Be it your first time or second time to Taipei, one thing that you must include in your itinerary is a trip to one of Taipei’s night markets. We love night markets for the splendid array of street food (at reasonable prices), the lively atmosphere and simply the thrill of getting our hands on cheap clothing or goods!

Admittedly, most would only cater time to visit the more commercialised or popularised night markets such as Shilin Night Market or Raohe Street Night Market, but there are plenty of other undiscovered night markets in Taipei that deserve your time too. And, why only visit one or two night markets during your visit to Taipei when you could go to many more?

Here are 12 Night Markets In Taipei You Should Include In Your Itinerary.

Photo Credit: Alec Travel Guide

#1 GUANGZHOU STREET NIGHT MARKET

For a better feel of what a local and authentic night market in Taipei is like, Guangzhou Street Night Market will be a great place to visit. As one of the oldest night markets in Taiwan, Guangzhou Street Night Market is preferred by locals and is part of the Longshan Temple Night Market area.

Apart from regular street food that you can find in other night markets, some interesting dishes that you can try include pig feet, frog soup and glutinous rice. Visitors can also get up to plenty of fun games where you can play the night away. However, do take note that this is not a place to visit if you are searching for good clothing deals.

Guangzhou Street Night Market
Lane 152, Guangzhou Street, Wanhua District,
Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Daily: 4pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Longshan Temple

Photo Credit: HJ Love To Travel

#2 GONGGUAN NIGHT MARKET 

Located right beside Exit 1 of Gongguan Station, Gongguan Night Market is the biggest night market in the South district of Taipei City. The night market is strategically located in the midst of a business district, which allows visitors to browse through clothing and accessory stores, portrait studios, coffee shops and more.

Due to its close proximity to the National Taiwan University, majority of the traffic at this night market are made up of students. Yes, this means that prices are less steep and in fact pretty reasonable! And why not pick up some QinWaZhuangNai i.e. famous bubble milk tea in the area, whilst exploring the night market?

Gongguan Night Market
Section 3, Luosifu Road,
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Daily: 3pm – 11:45pm
Nearest Station: Gongguan

#3 HUAXI STREET NIGHT MARKET 

Huaxi Street Night Market is another one of Taiwan’s more traditional markets. You would not have a hard time finding this night market as a large, red palace-style archway marks the entrance to the market which is open throughout the day.

Plenty of old, historical shops occupy the streets of Huaxi Street Night Market and you would be able to find plenty of yummy street foods to indulge in! For instance, this is where the Danzai noodle restaurant business began and something interesting you can try is the snake soup—a dish unique to Huaxi Street Night Market. Otherwise, why not take part in some fortune-telling or simply go for a good massage?

Huaxi Street Night Market
Huaxi Street, Wanhua District
Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Tel: +886 2 2388 1818
Daily: 4pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Longshan Temple

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

#4 LEHUA NIGHT MARKET 

The origins of Lehua Night Market date back to the early 1970s, and this night market is located in the Yonghe District which is famous for its delicious soya bean drink. Offering a wonderful mix of street food stalls, shopping and entertainment facilities, this is an all-in-one market where you will never feel bored.

Another night market that is a favourite of many locals, this night market is wider and easier to navigate even for those who are visiting for the first time. Unfortunately, due to noise complaints from the neighbouring areas surrounding the market, Lehua Night Market may be closed down soon. Quick, make sure this night market is on your to-go list if you are visiting Taipei soon!

Lehua Night Market
Yongping Road, Yonghe District,
New Taipei City, Taiwan 234
Tel: +886 800 000 123
Daily: 5pm – 12.59am
Nearest Station: Dingxi

#5 LIAONING STREET NIGHT MARKET 

Located a stone’s throw away from Fuju Temple, Liaoning Street Night Market is a popular night market that often draws mostly locals, unlike other regular night markets in Taipei. Thus, this is the best night market to visit to avoid tourists but yet have a taste of authentic Taiwanese cuisine.

Some delicious street food that you can try include the oyster omelette, boiled squid, mochi and oden cooking. The seafood stir-fry shop at the night market is also very popular and this is where you can get your seafood fix, cooked according to your preference.

Liaoning Street Night Market
Liaoning Street, Zhongshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 10491
Daily: 4pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Nanjing East Road

#6 NANJICHANG NIGHT MARKET 

Nanjichang Night Market is another night market which has not been tainted by tourism and is recognised for its ruggedness and truly Taiwanese character. A hot favourite of the locals, you would hardly see any tourists in the area which means that you are in for a night of authentic Taiwan street food and culture.

Albeit slightly smaller in size than other notable night markets such as the Shilin Night Market, the street food offered at Nanjichang Night Market does not pale in comparison. One identifying trait of this night market is that all street foods offered at night will be available even during the day. Rest assured also that Nanjichang Night Market is budget-friendly and would not burn a hole in your pocket.

Nanjichang Night Market
Lane 307, Section 2, Zhonghua Road
Wanhua District, Taipei
Tel: +886 2 2305 3036
Daily: 6am – 12am
Nearest Station: Wanhua

#7 NINGXIA NIGHT MARKET

Like Nanjichang Night Market, Ningxia Night Market is a smaller night market which offers just as fantastic street food as the larger ones do. This is a nostalgic night market where you can stuff yourself silly with all the Taiwanese snacks available such as fried yam balls, oyster omelette and braised pork rice!

If you need a break from all the food, consider participating in some games or shopping in the southern part of the night market. A well-balanced night market adventure, we’d say.

Ningxia Night Market
Ningxia Road, Datong District
Taipei City, Taiwan 103
Tel: +886 915 652 480
Daily: 5:30pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Shuanglian

#8 RAOHE STREET NIGHT MARKET 

Raohe Street Night Market is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei, which has been extremely well-received and usually considered a must-visit for all tourists. Spreading out along a 600-metre path of Raohe Street in the Songshan District, have tons of fun exploring all the different interesting and delicious street foods and snacks, shops and stalls and even carnival activities available there.

A word of advice—7pm would be a good time to drop by this night market as most vendors usually only begin setting up their stalls at 5pm.

Raohe Street Night Market
Rao He Street, Songshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2763 5733
Daily: 4pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Songshan

#9 SHIDA NIGHT MARKET

Looking for a trendy night market? Shida Night Market is waiting for you! This night market is located within the Da’an District, which is known for its upmarket and hipster vibes and is home to several rock bars, cafes and restaurants. Best of all, visitors would appreciate that Shida Night Market is well-organised, quaint and compact, as compared to other larger and messier night markets.

Offering an incredible selection of delightful street food and cheap clothes from stylish boutiques, you would find plenty of young entrepreneurs cum vendors in this night market. Thus, a visit to this night market would be a great way to extend some support for the local fashion community whilst securing good clothing deals.

Shida Night Market
Lane 39, Shida Road, Da’an District,
Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tue to Sun: 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Taipower Building

#10 SHILIN NIGHT MARKET

As one of the largest and most popular night markets in Taiwan, most would usually have Shilin Night Market on their minds when planning their trip to Taipei. And to make it better, this night market is also conveniently located near Jiantan Station.

Shilin Night Market is famous for their impressive selection of authentic Taiwan eateries and fashionable clothing boutiques. A newly-renovated building of Shilin Night Market comprises three basement floors and one ground floor. Just think, 94 food vendors on Level B1; how amazing is that? It is time to get crazy and go all out!

