Taiwan is a street food paradise. It’s partly why millions of visitors flock to the small island every year. And if you plan to visit Taiwan, you’re likely going to make a stop in Taipei.
Fortunately, Taipei is home to 28 recognized night markets – each with its own charm and of course, cuisine specialty. Different night markets in the city come in all sizes and attract a certain type of crowd.
However, Shilin Night Market is certainly one of, if not, the most famous night market in Taipei (and Taiwan). It’s also the largest night market in the city, attracting foreign visitors from all over the world.
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How to Get to Shilin Night Market?
Getting to Shilin Night Market is easy. It’s part of the reason why it’s the most visited night market in Taipei City. Not all night markets have a convenient MRT station close by, but Shilin Night Market does.
So, how do you get to Shilin Night Market? To get to Shilin Night Market, you’ll need to get to Taipei’s MRT Red Line. On the red line, you’ll need to get off at Jiantan MRT station and head towards exit 1.
After getting out from exit 1, head towards the main street where the large intersection is and cross the street. There will be plenty of people heading that direction, so follow the crowd when in doubt. Or you can always search Google Maps.
If you’re not nearby a red line station, you’ll need to transfer to the red line first. From the exit it should take you no more than 5 minutes to walk there.
If you prefer to arrive by taxi or Uber, that’s also an option. Almost every cab driver will know where Shilin Night Market is, even if you tell them in English.
The official address of Shilin Night Market is: No. 101, Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111.
Shilin Night Market Hours
According to the Shilin Night Market official site, the market is technically opened at 3PM. However, if you arrive before 5PM, there will be very few people and food stalls.
With that said, the official operating hours of the night market is 3PM to 1AM from Monday to Sunday. They are never closed unless a typhoon is passing through.
The crowd typically starts to die down after midnight. So if you’re willing to starve until then, you could potentially avoid long lines. Just make sure you don’t get there too late.
However, I recommend going after 8PM. It’s kind of a sweet spot, where there’s fewer people but still a lot of the hustle and bustle that make these markets so unique.
Shilin Night Market “Must Eat” Food Guide
Now…onto my favorite part, street food! Because Shilin is such a big night market, it can feel a little intimidating walking through the market.
You may be questioning, is this worth the wait? Where should I start first? The default “Taiwanese mentality” is to wait at stalls with the longest lines. However, the longest lines doesn’t always mean the best foods.
Sometimes, new stalls or restaurants generate a long line because, well, they’re new and locals are curious. For this guide, we’re sticking to the time-tested classics from Shilin Night Market.
1. Hot Star Large Fried Chicken
If there’s one dish that the people of Taiwan absolutely love, it’s fried chicken. You may or may not have heard of this, but it’s perhaps the most famous fried chicken shop to come out of Taiwan.
Believe it or not, Hot Star started with a single tiny stall in this market. Today, they’re found all over the world, aggressively expanding to countries such as the United States, Australia, Philippines, Canada and more!
There are two Hot Star locations in Shilin Night Market (yes, it’s really that popular). The one easiest to get to is near the Jiantan Exit. As soon as you cross the large intersection, head left. You’ll eventually find Hot Star on the right side.
My Rating: 9/10
The crust is just right and the chicken is extra juicy – much better than KFC or anything else in the States. It’s freshly fried and comes in two flavors: regular and spicy.
Personally, I don’t think the “spicy” is that spicy. I highly recommend you try it out because the flavoring of the spices is what makes it stand out from the rest.
To be fair, there are a ton of great large fried chickens just like this all around Taipei. Each night market has their own version, but Hot Star is certainly the most famous by a long shot, at least internationally.
2. Shilin Stinky Tofu
There are two types of stinky tofu: steamed and fried. Personally, I only like the fried stinky tofu. Along with many foreigners I’ve asked, I think the fried version is less “stinky.”
If you’re not used to eating stinky tofu, you may have a hard time swallowing this down. But I promise you, it’s pretty delicious after you try it. It definitely tastes a lot better than it smells.
