Indulge in 15 Delectable Taiwanese Dishes That Will Leave Foodies in Awe

Taiwan is not just famed for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its diverse culinary scene. Wondering how to savor the distinctive dishes of Taipei and Taichung in just a day? Let Klook guide you through a whirlwind tour of the delectable treats in this beautiful island!

When in Taichung, make sure to visit the iconic Wulao Hotpot as it's less crowded compared to Taipei. The tofu-based broth is rich and flavorful, surpassing the spicy variant. The spicy broth tends to be a bit salty, lacking the expected punch. Opting for just the tofu-based broth costs around 179 NTD. But if you want both broths, it's 360 NTD. The broth is aromatic and creamy, with hints of duck essence, perfect for dipping beef slices. Additionally, each table is treated to a refreshing peach snow drink.

When dining at Wulao Hotpot, it's best to avoid peak hours. I arrived at 16:30 and there were only 2 tables available, with very attentive service. If you go during lunch/dinner rush, expect long queues and a noisy atmosphere. Each dining session is limited to 90 minutes.

This is a long-standing bubble tea shop in Taipei. Located at National Concert Hall Gate 2 (Upon entering from the main gate, it's on the left-hand side). The shop offers traditional beef noodles as well, allowing you to dine and drink in one place. While other bubble tea shops in Taiwan typically range from 40 to 65 NTD, at Chun Sui Tang, a small cup costs 85 NTD and a large one is 160 NTD. The bubble tea here has a fragrant tea flavor. Another plus point is that the pearls are very chewy and elastic.

Beef noodle soup - a signature dish of Taiwan, crafted from tenderly braised or stewed beef in a rich broth. Enjoying beef noodle soup, you'll experience the harmonious blend of delicious beef, chewy noodles, and the fresh taste of greens like bok choy and scallions.

Not only found in upscale restaurants in Taipei, beef noodle soup can also be found at street stalls and traditional noodle shops along Yongkang Street. Whether at any location, everywhere strives to deliver the tastiest beef noodle soup to customers, leaving a mark of pride in Taiwan's cuisine.

A must-visit sightseeing and dining spot is Taipei 101, Taiwan's pride. The basement of this building is a food haven with numerous aromatic Asian and European eateries. The go-to spot for everyone visiting Taiwan is Din Tai Fung. During peak lunch/dinner hours, the queue can get quite long. So be quick to register for a table, get your queue number, then go sightseeing or shopping. Or avoid peak hours altogether. You can also book Din Tai Fung vouchers on KLOOK to shorten waiting time and save costs.

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle is a specialty shop selling offal noodles in Taiwan. The price for this delicious Taiwanese dish is 70 NTD for a large bowl and 55 NTD for a small bowl. The shop is quite empty from 9:00 to 10:00 in the morning and crowded in the evening. There are no seats available, so you'll have to eat standing. You can purchase Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle vouchers on KLOOK for a discounted price!

In Taipei, there's a fish market about an hour's MRT and bus ride from Taipei Main Station. Taipei Fish Market is very clean without any fishy smell, more like a supermarket. The sashimi here is fresh and delicious, comparable to Japan but at a reasonable price. A large mixed sashimi platter for 3-4 people costs only about 1200 - 1600 NTD. If you love sashimi, you shouldn't miss out on this spot!

Upon entering Taipei Fish Market, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the array of outdoor shops right in front of the gate, quite beautiful. No one would think it's a market, I even thought I was in the wrong place. Turning left, you'll enter the supermarket area with fresh seafood, enticing sashimi trays, and sushi.

This market is divided into 3 sections. The first section is a seafood supermarket with pre-prepared meals, boxed but incredibly fresh and enticing. After purchasing, head outside where there's a separate eating area, standing and very clean; please note to clean up after yourself and dispose of trash properly. This section also sells everything from main dishes to desserts.

The second section of the fish market is a charming little restaurant. They assign table numbers, you eat standing, while admiring the chefs skillfully wield their knives. Waiting for your number can take about 20-30 minutes. When invited in, you'll be provided with a designated standing spot to eat along with an English menu.

