[Weekend Escape] How to Eat and Drink Your Way Through Taipei

Taiwan cuisine is renowned for its rich culinary history, biodiverse local ingredients and fresh seafood, offering a wholly distinct gastronomic experience compared to anywhere else in Asia. Dubbed "Formosa," or "Island of Beauty," Taiwan boasts an impressive array of native flowers, herbs and botanicals that find their way from the mountains to the kitchen and cocktail glass of Taipei's top spots.

Sweetness is a common characteristic of Taiwan food, alongside deeply umami and herbal notes. Rice forms a traditional staple of the diet, while pork, chicken and fish are common proteins in many dishes.

The cuisine is heavily influenced by street food, with bustling night markets being an integral part of the dining experience. From savory beef noodle soup and pork belly buns to sweet bubble tea and stir-fried seafood, meals are often enjoyed in lively street markets, for an immersive, communal and cultural adventure.

Street Food

As one of the night market capitals of the world, Taipei has no shortage of street snacks, a bona fide food lover's paradise. Here are my top bites in the city and where to find them:

Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉面)

Credit: Sophie Steiner

Taiwanese beef noodle soup is all about the rich beef broth, thick ropey noodles, and tender chunks of stewed beef that fall apart at the mere nudge of a fork.

Where to Get It

Lao Wang Ji Beef Noodles: A historic noodle house established in 1956, this shop is distinguished for its juicy, flavorful beef, savory broth (in both clear and red-braised options), and springy, hand-pulled noodles. The self-serve pickles add an extra hit of sour and spice. Go early as lines are common during peak hours, and noodle soup usually sells out early.

Address: 15 Taoyuan St, Zhongzheng District, Taipei

Taiwan Beef Noodles · Chicken Soup: A late-night rite of passage, this is the place to go for post-drinking munchies. The noodles here are standout, while the broth leans toward the saltier side of the spectrum. The chicken soup, with huge chunks of fall-off-the-bone meat, is another worthwhile contender, as are the sesame paste cold noodles. Pro tip: The fishcakes with peanuts are not to be missed!

Address: No. 164, Section 1, Dunhua Rd S., Da'an District, Taipei

Lin Dong Fang: This rendition of Taiwanese beef noodle soup favors a more medicinal broth with less-rendered fat on the sliced beef. Lines can be long, and some complain of dropped quality as of late.

Address: No. 322, Section 2, Bade Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei

Yongkang Beef Noodles: More prized for its hongshao (spicy, dark) broth, the soup here is thicker, meatier and more unctuous. Beef is imported from Australia and the noodles are pleasantly squiggly. There's also some fantastic spicy dumplings and clear broth beef noodles on offer, as well.

Address: No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan Rd S., Da'an District, Taipei

Braised Pork Rice (卤肉饭)

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Slow-braised fat-pleated pork is simmered with shiitake mushrooms in a master stock (lushui 卤水) of aromatics and then ladled over fluffy rice for this signature Taiwan specialty.

Where to Get It

Wang's Broth: At this renowned, 45-year-old Michelin Bib Gourmand food stall, heaping portions of braised pork rice is presented as pure, unadulterated Taiwan soul food. In addition to the regular minced pork and mushroom topping, the slow-braised tofu triangles are equally delectable.

Address: Stall 153, 17-4 Huaxi St, Wanhua District, Taipei

Jing Feng Braised Pork Rice: The benchmark for delicious braised pork rice, this humble shop specializes in one thing and one thing only – bowls brimming with glistening pork over rice. Here the meat is notably less fatty yet not lacking in flavor in any way. Enjoy it with a braised tea egg for a more complete meal.

Address: No. 10-1, Section 1, Roosevelt Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei

Guabao (刈包)

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This pillowy steamed bun is filled with pork belly, pickled mustard greens, cilantro and peanut powder.

Where to Get It

Lan Jia Gua Bao Traditional Taiwan Snack: At this popular eatery, guabao are pumped out at lightning speed, with diners' choice of lean or fatty pork soaking in a braising liquid, plus crunchy pickled mustard greens, crushed peanuts, and lots of cilantro, all nestled inside a warm bun.

Address: No. 3, Alley 8, Lane 316, Section 3, Roosevelt Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei

Yijiazi Catering: A busy food stall with a consistent line out the door, Yijiazi serves up a streamlined menu of guabao and other Taiwan snacks. The thick cut of pork belly is lined with a generous layer of fat that melts into the plushness of the bun.

Address: 79 Kangding Rd, Wanhua District, Taipei

Xiaolongbao Soup Dumplings (小笼包)

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Xiaolongbao, or soup dumplings, are mouthful-sized pockets of joy filled to the brim with warming soup (made from melted pork aspic jelly) and (most commonly) a sweet minced pork meatball.