Regardless, I still highly recommend giving this a try at Shilin Night Market. This is a very popular Taiwanese dish and you won’t be able to find a better stinky tofu anywhere else in the world.
My Rating: 8.5/10
Thankfully, Shilin Night Market serves fried stinky tofu (they have steamed too). I wouldn’t have scored it as high if it weren’t. The Tofu is “made to order” and fried on the spot after you pay.
It’s fresh and hot, making it the perfect on-the-go snack during your visit to Shilin. The tofu comes with a side of pickled cabbage that makes the dish that much better.
They’ll also cover it with a sweet Taiwanese “barbecue” sauce to make the taste more mild than the smell. Oh, and if you’re a fan of spicy food, there’s an optional hot sauce that they give you too – delicious!
3. Taiwanese Sausage
This is hands down the best sausage you will ever eat in your life. If you’re at Shilin Night Market, this is truly a must-eat dish. It’s better than any bratwurst, hotdog, chorizo, Italian sausage or anything like that.
They have sausages in all size and shapes. Get the large one and they’ll chop it up for you. That’s the one I recommend. They also have another dish that’s essentially a smaller sausage wrapped in a rice bun. It’s also pretty good and worth trying if you have the stomach.
My Rating: 9.5/10
If you’re a meat-lover or a fan of sausages, this is the right dish for you. The people of Taiwan really know how to cook their sausages, and not in a traditional way. It’s sweet, yet savory but oh so delicious.
To get the most flavor out of your Taiwanese sausage, you’ll need to eat it with raw garlic. It may not sound appetizing, but the contrast in flavor is amazing! Definitely one of the best dishes in this night market.
4. Taiwanese Fish Tempura (甜不辣)
The Taiwanese do tempura differently. It’s more like a fish cake tempura that’s not as crispy as its Japanese counterpart. It’s actually called Tian Bu La in Chinese, which directly translates to “sweet but not spicy.”
The reason why it’s called this is because of the special sauce that comes with these delicious fish cakes. It’s actually made from fish paste, which is then molded into the shape and boiled after having deep-fried.
My Rating: 8/10
The Tian Bu La at Shilin Night Market is fantastic! There are many stalls that serve this dish, but I went to one in the that’s actually a hole-in-the-wall restaurant.
The sauce is a bit tangy, a little sweet but very savory. It’s the perfect snack if you don’t want to fill yourself up (so you can eat other foods).
This dish also comes with a side of pickled cucumbers, which in itself is a signature Taiwanese appetizer. Eat it with your Tian Bu La and you have a solid 8 out of 10!
Things to Do in Shilin Night Market
Shilin Night Market is much more than just delicious food. There are plenty of things to do in Taipei’s largest night market as well. If you get full, make your way over to the other streets and alleys of Shilin market.
Shopping in Shilin
Like with most night markets, Shilin Night Market is also a great place to shop. With a mix of retail brands, local brands and small “pop-up” shops, you never know what you’ll find in the next stall.
Most of the things you’ll see for sale are clothing. Everything from tourist apparel, to fake brands, baseball caps, sport jerseys, ripped jeans and whatever’s in style at the moment. You name it – you can probably find it here.
Prices for shopping at this night market is slightly more expensive than if you were to buy from another night market. But that’s because this market is known to attract a ton of tourists. Still, it’s cheap, especially if you’re good at bargaining!
Aside from apparel, there are plenty of cool souvenirs that you can purchase from your friends and family back home. You may find little Pug bobbleheads, miniature Taiwan flags, cute animal socks, a ton of phone cases and so much more!
The best thing is that you never know what gems you’ll find. It’s just so interesting to shop here. They often bring new products to sell and it’s possible you’ll see something new by coming another night.
Carnival Games in Shilin
If you get a little bored, or are traveling with children, then Shilin Night Market may be perfect for you! There are so many interesting and fun “carnival games” that you’re able to play.
