Taiwanese Food - A Guide to Taiwan's Food Culture

When I first told my Taiwanese friends and relatives that I was moving to Taiwan, they joked about all the weight I would gain. Before I knew it, they were already placing bets on my weight gains.

But these jokes weren’t random. They stemmed from the fact that Taiwan has a rich food culture with some of the most delicious eats in the East.

Taiwan has been called many things in the past, like the “Heart of Asia.” However, I like to call it the Food Capital of Asia. Never have I seen such a prolific food culture as I have in Taiwan.

RECOMMENDED: A Local’s Guide to Taipei, Taiwan

Taiwan Loves Food

Taiwan’s food culture is their culture. If you’re a die-hard foodie like myself, this is the place to visit. Not only does Taiwan perfect so many unique traditional dishes, but they might also be the only country with a “standard” 4 (yes, FOUR) meals a day.

However, if you’re a first time or novice traveler to Taiwan, their food culture can be a bit overwhelming. There’s a lot to know before you start eating like a local in Asia’s food paradise.

But you’re in luck! Here’s the ultimate guide to eating your heart out in Taiwan.

Influence on Taiwanese Cuisine

Taiwan has had a long history, as reflected by the diversity in their traditional dishes and foods. Although many different nations conquered and left, their influence on Taiwanese cuisine have survived.

Aboriginal Influence

The Taiwanese aborigines started things off with crops like taro and millet, which were abundant on the island. In fact, wet taro was the “most important” crop on Taiwan for many years. It was used as a food source, in festivals and with ceremonies.

The popularity of the crop was because of convenience. They didn’t have to use traditional fertilizers. The topsoil contained decayed taro leaves, which acted as a natural fertilizer.

Today, taro is a staple ingredient of Taiwanese cuisine. The root crop can now be found everywhere from shaved ice to milk tea and hot buns.

Rice in Taiwan

By the 17^th century, the Fujian people from Mainland China had arrived in Taiwan. With them, they brought their influences of Southern China cuisines, now known as Hakka and Fujianese foods.

This was the first time rice appeared in Taiwan’s food culture. Fast forward to modern day, Taiwan now competes with Japan for the title of the “best rice in the world” using their rice from Taitung County.

Japanese Influence

When the Japanese conquered Taiwan in the 1890’s (for 50 years), they left a huge footprint on food culture. With much more advanced farming techniques and unique cuisine styles, Taiwan’s food quality, production and creativity quickly escalated.

After the Japanese left, many people fled to Taiwan from China as part of the rebellion, including some of the best chefs of that period. As a result, Japanese food is also one of the more popular international cuisines in the country.

All of these factors have made a huge impact on Taiwan’s food culture today.

Most Famous Taiwanese Foods

Every country has its own specialty food and drink, and Taiwan is no exception. When you’re in Taiwan, you want to eat Taiwanese food. Would you ever go to France to eat Mexican food? I didn’t think so.

Not only is the local food often the cheapest, but there are just so many options that are widely different. Surely, there’s a Taiwanese fish that you’ll enjoy.

Here are the most famous and best Taiwanese foods that you have to try.

1. Xiao Long Bao

RECOMMENDED: Din Tai Fung

Despite popular belief, this dish was actually invented in Shanghai, China. But like many other things, Taiwan took it and made it their very own. Today, it’s one of the most popular and sought-after dishes in Taiwan.

The english name for this dish is “steamed soup dumplings.” This dumpling has delicate thin skin and it’s filled with soup – along with pork, shrimp or other meats.

The proper way to eat this dish is to place the dumpling on a spoon. Next, you’ll want to use chopsticks to break the skin and let the soup ooze out. Drink the soup and eat the dumpling. Don’t forget the black vinegar and ginger!

Food enthusiasts now claim Taiwan as the best place to satisfy your xiao long bao cravings. We don’t argue against that claim.

2. Beef Noodle Soup

RECOMMENDED: Lin Dong Fang

The beef noodle soup (“niu rou mian”) here is like no other. Fortunately, this is a Taiwanese staple found in almost all Taiwanese restaurants. But to eat the best, you’ll want to visit a beef noodle specialty shop.

The soup broth comes in a wide variety, giving it a pretty unique taste at different restaurants. The biggest differentiation between broth comes down to two types: clear broth and red broth.

Personally, I prefer clear broth, which is what’s served at my recommended spot – Lin Dong Fang (see picture above). But the other variations are worth trying (check out Yongkang Beef Noodle).

