Overwhelmed by the food choices in Taiwan? This ultimate Taiwan food guide will be the only thing you need to keep you and your stomach covered in Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

Most people know Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, as a fast-paced metropolitan with lots of good food. Although Taipei will always be as awesome no matter, why not explore other cities such as Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung? Food is as good as, if not better than the capital. And also, cheaper.

Taiwan is 52 times the size of Singapore, and yet with the 5-Day Joint Train Standard Pass, you can get from northern Taipei to the southern Kaohsiung in just 2 hours! Grab a 5-Day Joint Train Standard Pass for your next gastronomic adventure in Taiwan.

Here, we attempt to list 25 food places you need to try as you pass through Taipei, Taichung, Tainan, and Kaohsiung.

Read also: 8-day Taiwan Itinerary — Insider’s Guide to Hidden Adventures from Taipei to Kaohsiung via the THSR

台北 Taipei

1) 阜杭豆浆 Fu Hang Soy Milk

Taiwanese take their breakfast very seriously, and this is evidenced by the whopping long queue of Fu Hang Soy Milk that stretches over 2 storeys. The signature savory soy beancurd is the reason behind the long queue, as people wait patiently in line for a bowl of freshly made beancurd, egg crepes, and fried dough sticks (youtiao).

Address: Level 2, No.108, Zhongxiao East Road, Section 1, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan [台北市中正區忠孝東路一段108號2樓]
Directions: MRT ShanDaoSi Stn. Exit 5. (捷運善導寺站)
Opening Hours: 5:30AM – 12:30PM (Closed on Mon)
Cost: ~NT$25-60

2) 天天利 Tian Tian Li

Almost considered a staple, you can find the ubiquitous Fried Oyster Omelette (蚵仔煎) and Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯) all over Taiwan. For foreigners like us, our best bet would be to ask locals to recommend their favourite stall among the many.

We were hence introduced to a small and humble-looking eatery in Ximending that sells both fried oyster omelette and braised pork rice. At Tian Tian Li, there’s even an add-on option of a runny sunny-side up on the already-awesome rice, making it even more mouth-watering.

Address: No.1, Lane 32, Hanzhong Street, Wanhua District, Taipei, Taiwan 108 [台北市萬華區漢中街32巷1號]
Directions: MRT Ximen Stn. Exit 6. (捷運西門站)
Opening Hours: 9AM – 10:30PM (Closed on Mon)
Cost: ~NT$25-60

3) 阿宗麵線 Ay-Chung Mee Sua

A classic you should not miss when in Taipei, Ay-Chung Rice Noodles (a.k.a. Ah Zong Mee Sua) has been captivating hearts and stomachs of locals and tourists alike for years. It’s a constant in the everchanging Ximending, and sure is one that marks the identity of Taiwanese cuisine.

Address: No.8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108 [台北市萬華區峨眉街8之1號]
Directions: MRT Ximen Stn. Exit 6 (捷運西門站)
Opening Hours: 10AM – 11PM daily
Cost: ~NT$50-65/bowl

(4) 林東芳牛肉麵 Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles

Be so good at something that it gets reported on local news. Yes, that’s about how famous Lin Dong Fang’s beef noodles are. Not only has it been a hot favourite among locals for years, we heard that even members of KPOP boy band BIGBANG have also patronised this popular noodle shop for a taste of its spicy broth and tender pieces of beef.

Current Address: No.274, Section 2, Bade Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491 [台北市八德路二段274號]
New Address by year-end 2017: No.4-2, Andong Street, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10491 [台北市安東街四之一號]
Directions: MRT Zhongxiao Fuxing Stn. Exit 1. (捷運忠孝復興站)
Opening Hours: 11AM – 4PM (Mon-Thu), 11AM – 5PM (Fri-Sat). Closed on Sun
Cost: ~NT$140-230/bowl 

(5) Tamed Fox

Tamed Fox is a cafe that celebrates healthy-eating and is said to use only all-natural ingredients in its food. For example, quinoa is used instead of sugary sprinklers on their donuts, and homemade applesauce as a substitute for sugar and butter. Another reason to visit Tamed Fox? — Very Instagrammable food 😛

Address: No.56, Lane 122, Section 4, Ren’ai Road, Da’an District, Taipei City [仁愛路四段122巷56號]
Directions: MRT Xinyi Anhe Stn. Exit 1. (捷運信義安和站)
Opening hours: 8AM – 5PM (Mon to Wed & Fri), 10AM – 6PM (Sat & Sun). Closed on Thu
Cost: ~NT$60 onwards

(6) 三味食堂 Sun Way

Queues are known to have gone on for hours for this unassuming Japanese restaurant along the busy streets of Ximending. The reason for the neverending queue is the unbelievably huge portions of salmon nigiri sushi. If you are a lover of Japanese cuisine or just love to eat, do not give Sun Way a miss!

