Discover why Taiwan — East Asia’s island known for its deep culture and outdoor splendour — is also one of the region’s most delicious destinations.

While people come to Taiwan for its cities, history and stunning scenery, the best reason to visit may be the food. Taiwan’s history of migration and colonialisation means that an array of influences have combined to create one of the region’s most unique and mouth-watering cuisines. Combine this with night market culture and some very creative chefs, and you have a foodie’s paradise. That said, there is so much to choose from that it can be hard to know just where to eat in Taiwan, so hopefully this guide will take some of the guesswork out.

In short

If you only eat one thing in Taiwan, make it beef noodle soup. This is the island’s signature dish and for good reason: the slow-cooked beef shank is so tender it melts in your mouth. It’s paired with chewy wheat noodles floating in a deep, savoury broth infused with bean paste and Chinese spices. The result is a bowl of soup so good that it’s practically medicine, making it a must-eat dish during any visit to the island.

Where to eat in Taipei City

Perhaps nothing defines Taipei more than its night markets, and at Shilin Night Market’s food court, an army of hawkers work their magic at over 500 stalls. Its most famous dishes include oyster omelettes and da ji pai, a crispy, flattened chicken cutlet that has come to define Taiwan’s night market culture.

Raohe Night Market is Taipei’s oldest and occupies a 600-metre pedestrian corridor on the street it’s named for, and unlike Shilin, the focus is entirely on food. Make sure to try the hujiao bing at Fuzhou Shanhubu Pepper Buns, whose legendary pork-filled buns have earned them a Michelin Bib Gourmand recommendation.

For a more traditional neighbourhood vibe, head to Ningxia Night Market, where many vendors are second- or third-generation operators carrying on family recipes. This sense of authenticity has also attracted the attention of the Michelin Guide, who have awarded several of its stalls the Bib Gourmand recommendation, including Fang Chia Chicken Rice (shredded chicken over rice), Liu Yu Zi (deep-fried taro balls) and Rong’s Pork Liver (savoury, comforting pork liver soup).

Taipei, however, is about more than just night markets, and its modern dining scene has several standouts. Leading the pack is Chef Kai Ho’s Taïrroir, where local Taiwanese ingredients are elevated into multi-course French-style dining that has garnered it three Michelin stars. Ad Astra (another three-star Michelin fave) is known for its omakase-style tasting menu, while Moon Moon Food’s (Michelin Bib Gourmand) homestyle Taiwanese soups, noodles and rice dishes has made it a go-to spot for foodies throughout the city.

Of course, no trip to Taiwan would be complete without a pilgrimage to the original Din Tai Fung —  the global chain known for its xiao long bao (soup dumplings). This brand just may be the country’s biggest export, and you can see (and taste) where it all began at its flagship store on Xinyi Road.

Where to eat in Taichung City

While Taiwan’s second city is a great place for food, it also has a burgeoning café culture, particularly in its arty West District. Tamp Temper Taichung Coffee is known for its selection of quality beans and relaxed atmosphere, while Odd Even Coffee Bar’s stylishly modern interior is the ideal place to savour one of their excellent pour-overs or coffee cocktails.

Taichung is also the birthplace of bubble tea, and fans of the popular concoction will want to visit Chun Shui Tang Siwei Main Shop, the classic teahouse where it all began. When it comes time to eat, head to the Fengjia Night Market, where you can munch on street delicacies such as scallion pancakes, fried scallops, Taiwanese sausage and sweet potato fries sprinkled with sweet plum powder.

Where to eat in Kaohsiung City

Kaohsiung — Taiwan’s chief port city — is home to some thriving night markets. Just a stone’s throw from Formosa Boulevard MRT station, Liuhe Night Market traces its roots back to the 1950s, making it the city’s oldest. Over 100 vendors serve up nosh such as eel noodles, Spanish mackerel soup, bird’s egg shrimp balls and plates of sizzling steak. While you’re there, make sure to stop by Zheng’s Old Brand Papaya Milk, a legendary stall famous for its sweet, fruit-infused milk drink.

