Food in Taiwan

Taiwan, a vibrant island nation, draws visitors not only with its dynamic cities and scenic beauty but also with its rich culinary heritage. Taiwanese cuisine is a delightful fusion of flavors, blending indigenous tastes with Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian influences. As a tourist, delving into Taiwan's food scene is a must-do to experience the country's culture to the fullest. Discover the essential Taiwanese dishes that promise to tantalize your taste buds and make your journey through Taiwan a gastronomic adventure to remember.

Taiwanese Dishes

Beef Noodle Soup

Considered by many to be Taiwan's national dish, beef noodle soup features tender braised beef, hand-pulled wheat noodles, and a rich, savory broth. It often includes bok choy and is seasoned with star anise, soy sauce, and sometimes Chinese five-spice powder.

Lurou Fan (Braised Pork Rice)

Lurou Fan is a quintessential Taiwanese comfort food consisting of finely chopped, soy sauce-braised pork belly served over steamed rice. The meat is typically slow-cooked until it's melt-in-your-mouth tender and is often accompanied by pickled vegetables.

Gua Bao

Also known as "Taiwanese hamburgers," Gua Bao are steamed buns filled with slices of succulent braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, cilantro, and ground peanuts. This street food staple is both flavorful and portable, making it perfect for on-the-go snacking.

Oyster Omelette

The oyster omelette, or "ô-á-chian" in Taiwanese Hokkien, is a beloved night market snack. This dish combines small oysters with a batter of sweet potato starch and eggs, creating a unique texture that's crispy on the outside and slightly gooey inside. It's often served with a sweet and savory sauce.

Stinky Tofu

Stinky tofu is a polarizing dish with a strong, pungent odor that's a result of fermentation. It can be eaten cold, steamed, stewed, or, most commonly, deep-fried, often accompanied by pickled cabbage and a spicy sauce. Despite its smell, stinky tofu has a surprisingly mild taste.

Lu Rou Huan (Pork Roll)

This snack consists of a sweet or savory filling, usually a mixture of pork floss and sticky rice, wrapped in a thin soybean sheet. It's a popular choice for breakfast or a light meal.

Three Cup Chicken

Sanbeiji, or Three Cup Chicken, gets its name from the three key ingredients: sesame oil, Chinese rice wine, and soy sauce. This dish features chicken cooked in a clay pot with ginger, garlic, and Thai basil, resulting in a fragrant and savory meal with a hint of sweetness.

Intestine Vermicelli

Intestine vermicelli is a soup dish that combines thin rice noodles with large intestines, often of pigs, which have been meticulously cleaned and braised until tender. The broth is typically seasoned with garlic and black vinegar, adding depth to the dish.

Danzai Noodle (Ta-a Noodles)

Danzai Noodle is a simple yet satisfying dish from Tainan, featuring a clear shrimp broth, noodles, minced pork, and sometimes a single shrimp as a garnish. It's a light meal with a history dating back to the late Qing dynasty.

Iron Eggs

Iron eggs are a Taiwanese specialty where eggs are repeatedly stewed in a mix of spices and air-dried, resulting in a chewy, savory snack that's packed with flavor. They're smaller and darker than regular boiled eggs, hence the name "iron."

Taiwanese Desserts

Mochi

Mochi is a glutinous rice cake that's soft and chewy, often filled with sweet bean paste or ground peanuts. It comes in various shapes and flavors, including matcha, sesame, and red bean.

Pineapple Cake

Pineapple cake is a famous Taiwanese pastry that consists of a buttery, crumbly crust encasing a sweet and tangy pineapple jam filling. It's a popular souvenir and often given as a gift during festivals.

Aiyu Jelly

Aiyu jelly is made from the seeds of a fig-like fruit and is a refreshing dessert, especially during the hot summer months. It's typically served over ice with a squeeze of lemon juice and sometimes honey.

Taro Ball Dessert

This dessert features chewy taro and sweet potato balls served in a sweet soup or over shaved ice, often accompanied by beans, jelly, and fruits. It's a delightful treat with a mix of textures and flavors.

Shaved Ice (Bao Bing)

Bao Bing is the Taiwanese version of shaved ice, with a finer texture than its Western counterparts. It's topped with an array of ingredients like fruit, red beans, tapioca pearls, and condensed milk, making for a customizable and cooling dessert.

Suncake (Taiyang Bing)

Suncake is a round, flaky pastry from Taichung that's filled with maltose. It has a mildly sweet taste and is often enjoyed with tea. Like pineapple cake, it's a popular gift item for visitors to take home.

Grass Jelly

Grass jelly is a black, slightly bitter dessert made from the Chinese mesona plant. It's typically cut into cubes and served cold with syrup or mixed with other desserts like shaved ice or fruit.