Address: 116, Gueiyang St Sec 2, Taipei City [台北市貴陽街二段116號]
Directions: MRT Ximen Stn. Exit 1. (捷運西門站)
Opening Hours: 11:20AM – 2:30PM, 5:10PM to 10PM (Closed first two Mon & last two Sun of every month)
Cost: ~NT$70-580

(7) 叁和院 San Ho Yan

If you prefer having your meals in a dine-in restaurant, San Ho Yan is the perfect place for Taiwanese cuisine with a twist. The cute and colourful buns are not only pretty to look at but also taste great. The best part of it all? Prices are reasonable and will not burn a hole in your pocket.

Address: No.14, Lane 101, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City [台北市大安區忠孝東路四段101巷14號]
Directions: MRT Zhongxiao Dunhua Stn. Exit 1. (捷運忠孝敦化站)
Opening hours: 11:30AM – 12AM
Cost: ~NT$187/dish

Read also: 4D3N Taipei & Outskirts Itinerary

台中 Taichung 

8) 嵐肉燥專賣店 Arashi Braised Minced Pork

Nestled within Taichung Second Market (臺中第二市場), Arashi was highly recommended to us by our friendly cabbie as the best braised minced pork rice in Taichung. The juicy meatballs complemented the braised minced pork rice really well, proving that simple ingredients can make a hearty lunch. We had to agree with our cabbie that it was indeed one of the tastier minced pork rice we had in Taiwan.

Address: No.36&37, Section 2, Sanmin Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400 [台中市三民路二段第二市場內36、37號]
Directions: 12 min. walk from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站)
Opening Hours: 10AM – 2:30PM (Closed on Mon)
Cost: ~NT$30-70

9) 老賴茶棧 Like Tea Shop

To us, in fact, the entire Taichung Second Market was a hidden gem found. Besides Arashi, there are other stalls with creeping long queues as well. The stall with the most exaggerated queue is 老賴茶棧 Like Tea Shop. The long line stretches out from the market onto the main road, with many braving the heat and scorching sun just to buy a cup of traditional black milk tea.

Address: No.85, Section 2, Sanmin Road, Central District, Taichung City, Taiwan 400 [台中市中區三民路二段第二市場中門C180]
Directions: 12 min. walk from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站)
Opening Hours: 7:30AM – 6:30PM daily
Cost: ~NT$15-100/cup

10) Dody Duke 馬鈴薯專門店

Millennials will remember an ultimate after-school snack — machine-dispensed mashed potato from a certain convenience store. Yumz, my favourite kind of carbs. Dody Duke reminds me of the simple joys snacking on mashed potato, but with legit fresh potatoes, served with overflowing ham, broccoli, corn, and cheese.

Keep a lookout for it at Feng Chia Night Market though, as it is situated in a quiet alley within the bustling night market, and you won’t want to miss it!

Address: No.12, Lane 20, Fengjia Road, Xitun District [西屯區逢甲路20巷12號]
Directions: Public bus #35 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to Feng Chia Uni.- Fu Xing Rd. (逢甲大学-福星路)
Opening Hours: 5PM – 10:30PM (Sun-Mon, Wed-Thu), 5PM – 11:45PM (Fri-Sat). Closed on Tue.
Cost: ~NT$55-85/cup

11) 雷丸逢甲店 Thunder Balls

I love meat. I love cheese even more.

And for me, Christmas came early when I found Thunder Balls of Feng Chia Market. The fist-sized meatballs are not only served drenched in melted cheese but are also FILLED with explosive cheese inside. This is DA BOMBZ.

Address: No.71, Wenhua Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407 [台中市西屯區文華路71號逢甲歡樂星]
Directions: Public bus #35 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to Ding Nan Zai (頂湳仔), inside Feng Chia Fun Star within the night market
Opening Hours: 5:30PM – 10:30PM (Closed on Tue)
Cost: ~NT$45-120

12) Overlord

This street food stall along Feng Chia revamped the idea of takeaway fast food, having a two-tiered cup that holds both food and drink. Overlord serves tender chunks of beef and cheese-drizzled fries, together with your choice of soda in a cup, so you can have one hand free to do the shopping.