Shilin Night Market
Wenlin Road, Shihlin District
Taipei City, Taiwan
Daily: 11am – 2am
Nearest Station: Jiantan

#11 SHUANG CHENG STREET NIGHT MARKET 

Operating for over 40 years, Shuang Cheng Street Night Market is a hot spot for plenty of Taiwanese food and variety shows. As a relatively low-key market, this is where you can escape for good Taiwanese street food without all the hustle and bustle of overly-commercialised night markets.

Some dishes you can try include steam goose meat in goose soup stock and Chiayi Chick Rice. For desserts, favourites include Granny’s old-style flavour sweet noodles and jelly fig ice.

Shuang Cheng Street Night Market
Shuangcheng Street, Zhongshan District,
Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Daily: 8am – 4pm, 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Zhong Shan Elementary School / Mingquan West Road

#12 TONGHUA NIGHT MARKET 

Found along the fringe of a residential area in Da’an District, Tonghua Night Market is often filled with plenty of locals and tourists alike. Specialising in local street foods and more, this lively night market will be sure to thrill you even after your first visit.

One popular dish to try at Tonghua Night Market is yan su ji (Taiwanese salted crispy chicken ), braised foods and Cong You Bing (scallion pancake). When you had enough of street food, there are steak restaurants and teppanyaki eateries for you to dine at.

Tonghua Night Market
Linjiang Street, Da’an District,
Taipei 106, Taiwan
Daily: 6pm – 2am
Nearest Station: Xinyi Anhe

Unsurprisingly, the capital of Taiwan—Taipei—is a popular vacation destination amongst Singaporeans and many other regional travellers. The Asian city is famous for its glorious street food, bustling night markets and cultural attractions.

Unlike Singapore, Taipei is blessed with a cooler climate and temperates do dip to approximately 13°C at its lowest in January.

We understand that most of you are too swamped with work and whatnot, so we have curated a 4D3N Taipei Itinerary for you guys. Here are 20 Tips On What To See And What To Eat in Taipei In Just 4D3N.

DAY ONE

#1 BREAKFAST AT AH CHUNG MIAN XIAN

Ah Chung Mian Xian is an inconspicuous vendor in Xi Men Ding selling piping hot bowls (small – NT$50, big – NT$60) of mee sua dunked in thick and rich gravy. The noodles are served with braised pig intestines. Complete your vermicelli dish with chilli oil, parsley, vinegar and whatnot. It opens at 10.30am daily and is often packed with tourists.

No. 8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Mon – Fri: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Sat – Sun: 10.30am – 11pm
Tel: +886-2-2388-8808
Nearest station: Ximending

#2 SHOP AROUND XI MEN DING

When you are done with eating your bowl of Ah Chung Mian Xian, continue your exploration adventure Xi Men Ding. Make sure you travel there light – because you are bound to pick up several items during your retail therapy session.

Nearest Station: Ximen

#3 LUNCH AT TANKQ CAFE & BAR

Everyone goes to TankQ Cafe & Bar for their signature Breakfast Set (NT$320) which was served in a rustic wooden suitcase. Open the luggage and unveil its edible contents – buns, chicken sausages, fries, mashed potato, salad, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and three different sauces. The portion is very filling and the Breakfast Set is recommended for sharing.

No. 3-2, Lane 90, Songjiang Road
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2521 9930
Daily: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Songjiang Nanjing

#4 VISIT CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEMORIAL HALL

The grandeur of historical landmark Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall will leave you in awe. A massive bronze statue of Chiang – protected by military personnel – is house in an octagon-shaped monument house. These armed guards change their shift every hour via a ceremony.

No. 21, Zhongshan S Rd
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Tel: +886 2 2343 1100
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Source: Christopher Penniman

#5 PRAY AT LUNGSHAN TEMPLE OF MANKA

The Lungshan Temple of Manka – founded in 1738 – was set up by the immigrants from Fujian, China during the Qing dynasty. The complex is dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, but it houses many other deities here too. The government proclaimed the temple a historical site of second grade in 1985 and it will be conserved for the future generations.

No. 211, Guangzhou St
Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853
Tel: +886 2 2302 5162
Nearest Station: Longshan Temple

#6 VISIT TAIPEI 101

Standing at 508 metres, Taipei 101 is the tallest skyscraper in Taiwan and almost impossible to miss. A gigantic pendulum is mounted between the 88th and 92nd storeys of the iconic infrastructure, hence allowing it to withstanding earthquakes and typhoons.

Taipei 101, No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd
Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Nearest Station: Taipei 101

#7 CHECK OUT TONG HUA NIGHT MARKET

You have not been to Taipei until you have visited at least one night market. Tong Hua Night Market – also known as Linjiang Night Market – is a must-visit. From Lu Wei, Scallion Pancake, Pig’s Blood to Yan Shu Ji, spend your night here sampling the diverse variety of Taiwanese street snacks (at very economical prices!) and you will definitely be stuffed.

Alley 1, Lane 40, Linjiang St
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Mon to Sat: 6pm – 2am
Sun: 6pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Xinyi Anhe

DAY TWO

#8 VISIT XINGTIAN TEMPLE

Xingtian Temple aka Hsing Tian Kong is a temple devoted to Guangong – who is worshipped as the God of War and patron saint of businessmen. Xingtian Temple is relatively young and was built only in 1967 – its courtyard is usually filled with worshippers.

No. 109, Section 2, Minquan E Rd
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2502 7924
Nearest Station: Xingtian Temple

#9 EAT AT AQUATIC ADDICTION DEVELOPMENT

Addiction Aquatic Development – developed by Mitsui Food and Beverage Enterprise Group – is a modern fish market with numerous concepts. Dine at one of their multiple on-site restaurants, shop for live seafood or purchase fresh sashimi and have an alfresco meal.

No. 18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Rd
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2508 1268
Daily: 6am – 12am
Nearest Station: Xingtian Temple

#10 EXPLORE YONG KANG STREET

The busy Yong Kang Street is a one-stop destination for all travellers. You can easily spend half a day exploring the bustling street and its adjoining alleyways. Fret not if you are travelling in a group with differing palates; Yongkang Street’s vast variety of dining options will definitely cater to the group’s varying preferences.

Yongkang Street, Da’an District
Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Nearest Station: Dongmen

#11 LUNCH AT THE FLAGSHIP DIN TAI FUNG

Singaporeans are no strangers to Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung. After all, we have many outlets on our sunny island. However, if you want to trace back to Din Tai Fung’s humble beginnings, then you do drop by their flagship store located in Yongkang Street’s vicinity.

No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road
Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
Tel: +866 2 2321 8928
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Dongmen

#12 SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL

The construction of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Xinyi District was completed in 1972 and it pays tribute to the founder of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen. Do make it a point to catch the hourly ceremony – where the stoic guards formally change their shifts.

No. 505, Section 4, Ren’ai Rd
Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Tel: +886 2 2758 8008
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

#13 SHOP AT FUJIN STREET

Spanning across 800 metres, the quaint tree-line Fujin Street is an up-and-coming Taiwanese neighbourhood; it boasts an eclectic mix of chic boutiques, hipster cafes and furniture stores. It is also one of Taiwan’s most underrated but trendiest lifestyle destinations, and celebrities are often spotted in this vicinity!

Fujin Street, Songshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

DAY THREE

#14 DINNER AT RAO HE NIGHT MARKET

For an authentic Taiwanese experience, head to Taipei’s oldest night market called Raohe Street Night Market. The bustling bazaar is a stone’s throw away from Songshan MRT Station, hence making it an easily accessible attraction. Vendors usually start setting up their stalls at 5pm, but it is best to drop by around 7pm – where you get to catch the action in full force.