Can you guess who holds the International Beef Noodle Soup Festival? Yep, Taipei in Taiwan.

3. Taiwanese Hot Pot

RECOMMENDED: Din Wang Hot Pot

This is probably my favorite thing to eat in Taiwan. It’s similar to Japan’s Shabu Shabu, except you cook meat (beef, pork, seafood), mushrooms, veggies and meatballs inside a pot of delicious spicy soup (all at once).

There’s a lot going on with this dish, but it’s wonderful and delicious. If you’re not into spicy foods, there’s always a non-spicy version. However, the broth can vary depending on where you go.

Soup of Taiwanese hot pot can be anything from a sour cabbage base to an herb-based soup. I enjoy them all and they’re all probably worth trying if you pick the right restaurant.

Keep in mind, Taiwan has plenty of all-you-can-eat hot pot restaurants. Some AYCE restaurants I’d recommend are Guo Ba Hot Pot and Ma La Hot Pot.

4. Boba Milk Tea

RECOMMENDED: Chun Tsui Tang

Unlike the Xiao Long Bao, the boba milk tea was invented in Taiwan. Specifically, it was created in Taichung city by my favorite Taiwanese teashop – Chun Tsui Tang.

Since then, no one has come close to duplicating the boba milk tea quality seen in Taiwan. The second best boba in Taiwan may be TP Tea, which is the sister-company of Chun Tsui Tang.

Dozens of Taiwanese boba companies have popped up all around the country and have rightfully expanded international. But even then, the quality is different in Taiwan.

I’ve tried franchises in the US, and they really aren’t the same. If you’re in Taiwan, grab a boba milk tea to head to your next meal.

5. Braised Pork Rice

RECOMMENDED: Any Taiwanese restaurant

Simple and delicious, Taiwan’s Braised Pork Rice is tasty twist to your traditional bowl of rice. It’s one of the local’s most beloved “comfort foods” and it’s easy to see why after having a taste.

The rice is topped with pork belly, skin and fat. The goods are braised (slow cooked) in a sweet soy-sauce based sauce, which compliments white rice oh so well.

Most eateries serve this local favorite because it’s just that popular. From night markets to random hole-in-the-wall restaurants, it’s actually difficult to find a place without this dish.

6. Pineapple Cake

RECOMMENDED: Chia Te

Pineapple cakes are my “souvenir” of choice to bring back to friends and family. It’s a convenient way to bring home a sample of the taste of Taiwan.

Pineapples may be sour, but these pineapple cakes are sweet – as desserts should be. That’s because the filling is not just pineapple, but rather a blend of sweet winter melon and pineapple.

Famous pineapple cake shops, such as Chia Te, have ventured to flavors other than pineapple. You can find strawberry, cranberry, cherry, walnut, plum, Logan and other flavored “pineapple” cakes.

Personally, I think original pineapple is the best. After all, it’s how this fan favorite brand built their empire in the first place.

7. Scallion Beef Rolls

RECOMMENDED: Din Tai Fung

Taiwanese Scallion Beef Rolls are one of my all-time favorites from this country. They’re pretty much flaky, yet crispy green onion pancakes that’s served in a roll.

The slow-cooked braised beef will be tender and the extra cucumbers with optional cilantro really completes this dish. And if there’s hoisin sauce (a thick sweet and salty soybean sauce), you need to use it!

Not only are they served in most Taiwanese cuisine restaurants, but also occasionally in some larger night markets. These are classic staples of Taiwan and one of the best things you can try in this food-crowded country.

Taiwanese Breakfast Foods

Taiwanese breakfast is something I really look forward to every morning. It’s simple, yet delicious. Here’s a quick guide to picking the best eats to start your day in Taiwan.

If you’re staying in Taipei, there’s almost always a breakfast-only restaurant around the corner somewhere. Get up early enough and walk around, you’ll see them.

1. You Tiao

This breakfast dish is a stick of dough, deep-fried to crunchy perfection. It’s often called the “Chinese Churro” except it usually isn’t sweet. It can be eaten with hot pot, wrapped in rice, among other ways.

Don’t expect a Mexican churro because by itself, it’s usually pretty plain (in flavor). Still, it’s one of the best breakfast dishes and millions of Taiwanese locals eat this for breakfast every day.

2. Dou Jiang

The most popular drink of choice for breakfast is this sweet soybean milk. It’s fairly sweet unless you adjust the sugar level (yes, some places do this).

