Taiwan is a foodie’s paradise. There is food everywhere you turn and snacking culture is infamous here. From bustling night markets to local hole-in-the-wall gems, and with influences from China, Japan, as well as other global influences, the island is packed with variety of food. Here’s a list of the top 10 foods recommendations to try in Taiwan, from my recent trip

1. Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)

Beef noodle soup is probably the dish that I look forward to most to eating when in Taiwan.

Taiwan’s beef noodle soup is a dish I eagerly anticipate every time I visit. This hearty bowl features tender beef, chewy noodles, and a deeply flavorful broth—each restaurant has its own twist on the recipe. The beef is usually braised, and the broth is often spiced with star anise and soy sauce.

Where I tried it (and would recommend):

• Yung Kang Beef Noodle (永康牛肉麵): Located in Xinyi District. I enjoyed the deep, flavorful, well-spiced broth of this beef noodle soup.
• Liu Shandong Beef Noodles 劉山東小吃店: Located near Taipei Station. I didn’t care for their udon noodles that they serve with their beef noodles soup but I did enjoy the lighter broth of their Pure Braised Beef Noodle Soup and the buckets of picked veggies (suan cai) on the tables which, when added in heaping spoons to the soup, truly elevates it to the next level!
• Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodle 林東芳牛肉麵: Located near Liaoning Night Market. The broth here is a lighter beef noodle soup. I would have prefer it to be more spiced and spicier. I enjoyed their braised beef tendon and tofu side dishes,

2. Taiwanese Fried Chicken

Taiwanese Fried chicken comes very very close to the #1 spot for food I was most looking forward to in Taiwan.

Taiwanese fried chicken is a crispy, flavorful street food staple known for its golden, crunchy coating and juicy, tender meat. Often seasoned with a mix of five-spice powder, garlic, and salt, it’s typically served with a sprinkle of fresh basil leaves, which adds an aromatic touch. They are served in small popcorn chicken sized nuggets or pounded thin and flat in large pieces.

I have Taiwanese Chicken and Popcorn Chicken many times in New York and San Francisco (I absolutely love the Taiwanese fried chicken from the chain Shilin Taiwan Street Snacks), where I lived many years, however there is nothing compared to trying the real thing in the country that made it famous.

Where I tried it (and would recommend):

• Hot-Star: I have tried Taiwanese Fried Chicken from several street vendors and shops throughout Taiwan, and my favorite is Hot-Star, which is located right outside of Shilin Night Market. There is typically a long line and they only serve one thing–massive crispy pieces of fried chicken– so you know it is good!

3. Oyster Pancake (蚵仔煎)

Oyster pancake are a popular Fuzhounese food and Fuzhou/Fujian is where my parents are from. It is right across the water from Taiwan, so ti is no surprise to see it as a popular Taiwanese street food. The dish is a combination of fresh oysters, egg, vegetables, and a starchy batter, all topped with a sweet and spicy sauce. It’s savory and utterly satisfying.

Where I tried it (and would recommend):

• Shilin Night Market (士林夜市): I tried this oyster pancake from a food vendor at Shiliin Market and it came out hot and was delicious. Shilin is the most famous night market in Taiwan, offering countless food stalls.

4. Fuzhou Pepper Meat Buns (福州胡椒餅)

Along the same line of the oyster pancakes, Fuzhou Pepper Buns are are a beloved street food from the city of Fuzhou in China, but they’ve also become a popular snack in Taiwan, especially at night markets. They’re crispy, juicy, and incredibly flavorful

—combining a rich history with a savory, spiced kick.

Where I tried it (and would recommend):

• Shilin Night Market (士林夜市): There is a pretty famous (and large) stall in Shilin Night Market that sells the Fuzhou Pepper Buns. I can’t find the name of it on google maps, but it is closer to the center of the market, and you can’t miss if you are walking through since it is larger than most stalls.
• Fuzhou Ancestral Pepper Cake: located close to Taipei Station.
  

5. Milk Tea (珍珠奶茶)

You can’t visit Taiwan without trying bubble tea, or boba. This sweet drink, made from tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls, is the drink that started the global bubble tea craze. It is wild how many boba stalls there are in Taiwan, you can pretty much find one at every street, and sometimes there are three right next to eachother!

Where I tried it (and would recommend):

• Chun Shui Tang (春水堂): Located near Taipei 101. Known as the birthplace of bubble tea! You have to dine-in to try the experience of having their drinks served in their signature glasses.
• Oolong Tea Project is a popular chain and can be found in many places. Out of the other chains I have tried (like Wootea, Wanpo etc) Oolong Tea Project has been my favorite. The ratio of tea, milk and sugar is just right and the quality of ingredients is high.

6. Steamed rice Rolls (肠粉)

These delicate, silky rolls are made from a smooth rice flour batter that’s steamed into thin, soft sheets, then rolled up with savory fillings like shrimp, pork, or beef. Often served with a drizzle of sweet soy sauce or hoisin sauce, steamed rice rolls have a chewy texture and a savory and sweet flavor.

Where I tried it (and would recommend):

• 強粉-廣東腸粉(Steamed Rice Roll): Located close to Taipei Station. A tiny hole-in-the-wall spot that serves up smooth and delicious rice rolls. It was my first meal in Taipei, and it set the bar high for the rest of the trip!

7. Taiwanese Hot Pot (火鍋)

Hot pot is a social meal in Taiwan. You’ll be served a bubbling pot of broth where you can cook all kinds of meats, seafood, tofu, and vegetables. There are different broths to choose from, like spicy, herbal, or a more delicate clear broth, and Taiwan offers some unique ingredients you won’t find anywhere else.

Where I tried it (and would recommend):

• 碼頭老火鍋: Located near Taipei Dome. This popular hot pot spot doesn’t have an English name, but locals rave about it. The ingredients are high-quality, and the variety of options is fantastic.

8. Pineapple Cake (鳳梨酥)

A must-try Taiwanese dessert! Pineapple cakes are small, buttery pastries filled with sweet pineapple jam. They’re often bought as souvenirs, but once you try them, you’ll want to take a few extra boxes home.

Where to buy it:

• Chia Te Pineapple Cakes: Chia Te is undoubtedly the most popular pineapple cake brand in Taiwan. While they do have a bakery storefront, it’s often incredibly busy, and the long lines can be a hassle—especially when you’re short on time. If you’d rather skip the wait, you can easily find boxes of Chia Te Pineapple Cakes at convenience stores like FamilyMart. Just a heads-up, the airport doesn’t carry them, so be sure to grab a box before you head to the airport!

9. Rice Balls / Chinese Onigiri

Taiwanese rice balls (飯糰) are similar to Japanese onigiri, but heartier. They’re made with sticky rice, wrapped in seaweed or bamboo leaves, and stuffed with fillings like pickled vegetables, braised pork, eggs, or even fried dough sticks (youtiao). These portable snacks are perfect for breakfast or a quick meal on the go.

Where I tried it (and would recommend):

• Rice Ball King (飯糰霸): located close to Taipei Station

6. Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯)

This simple, comforting dish consists of braised pork served over a bowl of white rice. The pork is cooked with soy sauce, five-spice powder, and a few other ingredients, making it savory and a bit sweet. It’s the ultimate Taiwanese comfort food.

Where I tried it

I didn’t go anywhere special to try this dish but I had it many days in the a row for my hotel breakfast. It is just a comforting, flavor bomb of a dish. It is often cook with thick cuts of tofu and it is equally as tasty as the pork!