9 Must-Try Taiwan Street Food From Bao To Bubble Tea

I’ve always appreciated the uniqueness of Taiwan street food, not to mention deliciousness. 

For example, in Singapore and Malaysia, you’ll often discover foods that cross-reference one another. But with Taiwan, the cuisine is quintessentially Taiwanese. There’s no question about it, Taiwan prides itself on being individualistic!

Also, you’ll surprise yourself when learning how many of these now-popular foods, like bao buns and bubble tea, are originally Taiwanese! 

One thing is for certain: a food extravaganza awaits in Taiwan. The best places to try street food in Taiwan are 100% at the night markets, as well as walking streets, like Shenkeng Old Street, or Jiufen Old Street. 

For example, in Taipei, Ningxia Night Market and Shilin Night Market are the places to be for a food-eating adventure. Taiwan is also famous for them. Most of (if not all) of these Taiwan street food bites listed here, you will find at these night markets. 

Luckily for you, we’ve prepared insider guides to the 4 Best Night Markets in Taipei!

1. Gua bao (正宗刈包)

Introducing the Taiwanese hamburger! 

Okay, so steamed buns (made from rice flour and then steamed in bamboo baskets) are part and parcel of Chinese cuisine. However, the bao bun-type that has become mega popular in Western societies — where the bun is split in half down the middle and then stuffed with the likes of crispy chicken cutlets, falafels, etc. — originates from Taiwan. 

Here, they’re called “gua bao.” Typically, they come with soy-braised pork belly and some pickled veg, with crushed peanuts. It’s savory, a little sweet, and a whole lot of deliciousness! Other common fillings include beef or fried fish. 

Nowadays, you will find bao buns on the menus of plenty of Asian fusion restaurants outside of Taiwan. But nothing beats tasting the original! There’s a super famous spot in Taipei, Lan Jia Gua Bao, for baos. 

2. Stinky tofu (臭豆腐)

I always equate stinky tofu to the likes of durian. 

The smell is off-putting enough to not make you want to eat it. And some say it tastes like it smells, while others beg to differ. I have tried durian (not a fan; I even tried durian ice cream and…still not a fan). But I think it’s kind of like coriander (cilantro). You either hate it or love it. 

So, what’s the deal with stinky tofu? It garners the smell thanks to its extra fermentation. You can also see by the Taiwan street food’s appearance that it’s been aged. It has a distinct brown-ish color that’s different from your ordinary tofu. And looks a little bubbled. 

What does it taste like? Think of it as an umami bomb! Salty, savory, and a tad bitter. Stinky tofu is usually grilled or fried, and often, toppings are added to it. 

3. Taiwanese fried chicken cutlets (雞排)

If you thought the Thais loved their fried chicken, just wait until you land in Taiwan! 

While it may seem so simple to us Western, KFC-eating-fiends, Taiwanese fried chicken hits different! There are endless fried chicken stalls at night markets and along walking streets. It’s weird if you don’t spot one. And it’s usually served as a chicken cutlet; think of it like a Taiwanese schnitzel. 

One of the most popular fried chicken cutlet franchises is Hot Star. Find them around most of Taipei’s night markets, and other Taiwanese cities. Beyond this, Hot Star has branched outside of Taiwan, and can be found in the United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Indonesia. 

4. Fried Oyster Omelette (蚵仔煎)

Omelette (as we know it) is one of the easiest things to make, right? Some eggs, a little milk/water, a pinch of salt and pepper, and then whisk ingredients together. 

In Taiwan, omelettes are done a little differently, not to mention, this classic Taiwan street food is one with fried oysters! Talk about a delicacy. 

The mixture also contains a bit of starch (either sweet potato, tapioca, or cornstarch). This creates a slightly thicker/chewier texture than the ones you may be used to. Water is always used, never milk. Then, a little bit of greens like spring onion (scallions) and five spice are added, along with the oysters! It’s fried over a flat wok (common across Asia). Certain vendors make it with extra green veggies, like bok choy. 

Listed by Michelin since 2018, Yuan Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette is famous for its 蚵仔煎, but reviews are mixed. In Kaohsiung, street food vendors make their fried oyster omelettes extra crispy!