The third section is the 'royal' area, a restaurant with luxurious seating under romantic golden lights. This section sells alcohol, so guests are not allowed to bring outside drinks in.

In Vietnam, chicken leg mushrooms are often used in stir-fries, soups, or hotpots. If you're a fan of mushrooms, make sure to visit Cuu Phan to try their grilled chicken leg mushrooms. The fresh mushrooms have a subtle fragrance, and the broth inside when grilled is very flavorful, enhanced by a salty marinade. When eating, there's only one word to describe it - 'delicious'. This dish is priced at 100 NTD per piece.

For those who love Taiwanese 'super-sized' dishes, or more specifically, giant fried squid. The squid at Cuu Phan is large yet still chewy, salty, and fragrant with the scent of the sea. The thin and crispy fried coating... very easy to crave.

If you're not into giant squid, you can also try the super-sized fried chicken for only 80 NTD.

Famous not only for its unique preparation method, but pan-fried custard buns also blend various flavors. Soft and fragrant buns with crispy crust, enveloping a savory meat and vegetable filling inside. Simple yet delicious, the price of this dish is only 55 NTD.

Onion cakes are a famous Taiwanese dish during rainy days. Thin, crispy crust with a savory onion filling prepared according to a traditional recipe is a memorable culinary experience for anyone. This dish is served with delicious chili sauce. Price is only about 50 NTD.

Tofu is fermented until it develops a special aroma, known as 'fermented tofu'. This unique flavor makes it a special local delicacy when fried or stewed. Typically, eateries in Taiwan mainly serve fried fermented tofu with Taiwanese kimchi (or Sichuan kimchi), which is sweet and sour, not spicy, and less oily.

Spicy fermented tofu is a new culinary trend in Taiwan in recent years, combining the flavors of swan blood pepper, pickled vegetables, and fermented tofu in a special soup. Some shops even add fatty intestines (pig's intestines) to this dish, known as 'fermented intestine hot pot' colloquially. The average price for a regular serving ranges from 20-30 NTD.

Taiwanese pineapple cakes are a famous and distinctive light snack of Taiwan, made from flour, butter, sugar, eggs, Chinese squash, and fresh pineapple jam from the Bagua Mountains in Taiwan. The perfect harmony of these ingredients has created a cake with a rich flavor, showcasing the essence of Taiwanese cuisine.

Made from fresh ingredients, the cake has a soft, smooth crust, beautiful golden color, and the fragrant aroma of fresh pineapple. When you take a bite of the cake, you'll experience the sweetness, richness, and a hint of light sourness from the pineapple jam, creating a unique and memorable culinary experience.

Taiwanese oyster omelette is an iconic dish of Taiwan, harmonizing the flavors of the ocean and the land. It's a popular and interesting street food made from eggs, oysters, and sweet potato starch, accompanied by a special sweet and sour sauce.

When enjoying oyster omelette, you'll taste the sweetness of the eggs, the fresh flavor of the oysters, and the crispiness of the sweet potato starch. The sweet and sour sauce adds balance and sophistication to the dish. Taiwanese oyster omelette is a fantastic culinary experience, bringing joy and satisfaction to diners. Average price for a serving of oyster omelette is about 40 NTD.

Candied lotus seeds, passed down through generations by the Chinese, have become a symbol of luck and prosperity for the eater. The round, vibrant shape of each candy signifies abundance and prosperity in life. Initially, this type of candy was made only from lotus seeds combined with traditional sugar. However, nowadays, it has been diversified with various fruits along with a colorful syrup coating. Average price: 50 NTD per serving.

Three-Cup Chicken is not just a dish served with three cups of rice, but in fact, it's a unique method of cooking chicken. This dish is created by frying chicken in a cup of sesame oil, a cup of soy sauce, and a cup of rice wine.

Three-Cup Chicken is often enjoyed with white rice in daily meals. Even a small piece of chicken is enough to bring a rich flavor with the perfect combination of sour, spicy, salty, and sweet tastes, completing the meal. The average price for a serving of Three-Cup Chicken is 70 NTD.

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Food deities, are you ready to embark on a culinary journey to explore Taiwanese cuisine?