Taiwanese Food: Must-Try Dishes in Taiwan

To help you get your bearings, I’ve created this map so you get a better sense of where everything is. All the places recommended in this guide are pinned on this map. If you were to try just one dish in Tainan, then it should probably be danzai noodles.
Not necessarily the healthiest, but the taste is so good. It's been a few years since I've eaten it, but the thought of it 台東 名產 makes me hungry already. We came across this interesting grilled version of mochi at Dongdamen Night Market in Hualien.

Compared to century eggs, they are much more palatable to first-timers. Vietnamese-style noodles in meat broth and with Taiwanese ingredients, run by Taiwan’s large population of Vietnamese and other Southeast Asian migrant workers. A whole baked potato served with cheese sauce and your choice of toppings, including corn, ham, broccoli, and many more.
Once you get to Taitung, though, venturing away from the train line can get trickier. The TRA Taitung Line runs along the eastern coast of Taiwan, meandering through thick forests and peeking out onto the ocean, providing stunning scenic views along the journey. Millet plays an important role in societies all over Southern Taiwan, and abai are not the only way the grain is used. After having been forced to move down from the mountains during the Japanese rule, the tribe settled around the village of Dongxing (東興), bringing their culture and customs with them. 21 Best Foods to Relieve Stress, Say RDs Beat the blues with these feel-good foods.

They are perfect as a snack with tea or coffee; the dry, flaky pastry perfectly complementing a nice hot drink. There are dozens of bakeries throughout the city where tourists can sample a variety of flavors, but, in all honesty, the original flavor is best. Eggs that have been preserved in clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls until becoming jelly-like, with a translucent black color and creamy green-black yolk. Also called 100-year eggs and 1000-year eggs, their taste and smell is very strong and has even been compared to horse urine.
Probably not the healthiest choice in town, but a very famous Taiping food to try. A popular and long-standing Taiping restaurant along Market Street is famous for its chicken koay teow soup , some of the best breakfast in Taiping. The name of this kedai kopi is actually “Jia Jia” (meaning ‘Every Family’), but it’s translated as “Kakak” (’sister’ in Malay) even though this is a Chinese family-run shop. The Fish Ball Char Koay Teow from Stall 78, possibly one of Taiping’s most famous foods, is found at Larut Matang. It’s a big portion of perfectly charred flat noodles garnished with fish balls the size of eyeballs and goes for only RM 5.
Douhua is short for doufuhua and refers to a snack made with very soft tofu. Also known as tofu pudding, it’s a dish Ren and I grew up eating in our native Philippines. It consists of chewy wheat-based noodles in a meat and seafood broth topped with long-simmered pork and a lone piece of shrimp. Regardless, both restaurants are must-visits and hugely popular so be prepared for a wait. The bowls pictured below are from Gang Yuan Beef Noodles where you can choose between a wet and dry version. Pictured below is a variation of baobing called xue  hua bing.

The Balkan Mountains is to the north, with some summits higher than 2000 m above sea level. This is the wildest part of the range with very beautiful landscapes, part of the Central Balkans National Park and it merits a hiking tour of a few days. For a quicker trip, you can travel to next door Sopot and take the cable car up the mountain range , or drive the scenic serpentine road up to Troyan. There are buses from Plovdiv every hour, with a journey time of one hour. Two buses a day come in from Pleven via Troyan, providing the only connection in from the north.
The three generations of owners have committed to making tofu skin using traditional methods. They begin grinding the beans before daybreak, cooking the soy milk, then picking the tofu skins. The time-consuming process is what makes this unique tofu skin shop’s product so famously delicious. Apart from the braised pork rice and lou mei, their braised duck is also highly recommended. If you plan to visit HengChun Township, you can check out this popular braised duck vermicelli shop called 夥計之家. The braised duck meat is very tender and it goes really well with the soup vermicelli.

Green onion flatbreads pan fried, usually with egg and usually many optional accompaniments, including fresh basil, cheese, spicy sauce, corn, kimchi, and more. Also called scallion pancakes and cong you bing (蔥油餅). Taiwan is a country that never stops eating, and a big part of this eating takes place on the streets.
best thailand souvenirsJust note that taking shells straight from the beach is prohibited in some places. Actually, seashells are available everywhere in Thailand, from local markets, street vendors to beachside shops.
Tickets are more expensive but you can get up to 35% off if you buy them in advance or travel during off-peak hours. Unless you’re in a rush, then you don’t really have to take the HSR train. We were perfectly fine taking TRA trains throughout our trip. You can check the TRA booking platform for a schedule of trains to Tainan from wherever you are. Recommended hotels in West Central District, one of the most convenient areas to stay for first-time visitors to Tainan. We spent one night in Tainan and truth be told, it wasn’t as much fun as Taipei.

As you wander through the bustling streets, you’ll be captivated by the sights, sounds, and smells of the market. From exploring the vibrant city to  discovering breathtaking natural wonders, this travel itinerary is designed to make the most out of your time in Taitung. The noodles used in the soup can be either wheat noodles or rice noodles, and the beef is typically cooked until it is tender. The soup is often garnished with a variety of fresh herbs and spices, such as cilantro and green onions.
You can immerse yourself in the local music scene and enjoy live performances by talented musicians. This cultural hub is located in the heart of Taitung City and offers a unique experience for music lovers. Taiwan is a food lover’s paradise, with a rich culinary culture that spans centuries. From savoury snacks to sweet desserts, Taiwan has it all.