No doubt, Taiwan is the cradle of street food, cafes, and restaurants serving authentically delicious dishes. Beyond the traditional fare, Taiwan offers a plethora of culinary creations inspired by various cultures. Here are 12 Taiwanese dishes that will make your cravings kick in with just a glance.
1. Crispy Fried Chicken Waffle
Savor the aroma of crispy fried chicken paired with crunchy waffles, rich gruyere cheese, and sweet and sour onions, all coming together to create an irresistibly delicious waffle.
You can enjoy this dish at Spot Taipei, where they also serve other enticing dishes like Duck Confit Croquette Benedict, Miso Pork Belly, Ferrero Rocher French Toast, and more.
Address: 58, Lane 233, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
2. Pineapple Bun + Ice Cream
Apart from Hong Kong, Taiwan is a fantastic place to indulge in the renowned pineapple bun. The Taiwanese version stands out with its crispy outer layer, delightful pineapple flavor, and refreshing cold ice cream.
Address: Ice-Cream Pineapple Bun (冰淇淋菠蘿麵包), No. 22, Songshou Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110.
3. Mango Shaved Ice
Rated by CNN as a must-try dish in Taiwan, mango shaved ice is perfect for hot weather! A portion of finely shaved ice combined with condensed milk and fresh mango delivers a truly unique flavor. You can add a spoonful of mango ice cream or a touch of smooth panna cotta for an extra creamy taste.
Yongkang Street is famous for this shaved ice dish. Especially, if you book through Klook, you'll get a discount for the best-selling mango shaved ice and the combo of mango shaved ice + mango bun!
Address: Smoothie House, 15 Yongkang Street, Da’an District, Taipei 106 Taiwan
4. Curry Rice
In the West, it's fries and cheesy pasta that reign supreme, but in Asia, you must savor a plate of rice with sauce, eggs, and fried delights.
A must-try spot for this dish is Taiwan Curry Da An Shop. If you're feeling adventurous, take on the challenge of finishing the 1.3kg curry rice within 20 minutes. Otherwise, you can still enjoy a delicious regular-sized portion of curry rice here.
Address: Taiwan Curry Da An Shop (台湾咖喱 大安店), 106, Taiwan, Taipei City, Da’an District, Lane 51, Section 1, Da’an Road, No. 3
5. XXL Fried Chicken
This is a must-try dish in Taiwan. The crispy fried chicken piece is even larger than your face, and it will surely satisfy all your cravings.
If you want to uncover the 'secrets' of Taiwan's night markets, don't miss out on Klook's night market tour.
6. Thunder Shanghai & Sichuan Delight
This dish is a fusion of traditional Shanghai-style xiaolongbao and Sichuan-style tofu. It may look quirky, but after the first 'chopstick fold,' you'll be enchanted by its unique flavor.
In addition, they also offer fried buns, traditional steamed buns, and many other special dishes.
Location: Shanghai Shao Shi Fu Soup Dumpling (上海邵師傅湯包), No. 31-1, Leli Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
7. Bubble Milk Tea with Tapioca Pearls
An unmissable treat is the bubble milk tea with tapioca pearls. You must indulge at Chun Shui Tang – the birthplace of bubble milk tea since the 1980s. Don't forget to share with your friend because the bubble tea cups here are super-sized.
Address: Chun Shui Tang, No. 30, Siwei Street, West District, Taichung City, Taiwan 403
8. Giant Takoyaki
These super-sized takoyaki balls, as big as your fist, are made with octopus, shrimp, broccoli, corn, potatoes, scallops, and optional sauce. This could be the energy-packed dish you need after exploring Taiwan, as they are rich in both protein and flavor.
Address: Ruifeng Night Market, Yucheng Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 804
9. YumYum Deli
People often visit YumYum Deli just to capture Instagram-worthy photos with the super cool decorations here. But don't miss the chance to enjoy a delicious American-style breakfast, it's equally amazing.
Address: YumYum Deli, No. 12, Alley 32, Lane 216, Section 4, Zhongxiao East Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
10. Cheesy Okey Dokey Fried Chicken
If fried chicken and cheese are your favorites, you'll be delighted to know there's a dish that combines both! Okey Dokey is famous in Taipei for serving Korean-inspired dishes with an Italian twist.
In addition to cheese-based dishes, Okey Dokey also offers a variety of items such as ice cream sandwiches, french fries, and traditional Korean rice cakes.
Address: Okey Dokey, No. 47, Lane 308, Guangfu South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
11. Sichuan Spicy Noodle
Instant noodles by Zeng are a familiar name to locals. Despite being instant noodles, Zeng's noodles are thick, soft, and chewy, paired with a spicy sauce made from green onions and Sichuan pepper, truly a heavenly flavor. You can buy these noodles to enjoy at home or as a gift at Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport (TPE) or Songshan Airport (TSA). Each bag contains 4 packs and is available at an incredibly 'budget-friendly' price on Klook right now.
12. French-Style Nougat Candy
Sugar & Spice's French-style Nougat candy is a local foodie's favorite snack and souvenir. With simple ingredients like milk and various nuts, this Nougat candy is memorable for its light, non-overpowering sweetness and its ability to be stored for quite a while. The adorable packaging is a massive plus for this Taiwanese treat.
Don't believe it? Buy vouchers on Klook and get the candy at Taipei Taoyuan Airport (TPE) or Songshan Airport (TSA).
Have you tried all 12 delicious dishes in Taiwan mentioned above? If you get the chance to visit Taiwan next time, make sure to savor each one. Don't forget to pocket some Taiwan travel tips and fantastic recommendations for self-guided adventures from Klook!