Address: No.550, Fuxing Road, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407 [台中市西屯區福星路550號]
Directions: Public bus #35 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to Ding Nan Zai (頂湳仔)
Opening Hours: 5PM – 12:30 AM (Mon-Fri), 4:30PM – 1AM (Sat & Sun)
Cost: ~NT$120/serving

13) 冰菓藝棧 Maj.Frutti

Long before South Korea captivated the world with their delicious Bingsu, Taiwan has already wowed many with her finely shaved flavoured iced dessert — Chuabing (剉冰). Maj.Frutti takes shaved ice one step further and creates a fruity, or frutti, wonderland with her insanely massive fruit dessert bowls and fruit juices. 

Address: No.9, Fuxing North 2nd Street, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 40741 [西屯區福星北二街9號]
Directions: Public bus #35 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to Han Xiang Company (漢翔公司)
Opening Hours: 1PM – 10PM (Closed on Mon)
Cost: ~NT$169/bowl

14) 我是塔拉朵 I’m Talato

I’m Talato is perhaps the most Instagrammed gelato shop of all Taiwan, with it’s exterior and interior all decorated with gigantic cones of ice cream.

Made of fresh ingredients sourced from local farms, I’m Talato’s rich yet low-fat gelato will wins the hearts of every girl. Popular flavours include Rice, Hokkaido Cheese, Sweet Potato, Pineapple, and Emei Matcha.

Address: No.451, Yingcai Road, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403 [台中市西區英才路451號]
Directions: Public bus #51 from Taichung Train Stn. (臺中火車站) to YingCai XiangShang N. Rd (英才向上北路口)
Opening Hours: 11:30AM – 7:30AM daily
Cost: ~NT$80/scoop

台南 Tainan

15) 大佑興意麵店 Da You Xing Yi Noodles

A walk down Anping Old Street will transport you back in time, with old-school stalls selling simple everyday dishes. Da You Xing Yi Noodles is nothing fancy, but embodies the “古早味” (gǔ zǎo wèi), or “tastes of yesteryears” locals and foreigners love. When at Anping, do give the dry-tossed noodles and assorted braised meats a try.

Address: No.29&30, Yanping Street, Anping District, Tainan City, Taiwan 708 [台南市安平區延平街29、30號]
Directions: Public bus #99 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Cultural Museum of Anping Oyster Shell Cement Kiln (安平蚵灰窯文化館) 
Opening Hours: 11AM – 2PM (Lunch), 4:30PM – 7:30PM (Dinner). Closed on Mon
Cost: ~NT$35/bowl

16) 金華六一鴉片綠豆蒜 Jin Hua 61 Tau Suan

Cool yourself down with a bowl of iced mung bean soup (a.k.a. tau suan) from Jin Hua 61 along Anping Old Street. Unlike tau suan in Singapore, that’s usually served with you tiao, Jin Hua 61’s tau suan comes with chewy taro balls, black pearls. Portions are huge, and each bowl of dense mung bean soup is good for 2 to share.

Address: No.51–4, Gubao Street, Anping District, Tainan City, Taiwan 708 [安平區古堡街51-4號]
Directions: Public bus #99 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Cultural Museum of Anping Oyster Shell Cement Kiln (安平蚵灰窯文化館) 
Opening Hours: 11:30AM – 6PM (Mon-Fri), 10AM – 7:30PM (Sat & Sun)
Cost: ~NT$60-130

17) 王家庄狀元粿 Wang’s Champion Rice Cake

Similar to the kueh tutu we have in Singapore, Champion Cakes of Taiwan are rice flour cakes with peanuts or sesame fillings but shaped like a champion’s hat. Wang’s Champion Rice Cakes are served piping hot and generously filled peanut and sesame rice cakes.

Address: No. 136 Anping District, Tainan City, Yanping Street, Tainan, Taiwan [台南市安平區延平街136號]
Directions: Public bus #99 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Cultural Museum of Anping Oyster Shell Cement Kiln (安平蚵灰窯文化館)
Opening Hours: 1PM – 6:30PM (Mon-Fri), 11AM – 7:30PM (Sat & Sun)
Cost: ~NT$100/box of 6

For the Unagi lovers, this one’s a treat. Glasses Eel Noodles in Tainan is known for its reasonably-priced noodle dish that comes with a generous portion of stir-fried Unagi (eel). Besides Unagi, the stall also has stir-fried squid noodles and pork liver soup which are delicious too!