For a more local experience, check out Ruifeng Night Market, where hundreds of vendors form a grid-like complex and cook up local delights like barbecue pork knuckles, grilled squid and stinky tofu. During the day, swing by Qishan Old Street, which features baroque-style buildings and quality restaurants such as Hsiu Ming — a Michelin-recognised eatery known for its pig heart with glass noodles.

Being a harbour city, Kaohsiung is also a terrific place to eat seafood. Cijin Island is just a 10-minute ferry ride from downtown and features a whole strip of seafood joints where your meal is plucked straight from the tank, dispatched, sliced up and served at your table. Michelin-recognised Good Crab House serves clawed crustaceans and other sea treasures, while Nibbon’s expert fusion of Taiwanese, Japanese and French culinary currents not only draws heavily from the ocean’s bounty, but has earned it a Michelin Star.

Where to eat in Taoyuan City

Situated just west of Taipei, Taoyuan is best-known for its international airport, though it’s also a good place to eat. While the town’s Daxi Old Street boasts Baroque-style buildings where you can shop for local crafts and furniture, it’s also the best spot to try dougan, a dried bean curd that is the city’s signature dish. Taoyuan was settled by Hakka people from the mainland, and you can dive into Hakka dishes such as slow-braised pork belly or vegetable buns at Uèfafa Taiwan Hakka Cuisine, which sits in the city’s Taoyuan District, not far from the airport.

The city is also home to a couple of nice night markets where you’ll find the usual street stall dishes along with some innovative takes. Taoyuan Night Market is the largest and feels more local than some of its counterparts in Taipei, while Zhongyuan surrounds Zhongyuan University and is packed with youthful energy, creative snacks and wallet-friendly prices.

Where to eat in Tainan City

Tainan is largely considered to be the island’s culinary capital, which makes it a must-visit spot for any visiting foodies. The city has a number of signature dishes, including stir-fried eel noodles, dan zai noodles (wheat noodles with pork and shrimp broth), Anping spring rolls (deep-fried with minced pork and shrimp) and coffin bread — a thick-cut piece of deep-fried white bread that is hollowed out and filled with a creamy chowder.

Tainan is also known for its fresh beef noodle soup, which is served without spices in a clean bone broth and usually eaten for breakfast. It’s also famous for milkfish, a silvery fish found in many local dishes and best sampled at Kaiyuan Road “No Name" Milkfish, a sign-less joint whose exceptional food has been recognised by tastemakers at Michelin.

The city is home to several night markets, including the Garden (aka Flower), which is the busiest and largest, along with Dadong (less crowded) and Wusheng, the city’s oldest and best bet for those seeking out a more traditional neighbourhood feel. When it comes to regular restaurants in Tainan, Traditional Tainan Feast in the historic Anping District delivers all of the city’s classic dishes under one massive roof, while Hsi Lo Tien Beef Soup (Michelin Big Gourmand) is a top choice for the local take on Taiwan’s most iconic dish.

A quick guide to Taiwanese night market etiquette

A first-time visit to a night market in Taiwan can be both intimidating and overwhelming, so here are a few key things to keep in mind.

• Most vendors only accept cash, so have plenty on hand and stick to NTD $100 notes (around AUS $4.50), as larger bills are harder to make change for and slow things down.
• Prices are fixed, so don’t try to haggle.
• Start with the classics. Try an oyster omelette, black peppers buns, fried chicken cutlet or even stinky tofu before moving on to deeper cuts.
• Don’t stress about the language barrier. Many stalls have photos of the dishes, so just point and smile and they’ll figure out the rest. If not, use a translation app.
• Sharing dishes is pretty much a given and a big part of the fun, so order with friends and partners in mind.
• Once you get your food, move away from the pickup counter quickly. There may be some tables available, but most night market snacks are eaten on the go.
• There may not be many rubbish bins. The best method of disposal is to return any rubbish to the vendor you bought it from.
• Step aside to browse or eat. Things get crowded and stopping in the middle of the concourse to check your phone or eat another dumpling will jam things up.

Getting to Taiwan

You can fly direct from Australia to Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, with China Airlines from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Flight time ranges from just under nine hours to 9.5 hours.