Rao He Street, Songshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2763 5733
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Songshan

#15 BREAKFAST AT CHOOSE ME CAFE & MEALS

Choose Me Cafe & Meals is an independent speciality dessert cafe in Taipei. The cakes here are baked in-house daily and no artificial ingredients are used to create these gourmet masterpieces. Just look at the adorable Totoro Sesame Cheesecake (NT$160) – who could resist that?!

No. 423-1, Jinzhou Street
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2503 3386
Daily: 9am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Zhongshan Junior High School

#16 DAY TRIP TO JIU FEN

If time permits, we strongly encourage you to make a day trip to Jiu Fen. The mountainous attraction is only a 40-minute drive away from Taipei city centre and seriously, it is worth a special trip! Remember to try the Ah Zhu Peanut Ice-cream and Ah Lan Hakka Glutinous Rice Cake.

Source: Guide to Taipei

#17 RELEASE SKY LANTERNS AT SHIFEN

Embark on another 40-minute drive and head to Shifen Old Street. This attraction is renowned for an activity: Releasing sky lanterns. Head to one of the shops along the railway track and they will assist you; write your wishes on a lantern, light it up and watch the colourful lantern fly into the sky.

Source: Hanko 60

#18 DRINK AT HANKO 60

HANKO 60 is a speakeasy bar with a deceiving entrance: A retro movie theatre. But beyond the doors is actually an impressive cocktail bar serving innovative concoctions; expect to see your alcoholic drinks served in a mini bathtub, a popcorn bag and even a Chinese tea cup!

No. 60, Section 2, Hankou St,
Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 108
Tel: +886 2 2381 0808
Sun to Thu: 8pm – 2am
Fri and Sat: 8pm – 3am
Nearest Station: Ximen

DAY FOUR

#19 BRUNCH AT SMITH & HSU

Smith & Hsu is the best place for scones and tea in Taipei. Buttery, warm and lightly glazed on the crust, the scones are served with clotted cream and a spread of your choice. Choose from their homemade jams, marmalades, honey and lemon curd – our favourite spreads are the strawberry jam and lemon curd.

No. 8, Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road
Tel: +886 2 8786 2877
Sun to Thu: 11am – 9.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Taipei City Hall

#20 SHOP FOR SOUVENIRS AT CHIA TE BAKERY

Now that it’s time to go home, we suggest you Drop by Chia Te Bakery for some last minute shopping. Stock your baskets with boxes of Pineapple Cakes aka Feng Li Su – because you will only regret not bringing home more of these baked goodies.

No. 88, Section 5, Nanjing East Road
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 8787 8186
Daily: 7.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin

Taiwan is a favourite holiday destination in Asia for many reasons. Besides indulging in endless amounts of sweet and savoury street snacks, there are also many places of interests to visit.

You can also experience a little more of the Taiwanese culture by taking a trip down to the more rural areas of the country, such as Hualien—known for their beautiful mountainous areas and landscapes.

Whether it’s your first time visiting the land of night markets, or even if you have already been there multiple times, Taiwan will always retain its charm and city life that will leave you wanting more. Here’s a condensed 6D5N itinerary of our trips, where we explored beyond Taipei and the 22 things to see, do and eat in Taiwan.

DAY ONE IN TAICHUNG

#1 GET THE FAMOUS TAIWAN MILK TEA

3.15pm: You’ve seen them sell out rapidly on Singapore’s 7-11 shelves but in Taiwan, these bottles of milk tea are constantly available in vast quantities. The drink comes in various flavours, such as Café Au Lait, Matcha Latte, Sumiyaki and more. The best part? They’re at least two times cheaper than what you’ll find here in Singapore.

Besides that, the convenience stores stock up on amazing amounts of microwaveable food, chips, pastries and more that make for great midnight snack stashes.

#2 VISIT FENGJIA NIGHT MARKET

7.30pm: The experience here was (and always will be) crazy, to say the least. The crowd—especially during dinner hour—was unbelievable. We had to squeeze through the people-packed streets, but the street food such as the huge takoyaki, sweet potato puffs and taro chips made it all worth it. You could easily spend hours walking up and down the street and trying everything!

Fengjia Road, Xitun District
Taichung City 407
Daily: 4pm – 2am

DAY TWO IN HUALIEN

#3 CHECK INTO PAPAYA RIVER B&B

This B&B is tucked away in a serene, quiet spot in Hualien. It doubles up as an alpaca farm and is also home to two dogs and a cat. These domesticated pets are friendly, so you can even pet them if you like!

The host themselves also offer guide services, and they brought us around Hualien while we were there. Plus point: the incredible landscape around the B&B makes for amazing pictures.

No. 176 Guanghua 8th Street
Hualien County 97357
Tel: +888-3-842-1122

DAY THREE IN HUALIEN

#4 FEED THE ALPACAS

9.30am: If you’re staying at the B&B, you can wake up bright and early and request to feed these alpacas—for free! Start your morning right by getting upclose and personal with these fluffy creatures!

#5 STROLL AROUND NATIONAL DONG HWA UNIVERSITY

10.45am: Just a 20-minute ride from The Papaya River B&B, the school is open to the public, and boasts beautiful scenic views that are perfect for pictures.

University Road Section1
Shoufeng Township, 974

#6 TAKE IN THE SCENIC VIEWS AT LIN TIAN SHAN FORESTRY PARK

1pm: You can’t find any mountains in Singapore, but Hualien is littered with them. The forestry park is relatively quiet, and provides you with an opportunity to trek through the trees. Entry is free!

No. 20, Linsen Road, Fenglin Township
Hualien County 975

#7 TREK AROUND LIYU LAKE

2.30pm: This lake is a must-visit when you’re in Hualien. It is quiet, peaceful, and looks over the beautiful mountainside. There’s a footpath that stretches across 2.4km leading you from one end of the lake to the other, and you can either walk that length or rent bikes.

It’s the perfect place to take in the fresh air and take in the nature surrounding you.

Huantan North Road, Shoufeng Township
Hualien County 974

#8 HAVE DINNER AT EAST GATE NIGHT MARKET

7.30pm: This night market is the most popular one in Hualien, simply because it is huge, and even has little game stores for you to try out. Some of the food we tried included cheese omelettes, grilled squid, and even a kebab wrap!

No. 50, Zhongshan Road
Hualien Country 970
Daily: 6pm – 12am

DAY FOUR IN XIMENDING, TAIPEI

#9 TAKE THE TAIWAN METRO

12pm: The Taiwan Metro is a quick and fuss-free way to get around Taipei and beyond! Similar to the trains we have here in Singapore, their cabins are also clean!

#10 VISIT SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL

1.30pm: What is a trip to Taiwan without making a pit stop at the iconic Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall? Paying tribute to Dr Sun Yat-sen, who is affectionately named as China’s founding father, this is where you can learn more about his revolutionary career.

No. 505, Section 4
Ren’ai Road, Xinyi District
Taipei City, Taiwan
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

#11 SOAK IN A HOT SPRING AT BEI TOU

3pm: Relax your muscles and enjoy a thermal hot spring bath at Bei Tou, a popular tourist destination in Taipei. Just a stone’s throw away from Xinbeitou station, the area has a mix of both public and private baths featuring mineral-rich water. Do note that it is recommended for you to book the private baths before heading over.

Nearest Station: Xinbeitou

#12 SHOP AT XIMENDING

6.30pm: With your bellies filled, you can now shop around the vast shopping district that is Ximending. If you’re a shoe-lover, you’re in luck—the area is home to a myriad of shoe stores like Nike, Adidas, and ABC Mart (this is a multi-label store with tons of amazing shoes). Besides that, there are tons of more souvenir shops selling Taiwanese snacks that you can bring home.

