What to Eat in Taipei: A Food Guide by Travey Club

If there’s one thing Taipei does exceptionally well, it’s food.

Not just the famous dishes you see on social media — but the entire culture around eating. In Taipei, food feels woven into everyday life. Tiny breakfast shops are packed before sunrise, night markets stay alive until late, and even the smallest street stall somehow serves something unforgettable.

During our time in Taipei, we realized very quickly that this is a city where you should come hungry.

Here are the foods we genuinely think you shouldn’t leave Taipei without trying — along with the restaurants and local spots that made us fall in love with them.

Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)

There’s no better place to start than Taiwan’s most iconic dish.

Watching the delicate dumplings arrive steaming hot in bamboo baskets felt like a ritual in itself. The skin was thin, the broth rich and flavorful, and somehow every dumpling looked perfectly identical.

Yes, it’s famous.
Yes, it’s touristy.
And yes — it’s absolutely worth it.

Where We Recommend:

Din Tai Fung

The original and still the best experience for first-time visitors.

What to order:

• Pork Xiao Long Bao
• Shrimp & Pork Dumplings
• Fried Rice
• Cucumber Salad

Pro tip:
Go slightly before lunch rush if possible.

Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup

This ended up becoming our comfort food in Taipei.

Rich broth, tender beef, chewy noodles, and just enough spice to warm you up after a long day exploring the city. Every local seems to have their favorite version, which says everything about how seriously Taiwan takes this dish.

After trying several places, one stood out immediately.

Where We Recommend:

Yongkang Beef Noodle

Probably the most iconic beef noodle spot in Taipei — and for good reason.

The broth is deep and aromatic without feeling too heavy, and the beef practically falls apart.

What to order:

• Braised Beef Noodle Soup
• Spicy Beef Tendon Noodles
• Side cucumber dish

Perfect stop if you’re already exploring Yongkang Street.

Taiwanese Breakfast

One of our favorite parts of Taipei was honestly breakfast.

Forget fancy brunch cafés for a morning and try what locals actually eat before work. Taipei’s breakfast culture feels fast, comforting, and incredibly authentic.

We found ourselves craving soy milk and crispy scallion pancakes every morning.

Where We Recommend:

Yong He Soy Milk

Simple, busy, local, and exactly what you want.

What to order:

• Hot soy milk
• Scallion pancake with egg
• Sesame flatbread sandwich
• Fan tuan (Taiwanese rice roll)

Don’t expect luxury.
Expect flavor and atmosphere.

Bubble Tea

Bubble tea in Taiwan feels different.

Maybe it’s because this is where it started, but even the simplest cup tasted fresher, creamier, and less artificial compared to what we’ve had elsewhere.

And honestly, grabbing bubble tea while wandering Taipei just feels right.

Where We Recommend:

Chun Shui Tang

Widely considered the birthplace of bubble tea.

What to order:

• Classic Pearl Milk Tea
• Brown Sugar Bubble Tea

The pearls here are softer and fresher than almost anywhere else we tried.

Night Market Fried Chicken

Taipei’s night markets are sensory overload in the best possible way.

The smell of grilled meats, sizzling oil, sweet desserts, and spices fills the air everywhere you walk. But if there’s one thing we kept going back for, it was Taiwanese fried chicken.

Crispy outside.
Juicy inside.
Ridiculously addictive.

Where We Recommend:

Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken (Shilin Area)

The portions are huge, messy, and perfect after a long day exploring.

Best enjoyed while walking through the market with bubble tea in hand.

Oyster Omelette

This was probably the dish we were most unsure about before arriving.

But after trying a good version, we completely understood why locals love it. It’s savory, slightly chewy, rich, and unlike anything else we’ve eaten in Asia.

Where We Recommend:

Ningxia Night Market

Specifically the smaller local stalls rather than big flashy vendors.

The best oyster omelettes usually come from places with long local queues.

Trust the locals.

Scallion Pancakes

Simple food done perfectly is something Taiwan excels at.

Freshly fried scallion pancakes became one of our favorite quick snacks between attractions. Crispy edges, soft layers inside, and packed with flavor despite being so simple.

Where We Recommend:

Tian Jin Scallion Pancake

Located near Yongkang Street.

What makes it special is the texture — flaky, crispy, and freshly made in front of you.

Taro Balls in Jiufen

Jiufen already feels magical, but eating warm taro balls while overlooking the mountains somehow made it even better.

This dessert became one of the most memorable food experiences of our trip.

Where We Recommend:

Grandma Lai’s Taro Balls (Jiufen)

Served hot or cold depending on weather.

The texture is chewy, soft, and surprisingly addictive.

Perfect during a slower afternoon in Jiufen.

Pineapple Cake

We almost skipped this because it sounded touristy.

Big mistake.

Good pineapple cake in Taiwan is buttery, soft, lightly sweet, and nothing like the overly sugary versions sold elsewhere.

Where We Recommend:

Chia Te Bakery

Probably Taipei’s most famous pineapple cake shop.

Great for:

• souvenirs
• airport gifts
• late-night snacks back at the hotel

Buy extra.
You’ll regret not doing it.

Late-Night Street Food

Some of our favorite meals in Taipei weren’t planned at all.

They happened randomly:

• grilled skewers at midnight
• dumplings after walking through Ximending
• bubble tea before heading back to the hotel
• quick snacks between MRT rides

Taipei is one of those cities where food naturally becomes part of the journey instead of just scheduled meals.

Final Thoughts from Travey Club

Taipei isn’t just a city you visit.

It’s a city you taste.

From steaming soup dumplings and comforting beef noodles to lantern-lit snacks in Jiufen and late-night market food, every meal feels tied to a memory here.

The best advice we can give?

Don’t over-plan every meal.
Leave room for random food stalls, long queues, and spontaneous snacks.

Because in Taipei, some of the best food experiences happen when you least expect them.

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Look at our three days Taipei Itinerary :  Travey Club