Top 11 Best Dishes in Taiwan

Ranked by CNN as one of the must-try dishes in Taiwan, Mango Shaved Ice is the perfect treat for hot weather! This dish combines smooth shaved ice with condensed milk and fresh mango, creating a uniquely delightful flavor. You can enhance it by adding a scoop of mango ice cream or a serving of creamy panna cotta for extra richness. A popular spot to enjoy this dish is at Yongkang Street. Be sure to check out Klook for discounts on Mango Shaved Ice and combo offers with Mango Cake at Smoothie House, No. 15 Yongkang Street, Da’an District, Taipei. Booking a voucher via Klook will get you a special price!

This dish is a fusion of traditional Shanghai Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and Sichuan-style tofu. It might sound unusual, but after the first bite, you’ll fall in love with this unique flavor combination. The Shanghai Shao Shi Fu Soup Dumpling restaurant (上海邵師傅湯包), located at No. 31-1, Leli Road, Da’an District, Taipei, serves not only these dumplings but also fried buns, steamed dumplings, and other special items. Don’t miss the chance to indulge in authentic Taiwanese specialties during your visit, especially if you’re booking through Klook!

These massive takoyaki balls, the size of your fist, are made with octopus, shrimp, broccoli, corn, potatoes, scallops, and optional sauces. This hearty dish is perfect for refueling after a day of exploring Taiwan, as it’s packed with protein and fats. Enjoying hot takoyaki on a cool day is an experience you won’t forget. You can find this Taiwanese treat at Ruifeng Night Market, Yucheng Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung.

Noodles are a common part of Taiwanese cuisine, and besides famous dishes like longevity noodles or sesame oil noodles served on birthdays, Pork Intestine Noodles with fresh oysters are a popular street food. The main ingredients are fresh oysters mixed with potato starch, and sometimes simmered pork intestines are added. The quality of the dish depends on the freshness and size of the oysters, the pork intestine preparation, and the balance of flavors in the broth. It’s typically served with chili sauce made in-house, along with vinegar, minced garlic, and cilantro to elevate the taste!

Stinky tofu is a fermented tofu dish with a unique smell, which is why it is affectionately called 'stinky tofu.' The distinct aroma becomes more pronounced when the tofu is deep-fried or stewed, making it a popular local snack. In Taiwan, deep-fried stinky tofu is often paired with Taiwanese-style kimchi (or Sichuan kimchi), which is tangy but not spicy, helping to balance the oily flavor. A recent trend has been spicy stinky tofu, served with a spicy hot pot featuring duck blood and a dash of sourness. Some places also add fatty pork intestines, turning it into a local favorite known as 'stinky hot pot with fatty intestines.'

Daifuku, also known as mochi, is a sweet dessert originating from Japan, but it is also very popular in Taiwan. The outer layer is made from sticky rice, and the filling is typically sweet red bean paste or various fruits, with strawberry and cream being a common combination. Daifuku comes in various flavors, with the most popular being white, light green, or pale pink mochi filled with anko (sweet red bean paste). To prevent them from sticking together, daifuku is coated with cornstarch or potato starch, and some versions are also dusted with powdered sugar or cocoa powder.

When it comes to bubble tea, no Vietnamese youth is unfamiliar with it, as it is a beloved snack in the country. However, the true home of bubble tea is Taiwan, where you can find an array of different flavors being sold on every street corner and night market. The drink was invented in 1980 by Lin Hsiu, who, feeling bored, decided to drop some sweet tapioca pearls into his cup of tea. This simple experiment led to the creation of the now-famous bubble tea. It’s a popular street snack among young people for its delicious and refreshing taste.

Wonton, a dish with roots in Guangdong, China, has had a significant influence on Vietnamese cuisine, especially in its use of finely chopped meat, seafood, and vegetables wrapped in a thin dough and steamed. The wontons are often served in a flavorful broth with herbs and spices, offering a light yet delicious taste that leaves you savoring every last drop of soup. The dish was introduced to Vietnam by the Chinese in the 1930s, and it remains a popular comfort food in both Taiwan and Vietnam.