108, Taipei City
Nearest Station: Ximending

DAY FIVE IN TAIPEI

#13 TAKE A WALK AT DA’AN PARK

11am: Just a 15-minute ride from Ximending Station on the metro line, Da’an Park is apparently one of the ‘richer’ parts of Taiwan, but the scenery is no less beautiful. It is located right outside Da’an Park metro station. You can even have a morning run along the park!

Section 3, Xinyi Road, Da’an District
Taipei City 106
Nearest Station: Da’an Station

#14 GO SHOPPING AT ZHONGXIAO DUNHUA SHOPPING AREA

3pm: This is the Southern region of Taipei—within walking distance from Da’an Park—and is arguably the ‘hipster-haven’ of Taipei which is popular among Taiwanese youths.

You’ll find a huge range of stores with different styles to shop from. Look out for a huge Forever 21 outlet located right outside the train station.

Section 4, Zhongxiao E. Road, Da’an District
Taipei City 106
Daily: 11am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Zhongxiao Dunhua Station

#15 VISIT TAIPEI 101

7pm: A must-do for all Taiwan first-timers. But if you don’t fancy paying extravagant prices to go up the tower, try hanging around the vicinity around the building instead. It is equally as beautiful.

Xinyi District, Taipei City 110
Nearest Station: Taipei 101 Station

DAY SIX IN TAIPEI

#16 HAVE BREAKFAST AT AH CHUNG MIAN XIAN

10am: The store along Ximending is often populated with people standing around and eating their piping hot bowls of mian xian—which are thin flour noodles cooked in rich broth and topped off with pig intestines.

No. 8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Sat to Sun: 10.30am – 11pm
Tel: +886-2-2388-8808
Nearest Station: Ximending

#17 BUY PINEAPPLE TARTS AT CHIA TE

3pm: Honestly, no Taiwan trip is complete without buying back some tasty treats from Chia Te. The only outlet in Taiwan is located in Nanjing where snaking queues outside the storefront is a common sight.

Be prepared to queue for about 20-30 minutes but fret not, for the wait will be worth it as their biscuits and pastries taste amazing. If you’re not sure what to get, try their Sun Cakes, Milk Cakes, and Pineapple Tarts.

No. 88, Section 5, Nanjing E Road, Songshan District
Taipei City 105
Daily: 8am – 9.30pm
Tel: +886-2-8787-8186
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin

#18 FEAST AT RAO HE NIGHT MARKET

6pm: This night market might just be one of the better ones in Taiwan, offering a huge selection of different kinds of food such as fried squid, baked cheese potatoes, and the famous Fuzhou Pepper Buns.

Roahe Street, Songshan District
Taipei City 105
Daily: 4pm – 12am
Tel: +886-2-2763-5733
Nearest Station: Songshan

DAY SIX IN TAIPEI

#19 TAKE A DAY TRIP TO JIUFEN

9am: Bus services up to Jiufen are available from Taipei. You can either book a private bus, or go on a public one (which is cheaper). The ride takes about 3 hours.

Jiufen 224, Ruifang District, Taipei City

#20 TRY THE FAMOUS A-ZHU PEANUT ICE CREAM ROLLS

You’ve probably heard of these peanut ice cream rolls. After all, they’ve been flooding Instagram feeds for a long time now. These ice cream rolls are made of taro ice cream, topped with peanut shavings and wrapped in spring roll skin.

No. 45, Jishan Street, Ruifang District

#21 SNACK ON LAI AH PO YU YUAN

These are traditional handmade taro, sweet potato and green tea balls mixed with sweet soup, and can be eaten hot or cold. They cost just NT$40 (S$1.72) per bowl!

No. 143, Jishan Street, Ruifang District

#22 SPEND YOUR LOOSE CHANGE ON GRAB-CLAW MACHINES

Ximending has stores that house many different grab-claw machines, and they’re relatively easy to win too! If you have any extra loose change before you head home, you can try your luck at these machines and see whether you can bring home any adorable plushies or toys.

In fact, you’re likely to find shops dedicated to grab-claw machines at literally all the night markets scattered around the city.

As one of the top travel destinations in Southeast Asia, modern Taipei is known for boasting marvellous sights and if you are one who appreciates the dazzling city lights, then a panoramic view of the city’s skyline is a must.

While the general consensus for the best photo taking spot is at the viewing gallery of the majestic Taipei 101, those who are not keen on squeezing with the tourists may want to opt for a hike up Taipei’s Elephant Mountain instead. Its close proximity to the city makes this a popular hiking place among both locals and travellers who wish to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city without having to travel far.

A spectacular view awaits at the top—whether you choose to visit in the day or night—and there are many opportunities for you to take pictures again the sunset and the iconic Taipei 101 which lights up at night.

If you are looking for a free family-friendly activity to burn off all the calories from the delicious Taipei street food, include Taipei Elephant Mountain in your itinerary!

Photo Credit: Daily Improvisations

WHAT TO EXPECT AT TAIPEI ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN TRAIL

For someone of reasonable fitness, the average time taken to hike up Elephant Mountain will take about 20 minutes. The entire trail is made up of small steps with railings mounted at the side which makes it easy for both kids and adults to hike up the trail.

Standing at 600 feet, the entire trail is about 1.5km long and there are several lookouts for you to take outstanding photos. If you have the time to spare, avoid weekends as the place is populated with both professional and amateur photographers.

Photo Credit: Mandarin Oriental

PHOTOGENIC SPOTS ON ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN

There are three viewing platforms on the mountain but the best views are found at the second lookout point where you get an unobstructed view of the city. If you are serious about getting that Instagram picture of the year, climb atop the gigantic boulders which bring you on a higher platform so the crowd wouldn’t be in your picture.

Photo Credit: Jirka Matousek

HOW TO GET TO ELEPHANT MOUNTAIN TRAIL

Hop onboard the MRT and head to Xiangshan station on the Red Line. Walk out of Exit 2 from the MRT station and follow the signs outside that will lead you to Zhongqiang Park. Continue following the signs towards Elephant Mountain and it will take you about 10 minutes to reach the foot of the trail.

Need more recommendations on where to go in Taipei? Here are some suggestions!

The capital of Taiwan is a short flight away from Singapore and the one-way journey takes only 4 hours and 40 minutes. Taipei might not be as geographically near as its neighbours i.e. Bangkok and Hong Kong, but the Asian city’s cultural attractions are worth a special trip.

From eating fresh seafood from Addiction Aquatic Development, marvelling at award-winning National Palace Museum’s vast collection of artefacts to visiting the grand Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, here are 10 Touristy But Interesting Taipei Attractions That You Should Visit.

#1 ADDICTION AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT

Developed by Mitsui Food and Beverage Enterprise Group, Addiction Aquatic Development is a modern fish market with multiple concepts under its roof. Over here, you can shop for live seafood, purchase fresh sashimi and dine at one of their multiple on-site restaurants.

No. 18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Rd
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2508 1268
Daily: 6am – 12am
Nearest Station: Xingtian Temple

#2 CHIANG KAI-SHEK MEMORIAL HALL

The grandeur of historical landmark Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall will leave you in awe. The octagon-shaped monument houses a massive bronze statue of Chiang and it is protected by military personnel. These armed guards change their shift every hour via a ceremony.

No. 21, Zhongshan S Rd
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Tel: +886 2 2343 1100
Daily: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

Source: Catherine Lee 234

#3 HUASHAN 1914 CREATIVE PARK

Huashan 1914 Creative Park was once a deteriorated factory, but has since then been revamped into a multi-purpose recreational park. Its revamp has drawn many local artists and many exhibitions, events, installations and performances are held here throughout the year.

