Buzz
Taiwanese cuisine is one of the unforgettable experiences for international tourists visiting Taiwan. If you're still unsure what gifts to buy while traveling to Taiwan, don't hesitate to bring back some delicious pastries. So what delicious treats does Taiwan have? Follow the article below to find the best pastry in Taiwan.
1. Introduction to Taiwanese cuisine
Taiwanese cuisine is a perfect blend of traditional Chinese flavors and modern influences from Western dishes. This perfect harmony has created a culinary culture with distinctive characteristics that cannot be found anywhere else.
Taiwanese people prioritize balancing flavors and choosing healthy ingredients for cooking. Therefore, Taiwanese dishes contain less oil compared to their Chinese counterparts and are not as heavily seasoned as those from Hong Kong. Taiwanese cuisine always brings something fresh, light, and delicate in both presentation and taste.
Taiwanese cuisine is closely associated with bustling night markets (Image source: Collection)
As a result, Taiwanese cuisine can be seen as a blend and balance of various culinary traditions from around the world. However, Taiwanese cuisine has not lost its unique identity. All Taiwanese signature dishes have distinct flavors that can satisfy even the most discerning palates. Therefore, Taiwanese specialty pastries always have a large fan base throughout Asia. So what delicious treats does Taiwan have?
2. What delicious treats does Taiwan have? Top 10 Taiwanese pastries that leave an impression
We've all heard at least once about the hot keywords on social media platforms like 'Taiwanese sponge cake,' 'Taiwanese mixed cakes with various flavors.' Taiwanese specialty cakes are favored by many tourists for their delicious and soft texture. Just one bite and the cake melts in your mouth instantly.
Not only that, Taiwanese mixed cakes come in various flavors, giving diners plenty of choices. So what delicious treats does Taiwan have? What type of cake should you buy as a gift for friends and family? All answers will be revealed below this article.
2.1 Yogurt cake
If asked what delicious treats Taiwan has, nearly 70% of Taiwanese people will unanimously answer: yogurt cake. Yogurt cake has become a favorite snack for sweet lovers in the past 2 years.
Taiwanese yogurt cakes always have a special allure for both locals and international tourists (Image Source: Collected)
The outer layer of Taiwanese yogurt cakes is a familiar sandwich cake, cozy and close. However, when the soft and smooth cake crust combines with the rich and creamy yogurt flavor, it creates an explosively enticing taste that is strangely captivating. For those guests who don't like fatty flavors, this is the ideal choice. Because Taiwanese yogurt cakes strike a perfect balance between the characteristic fatty and sour flavors, they don't feel nauseous when eaten in large quantities.
2.2 Taiwanese Sponge Cake
What delicious treats does Taiwan have? Most Vietnamese diners will immediately answer: Taiwanese sponge cake. The keyword phrase 'Taiwanese sponge cake' is one of the most searched culinary keywords about Taiwan by Vietnamese people in recent years, especially by office workers and Gen Z. It's not an exaggeration to say that this unique and familiar Taiwanese sponge cake has the ability to captivate all ages.
Although Taiwanese sponge cakes are quite common in Vietnam, many tourists are still willing to buy them directly in Taiwan. The reason Taiwanese sponge cakes are so popular among Vietnamese people is because they have a delicious and easily enjoyable flavor.
Taiwanese sponge cakes are a favorite treat among Vietnamese people (Image Source: Collected)
Moreover, Taiwanese sponge cakes come in a variety of flavors for guests to choose from according to their preferences, such as: cheese, chocolate, strawberry, pineapple, green tea, etc. Among them, cheese and chocolate are the two most beloved flavors by Vietnamese tourists. Cheese flavor usually has a mild fragrance and a characteristic creamy taste. Meanwhile, chocolate has a rich and bitter taste that is suitable for chocolate enthusiasts.
2.3 Mochi Rice Cakes
Due to the influence of Japanese culture, Taiwanese cuisine shares similarities with the cuisine of the Land of the Rising Sun. Among them, the traditional Mochi cake, a famous specialty of Taiwan, cannot be overlooked. Taiwanese Mochi cakes are made from glutinous rice flour combined with finely ground red bean paste. Afterwards, chefs mold the cakes into small round pieces with various colors and flavors. Then, they coat the cakes with a layer of peanut powder.
Currently, Taiwanese Mochi cakes come in various new flavors such as green tea, strawberry, and peanut. This provides more choices for customers. Moreover, Mochi cakes are sold everywhere in Taiwan, making it easy for you to buy them as gifts for your loved ones during your trip.