Test your aim with one of the many balloon-popping carnival games. You can either use a bow and arrow, some darts or an air-soft gun of your choice. Hit enough balloons and you’ll win yourself a small prize!
Or, brush up on your beer pong skills as you attempt to throw a ping pong ball into a thin wine glass. It’s only a few feet away, but trust me, it’s much harder than it looks.
There’s also ring throws, basketball, fishing and sooo much more! Pretty much, all the old school classic carnival games you’ll likely find here. Have a little fun while you’re stuffing your face!
Accommodations Near Shilin Night Market
If you have plans to frequently visit Shilin Night Market on your trip, then it might make sense to stay near the night market. Though it’s not completely in the outskirts of Taipei, it’s not in the city center either.
We’ve found the best places to stay for your trip should you decide to book a place near one of Taipei’s most popular tourist attractions.
And even if you don’t need to stay close by, Shilin District in Taipei is relatively cheap to stay at. You’ll find yourself saving quite a bit of cash compared to staying in Xinyi or Daan District. Hurray, more money to spend on food!
Budget Hotels Near Shilin Night Market
In addition to Ximen, Shilin is also a fantastic area for solo travelers that want to experience the liveliness and culture of the city without breaking the bank. There are amazing deals you can find in Shilin district!
Mono Taipei (Hostel)
Mono Hostel is one of the best hostels located near Shilin Night Market. In fact, it’ll probably take you a minute or two to walk to the night market! Plus, it’s about a 5 minute walk to Jiantan MRT station (Red Line) for ultra convenience.
Because Shilin is an old district, it’s surprisingly modern. The bed, bathrooms, common areas all look brand new with modern designs. The rooms are also very spacious, but the beds are a little small (not a big deal). However, it’s great if you have a lot of luggage. Great bang for the buck in Shilin!
Uinn Business Hotel (Budget Hotel)
I like this hotel a lot. Not only because it’s designed with modern decor and lighting, but it’s a great price that won’t burn a hole in your wallet. It actually looks fairly high-end in my opinion.
Plus, there’s a cafe inside the hotel if you’re ever too lazy to go out and eat. But since it’s only a few minutes away from Shilin Night Market, I have a feeling you won’t be eating at that cafe much. Customer service is A+ and depending on when you go, the price can be an absolute STEAL.
Greatt Hotel (Budget Hotel)
Yes, that’s spelled right. Greatt Hotel is so…well, great, that it deserves two t’s. In all seriousness, Greatt is an amazing accommodation that’s less than half a mile away from Shilin Night Market (less than 10 minute walk).
Rooms are a little on the small side, but so are most hotel rooms in Taipei City. It’s simple, clean and everything you need for a comfortable and pleasant stay near Shilin Night Market.
Hotels Near Shilin Night Market
These are slightly more expensive hotels that may not be as close to Shilin Night Market. However, they’re still close and relatively well-priced because Shilin is an old district.
The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel is a classic and upscale hotel that’s a lot less expensive than it looks. If you go during the off-season, then I highly recommend staying here because you can get a room for less than a mediocre hotel in Xinyi.
Also, The Grand Hotel is pretty much a national landmark in Taiwan – maybe second to only Taipei 101. Because there was a lack of 5-star hotels in Taipei to accommodate foreign ambassadors, Chiang Kai-Shek requested the development of this hotel! Up until 1981, this was also the tallest building in the city. It’s legendary.
Renaissance Taipei
One of the nicer hotels in Shilin District, Renaissance Taipei is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a more modern and upscale stay while visiting the night market. It comes with a city or garden view (the garden side is VERY nice).
There’s a restaurant in the hotel with nice open views of lush green surrounding the property. A hotel like this will likely cost you 50% or more at a location such as Xinyi. It’s a great bang for the buck, especially if you’re into the luxury lifestyle.
For more information on the best areas, place and districts to stay in Taipei, check out this guide. We break down the best areas to book your hotel based on what you’re looking for in your Taipei trip.
Other Night Markets: