What to eat in Taiwan?

Taiwanese cuisine is a diverse mix of street food, night market snacks, and iconic dishes centered around rice, pork, and seafood, famously featuring "Q" texture (chewy). Key must-try items include beef noodle soup, braised pork rice (lǔròufàn), stinky tofu, bubble tea, and steamed dumplings (xiaolongbao), alongside unique snacks like fried chicken cutlets, oyster omelets, and pineapple cakes.

What food is famous in Taiwan?

Foods to Try in Taiwan

• Bubble Tea (Boba Milk Tea, 珍珠奶茶) ...
• Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian, 牛肉麵) ...
• Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings, 小籠包) ...
• Taiwanese Fried Chicken (Popcorn chicken, 鹽酥雞) ...
• Oyster Omelet (蚵仔煎) ...
• Pepper Pork Bun (Hu Zhao Bing, 胡椒餅) ...
• Braised Pork Rice (Lu Rou Fan, 滷肉飯) ...
• Gua Bao (Taiwanese Pork Belly Bun, 割包)

What is a must buy in Taiwan?

If you're wondering what to buy in Taiwan, bring home a little of the island's flavor and artistry with pineapple cakes, high-mountain oolong tea, handmade ceramics, Indigenous crafts, jade jewelry, and market finds like lantern keepsakes, local snacks, and beautifully designed stationery.

Which street food is Taiwan known for?

• Ba Wan (Taiwanese Meatballs/肉圓)
• Yansu Ji (Salt & Pepper Chicken/鹹酥雞)
• Pig's Blood Cake (Zhu Xie Gao/豬血糕)
• Flamed Beef Cubes (Huoyan Shaizi Niu/火炎骰子牛)
• Grilled Sausages (Xiang Chang/香腸)
• Grilled Mountain Boar (Kao Shanzhu/烤山豬)
• Stewed Medicinal Pork Ribs (Yaodun Paigu/藥燉排骨)
• Black Pepper Buns (Hujiao Bing/胡椒餅)

What is Taiwan most famous for?

Taiwan's cuisine is considered to be one of the best in the world. Its variety is also notable, as dishes from all parts of China can be found on the island. Taiwan's bubble tea—a beverage combining tea, milk, and “bubbles” (chewy gelatinous candies made of tapioca or fruit jelly)—has become internationally famous.

2025 Taiwan Food Guide: 30 Budget Eats (w/ Prices) • Street Food & Night Markets • Taipei Food Vlog

Is it okay to wear red in Taiwan?

Yes, you can absolutely wear red in Taiwan; it's a very auspicious color symbolizing good fortune, happiness, and celebration, used extensively in festivals, weddings, and temples, though you should avoid writing someone's name in red ink as it's considered bad luck and a sign of death. Red clothing is common and welcomed, especially during festive times, and generally, you can wear whatever you like, with few restrictions. 

Why is pork not allowed in Taiwan?

To keep African Swine Fever(ASF) out of Taiwan

The competent authority had banned the import of all kinds of pork products from ASF infected area. Passengers in first time violation shall be fined NTD 200,000 regardless of nationalities. Foreigners would be repatriated if they had not paid the fine at the border.

What snacks is Taiwan known for?

Taiwanese Snacks

• Triko Foods Taro Cookies. Crispy Cream-Filled Cookies. ...
• Taiwan Choco Ball. Creamy Peanut Filled Mochi. ...
• Taro Creme Cookies. ...
• Nice Choice Taiwan Dessert Wheat Soy Cracker. ...
• Nice Choice Yogurt-Flavored Biscuits. ...
• Khong Guan Smoked Candy. ...
• Nice Choice Peanut-Brittle Candy. ...
• Morinaga Hi-Chew Plus Fruit.

Is Indian food available in Taiwan?

Yes, in major cities like Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, there are many Indian restaurants, including those offering vegetarian and vegan options. However, in smaller towns or scenic areas like Yehliu, Jiufen, Shifen, Sun Moon Lake, and Alishan, Indian cuisine is not as available.

What is Taiwan's main dish?

Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)

It is, however, considered the national dish of Taiwan (though its origins are Chinese), and given a distinctly Taiwanese spin with the addition of pickled mustard greens and the signature five-spice powder of star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, Sichuan pepper, and fennel seeds.

What to not bring in Taiwan?

These include:

• Drugs. ...
• Firearms , Ammunition , and Knives.
• Goods Infringing Upon the Rights of Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights.
• Antiquities pursuant to the Cultural Heritage Preservation Act.
• Fake or Spurious Currencies/Securities, or Moulds for Printing Counterfeit Currency.
• Live Wildlife or Protected Wildlife Products.

What is Taiwan cheap for?

Eat at the markets

Taiwan is teeming with cheap eats that deliver, so you don't need to sacrifice variety for economy. Taipei's bento restaurants and noodle shops can feed you well for only NT$80; even less in Kaohsiung and Tainan. But for a unique experience, visit a night market. Every city has at least a couple.

What is the famous bag in Taiwan?

Gaji bag. A Gaji bag (Chinese: 茄芷袋; pinyin: jiāzhǐ dài; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: ka-chì-tē-á) is a large, typically unfastened bag with parallel handles that emerge from the sides of its pouch.

What fruit is Taiwan known for?

If you have an adventurous spirit, this article shares all the top “weird foods” you can try at the market. Pineapple are considered the national fruit of Taiwan, but other familiar faces you'll notice are bananas, apples, oranges, passionfruit, watermelon and rockmelon/cantaloupe.

Is Taiwan vegetarian?

Taiwan is not to be outdone: across our islands, 14% of the population are vegetarians, while over 40% are flexitarians.

Is Taiwan friendly to Indians?

It is super safe, friendly locals, spiritual, and, yes, some delicious Indian food. From clean streets to calm monasteries and stunning skylines, Taiwan is that rare place in Asia that feels both relaxing and full of energy.

Can I walk and eat in Taiwan?

Walking or eating while walking or browsing at a market is not only acceptable, it's encouraged. Visitors must ensure they toss any garbage into a bin or hold onto it before reaching a transit station. Some Taiwanese restaurants require patrons to take their own plates to a dirty dish receptacle or station.

Is Taiwan a rich or poor country?

Taiwan is a rich, high-income, technologically advanced economy, ranking high globally in GDP per capita and known for its "Taiwan Miracle" of rapid development, strong tech sector (especially semiconductors), and universal healthcare. Despite this wealth, some locals perceive less prosperity due to high property costs and a gap between the thriving tech sector and lower wages in other industries, creating a contrast between national wealth and individual financial feel. 

How to avoid food poisoning in Taiwan?

1. Wash your hands: wash your hands before and after preparing food, and bandage any wounds.
2. Be fresh: The ingredients must be fresh and sanitary, and the water must be clean.
3. Separate raw and cooked food: use different utensils to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross-contamination.

What street food is Taiwan known for?

That, and the food, meant it warranted multiple visits.

• Oyster omelette. Soil and sea come together in this classic symbol of Taiwanese street food: oyster omelette. ...
• Fried baozi with oyster and egg filling. ...
• Grilled clam in the shell. ...
• Taro balls. ...
• Custard apple. ...
• Sugarcane juice. ...
• Grilled squid. ...
• Octopus balls.

What are famous Taiwanese sweets?

Taiwanese desserts and snacks

• Aiyu jelly – Jelly popular in Taiwan and Singapore.
• Apple bread – Taiwanese aromatic bread.
• Bakkwa – Salty-sweet dried meat product.
• Brown sugar cake – Taiwanese sponge cake made with brown sugar, low-gluten flour and tapioca starch.

What not to bring to Taiwan?

Let's begin by talking about those things you certainly shouldn't try to bring to Taiwan. In addition to the usual drugs and weapons (when it comes to narcotics and firearms, the law is extremely uncompromising) you mustn't pack any meat products.

What things are banned in Taiwan?

Illegal drugs: Heroin, morphine, opium, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines—severe penalties apply. Weapons: Firearms, ammunition, explosives, bombs, assault knives banned entirely. Counterfeits: Pirated goods, fake currency violate Taiwan's IP laws. Hazardous materials: Poisons, toxic substances without approval.

What food can't go through customs?

You may not import fresh, dried or canned meats or meat products from most foreign countries into the United States. Also, you may not import food products that have been prepared with meat.