No. 1, Section 1, Bade Road
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Tel: +886 2 2358 1914
Daily: 24 hours
Nearest Station: Zhongxiao Xinsheng

#4 LUNGSHAN TEMPLE OF MANKA

Founded in 1738, the Lungshan Temple of Manka was set up by the immigrants from Fujian, China during the Qing dynasty. The site is dedicated to the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy but you will notice many other deities here too. The government proclaimed the temple a historical site of second grade in 1985 and it will be preserved for future generations.

No. 211, Guangzhou St
Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10853
Tel: +886 2 2302 5162
Nearest Station: Longshan Temple

Source: Travel Taipei

#5 NATIONAL PALACE MUSEUM

Taiwan’s National Palace Museum boasts a permanent collection of approximately 700,000 artefacts and artworks – yes, it has more ancient antiques than Beijing’s Forbidden City! A must-visit for those who have a keen interest in Chinese culture and history.

No. 221, Section 2, Zhishan Rd
Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Tel: +886 2 2881 2021
Mon to Thu: 8.30am – 6.30pm
Fri and Sat: 8.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Shilin

Source: Travel Weekly

#6 NATIONAL TAIWAN MUSEUM

The National Taiwan Museum is the oldest museum in Taiwan; it has been around for more than a century. The museum was constructed during the Japanese colonial era and remains in its original site. It is designed by Japanese architects Ichiro Nomura and Eiichi Araki.

No. 2, Xiangyang Rd
Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, Taiwan 100
Tel: +886 2 2382 2566
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 9.30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Ntu Hospital

#7 RAOHE STREET NIGHT MARKET

Raohe Street Night Market is one of Taiwan’s oldest night markets and the 600-metre street is lined up with a vast number of vendors. There are so many hawkers that you will be absolutely spoilt for choice. Food aside, visitors can also expect old-school game stalls and hip fashion apparels.

Raohe St
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2763 5733
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Songshan

#8 SHILIN NIGHT MARKET

Shilin Night Market is one of Taiwan’s most famous night markets. Foodies can dig into a plethora of Taiwanese snacks such as deep-fried chicken cutlets, bubble milk tea and oyster omelette, while shoppers can put their bargaining skills to test at the various retail shops.

Lane 101, Wenlin Rd
Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Mon: 4.30pm – 12am
Tue to Sun: 12am – 12pm, 4.30pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Jiantan / Shilin

#9 SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL

The construction of Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall in Xinyi District was completed in 1972 and it pays tribute to the founder of the Republic of China, Dr. Sun Yat-sen. The hourly ceremony – where the stoic guards formally change their shifts – itself is a popular tourist attraction.

No. 505, Section 4, Ren’ai Rd
Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Tel: +886 2 2758 8008
Daily: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

#10 TAIPEI 101

Taipei 101 is the most iconic landmark in Taiwan’s skyline. Standing at 508 metres, the tower is almost impossible to miss. The infrastructure is exceptionally sturdy; a gigantic pendulum is mounted between the 88th and 92nd storeys, hence allowing it to withstanding both earthquakes and typhoons. Fun fact: It was the world’s tallest green building until 2011.

Taipei 101, No. 7, Section 5, Xinyi Rd
Xinyi District, Taipei City, Taiwan 110
Nearest Station: Taipei 101

Read our guide on 25 reasons why we love Taipei.

For an authentic Taiwanese experience, head over to Taipei’s oldest night bazaar – Raohe Street Night Market. The bustling market is a stone’s throw away from Songshan MRT Station, hence making it an easily accessible attraction. Vendors will start setting up their stalls at 5pm, but the best time to drop by is around 7pm – where you get to catch the action in full force.

A trip to a night market in Taiwan might be daunting (especially for those who can neither read nor speak traditional Mandarin). Fortunately, our bilingualism has allowed us to compile a useful guide to Raohe Street Night Market. From queuing up for hu jiao bing, eating Chinese sausages to playing old-school games, here are 15 tips on what to eat and what to do at Raohe Street Night Market!

WHAT TO EAT AT RAOHE STREET NIGHT MARKET

Caution: Raohe Street Night Market’s sheer number of food stalls will have you spoilt rotten. We suggest you walk around before diving straight for the first shop that captures your fancy. Many shops sell the same delicacies and most of these vendors do not have English menus.

#1 Baked Pastries

Without a doubt, Raohe Street Night Market sells predominantly Taiwanese and other Asian delicacies. But that’s not all. You can also expect some Western-inspired dishes such as freshly baked French treats. How about some blueberry cheese tarts for those with sweet tooth?

#2 Black Pepper Buns

Upon arrival, you will see a long queue formed outside Raohe Street Night Market’s main entrance. Everyone is queuing up at the market’s most famous stall and it is selling only one item: Black Pepper Bun aka Hu Jiao Bing. These piping hot buns – prepared and cooked in front of you – are stuffed with a peppery minced meat and vegetable stuffing.

#3 Beef Cubes

There are numerous shops selling Torched Beef Cubes at Raohe Street Night Market. The succulent bite-size beef chunks are cooked fresh-to-order and you can complement these tasty flesh with various toppings. We asked for a recommendation and were recommended rose salt.

#4 Beef Noodles

The Beef Noodle is a classic Taiwanese delicacy and every street in Taipei sells this aromatic dish. What you can expect: Tender beef slices served in a rich savoury broth alongside thick bouncy noodles. A bowl of Beef Noodles at Raohe Street Night Market only costs NT$90 / S$4.

#5 Chinese Sausages

The Taiwanese natives’ take on Chinese sausages are also known as Xiang Chang. These chunky, fat and juicy sausages have a distinct sweet aftertaste due to the generous amount of sugar used in its preparation. They are commonly seen in night markets and sold on skewers.

#6 Freshly Squeezed Juices

Take a stroll around Raohe Street Night Market and you will come across several vendors selling freshly squeezed juices. From pink guava to watermelon, these nutritious chilled juices are great thirst quenchers.

#7 Fried Chicken Steak

Fried Chicken Steak otherwise known as Ji Pa is a crowdpleaser and the snaking queue around it is a testimony to its popularity. Interestingly, we walked around the entire Raohe Street Night Market and saw only one stall selling these deep-fried poultry cutlets dusted with chilli powder.

#8 Grilled Squid

There are quite a handful of shops selling gigantic grilled squid. These fresh seafood are cooked on the griller till its outsides achieve a golden brown hue. Seafood lovers must not miss out on these chewy calamaris! Choose from either the flattened or unflattened squid.

#9 Lu Wei

The concept of Lu Wei is pretty similar to our Yong Tau Foo i.e. pick whatever ingredients you fancy from the cart and place them in your assigned container. The food will then be chopped up and cooked in a savoury broth. Some stalls will fry or grill your desired ingredients instead.

#10 Pork Rib Soup

Raohe Street Night Market’s Pork Rib Soup is almost equivalent to Singapore’s Bak Ku Teh. The key difference between these two is that the Taiwanese’s interpretation uses a lot more herbs, whereas the Singaporean version focuses on its peppery stock.

WHAT TO DO AT RAOHE STREET NIGHT MARKET

Surprise, surprise! There is a lot more to do at Raohe Street Night Market than just eating. The carnival spirit is alive and you can partake in a series of traditional games such as mahjong, fishing and even pinball. There are even a few fortune telling booths. Sounds like fun huh?