Where to Get It

Din Tai Fung: Arguably the world's most famous xiaolongbao outpost, Din Tai Fung is a powerhouse brand (originating in Taiwan) with branches in 14 countries. Celebrated as the poster child for meticulously consistent xiaolongbao, many agree it is the higher quality that warrants the heftier price tag.

Address: No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Rd, Da'an District, Taipei

Shouzhuabing (手抓饼)

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A flaky, griddle-fried bread stuffed with diners' choice of fillings (usually egg, meat and/or veggies), shouzhuabing makes or the perfect on-the-go snack – hence the name, which translates to "hand grab bread."

Where to Get It

Tianjin Pancake: A buzzing street vendor, Tianjin Pancake is famous for its fresh, flaky scallion pancakes. Customers can choose eight different variations, spanning egg, basil, corn, sticky soy sauce, fiery chili sauce and more. Pancakes are made to order and served steaming, with the flavor quickly making up for the gruff service.

Address: No. 1, Lane 6 Yongkang St, Da'an District, Taipei

Shredded Radish Bun (萝卜丝饼)

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This all-day snack sees a dense dough pocket, chock-full of shredded daikon radish, flash-fried for a crispy surface and soft center.

Where to Get It

Wenzhou Street Radish Pancake: A beloved takeout spot, this is a great place to try deep-fried radish cakes, green onion pancakes, and other breakfast staples, with all the crispiness but without the extra grease.

Address: No. 186-1, Section 1, Heping Rd E., Da'an, Taipei

Ice Cream Peanut Roll (花生卷冰淇淋)

Credit: Sophie Steiner

An ice cream "burrito" of sorts, several scoops of ice cream (in a variety of pineapple, taro and strawberry) are scooped onto a thin rice paper "crepe," and topped with shaved peanut brittle and fresh cilantro before being rolled up.

Where to Get It

Raohe Night Market: A night market staple, this handheld sweet treat can be found at almost any night market in town. As Raohe is one of the largest in the metropolitan area, suffice it to say that there are at a least a handful of ice cream peanut roll stalls to choose from.

Address: 253 Raohe St, Taipei

Pork Pepper Bun (胡椒饼)

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Baked in a metal drum oven, pork pepper buns (hujiaobing) feature a doughy crust exploding with black pepper-spiced pork and scallions.

Where to Get It

Fuzhou Shizu Pepper Buns: The pork pepper bun standard in Taipei is this well-oiled machine of a food stand at the entrance to the Raohe Night Market. Here, the line snakes back and forth, easily 50-100 people deep at any given moment, yet it moves quickly as the team hands out bun after steaming bun. With a liberal serving of piping hot pork, these are quite filling.

Address: 253 Raohe St, Taipei

Braised Products (卤味)

Credit: Sophie Steiner

Anything from tofu to bean curd, from cabbage to radish and everything in between is braised in a stock of with star anise, cinnamon and other spices plus soy sauce, garlic, sugar and oil on street carts at all hours of the day.

Where to Get It

Everywhere! It's impossible to pick just one spot as each braised goods stall uses its own secret master stock recipe. There are hundreds around the city, in every night market and on many street corners. Just stick your nose out and sniff for the wafting warming spices, and you're on the right track.

Others unmissable snacks include: oyster omelet, bubble milk tea, stinky tofu, sticky rice sausage, shaved ice, fried taro balls, popcorn chicken, pineapple cake, sesame buns, sesame cold noodles and more.

Night Markets

Credit: Sophie Steiner

Famed for their lively evening street markets, Taiwan has no shortage of after-hours activities. Offering a myriad of local street food, snacks and beverages, these community-focused hubs are essential to Taiwan's culture. Here's a list of 10 must-visit Taipei night markets:

Raohe: Situated in Songshan District, this large market (that is also one of the oldest in the city) spans 600 meters, marked almost entirely by street food stalls. Aside from snacks, you'll find handicrafts, clothing and games.

Address: 253 Raohe St, Taipei

Ningxia: A food-focused destination, Ningxia Night Market boasts a collection of traditional Taiwanese snacks and Michelin-recommended eateries.

Address: 58 Ningxia Road, Datong District, Taipei

Liaoning: A smaller, authentic market, the focus here is on legacy recipes for stir-fries, seafood preparations and snacks, like stinky tofu, alongside fruit stalls.

Address: Liaoning St, Zhongshan District, Taipei

Linjiang: This market offers both food and fashion in one place, conveniently located near Taipei 101. Shop amongst the affordable, trendy options, snack in hand.

Address: Linjiang St, Da'an District, Taipei

Nanjichang: A family-friendly night market, Nanjichang offers street eats like clay oven rolls, pan-friend buns and popiah.

Address: Lane 307, Section 2, Zhonghua Rd, Zhongzheng District, Taipei

Lehua: Come to Lehua Night Market for a diverse culinary scene, spanning shredded chicken salad to oyster omelettes to shaved ice desserts, and everything in between.