Address: No.5, Lane 21, Xinjian Road, South District, Tainan City, Taiwan 702 ［台南市南區新建路21巷5號］
Directions: Public bus #1 from Tainan Train Stn. (臺南火車站) to Ri Xin Primary Sch (日新國小)
Opening Hours: 5PM – 12AM (Closed on Sat & Sun)
Cost: ~NT$70-150

19) 小覓秘·面食所 Little Secret

In Tainan, Blueprint Culture & Creative Park 藍晒圖文創園區 is that new kid on the block that locals flock to. And within the creative park is Little Secret, a small restaurant that has been garnering lots of attention for its well-prepared delicacies, such as blanched beef soup with spinach noodle; a must-try in this restaurant.

高雄 Kaohsiung 

20) 鴨肉珍 Duck Zhen

In Kaohsiung, make it a point to have a meal at Duck Zhen. The braised duck is served cold to retain its tenderness and juiciness. Complete the meal with a bowl of fragrant braised meat rice, stir-fried kangkong, and pig’s liver soup.

We met a Taiwanese uncle who told us he has been patronising Duck Zhen for 8 years and counting and still remains his favourite eatery in Kaohsiung.

Address: No.258, Wufu 4th Road, Yancheng District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 803 [高雄市鹽埕區五福四路258號]
Directions: MRT Yanchengpu Stn. Exit. 1. (捷運鹽埕埔站)
Opening Hours: 10AM – 8PM (Closed on Tue)
Cost: ~NT$50-65

21) 章魚大丸仔 Giant Takoyaki

Address: No.140, Nanping Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 813［左營區南屏路410號］Ruifeng Night Market (First row of Food Section)
Directions: MRT Kaohsiung Arena Stn. Exit 1. (捷運巨蛋站)
Opening Hours: 5:30PM – 12:30AM (Closed on Mon & Wed)
Cost: NT$60/ea

22) 好·食吐司（手作熱壓吐司） Good Eat Toast

I love bubble tea, so imagine my sheer delight when I found out that people at Good Eat Toast are making my favourite beverage a toast. Interestingly, instead of being a gooey mess, munching on the bubble tea toast was almost like having an explosion of flavours and textures in my mouth. Sink your teeth into the crispy toasted bread, and into the sweet and chewy pearls, with added flavours from the earl grey tea jam. Yums.

Address: No.140, Nanping Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 813［左營區南屏路410號］Ruifeng Night Market (Third row of Food Section)
Directions: MRT Kaohsiung Arena Stn. Exit 1. (捷運巨蛋站)
Opening Hours: 5:30PM – 12:30AM (Closed on Mon & Wed)
Cost: ~NT$50

23) 犇焱牛 ‧ 骰子牛專門店 Royal Beef Cubes

Royal Beef Cubes is a chain store that serves up hand-torched wagyu beef cubes that are lightly flavoured with salt. Steak doneness can be prepared to your preference, or, simply leave it to the chef to torch it till perfection for you. It’s really good, trust us.

Address: Kaohsiung Ruifeng Night Market, Intersection between Yucheng Road and Nanping Road (First Row of Ruifeng Night Market)
Directions: MRT Kaohsiung Arena Stn. Exit 1. (捷運巨蛋站)
Opening Hours: 5PM – 1AM (Closed on Mon & Wed)
Cost: ~NT$100-200

Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s busiest seaports, is seafood galore, and there’s no better place to enjoy the seafood than a bowl of porridge at Zhuang Ji Seafood Porridge stall at Liuhe Night Market.

Address: No.130, Liuhe 2nd Road, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800 [高雄市新興區六合二路攤販130號 (六合夜市與自立二路交叉口一帶)]
Directions: MRT Formosa Boulevard Stn. Exit 1. (捷運美麗島站)
Opening Hours: 5:30PM – 3:30AM 
Cost: ~NT$100-150/bowl

25) 丹丹漢堡 Dan Dan Hamburger

Dan Dan Hamburger is Kaohsiung’s pride, being the city’s first local fast-food restaurant. Found exclusively in Kaohsiung, Tainan, and Pingtung (southern Taiwan), you can find Western-Taiwanese fusion food on its menu.

Address: No.224, Qixian 2nd Road, Qianjin District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 801 [高雄市前金區七賢二路224號]
Directions: MRT City Council Stn. Exit 4. (捷運市議會站)
Opening Hours: 6AM – 9:30PM daily
Cost: ~NT$39-113

Read also: Top 7 Things to do in and around Kaohsiung

This non-exhaustive list will be updated periodically, so if you know of other awesome Taiwan food places you wish to share with the TTI community, do list them in the comment section below 🙂

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