#11 Shopping

Trendy retail stores line the two ends of Raohe Street Night Market. You can look forward to chic clothing, fashionable accessories, cutesy gadgets, stylish menswear and more. These items are surprisingly very affordable and you will probably spend a good some time shopping.

#12 Recreational Fishing

The number of activities at Raohe Street Night Market really surprised us to no end. You can even relive your childhood memories and recreational fish for fishes. Those with little ones will definitely enjoy this leisure activity.

#13 Shooting Balloons

Have a penchant for shooting? Well, put your aiming skills to test and have a go at the shooting games. Those who have ‘shot’ down enough balloons with the pellet guns will be rewarded with plush toys.

#14 Traditional Pinball

Things are indeed kept simple at Taipei’s oldest street night market. You can play a game or two of retro pinball – operated by a marbles and steel pins. The older generation will find these games immensely nostalgic.

#15 UFO Catchers

Most of us have a love-hate relationship with the UFO Catchers. These machines are extremely common in Raohe Street Night Market and each machine contains a diverse selection of prizes. There are keychains, soft toys and even mobile accessories. The odds are mostly against you, but we do see people successfully catching some prizes.

Raohe Street Night Market
Rao He Street, Songshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2763 5733
Daily: 5pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Songshan

Read: 25 Reasons Why We Love Taipei.

As its name implies, BRICK Works Café – located in Taipei Arena – is a Lego-themed café. The interesting concept features a spacious dining area and an onsite Lego toy store. We made a special visit to BRICK Works Café and confirmed that it is indeed an ideal playground for Lego fans.

There are plenty of Lego bricks displayed here. You can either admire the splendid exhibits or give into temptation and purchase some. Done with shopping? Now, you can sink your teeth into instagram-worthy food modelled after your favourite childhood toy whilst watching The Lego Movie.

Sit on Lego-inspired furniture, hug a Lego-figurine cushion, eat Lego-themed dishes and watch The Lego Movie while being surrounded by all things Lego. Yeah, it might sound a little over the top… But Lego lovers will be truly ecstatic with this fun-filled experience! Who said adults can’t have fun?

Maximise your trip here and customise a mini Lego figurine at NT$100 each. This hands-on opportunity allows you to unleash your creative potential and expand your Lego collection. From Disney Pixar Mini Figures to Nano Blocks, you can easily lose yourself in BRICK Work’s sheer number of Lego products.

Wrap up your trip with BRICK Works Cafe’s Lego Waffle (NT$180). The decadent baked treat – crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside – was served with sugar cereal, whipped cream, colourful rice, chocolate sauce and a scoop of mango ice cream on the side.

Even if you are not a Lego fan, we are certain that your kids will love this place.

BRICK Works Taipei
No. 2, Section 4, Nanjing East Road
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: 02-25789253
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Taipei Arena

For more recommendations, read our guide to 10 Best Themed Cafes & Restaurants in Taipei.

Everyone has had their fair share of fancy afternoon teas on a three-tier cake stand, but have you had brunch from a suitcase? This dining concept is complete new to us too and if you are interested – it is available right in the heart of Taipei city centre.

It is a signature dish at TankQ Cafe & Bar, where avid travellers can take their incurable wanderlust to a whole new epic level.

We arrived TankQ Cafe & Bar before its official opening time – and there was already a queue formed outside.

We heard about the local eatery from our Airbnb host and she described it as ‘the place where you could eat from a luggage’. There were no online english reviews and no english menu to refer to – and that was when we knew we had found a locals-only dining gem.

Everything on the menu is prepared freshly upon order, hence TankQ Cafe & Bar has stated that a minimum waiting time of half an hour is required before your food is ready.

Indeed, we waited at least 40 minutes before our food and drinks were served. Due to its overwhelming popularity, there is a maximum allocated dining duration of two hours for each table.

The Hot Latte (NT$150) and Hot Mocha (NT$160) took us by surprise as they were served in the cutest Baymax and Spiderman mugs. Each hot beverage is complemented with a chocolate brownie, gummy bear, aeroplane savoury biscuit and colourful sugar cereals.

We ordered their popular Breakfast Set (NT$320) which was served in a closed rustic wooden suitcase. Open the luggage and unveil its edible contents – buns, chicken sausages, fries, mashed potato, salad, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and three different sauces. The portion is incredibly filling and the Breakfast Set is recommended for sharing between two diners.

TankQ Cafe & Bar
No. 3-2, Lane 90, Songjiang Road
Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
Tel: +886 2 2521 9930
Daily: 11.30am – 12am
Nearest Station: Songjiang Nanjing

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves travelling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all-time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Taipei might just be one of the most underrated cities to visit. It doesn’t matter whether you are a foodie, a shopper, or if you simply enjoy marvelling at the wonders of nature – Taipei will have you covered.

So many street snacks to love, so many night markets to roam at, so many more karaoke sessions that we need, so many cultural centres to visit. Taipei is one destination in Asia you must visit.

Here are 25 Reasons To Love Taipei.

#1 THE CITYSCAPE AND ITS ORGANISED MESS

You’ve longed to see iconic skylines in cities like Paris and New York, but Taiwan’s scenic cityscape also holds its own charm. Signboards are everywhere, mostly with Chinese characters that we can’t read – but this mess is precisely what we appreciate.

#2 TAIWAN MILK TEA

Taiwan is home to many good milk teas. They come in bottles of all sizes and patterns, and can be easily found at all the convenience stores. Just pick one up at random and chances are it won’t disappoint.

#3 STEAMED DUMPLINGS

Taiwan might not be the origin of dumplings, but you will be able to find tons of these all over the streets. A plate of piping hot steamed dumplings are what we yearn for the most when we visit in the cold December.

#4 THE EFFICIENT METRO SYSTEM

Getting around the country is easy, especially when their metro system is clean, organised and very efficient. And inexpensive, of course.

#5 THE SHEER NUMBER OF NIGHT MARKETS

This goes without saying. Taiwan’s sheer number of night markets means every night will be occupied and fulfilling. We love roaming these markets and hunting for the best street hawkers and snack stalls.

#6 DIN TAI FUNG

Taiwan is, after all, the birthplace of the world-famous Din Tai Fung. Take things up a notch by visiting the brand’s very first outlet in Xinyi road.

#7 THE ARRAY OF CONVENIENCE STORES AT THE READY

Sounds silly, but if you’ve stepped in to one at Taiwan, you would realize how much it eases your life! Apart from the usual routines like picking up a snack or a drink, you can pay your utility bills, buy movie tickets, use the ATM, have your blood pressure measured, print documents and so much more – all within one convenience store.

Read more about the 12 Things That Make Taiwanese Convenience Stores So Awesome.

#8 YONG KANG STREET – A DINING DESTINATION IN TAIPEI

Yong Kang Street is a dining destination in Taipei. Whether its cheap and delicious Taiwanese snacks like ‘cong zhua bing’, shaved ice mountain or beef noodles; nice and chic cafes where you can get a cup of good coffee and desserts; or niche boutiques selling lifestyle products – there are plenty of options at Yong Kang Street. You can easily spend a day wandering in the alleys.

#9 TAIPEI 101 TOWER

When in Taipei, the Taipei 101 Tower is a must-see. The magnificent giant houses offices and many retail shops. Going up the tower will allow you to get an aerial view of the entire city too.

#10 CHIA TE’S SUNCAKCES AND PINEAPPLE TARTS

Chia Te makes some of the best Taiwanese pastries, and the queues outside their stores – comprising both locals and tourists – is proof of that statement.