Address: Yongping Road, Yonghe District, New Taipei City

Shida: A smaller, hip market beloved for its youthful atmosphere, Shida is all about the shopping, catering most specifically to students from the nearby National Taiwan Normal University. There are a few food stalls, namely a standout shengjianbao (crispy bottom, baked pork bun) vendor.

Address: Lane 39 Shida Rd, Da'an District, Taipei

Shilin: The largest and most famous night market in all of Taipei, Shilin offers a blend of local street food, clothes, souvenir shopping and entertainment, like carnival games and arcade style amusements.

Address: 101 Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei

Huaxi: A historic Taipei market, Huaxi is known for its exotic snake and turtle dishes and health-oriented goods (like herbal medicine). The partially covered market offers a mix of food stalls, souvenir shops, foot massage parlors and clinics. This market is also near the Longshan Temple, making it easy to combine a visit to both.

Address: Huaxi St, Wanhua District, Taipei

Keelung Miaokou: An energetic and famous food destination about 30 minutes outside of Taipei's CBD (located in Keeling), this market boasts a vast range of street food and seafood amongst its crowded alleys. The market is centered around the Dianji Temple.

Address: Ren 3rd Rd, Ren'ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan

Cocktail Bars

Taipei is shaking up Asia's cocktail scene one pour at a time, with a twist of Taiwan panache. Here is a cross-section of my favorite bars defining this city's drinks scene:

unDer Lab: This underground lab is mixing some of the most inventive tipples in town, like a cocktail based on Taiwan beef noodle soup or a mind-blowing pork and pickled cabbage hotpot martini.

Address: 51 B1, Lane 308 Guangfu Rd S., Da'an District, Taipei

To Infinity & Beyond: "Out of this world" cocktails is what imbibers will find here, with equally playful names and presentation to match, coupled with an outer space backdrop.

Address: No. 13, Lane 160, Section 1, Dunhua Rd S., Da'an District, Taipei

Wu: Menu-less and unsearchable on Google Maps, this hidden speakeasy, outfitted in aromatic sandalwood, serves the most meticulously crafted classic cocktails.

Address: 419-1 Guangfu Rd S., Xinyi District, Taipei

MAD:MEN: This contemporary izakaya-style restobar serves Japanese small plates and equally crafted, tea-forward cocktails to match.

Address: No. 68, Section 3, Heping Rd E., Da'an District, Taipei

Hiboru: This is a retro Japanese style bar pouring a mix of Japanese-themed bevvies and classics with some standout food options.

Address: No. 2, Lane 20, Section 1, Jianguo Rd N., Zhongshan District, Taipei

Public House: This British-inspired, late-night industry hangout is all about twists on classics paired with global cuisine, in a convivial, pub-like space.

Address: No. 143, Section 4, Xinyi Rd, Da'an District, Taipei

Tei By O'Bond: Here you'll find delicate cocktails inspired by the wide world of wine in a teahouse Zen-like setting.

Address: No. 553, Guangfu Rd S., Xinyi District, Taipei

Bar Mood: This iconic bar is all about honoring Taiwan's impressive biodiversity by showcasing a Western and Eastern interpretation of each ingredient. Do not miss the secret menu Seaweed Ramos.

Address: No. 53, Lane 160, Section 1, Dunhua Rd S., Da'an District, Taipei

Bar Without: A bar all about the concept of "without," incorporating local and homemade ingredients into each drink.

Address: No. 58-2, Kunming St, Wanhua Distrcit, Taipei

Nest by Pun: A speakeasy-style homage to the symbiotic beehive with a buzz-worthy lineup of libations organized by drink category.

Address: No. 5, Lane 378, Section 4, Xinyi Rd, Taipei

Lab: This Japanese owned dram den is designed to look like a science lab, outfitted with beakers, burners and lab coat-clad bartenders. Drinks are quite technical, like a clarified (and completely clear) take on Grasshopper that still explodes with flavor.

Address: No. 409, Section 4, Ren'ai Road, Da'an District, Taipei

Bar Pine: Offering a multi-sensory experience, this female-led bar intermingles Taiwan culture and local ingredients with personal memories plus innovative mixology. Think night market snacks turned into sippable libations.

Address: 138 Wenchang St, Da'an District, Taipei

RVLT (Taipei): A lively natural wine bar and restaurant, this is the first of this Singaporean brand's overseas location that opened in February 2023. Expect a fun, unpretentious atmosphere with a curated selection of sustainable, minimum-intervention wines and playful bar bites in an industrial setting.

Address: No. 143, Section 3, Civic Blvd, Zhongshan District, Taipei

Bonus (Non-alcoholic)

COFE 喫茶 · 咖啡: An afternoon tea and coffee shop, this adorable retreat sees a first floor filled with handmade products and a second floor serving unique, locally-foraged tea and coffee beverages. Pro-tip: don't skip the homemade chocolate squares, infused with different local teas, dried fruits and regional ingredients.

Address: 2/F, 248 Dihua St, Section 1, Datong District, Taipei