It’s amazing with Taiwanese breakfast foods, but can be found at all hours of the day. People drink this iced in the warmer summers months and hot in the colder winter months.

3. Dan Bing

My favorite thing to eat for breakfast is the dan bing. My flights to Taipei usually land around 5AM and this is (no joke) the first stop I make.

It’s essentially a Chinese pancake with green onions and egg. By itself, it’s pretty good. But to get the best experience from eating Dang Bing, I’d recommend getting the versions with meat.

For example, most breakfast places will serve Dan Bing with ingredients such as hot dogs (cut up), ham, turkey, cheese and even veggies. Take your pick, you really can’t go wrong!

4. Fan Tuan

In it’s simplest form, the Fan Tuan is pork floss and a You Tiao wrapped in sticky rice. But of course, this dish has transformed throughout the years.

Most places will allow you to add unique ingredients to your Fan Tuan. For example, there’s pickled radish, pickled green mustard, braised egg, scallions, fish floss, corn, tuna and the list goes on. You can even opt for purple sticky rice.

Fan Tuans are the perfect “on-the-go” Taiwanese breakfast items. They’re delicious, convenient and cheap!

Taiwan Lunch – The “Bien Dang”

The bien dang is what we would call a “boxed lunch” or “Taiwanese bento box.” They are wildly popular in Taiwan for the convenience, taste and cheap price.

For around $100 to $150 NTD (a few dollars USD), you can get a choice of meat (pork chop, chicken leg, braised pork, etc.), rice and a few vegetable side dishes. It’s a fairly balanced meal if you ask me.

For those budget travelers, I would highly recommend getting these for lunch, as often as you can. It’s great Taiwanese food at an affordable price, even for the locals. They are simply delicious and a bang for the buck.

I’ve tried bien dangs all around Taiwan and by far the best was in Taitung. They’re famous for their rice, which is a generously served in each bien dang.

Also, if you’re traveling around Taiwan using the HSR, the high speed railroad has a famous bien dang served on their trips.

Best Taiwan Street Food

Most people enjoy three meals a day: breakfast, lunch and dinner. But the Taiwanese people love food so much, some of them eat a fourth meal called “xiao ye.”

Xiao ye is like having a midnight snack, but taking “snack” to a whole new level. It’s because of the popularity of night markets in Taiwan that the xiao ye meal is able to exist and thrive in the food culture.

Here are some popular Taiwan xiao ye snacks found in night markets.

1. Fried Chicken Cutlet

If you walk down a night market in Taiwan, you’ll notice that many of the foods are fried. For some reason, the Taiwanese love fried chicken. And sure enough, they do fried chicken better than almost every country.

These large friend chicken cutlets are massive. For a few dollars USD, you’ll be able to enjoy delicious chicken fried to perfection. It’s truly a Taiwan street food staple and one I highly recommend if you’re visiting.

For fried chicken, my favorite place to go is Hot Star in Shilin Night Market.

2. Stinky Tofu

Many foreigners I have talked to are put-off by the pungent smell of this tofu – hence “stinky” tofu. But it really is delicious if you hold your nose before eating.

There are two types of stinky tofus, a fried and steamed version. The steamed stinky tofu is undeniably more “stinky” than the fried counterpart. It’s usually served with an amazing “taiwanese bbq sauce” along with pickled cabbage and optional hot sauce.

Many night markets have their own iteration of stinky tofu. For me, I recommend checking out Raohe Night Market or Tonghua Night Market for this smelly delicious snack.

READ MORE: Taiwanese Stinky Tofu

3. Oyster Omelets

Not my favorite street food, but the Taiwanese oyster omelette is a traditional street food that’s famous in this country. It’s an omelet made with oysters and drenched in a sweet chili sauce.

However it’s not an egg omelette, but rather made with sweet potato starch – giving it a gelatinous and chewy texture. You can also find oyster omelets with green leafy veggies, such as spinach.

This Teochew-influenced dish can be found in nearly all night markets and is definitely worth trying at least once on your trip. Just because I’m not a fan doesn’t mean you won’t like it.

4. Taiwanese Sausages

These amazing sausages come in all types of colors because of the different types of meat they used to make them. They are flavored to perfection in a salty, yet sweet coating.

You can enjoy them a la carte, or wrapped in a “rice sausage,” which is really just a sticky rice bun. The english translation for this dish is “small sausage wrapped in large sausage.” But don’t be fooled.