#11 THE BEAUTIFUL STREETS OF JIUFEN

Jiufen retains an old-world charm; think bright red lanterns and cobbled pavement. The narrow, snaking streets are made up of souvenir and snack stalls. Jiufen is also a popular filming spot for Taiwanese TV programmes!

Read about the 7 Must-try Local Food at Taiwan’s Jiufen Old Street.

#12 PETS ARE PART OF BOUTIQUES

It is not every day that you get to play with Toy Poodles while shopping for your clothes in a local boutique. Taiwanese sure love their pets and they bring them along to work!

#13 FUJIN STREET – THE OTHER YONGKANG STREET

This is the other Yongkang Street you never knew about.

Primarily a residential area, Fujin Street is an upcoming area in Taipei that is littered with coffee shops and lifestyle boutiques. It is still pretty untouched by tourism, and the quaintness is exactly what we appreciate.

Read our guide on What To See & What To Eat at Fujin Street.

#14 SMITH & HSU TEA & SCONE SALON

For us, no trip to Taipei s complete without visiting the renown tea salon. They serve some of the best scones we’ve ever tasted, along with a myriad of fragrant tea flavours to choose from.

#15 XIMENDING

Ximending is probably the most bustling area in Taipei. This is where youngsters head to for some shopping fix and food. While the retail aspect is pretty acquired, we love Ximending for its food options.

#16 ALPACAS

Alpaca Cafe is real, and Oia Cafe is where you need to be at.

Oia Cafe is home to a few alpacas and they roam around freely in the cafe. Play with these adorable white creatures and feed them with carrots or food that are approved by the cafe’s owner—this is also the best way to get the alpacas to take a selfie with you.

#17 THE ENDLESS STREET FOOD

Fried squid, fried XXL chicken, sweet potato balls, taro chips, Taiwanese hot dogs, pork buns, milk tea, bittergourd juice… and the list goes on and on. Taipei is not for those who are on slimming diets.

And we say just eat to your heart’s content. The myriad of street food options is simply mind-boggling!

#18 ADDICTION AQUATIC DEVELOPMENT

Addiction Aquatic Development is a massive space that houses fresh seafood and aquamarine products, a large Japanese-style supermarket, and many themed restaurants and food kiosks under one roof.

It stands head and shoulders above other famous seafood markets in the world such as Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, Seoul’s Noryangjin Fish Market, Sydney’s Fish Market, and Perth’s Fremantle Market.

Watch our video of Addiction Aquatic Development on our Facebook page.

#19 KARAOKE SESSIONS

Because karaoke sessions are the best in Taipei. Holding personal concerts are what we do best, especially when the karaoke systems and rooms in Taipei are so impressive.

The song list is unbeatable too, for after all, Taipei is home to Mando-pop.

#20 AY-CHUNG MEE SUA

Yes, it is touristy. And yes, there are better mee sua in Taipei. But you know what? We still go to Ay-Chung Mee Sua every time we are in Taipei. It always hits the spot.

#21 THE PHOTOGENIC CITY STREETS

Let’s face it—Taipei has clean streets and you like your nice OOTD shots taken against the iconic background of motorcycles and yellow taxis, yes?

#22 DUNHUA SHOPPING AREA

This district in Taipei is home to a huge amount of stores selling new-age clothing. It is where the shoppers should know about.

#23 THE NEVER-ENDING AMOUNT OF SHOE STORES

Taiwanese seem to be really into the sports-luxe trend. Bagging home a pair of sneakers or two is easy peasy with the sheer number of options availabile—New Balance, Nike, Adidas, Ked’s and more.

#24 SUN YAT-SEN MEMORIAL HALL

It is almost like a ritual for all first-timers to Taipei—a visit to Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, who was the National Father to The Republic of China. It is a multi-purpose centre to learn more about Dr Sun’s contribution and his life.

The main entrance to the hall also contains a statue of Dr Sun Yat-sen. The renown guards-changing ceremony takes place hourly at the memorial hall’s entrance too.

#25 TRAIN RIDES ACROSS THE COUNTRY

You can take train rides to get from the city to more rural areas like Hualien. The trains are very comfortable, making the ride so much more painless. The trains will go past forests and mountains and rivers, and we love admiring those scenic landscapes along the way.

FOR MORE RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHERE TO GO, READ OUR TAIPEI’S FOOD AND TRAVEL GUIDES.

The quaint tree-lined Fujin Street is one of Taipei’s best-kept secrets. Spanning across 800 metres, this up-and-coming Taiwanese neighbourhood boasts an eclectic mix of chic boutiques, hipster cafes and furniture stores. It is also one of Taiwan’s most underrated but trendiest lifestyle destinations, and celebrities are often spotted in this vicinity!

Fujin Street is equivalent to Singapore’s hipster neighbourhoods Tiong Bahru and Haji Lane. The shops that line Fujin Street are tastefully designed and exude a mesmerising rustic charm; think brick walls, concrete floors and potted plants. The façade of these retail stores make a perfect backdrop for your OOTD and we felt like we were browsing through Pinterest—but in real life.

From boutique florist Botanica, Fujin Tree 353 Cafe by Simple Kaffa, Restaurant Pinecone to fashion apparel store BEAMS, here is our Guide to Taipei’s Fujin Street and the 15 Cafes and Shops To Check Out.

#1 BEAMS

You might know BEAMS—a fashion apparel store selling both womenswear and menswear—from Japan.

Trendy finds and eclectic designs are part of the norm at BEAMS, and Fashionistas should definitely make a stop here to check out what BEAMS has to offer.

No. 340, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 8.30pm
Sat and Sun: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#2 BEANS AND BEATS

Taiwanese hip-hop music label Kao! Inc shares the same space as Beans and Beats.

The former was created first, but its soaring popularity has since then encouraged its owner to start serving coffee and food to its customers. Today, Beans and Beats is a 2-in-1 concept coffeehouse.

No. 346, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2765 5533
Mon to Fri: 11am – 7pm
Sat and Sun: 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#3 BOTANICA

Botanica is such a beautiful boutique florist that you wouldn’t be able to walk past it without doing a double take. From mini bouquets to stalks of roses, the head-turner sells a variety of flowers that will brighten up any girl’s day.

No. 470, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 749 1533
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin

#4 CAFE MODE

Cafe Mode was established in 2013 and the spacious cafe has a unique theme: Wooden rocking horse.

The cafe has an open kitchen where you can catch all the preparation in action. Treat yourselves to Mont Blanc Chestnut Tart (NTS$150) or Chocolate Waffle with Fresh Banana (NTS$180).

No. 376, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2748 6333
Daily: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#5 DE’A

At first glance, de’A resembles a modern furniture store. But set foot inside and you will soon realise that it is in fact a Zakka store which sells bags, watches and more.

For the uninitiated, Zakka is a Japanese terminology which refers to absolutely everything and almost anything that seeks to improve your life and the aesthetics revolving around it.

No. 348, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10588
Tel: +886 2 2747 7276
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#6 FUJIN TREE 352

Fujin Tree 352 is a furniture shop brought to you by the Fujin Tree Group. Actually, many shops here are operated by the same group and you can pretty much attribute the street’s gradual gentrification movement to Fujin Tree Group.The pretty space is extremely

The pretty space is extremely Instagram-worthy and all design enthusiasts should drop by for some creative inspiration.

No. 352, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 10583
Tel: +886 2 2767 5196
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 8.30pm
Sat and Sun: 11.30am – 8.30pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#7 FUJIN TREE 353 CAFE BY SIMPLE KAFFA

As its name suggests, Fujin Tree 353 Cafe by Simple Kaffa is yet another successful business venture by the Fujin Tree Group. This cafe is definitely the most popular one in the Fujin vicinity.

