6 Taiwanese night markets to visit on your travels

Low-hanging lanterns twinkling against the night sky and delicious aromas rising from steaming pans of food can all be found at a Taiwanese night market. Offering a wonderful way to spend an evening – we’ve made a list of some of the must-visit markets to help make your holiday that bit more delicious.

Taoyuan is home to the outstanding Zhongli Night Market. As night falls in the Zhongli district, this market becomes a sensory delight. Expect radios, music and lively conversations between stallholders and customers. 

The food scene is certainly not one to be missed here. Expect steaming bowls of clam soup and towering piles of green onion pancakes. Also, if you’re after a new outfit on your holiday, this night market sells clothes, leather goods and electronics.

Thanks in part to its proximity to the Feng Chia University, the Feng Chia Night Market combines a lively atmosphere with an eclectic selection of stalls and student-friendly prices. 

It’s one of the most popular night markets in Taichung – which is of no surprise once you’ve seen the diversity of products on display. 

Here, you’ll find everything from beauty products to sizzling plates of pancakes and permanent shopfronts. It’s in a great location too, only being situated a mere 10-minute drive from Wenxin Yinghua station.

The Keelung Miaokou Night Market is a traditional food market that sprung up next to the Keelung Harbour, allowing stall owners to make the most of all that fresh seafood. From grilled squid to thick crab soup, the flavours of the sea really are the star of this market.

Over the years, Keelung has become an increasingly popular tourist destination and many visitors to the city make a point of visiting the night market for their evening meal.

The market is located at the intersection of Aisi Road and Rensan Road and it’s worth taking a few hours  – or a few days – to explore the surrounding area. 

This food market is also a 10-minute walk from Keelung train station, so you’ll be able to reach it with ease.

The Luodong Night Market offers visitors a crash course in Taiwanese street food. National favourites include the ominously named ‘coffin bread’ – thick slices of deep-fried white bread, hollowed out and filled with seafood chowder or minced pork. 

You’ll also find other local Taiwanese night market food including crispy green onion pancakes, thin ox-tongue-shaped pastry biscuits, mutton soup and shaved ice served with tapioca and red bean sauce.

If you find yourself in need of a gentle stroll after all the good food, the Luodong Forestry Culture Park is a 15-minute walk away. 

Here you’ll find beautifully maintained gardens, lake views and industrial buildings repurposed into exhibition spaces.

Ningxia Night Market boasts a variety of traditional and modern dishes, making it one of the most popular night markets in Taipei. From Michelin-recognised stalls to Taiwanese street food, you’ll find an eclectic mix of dishes – sure to appease a variety of tastes. 

Dive into dishes such as fried taro balls with salted egg yolk and mochi on ice – all as equally delicious as the last. 

In terms of location, Ningxia Night Market is only a 10-minute walk from the MRT station, so you’ll be able to get there with ease.

For those in search of local cuisine, Tamsui Old Street is the spot for you. While strictly not a night market, but a general market street that includes night food stalls, this is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike.

Here, you’ll find ah-gei, one of Tamsui’s most local dishes. This dish consists of fried tofu skin stuffed with cooked green bean noodles, sealed with surimi – a fish paste mixture.

Another popular food at this night market is iron eggs – eggs that are repeatedly stewed in a mix of spices and then later air-dried. All in all, Tasumi Old Street offers an exciting, local culinary adventure.

Taiwanese night markets offer a vibrant and delicious experience perfect for your travels. From the bustling Zhongli Xinming in Taoyuan to the seafood focus of Miaokou in Keelung, each market boasts unique charms and culinary delights. Whether you’re seeking traditional street food or local specialities, exploring these lively hubs is a must for any trip to Taiwan.