Many night markets will offer this, but the best place to get this in Taipei is Shilin Night Market. However, if you’re in Taichung, head to Feng Jia Night Market – they do it the best (in my opinion).

5. Fried/Grilled Squid

Squid is a common food throughout all of Taiwan because of each county’s proximity to the ocean. In some places, it’s even more popular, such as in Tamsui night markets.

It doesn’t get more obvious than this. You’re eating a large squid, fried or grilled and chopped up into bite-sized pieces. They give you the option of adding Japanese mayo and seaweed flakes on top (highly recommended).

If you like seafood (especially squid), then this is a popular choice in Taiwan. Plus, it’s found in nearly every night market imaginable. Though, I recommend the one in Taipei’s Tong Hua Night Market.

Top Taiwan Night Markets:

Taiwan Festival & Holiday Foods

You know Taiwan is a food country when festivals or holidays are associated with a food to eat. Although this is not the complete list (there really is too many), here are some popular holidays and their food traditions.

Tangyuan

This delightful dessert is mostly enjoyed during the Lantern Festival. Tangyuans are glutinous rice flour balls cooked with water to form the shape. Some will be filled with black sesame and others are unfilled.

Tangyuan can be served in so many ways. It can be served in a fermented glutinous rice soup, or with a sweet syrup and even deep fried. I’ve have it with the fermented rice soup and it wasn’t bad at all.

Moon Cake

Eaten during the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival, these treats resemble a pineapple cake more than a traditional one. The thick filling is typically made with a red bean or lotus seed paste.

It’s usually made with egg yolk using salted duck eggs, but depends on the moon cake you buy. These Taiwanese treats aren’t only enjoyed during the Mid-Autumn festival, they’re a customary gift for businessmen and families (to clients and relatives, respectively).

Zongzi

This traditional Taiwanese dish is made with glutinous sticky rice, stuffed with all types of fillings (fatty pork, mushrooms, peanuts, etc.). It’s typically eaten during the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival) in Taiwan.

The rice is steamed-cooked or boiled after being wrapped in bamboo leaves. The result is a savory sticky rice ball that’ll have you looking forward to Dragon Boat Festival every year.

It’s worth noting that this dish is not exclusive to this festival. As a matter of fact, it’s a fairly common dish that can be found year-round (fortunately) in many local restaurants.

Cao Pun

Cao Pun, otherwise known as the Hakka Steamed Rice Cake, is a local favorite and typically enjoyed during Qingming Festival. The festival is also called tomb-sweeping day, where families pay respect to their ancestors.

It’s not all gloom on this day, because you do get to enjoy one of my favorite Taiwanese desserts.

The Taiwanese Hakka dessert is made using glutinous rice dough, mixed with a pleasant “ai cao” herb, which also gives it the green color. The filling of the cake can be yam beans, salty radish or even dried shrimp.

Taiwan’s Cafe Boom

In the last few decades, Taiwanese cafes have become an integral part of their food culture. The people of Taiwan love their creative themes, and it really shows in the cafes that open up.

In fact, the first cat café actually opened up in Taipei. Cats pounce around as you sip on your milk tea. Is there anything better than this for cat lovers?

Generally, these cafes will have a kitchen and serve food. The menu ranges anywhere from pastas to sandwiches. And of course, they all serve a variety of teas, coffees and sometimes soft drinks as well.

Many people will utilize the free WIFI by bringing a laptop to work at these cafes. Check out some awesome cafes while you’re in Taiwan. Each one is unique in their own right.

Taiwan’s Food Etiquette

When traveling to a new foreign country, it’s important you learn the proper rules and etiquette of the country. The last thing you want to do is leave a bad impression.

With Taiwan, food etiquette is very important, as evident by their booming and rich food culture. Here are some things to consider when eating in Taiwan.

1. It is considered disrespectful to the chef if you leave any leftovers. Finish your meal, always.

2. The youngest capable member of the family is the one who serves the tea. Never let the elders serve you tea.

3. Depending on the situation, whoever orders the food or is older, gets the food the first.

4. Farmers value cows like most people value dogs. Thus, they do not eat beef as a sign of respect. So don’t offer them any.

5. When eating in a group of people that are not close friends or family members, use communal chopsticks to grab food from the table.

6. Never stick chopsticks straight up in a rice bowl; they are superstitious that it will bring bad luck.

Taiwanese Food – The Guide to Taiwan’s Food Culture & Things to Eat