Eating Out in Taiwan: Recommendations for Every Meal

Introduction:

Taiwan is known for its vibrant food scene, with a wide variety of delicious dishes that cater to all taste buds. From street food stalls to upscale restaurants, Taiwan offers a plethora of dining options that will satisfy any food lover. In this article, we will explore the best places to eat in Taiwan for every meal, from breakfast to dinner, and everything in between.

Section 1: Breakfast

Taiwanese breakfast is a must-try culinary experience. Start your day with a traditional Taiwanese breakfast at Fu Hang Soy Milk, located in Taipei. This iconic eatery has been serving up delicious soy milk, crispy youtiao (fried dough sticks), and savory scallion pancakes for decades. Don’t miss their signature bowl of warm soy milk paired with a savory soy milk stick.

• Fu Hang Soy Milk: A popular breakfast spot in Taipei, known for its delicious soy milk and scallion pancakes.
• Soy Milk: Warm and comforting, soy milk is a staple of Taiwanese breakfast.
• Youtiao: Crispy and golden-fried dough sticks, perfect for dipping into soy milk.
• Scallion Pancakes: Flaky and flavorful pancakes with a generous amount of scallions.

Section 2: Brunch

For a leisurely brunch, head to The Brass Monkey in Tainan. This trendy cafe offers a diverse menu featuring Western-style brunch favorites with a Taiwanese twist. Indulge in their signature dish, the Taiwanese-style eggs Benedict, which replaces the traditional English muffin with a mantou (steamed bun) and tops it with braised pork and hollandaise sauce.

• The Brass Monkey: A trendy cafe in Tainan known for its Taiwanese-style brunch dishes.
• Taiwanese-style Eggs Benedict: A unique twist on the classic dish, featuring a mantou and braised pork.
• Mantou: Steamed buns that are soft and fluffy, commonly used in Taiwanese cuisine.
• Hollandaise Sauce: A rich and creamy sauce typically served with eggs Benedict.

Section 3: Lunch

For a satisfying lunch, visit Din Tai Fung, a world-renowned Taiwanese restaurant famous for its xiao long bao (soup dumplings). With locations all over Taiwan and internationally, Din Tai Fung is a must-visit for any food lover. Don’t miss their signature pork xiao long bao, filled with flavorful broth and tender meat.

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• Din Tai Fung: A globally recognized restaurant known for its delicious xiao long bao.
• Xiao Long Bao: Steamed soup dumplings filled with juicy pork and flavorful broth.
• Pork: The most popular filling for xiao long bao, providing a savory and tender bite.

Section 4: Afternoon Tea

Indulge in a traditional Taiwanese afternoon tea at the Wistaria Tea House in Taipei. This charming teahouse, housed in a historic Japanese-style wooden building, offers a serene ambiance and a wide selection of high-quality teas. Pair your tea with some traditional Taiwanese snacks like pineapple cake and mochi for a delightful afternoon treat.

• Wistaria Tea House: A serene teahouse in Taipei, known for its traditional afternoon tea experience.
• Taiwanese Snacks: Enjoy traditional treats like pineapple cake and mochi alongside your tea.
• Pineapple Cake: A popular Taiwanese pastry filled with sweet pineapple jam.
• Mochi: Soft and chewy rice cakes with various fillings, often made with glutinous rice.

Section 5: Happy Hour

For a relaxing happy hour, head to the Ounce Taipei, a speakeasy-style bar hidden behind a secret door in a nondescript building. This hidden gem offers an extensive menu of craft cocktails made with precision and creativity. Sip on their signature cocktail, the Ounce Sour, a refreshing blend of whiskey, lemon juice, and homemade syrup.

• Ounce Taipei: A hidden speakeasy bar in Taipei, known for its craft cocktails.
• Craft Cocktails: Expertly crafted cocktails made with attention to detail and unique flavor combinations.
• Ounce Sour: A signature cocktail at Ounce Taipei, featuring whiskey, lemon juice, and homemade syrup.

Section 6: Dinner

For a memorable dinner experience, visit Shin Yeh, a renowned Taiwanese restaurant with multiple locations. Shin Yeh offers an extensive menu of traditional Taiwanese dishes made with high-quality ingredients. Try their famous three-cup chicken, a flavorful dish cooked with soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine.

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• Shin Yeh: A well-known Taiwanese restaurant offering a wide range of traditional dishes.
• Three-Cup Chicken: A popular Taiwanese dish made with chicken cooked in soy sauce, sesame oil, and rice wine.
• Soy Sauce: A staple ingredient in Taiwanese cuisine, providing a savory and umami flavor.
• Sesame Oil: A fragrant oil used in Taiwanese cooking, adding depth of flavor to dishes.

Section 7: Night Market Snacks

No visit to Taiwan is complete without exploring the bustling night markets and indulging in a variety of street food. One of the most famous night markets is Shilin Night Market in Taipei. Feast on delicious snacks like stinky tofu, oyster omelets, and bubble tea as you immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the market.

