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Taiwan is not only a shopping paradise but also a culinary heaven with many famous Taiwanese dishes. Below are 12 dishes that promise to delight tourists' taste buds and should not be missed when traveling to Taiwan. Let's explore with VNTRIP!
Grilled Corn with Sauce
Grilled corn with sauce can be found in Hanoi, Saigon, or Vinh, so why do people have to travel all the way to Taiwan to enjoy this 'homely' dish? Those who are still hesitant must not have had the chance to taste the flavor of Taiwanese grilled corn. Just give it a try, it's truly special!
Grilled corn must be made from standard glutinous corn, each grain plump and round to be grilled without becoming too dry (photo ST)
Travelers will have the opportunity to explore how famous Taiwanese dishes are prepared if they stop for a few minutes at the food stalls in the night markets. Each juicy corn kernel slowly absorbs the sauce, melting in the mouth, truly nothing is more delightful. BBQ sauce with a blend of 30 ingredients mixed together when grilled creates a unique and extremely delicious flavor.
The attractive sauce color covering evenly from start to finish is eye-catching and gives a warm feeling, no wonder this dish is so attractive (photo ST)
Three-cup Chicken
Three-cup Chicken is not named because the chicken is served in three bowls of rice, but because during cooking, the chicken is stir-fried with a cup of sesame oil, a cup of soy sauce, and a cup of cooking wine. This dish is often eaten with white rice, as just a piece of chicken is enough to contain all the sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors of a full meal.
The spices such as ginger, garlic, ... also make the meat more flavorful, deserving to be one of the favorite Taiwanese dishes (photo ST)
Egg with Oysters
If you're wondering how egg with oysters sounds similar to Vietnamese egg with minced meat, you're thinking correctly. Instead of meat like our traditional dish, eggs are mixed with fresh oysters and green onions before frying. The seller will cook it right where you are to keep it fresh, delicious, and warm.
Oysters are the magical ingredient that makes everything extraordinary (photo ST)
Still the same egg dish, but when combined with the crunchy, sweet, and chewy texture of oysters, it becomes a masterpiece, one bite just leads to another, because it's truly exquisite.
Meat-filled Bun
Unlike the way outer shell covers the filling in Vietnamese meat-filled buns, the Taiwanese version has a soft, fragrant bun folded in half. Inside is stewed pork, pickled cabbage, ground peanuts, and herbs.
The bao bun with its unique shape (photo ST)
It's often referred to as the Taiwanese version of a hamburger; just take a big bite, and the flavors of sour, salty, sweet, and fatty will blend in your mouth, creating a wonderful taste experience.
This is also a Taiwanese dish in Saigon that is loved (photo ST)
Beef noodles
Looking for Taiwanese daily dishes for breakfast or lunch, beef noodles are a solid choice. Among them, Yongkang beef noodles stand out, famous for its chewy noodles soaked in a mildly spicy sauce.
Taiwanese beef noodles (photo ST)
At first glance, this dish may remind you of Vietnamese beef stew. Slices of beef, shaped like chess pieces, sit atop golden noodles with a sprinkle of herbs, creating a flavorful dish. Despite its simplicity, Taiwanese culinary artistry ensures that beef noodles are a must-try when visiting Taiwan.
Coffin bread
Yes, you heard it right. In Taiwan, there's a dish with a name as intriguing as it is spine-chilling. Those who have visited Taiwan's famous night markets have surely encountered this Taiwanese street food phenomenon.
Young travelers often prioritize photographing this dish the most! (photo ST)
Coffin bread is a square or rectangular bread, about 3-5 cm thick, hollowed out inside. The bread is baked until crispy, allowed to cool slightly, then filled to the brim with enticing fillings such as shrimp, squid, oysters, meat, or finely chopped vegetables.
The appeal also comes from various sauces such as chicken soup, sweet and sour sauce,... guaranteed to please even the pickiest eaters (photo ST)
Fermented tofu
Another famous dish that is a must-try when traveling to Taiwan, although it has never stopped being “controversial.” While fermented tofu is very beneficial for health, its aroma often makes many people give up after the first encounter.