Coffee is serious business here and you can choose your beans from Brazil, Ethiopia, Kenya or Indonesia. Craft beers and Asian-inspired cafe nosh are available too. And occasional pastries include Swiss rolls and matcha cakes.

353, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2749 5225
Daily: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#8 FUN FUN TOWN

Turn into one of Fujin Street’s alleyways and you will chance upon Fun Fun Town. The multi-concept venue has a lot of stuff going on; expect a curated collection of mini potted plants, indie-looking postcards, traditional handicrafts and even imported artpieces.

No. 2, Alley 1, Lane 359, Fujin St
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2766 5916
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays
Wed to Sun: 1pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#9 HAVE A NICE

If oriental intricate handicrafts excites you, then Have A Nice will be your ultimate paradise. The shop—also a brainchild of the Fujin Tree Group—promotes numerous independent Japanese boutique brands and showcases their very limited stocks. The venue is also a popular space for private events.

The shop—also a brainchild of the Fujin Tree Group—promotes numerous independent Japanese boutique brands and showcases their very limited stocks. The venue is also a popular space for private events.

No. 479, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2760 0709
Daily: 12pm – 7pm
Nearest Station: Nanjing Sanmin

#10 KYUSHU PANCAKE CAFE

Kyushu Pancake Cafe’s pancakes sell out like hotcakes. The popular chain originates from Japan and you can sample their original Kyushu Pancake Plain (NTS$180) or opt for something savoury, such as the Kyushu Pancake Egg Benedict (NTS$290).

No. 413, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2749 5253
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat and Sun: 9.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport / Nanjing Sanmin

#11 PAUSA

Pausa is a minimalistic cafe that specialises in coffee and confectionery. Order a Cappucino (NTS$150) and complete your tea break with a Matcha Red Bean Roll (NTS$150) or Matcha Waffle with Ice Cream (NTS$250).

No. 344, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 27657996
Daily: 12pm – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#12 PETIT PROVENCE

Petit Provence resembles a facade of a quaint French country cottage; it is every bit photogenic.

From candles, ceramics, scents to tableware, it is a retail store with a comprehensive variety of home decor items that are imported from Italy and Southern France.

No. 447, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 27681618
Mon to Sat: 10.30am – 7pm
Closed on Sundays
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport / Nanjing Sanmin

Petit Provence

#13 PERFIT

Find the perfect fit at sporting goods shop Perfit. The tastefully designed store boasts rows of backpacks, running shoes and even a yoga studio.

We totally dig the entire set up and their shelves of sports apparels!

No. 393, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2767 1266
Daily: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport

#14 POPOVER

Popover is Fujin Street’s newest addition, and the modern-looking dessert shop’s primary focus is on handcrafted sweet treats. Look forward to lemon curd choux pastries, fork-shaped baked pastries and whatnot.

No. 446, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2761 2298
Closed on Mondays
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport / Nanjing Sanmin

#15 RESTAURANT PINECONE

Restaurant Pinecone is an Italian restaurant—probably the only one on that street—and props to the trattoria for such a gorgeous and rustic-looking interior and exterior!

The menu features handmade pastas, gourmet risottos and several other classic Italian delicacies.

No. 449, Fujin Street
Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Tel: +886 2 2765 0386
Mon to Fri: 11am – 9pm
Sat and Sun: 10.30am – 9.30pm
Nearest Station: Songshan Airport / Nanjing Sanmin

For more recommendations, read our Taipei food & travel guides here.

Think Taipei is all about Taipei 101 and Shilin Night Market? Not really. Addiction Aquatic Development is the place to visit when in Taipei.

Addiction Aquatic Development is a massive space that houses fresh seafood and aquamarine products, a large Japanese-style supermarket, and many themed restaurants and food kiosks under one roof. It is developed by Mitsui food and beverage enterprise group, who also owns several established Japanese restaurants in Taipei, including Mitsui - our favourite Japanese restaurant in the city.

Sitting near the Songshan Airport, and what used to be the old Taipei Fish Market, it is now an upscale and classy market with Addiction Aquatic Development. It stands head and shoulders above other famous seafood markets in the world such as Tokyo’s Tsukiji Fish Market, Seoul’s Noryangjin Fish Market, Sydney’s Fish Market, and Perth’s Fremantle Market.

LIVE AQUAMARINE PRODUCTS

At the main entrance, you will be received by the Live Aquamarine area.

The idea is to remove the middleman and to deal directly with consumers. With this, Addiction Aquatic Development is able to pass on the savings through providing reasonably priced live seafood from all over the world.

Expect a spread of fresh oysters, king crabs, lobsters, abalone, uni, scallops and more.

SEAFOOD BAR

The Seafood Bar at Addiction Aquatic Development offers an array of fresh seafood. You can eat to your heart’s content here.

MEAT, GROCERIES AND FLOWER MARKET

Apart from seafood, you can also get imported and local fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. The sheer variety is crazy, and if we were living in Taipei, we know we would be doing our grocery shopping here every week!

Pasta, noodles and grains. Beef, pork and chicken. Oranges, berries and melons.

Salt, sugar and pepper. Butter, cheese and cream. Juice, milk and tea. Anything that you might need in the kitchen; anything at all.

It is one trip to the grocer you’d be happy to take. The choice are aplenty, and any culinary fanatic will have a whale of a time with these groceries!

SUSHI BAR

Our first thought upon seeing the tanks of fish was sushi. So you think Tsukiji Market is the only legit place for fresh nigiri sushi? Addiction Aquatic Development is another!

Beautiful sliced fishes in all sorts of colours sit atop vinegared rice, all prepared fresh before your eyes and awaits at the sushi bar. There are sashimi options too.

SUSHI & SASHIMI TO GO

Well, you can have both the sashimi and sushi to go, too. We bought a box and took it outdoors where the morning air was dewy and fresh, and you bet our breakfast was more than wonderful.

COOKED FOOD DELI

You have your bento sets here, alongside several other mains of the day. This counter boasts a wide selection of cooked food for takeaway, and it is so convenient because you just pick whatever you like, then head out to the large outdoor dining area to enjoy your hot food.

Best suggestion: buy something from the cooked food deli, buy a box of sushi and/or sashimi, grab some drinks from the grocer, then have a communal party at the outdoor dining area with your companions. Everyone gets to eat a bit of everything!

HOTPOT DINING AREA

If raw fish ain’t your thing, there is a hotpot option as well. Think huge pots of seafood goodness, with everything coming fresh from the sea. Expect nothing short of a soup so sweet that bears the essence of the freshness from all the seafood.

A seafood pot starts from NT$980.

OUTDOOR CHARCOAL GRILLED SEAFOOD RESTAURANT

This is one fond experience we would always remember of Addiction Aquatic Development. We had such an amazing meal at the outdoor restaurant where we sat under fairy lights and dined with the best company.

It is simple – you just order whatever you want from grill stalls, and your seafood will be grilled to order and served hot. Those big pots you see are actually charcoal-lit, where your seafood will sit and be kept warm.

That sheer simplicity of fresh, flavourful seafood, complete with red wine and a touch of winter breeze. It is one quintessential meal when at Addiction Aquatic Development.

Addiction Aquatic Development
No. 18, Alley 2, Ln 410, Minzu E Rd
Tel: (02) 2508 1268
Daily: 6am – 12midnight
Nearest Station: Zhongshan Jr. High School Station/ XingTian Temple Station

For more recommendations, read our Taipei city guides on the best places to eat, see, and do.