• Shilin Night Market: One of the most popular night markets in Taipei, known for its street food.
• Stinky Tofu: A pungent fermented tofu dish that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Oyster Omelet: A savory omelet made with fresh oysters and topped with a tangy sauce.
• Bubble Tea: A Taiwanese specialty drink made with tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls.

Section 8: Desserts

Satisfy your sweet tooth with Taiwanese desserts at Ice Monster, a popular dessert shop with locations across Taiwan. Indulge in their signature shaved ice topped with fresh fruits, sweet beans, and condensed milk. The refreshing and flavorful combination is the perfect way to end a meal.

• Ice Monster: A well-known dessert shop famous for its shaved ice creations.
• Shaved Ice: Fluffy and finely shaved ice topped with a variety of toppings and syrups.
• Fresh Fruits: Enjoy a selection of seasonal fruits as a refreshing topping for the shaved ice.
• Sweet Beans: Red beans or mung beans cooked in sugar syrup, providing a sweet and creamy element.

Section 9: Late-Night Eats

For late-night cravings, visit one of Taiwan’s many 24-hour beef noodle soup joints. Yong Kang Beef Noodle in Taipei is a popular choice, serving up piping hot bowls of rich and flavorful beef noodle soup. The tender beef, chewy noodles, and fragrant broth make for a comforting and satisfying late-night meal.

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• Yong Kang Beef Noodle: A renowned beef noodle soup restaurant in Taipei, open 24 hours.
• Beef Noodle Soup: A classic Taiwanese dish featuring tender beef, chewy noodles, and a flavorful broth.
• Tender Beef: Slow-cooked beef that is melt-in-your-mouth tender and full of flavor.
• Chewy Noodles: Thick and springy noodles that hold up well in the hearty broth.

Section 10: Vegetarian Options

For vegetarian-friendly dining, visit Su Food in Taipei. This upscale vegetarian restaurant offers a creative and flavorful menu that will satisfy both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Try their signature dish, the mushroom curry rice, which features a fragrant curry sauce and a variety of mushrooms.

• Su Food: An upscale vegetarian restaurant in Taipei, known for its innovative and delicious dishes.
• Mushroom Curry Rice: A flavorful dish with fragrant curry sauce and a medley of mushrooms.
• Curry Sauce: A spicy and aromatic sauce made with a blend of spices and herbs.
• Mushrooms: Enjoy a variety of mushrooms, each bringing its unique flavor and texture to the dish.

Section 11: Local Delicacies

Explore the local delicacies of Taiwan by visiting a traditional night market or specialty food street. Raohe Street Night Market in Taipei is a great place to sample iconic Taiwanese dishes like oyster vermicelli, crispy pepper pork buns, and iron eggs. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and indulge in the diverse flavors of Taiwan.

• Raohe Street Night Market: A bustling night market in Taipei, offering a wide array of Taiwanese delicacies.
• Oyster Vermicelli: A popular noodle dish with a rich oyster broth and chewy vermicelli noodles.
• Crispy Pepper Pork Buns: Buns filled with tender and flavorful pork, topped with a crispy pepper crust.
• Iron Eggs: Small quail eggs that are stewed in a flavorful sauce until they become firm and chewy.

Section 12: Fine Dining

For a special occasion or a luxurious dining experience, dine at RAW in Taipei. This Michelin-starred restaurant showcases modern Taiwanese cuisine with a creative twist. Enjoy an innovative tasting menu featuring seasonal ingredients and unique flavor combinations that will leave you with a memorable culinary experience.

• RAW: A Michelin-starred restaurant in Taipei known for its modern Taiwanese cuisine.
• Tasting Menu: Indulge in a multi-course menu curated by the chef, showcasing the best of Taiwanese flavors.
• Seasonal Ingredients: Enjoy dishes made with fresh and locally sourced ingredients that reflect the flavors of the season.
• Unique Flavor Combinations: Experience innovative flavor pairings that push the boundaries of traditional Taiwanese cuisine.

Conclusion:

Taiwan offers a diverse and exciting culinary landscape that caters to all tastes and preferences. Whether you’re a fan of street food or fine dining, Taiwan has something to offer for every meal. From traditional Taiwanese breakfasts to late-night beef noodle soup joints, each dining experience in Taiwan is a chance to explore the rich flavors and unique dishes that make this island a food lover’s paradise.

References:
– Fu Hang Soy Milk: gypsywarrior.com
– The Brass Monkey: gypsywarrior.com
– Din Tai Fung: gypsywarrior.com
– Wistaria Tea House: gypsywarrior.com
– The Ounce Taipei: gypsywarrior.com
– Shin Yeh: gypsywarrior.com
– Shilin Night Market: gypsywarrior.com
– Ice Monster: gypsywarrior.com
– Yong Kang Beef Noodle: gypsywarrior.com
– Su Food: gypsywarrior.com
– Raohe Street Night Market: gypsywarrior.com
– RAW: gypsywarrior.com