5. Bubble tea (珍珠奶茶)

Fun fact: Bubble tea originates from Taiwan! Yup… my acupuncturist is Taiwanese, and she always tells me of how delicious bubble tea from her homeland is. She grew up drinking it, and is yet to taste it like it’s done in her country – even though bubble tea shops are tenfold now around the world. 

Never tried it before? It’s served cold, and the milk tea (available in a variety of flavors) is topped with sweet tapioca pearls that sort of burst in your mouth but are chewy at the same time? Many bubble tea shops add condensed milk for sweetness. This can get a little too sweet, so you can always ask for it without. 

Made famous circa the 1980s, two famous chains in Taiwan lay claim to its invention: Hanlin Tea Room in Tainan and Chun Shui Tang in Taichung. If you do have the pleasure of visiting Chun Shui, order the Black Tea No.1 (the OG of all bubble tea). 

6. Peanut ice cream roll (花生捲冰淇淋)

Of all the Taiwan street food, a Taiwanese peanut ice cream roll is my ultimate. I’m a sweet girl through and through. But I have to admit, I don’t usually go gaga for peanuts. This is the exception! 

Don’t let appearances fool you. Westerners might think it looks like a chicken wrap at first glance. Those from Asia might mistake it for a spring roll. It’s neither. But both guesses make total sense. To me, it appears as an in-betweener or both. 

So, what is it? The exterior is a thin crepe vibe. This serves as a wrapper for an ice cream center (either taro or vanilla flavor), with crushed peanut brittle and then…coriander! Cilantro…In a dessert? Yes, you read that correctly! The combination of sweet, salty, and then a little herbaceous just works. Like magic. 

Hands down, the best peanut rolls are from A-Zhu Peanut Ice Cream Roll in Jiufen. 

7. Lu rou fan (肉臊饭)

Have you traveled Singapore extensively? Then you may already be familiar with lu rou fan (also called also known as ló͘-bah-pn̄g), as it’s pretty popular in the Lion City. Taiwanese food, in general, is well-loved in Singapore. However, this bit of deliciousness is a Taiwanese original! 

Think delicious, icky, sticky pork belly that’s braised in soy sauce and Chinese five spice. It’s accompanied by steaming hot white rice, and a soy-soaked boiled egg. 

Every time I eat this dish, I am reminded of Hanoi’s famous thịt kho dish; also braised pork belly served with rice and an egg. 

Try lu rou fan at Wang’s Broth (Bib Gourmand winner) or Jin Feng (both located in Taipei). 

8. Cong you bing (蔥油餅)

First time in the country? One of the most common Taiwan street food bites you’ll see all over the show is cong you bing, i.e., scallion “pancake.” It reminds me of a Middle Eastern flatbread more than anything. 

Ingredients for the “pancake” are mixed into the dough, then flattened, made into a swirl, and then fried. It’s supposed to be flaky but chewy at the same time. Wafting smells of the scallions as they cooked draws in the crowds. Locals love smearing cong you bing with chili. 

There’s another version of cong you bing, called cong zhua bing, and this is an extra flaky scallion pancake. You don’t need to travel far to find cong you bing in Taiwan, but real purists swear by Hsiung Chi in Taipei.

9.  Saltwater chicken (塩水鶏)

Also known as salt water chicken, if directly translated, if you’ve ever eaten Hainanese chicken rice, it’s a similar vibe — but not exactly. 

Around the street corners of Taiwan and at all the markets, you’ll often spot vendors boiling away whole chickens in large pots. This is usually boiled salted chicken on the go. It boils in extra salty water along with other spices, and then as soon as it’s done, taken out and plonked into an ice bath. This is to firm up the chicken flesh, giving it that unique “bouncy” texture.

Unlike Hainanese chicken rice, this Taiwan street food is not served with rice. Many street food vendors offer the option of adding tofu or steamed vegetables to your take-away box.

For a full round-up of Taipei’s iconic Shilin Night Market, dive into all the extensive details here. Or, if you’re hoping to veer off the typical tourist routes, discover some of the unusual things that the capital city has to offer. 

Any vegan readers here? We got you covered with this definitive list of the best vegan restaurants in Taipei (spoiler: there’s more than stinky tofu!).

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