to skip the queues and enjoy the authentic flavours without the wait.
Location: Jin Feng Braised Pork Rice
Address: No. 10, Section 1, Roosevelt Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup: Affordable vs. Premium
You can't visit Taiwan without having a bowl of their soul-warming Taiwanese beef noodles. This staple dish embodies Taiwanese comfort food at its finest - think steaming bowls of braised beef brisket in rich, aromatic broth. Niu Ba Ba is one of the best restaurants for Taiwanese beef noodles in Taipei and is our top pick for a truly premium, one-in-a-lifetime experience. Their Presidential Beef Noodles holds a record for the most expensive bowl of beef noodles in the world, priced at an astonishing NT$10,000 (roughly US$330), which features elite cuts of beef meticulously braised to perfection, swimming in an intensely flavourful broth.
Don't feel like splurging? Try out one of their more budget-friendly options that are just as satisying, or head to Lin Dong Fang, who offer everyday versions starting at NT$100.
Location: Niu Ba Ba
Address: No. 149, Section 6, Minquan East Road, Neihu District, Taipei City
Location: Lin Dong Fang
Address: No. 322, Section 2, Bade Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City,
The Original Bubble Tea at Chun Shui Tang
The now world-famous "bubble tea" actually originated in Taiwan, and stands as one of Taipei's signature drinks. If you want the true classic, a must-visit is Chun Shui Tang, considered by many as the inventor of 'boba' and one of the best places in Taipei for milk tea. Order their Signature Bubble Pearl Milk Tea, a creamy, flavourful drink paired with satisfyingly chewy tapioca pearls.
Chun Shui Tang has branches all over Taiwan, but it's a good idea to visit during off-peak hours, such as early afternoon or late evening, to avoid queues at popular branches.
Location: Chun Shui Tang
Qingcheng Store Address: 2nd Floor, No. 1, Qingcheng Street, Songshan District, Taipei City
Evening Food Crawl at a Taipei Night Market
No visit to Taipei is complete without a good stroll at one of its famous night markets. Tonghua Night Market (also known as Linjiang Night Market) is smaller and less crowded than the more well-known Shilin or Raohe markets, and offers an intimate setting where locals come to eat and unwind. This more chill vibe makes it one of the best night markets in Taipei.
One must-try dish is Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang, meaning “big sausage wraps small sausage,” where a grilled pork sausage is wrapped in a sticky rice sausage for a hearty and savoury bite. Feeling like something sweet? Try Xue Zai Shao, a peanut brittle ice cream spring roll with a unique blend of textures.
Take your time exploring all the different stalls, and end the night soaking in the bustle of Taipei's evening street vibes.
Location: Tonghua Night Market / Linjiang Street Night Market
Address: Linjiang Street, Da'an District, Taipei City
To see these authentic Taipei eats come to life, watch our 'Must-Eats in Taipei' episode of our original Hawker Style video series, and join Phoebe on a food adventure in Taipei to ignite your taste buds.
CREDITS
Director & Writer: Vikash Autar
Editor: Michael Thompson
Presenter: Phoebe Miu
Production Company: ANYDOKO Studios
Story Writer: Catherine Ou Yang
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