Taiwanese Mochi cakes offer a wide range of flavors for customers to choose from (Image Source: Collected)
2.4 Taichung Sun Cakes
When asked what delicious desserts Taiwan has, one cannot overlook Taichung Sun Cakes. Similar to Mochi cakes, Taichung Sun Cakes originated from Japan. However, thanks to the skilled hands of Taiwanese chefs, Taichung Sun Cakes have a completely different appearance.
Sun Cakes are made from ingredients such as sugar, flour, honey, and eggs,... After forming round and flat cake pieces, chefs bake them until they turn golden brown and emit a tantalizing aroma.
Taichung Sun Cakes are often enjoyed with a cup of hot tea (Image Source: Collected)
Taiwanese people often enjoy these cakes with a cup of hot tea in the early morning. True to its name, Taichung Sun Cakes provide a new source of energy for a long day ahead. Therefore, you can use Tai chung cakes as a substitute for breakfast.
2.5 Salted Egg Yolk Cookies
At first glance, we might think this is just an ordinary cookie sandwich. However, upon tasting it, you will be surprised by the crispy texture of the crust and the sweet flavor of the filling.
It can be said that the filling has created a remarkable difference for Salted Egg Yolk Cookies compared to other cookies. The filling is made from rich and sweet salted egg sauce. The crust is made from characteristic rice flour and butter. When the filling and crust are combined, they create a harmonious overall flavor.
Salted Egg Yolk Cookies are often purchased by tourists as gifts for family and friends (Image Source: Collected)
If you still don't know what delicious pastries Taiwan has, don't hesitate to buy Salted Egg Yolk Cookies as gifts! Because this pastry is favored by both locals and international tourists.
2.6 Banana Cake
Banana Cake extends the list of delicious pastries in Taiwan. This banana cake might remind many people of Thai banana cake. However, Taiwan's banana cake has a lighter, softer texture. The common point of these two banana cakes is that they are both sponge cakes with familiar banana flavor and shaped like a real banana.
2.7 Pineapple Cake
When it comes to delicious pastries in Taiwan, one cannot overlook the renowned Pineapple Cake of Taiwan. This is one of the popular pastries in Taiwan that tourists easily find in night markets and street corners. According to Taiwanese belief, eating pineapple cake on the first day of the year brings luck and prosperity to the household. Not only that, pineapple cake is also beneficial for health, especially for the elderly. This is indeed a meaningful gift to give to grandparents, parents on the occasion of the new year.
Taiwan's Pineapple Cake is a specialty pastry that is abundant in the country's traditional cuisine (Image source: Collection)
2.8 Coffin Bread
At first glance, anyone would feel a chill about this specialty pastry of Taiwan. However, the reality is completely opposite. The reason why this pastry has a 'spooky' name is because its shape resembles a coffin.
Initially, the chef will carve out a wide square piece in the middle of the cake. Then, they will stuff the cake with a mixture of fillings such as: meat, potatoes, shrimp, chicken, carrots, etc. Finally, the chef will cover the cake again with a thin slice. This pastry is commonly sold throughout the night markets in Southern and Northern Taiwan.
2.9 Brown Sugar Cake
If you happen to ask a local about delicious pastries in Taiwan, they won't hesitate to introduce you to brown sugar cake. This is considered a unique pastry with its own charm that you can't find anywhere else.
In the past, brown sugar cake was only popular during holidays and festivals. Later on, the pastry was gradually improved with its own recipe. Eventually, brown sugar cake became a famous snack in Taiwan. It has a soft, mildly sweet layer and is carefully packaged in cute packaging. Brown sugar cake can be a meaningful gift for friends and family if you're unsure what to buy.
2.10 Milk Custard Buns
When asked about delicious street food in Taiwan, locals will not hesitate to mention the famous milk custard buns. This pastry is commonly sold at night markets and food markets in Kaohsiung. It's considered a perfect modern version of the traditional steamed buns.
Just head to the night markets and you can buy milk custard buns (Image Source: Collection)
The unique feature of milk custard buns is the harmonious blend of fresh milk with creamy chicken eggs. When enjoying, diners will feel the crispy texture of the fried golden crust and the rich, creamy flavor of the filling inside. If you've set foot in Taiwan, don't miss out on this super enticing dish!
After reading this article, we all probably have an answer to the question What delicious treats does Taiwan have? Taiwanese cuisine always leaves a unique impression on diners, from its appearance to its flavors. If you have the opportunity to visit Taiwan, don't miss the chance to enjoy the exquisite delicacies of this beautiful island! Contact the Mytour hotline Mytour for advice on booking a fully-packaged tour to Taiwan!
