20 Taipei Street Food You'll Regret Missing in Taiwan! [2023]

The street food scene in Asia is incredible, and Taipei is no exception. Like Seoul and Singapore, Taipei has no shortage of delicious street food. 

One of the best ways to experience a city like this is to wander the streets and try their variety of excellent foods. The best part is that these delicious and exotic meals are reasonably priced. Who doesn't love affordable food?

So, even if you're traveling on a budget, there's no reason not to indulge in Taipei's pocket-friendly and delicious street food offerings! Join me as I explore the wonderful world of Taipei street food.

20 Must-Try Street Foods of Taipei

Are you ready to dig into the exotic taste of Taipei street food? Here's a list of the most popular street foods in Taipei. If you want some on-site guidance to ensure you get to sample the best of Taipei's street food, you can book a food tour for a local tasting experience. 

20. Oyster Mee Sua (Oyster Vermicelli)

If you're exploring the night markets of Taipei, you're likely to stumble onto food stalls with very long queues. That's because many people, especially tourists, are lining up to taste delicious street food like the Oyster Mee Sua. 

The Taiwanese love their seafood, and adding fresh oysters to this noodle soup dish makes it heartier and tastier than ever. So whether you're looking for a healthy breakfast treat, a hearty midday meal, or an early dinner on the street, keep your eyes open for a stall selling this famous street food in Taipei.

19. Iron Egg

If you love to snack on boiled eggs, the Iron Egg in Taipei will be a must-try! This dish is distinctive for its black color and has a chewy texture that might surprise you. Every bite is flavorful and delicious, so most tourists love this street food snack. This differs from century eggs, though, so don't expect the same flavor if you've already sampled that Chinese delicacy.

18. Oyster Omelet

In keeping with the trend that seafood is a common feature in the Taipei street food scene, the Oyster Omelet is one of the most popular dishes on the street. This omelet with greens and oysters is served in a sweet and savory sauce. Many food stalls serve this dish in the night markets in Taiwan. 

17. Ba Wan

Ba Wan is Taipei's version of meatballs. The translucent dough is made of a sweet potato and cornstarch blend and stuffed with a savory filling. This dish is unique to Taiwan, so be sure to try it on your visit.

16. Fish Ball Soup

In the winter, the Taiwanese love their soups. But even if you don't visit Taipei during the winter, you should remember to sample their famous Fish Ball Soup. The best place to try fish ball soup is in the Jiufen Teahouse, which opened in 1991 in a former mining bureau headquarters. 

The soup consists of fish balls, taro balls, and roasted mushrooms, and the rich broth makes it one of the most coveted dishes in Taipei.

15. Gua Bao

Gua Bao is the Taiwanese version of a burger. The steamed bun is worth digging into, but the slice of pork belly that replaces the western burger patty makes this dish even more decadent. This "hamburger" is topped off with fresh cilantro and pickled mustard for extra flavor. You'll find these in stalls across many night markets in Taiwan.

14. Braised Pork Rice

Braised Pork Rice is among the most delicious Taipei street food items you will discover. It's cooked with either pork belly or pork shoulder braised for several hours, so it is incredibly juicy and tender. 

It's also served with a delicious sauce that elevates the flavor to another level! Served over rice, this dish is a complete meal on its own.

13. Grilled Squid

Another testament to the Taiwanese love for seafood is the grilled squid dish. This is another staple in many of Taiwan's night markets. 

The grilled squid's beautiful aroma will surely capture your attention as you scour the many food stalls. Follow the delicious scent, and you'll surely be happy you did. Cooked over a charcoal fire is one of the best ways to enjoy this seafood.

12. Taro Balls

If you've got a sweet tooth, you can't go to Taipei and not try their famous Taro Balls. These chewy balls are made from mashed taro, water, and flour. Enjoy this beloved Taiwanese street food dessert over shaved ice and sweet syrup or deep-fried with filling. 

11. Scallion Pancakes

Taiwanese night markets are notable for serving breakfast staples at night. Like the oyster omelet, you can enjoy a savory breakfast treat for dinner if you choose the Scallion Pancakes. This Taipei street food staple is served with toppings like kimchi, cheese, or corn.

10. Black Pepper Buns

These flavorsome buns are one of the most beloved street foods in Taiwan. This dish is gaining popularity among tourists, so stalls that sell it can be identified by their long queues.

Black pepper buns are cooked in an earthen oven to give them a crispy and rustic exterior. The inside of the bun is filled with delicious ingredients, such as pork, pepper, and green onions. It's love at first bite!

9. Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

Fried chicken is a popular street food almost anywhere, but Taipei has its own version, which comes in perfect bite sizes. These pieces of juicy chicken thigh are deep-fried until golden brown and are the ideal snack to enjoy while browsing the night markets in Taipei.

8. Flame-Grilled Beef Cubes

Leave it to the Taiwanese to introduce theatrics when they prepare your favorite street food. A case in point is their delicious flame-grilled beef cubes, grilled over hot coals and then scorched with a blowtorch. This is a simple dish, but the flavors will blow you away!

7. Bubble Milk Tea

There's no shortage of food stalls serving your favorite Taiwanese drink in Taipei. You'll have a variety of milk tea and topping options to suit your particular taste or preference. 

6. Beef Noodle Soup

Taiwanese beef noodle soup is another staple in the Taipei street food scene. It consists of braised beef, vegetables, noodles, and a rich broth, combined in a hearty and flavorful dish you can't resist.

5. Shaved Ice

Another dessert that you must try when in Taipei is shaved ice. This dessert has many variations in Asia, but the Taiwanese version is highly recommended. 

It's made of thinly-shaved ice and topped with sweet syrup and other ingredients, such as red bean paste, condensed milk, and seasonal fruit toppings.

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4. Fried Chicken Fillet

Taipei's Fried Chicken Fillet is also worth digging into if you can't get enough of fried chicken. Several famous stores sell them all over Taipei. This dish is a simple chicken fillet coated with rich breading to give it a crunchy exterior, and it's a perfect late-night snack or night market treat.

3. Sticky Rice Pudding

You can sample Sticky Rice Pudding at one of many hole-in-the-wall eateries in Taipei. It consists of steamed rice with pork, shiitake mushrooms, and egg yolk served with a sweet red sauce. 

2. Stinky Tofu

Stinky Tofu lives up to its name, so it's only for the bravest explorers. But if you consider yourself a serious foodie, take advantage of the opportunity to sample one of Taipei's best-known street food staples. 

These deep-fried tofu cubes are served with pickled cabbage. It's easy to spot the stalls that sell them since you can smell them a mile away. 

1. Xiaolongbao or Soup Dumplings

Soup dumplings, or xiaolongbao, is a famous dish that put Taiwan on the global food map. These dumplings are usually filled with pork and soup for a juicy, delicious bite. While the dish originated in Shanghai, it has quickly gained popularity in Taiwan. 

Soup dumplings are usually served in high-end Taiwanese restaurants. Still, they're becoming fairly common in street food stalls and night markets. Try this small group tour to sample the world-famous Din Tai Fung soup dumplings. 

Taste The Flavors of Taipei With Pilot!

To discover the rich history and culture of Taipei through its food, add these must-try Taipei street food items to your list for your next visit. If you're planning a trip to Taiwan, use Pilot to help you build your itinerary.