This dish is sold in all markets in Taiwan, so no matter where you go, you can easily taste it (photo ST)
The fermented tofu is fried and arranged neatly like separate Rubik's cubes, which looks very appealing. When you taste it, the sellers will offer you various sauces to mask the somewhat unpleasant smell. However, be bold and give it a try; you might find yourself among the many addicted to fermented tofu without realizing it!
The fermented tofu dish has a distinctive complex aroma, with a soft and chewy outer layer but a smooth interior like ice cream, accompanied by a spicy piece of cabbage that will surely make you ecstatic when you first taste it (photo ST)
Grilled squid with charcoal
Visit the night markets near the ports of Taiwan, and you will see many groups gathering at a smoky barbecue shop. It is likely to be a shop selling grilled squid with charcoal – a street food highly favored by locals.
Enjoy the famous grilled squid dish in Taiwan (photo ST)
Sweet and meaty squid, grilled to crispy perfection, dipped in a spicy soy sauce or sweet and sour sauce that warms the soul. Crunchy and fragrant with the aroma of grilled food, who could resist such a culinary experience?
Come to Taiwan to enjoy this street food! (photo ST)
Bubble milk tea
Visit the birthplace of this famous drink, and you'll understand why the Taiwanese can elevate a refreshing drink to a unique culinary experience that is increasingly popular throughout Asia.
Welcome to the bubble milk tea paradise (photo ST)
According to young people who have tasted the famous bubble milk tea, the tea here is very fragrant, blending with the creamy taste of milk. The black tapioca pearls are soft, fragrant, chewy, not overly sweet, making you crave for more.
Here are some famous bubble milk tea addresses in Taiwan: 50 Lan (50 嵐), LATTEA (綠蓋茶館), Tran Tam Dinh Milk Tea (陳三鼎), Ten Ren's Tea (天人名茶),..
Milk Tea Custard Bun
Considered one of Taiwan's famous dishes, milk tea custard bun is often sold in night food markets, such as: Liuhe Night Market (Kaohsiung), Shilin Night Market (Taipei),...
Milk Tea Custard Bun - famous Taiwanese street food (photo ST)
Milk tea custard bun is simply a combination of the sea flavor of oysters, the creamy taste of chicken eggs, and a bit of green onions. Then it is fried to golden brown, extremely attractive with a little black bean sauce, vinegar, and special sauce. Truly, Taiwanese culinary culture has countless interesting things.
Fried Chicken Waffle
Fried chicken waffle is the number one street food in Taiwan for those who love the sweet aroma of mixed flour with the sweet, tender taste of chicken soaked in sauce.
Strolling the streets will surely be more enjoyable when enjoying a crispy waffle, very pleasant to eat (photo ST)
The secret to a perfect dish starts with the waffle being baked just right, crispy enough, but when cutting, it must be done very skillfully so the waffle doesn't crumble. The fragrant fried chicken is wrapped in rich and creamy gruyere cheese to lift the dish. Add a little sweet and sour onion for balance, and the Taiwanese street food is ready to conquer tourists' hearts.
Mango shaved ice
The final list of 12 specialties from Taiwan will include a representative that is soft, fragrant, not cloying, and very good for health. When we talk about this, everyone probably thinks of the famous mango shaved ice from Taiwan, once praised by CNN, right?
They say eat local specialties where they're from to truly experience their original flavors (photo ST)
A portion of fresh mangoes just ripe enough combined with finely crushed ice as smooth as dew and a bit of condensed milk, that's enough to dispel the summer heat. It's one of the easy-to-make Taiwanese dishes, but this flavor cannot be matched by any eatery in Hanoi or Saigon.
An exquisite dish regardless of the weather (photo ST)
The introduction is enticing, but the best part is still going there to enjoy these famous Taiwanese dishes. Add these dishes to your must-try list when visiting Taiwan!
Explore more:
- Shopping tips for a short trip to Taiwan
- What to buy in Taiwan - 14 famous Taiwanese specialties for gifts
