What is Taiwanese Food? 11 Popular Dishes You Must Try!
Taiwan has an incredibly delicious and diverse food culture. Taiwanese food is at the core of any visit. It's a place travellers will go to for the food experiences alone, looking for authentic versions of both its sweet snacks and traditional Taiwanese street foods.
In fact, you might be surprised to find out that a lot of your favourite Asian foods are actually food from Taiwan. In this article, we'll share 11 popular dishes from Taiwan that we think you might love.
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What Makes Taiwanese Food Special?
Taiwanese cuisine has a rich history that draws influence from many places. It incorporates elements from its indigenous peoples as well as from the Qing Dynasty. The latter saw the introduction of Hakka, Fujianese, and Cantonese cuisines in the region. Later on, it saw new ingredients and preparation techniques during the Japanese colonial period. More recently, immigration from nearby Southeast Asian countries has also made its mark.
These distinct influences resulted in a cuisine that is as varied as it is flavoursome. From night markets that, in our opinion, rival the rest of the continent, to staples in everyday dishes, Taiwan is not holding back when it comes to food.
Popular Taiwanese Foods to Try
Chances are, you've already encountered many Taiwanese foods in their various forms. But here are some favourites you should watch out for:
Scallion Pancakes
Simple, yet satisfying, scallion pancakes are a staple of Taiwanese food. It's one of our favourite go-to snacks when we're visiting. These pancake stalls are ubiquitous at Taiwan night markets and are the perfect light meal.
The dish consists of a pan-fried piece of dough, layered with a lot of green onion. Somehow, despite its simplicity, it blows us out of the park every time. This is especially true when you enjoy it with a dipping sauce such as Hoisin sauce or soy sauce and vinegar.
Green onions in Taiwan are so good, that they even have farms in Yilan province dedicated to growing only them!
Xiao Long Bao (Soup Dumplings)
Taiwan is known for its remarkable dumpling offerings, but none more so than Xiao Long Bao. Popularised in Taiwan through restaurants such as Din Tai Fung - where we first discovered them - these juicy dumplings are a true delicacy.
Literally translating to "small basket buns", xiao long bao dumplings are packed with a tasty meat (usually pork) filling and a savoury broth. Perfectly steamed in a bamboo basket and best served hot, these are something you don't want to miss.
Pro tip: remember to pierce the dumpling wrapper before eating so you can enjoy the soup's delicious flavour without its scorching side effects.
Stinky Tofu
Tofu is a hugely versatile ingredient and "stinky tofu" puts it to the test. We're the first ones to admit that stinky tofu is not for everyone. However, it is one of Taiwan's most notorious foods which gets its smell from being fermented in a brine of vegetables and meat. And it's definitely one of our favourite Taiwanese street foods, despite the smell. No, it really does smell that bad.
In spite of the smell, Stinky Tofu has quite a dedicated fan base in Taiwan. Locals and tourists will line up at night markets to get a taste of its (usually) deep-fried goodness. It's all about the preparation!
Baobing (Taiwanese Shaved Ice)
Cold, sweet, and refreshing, it's no surprise that Taiwanese shaved ice is a very popular dessert. In the heat and humidity, we find that shaved ice provides a much-needed cooldown and escape.
The shaved ice is topped with condensed milk and your selection of fruits, nuts, ice cream and whatever you're brave enough to try. In Taiwan, the most popular iteration of this dish is Mango - which we wholeheartedly recommend.
Pineapple Cakes
You'll most likely find Taiwanese pineapple cakes in their traditional state. We would describe them as a cube-shaped pastry, with a buttery, crumbly exterior and a sweet and pineapple-textured filling.
Pineapple cakes are popular gifts in our family. The pineapple represents luck and prosperity, so today, pineapple cakes symbolise wishes for a prosperous family and a sweet future.
Braised Pork Rice
One of our favourite comfort foods and a favourite among Taiwanese food enjoyers, this is a must-try food in Taiwan. It's pork, stir-fried and slow-cooked in soy sauce, on a bed of steamed rice. If you're a rice lover, then this one's for you! We also love other ingredients such as tofu and vegetables.
Taiwanese Hot Pot
Hot pot is a core Taiwanese dish, made with an assortment of vegetables and sliced meat. At a restaurant or Taiwan street market, there'll be a pot of soup and you'll get to decide what you add to it!
Hot pot makes for a great late-night street food stop, served in many Taiwan night markets or at street corners. Just avoid it when the sun's up, unless you can really handle the heat!
Gua bao (Pork Belly Bao Buns)
Also referred to as the Taiwanese hamburger, Gua Bao is a type of sandwich made with braised pork belly. Perfectly cooked meat nestled between a fluffy steamed bun makes for a great Taiwanese snack.
Funny enough, our first taste of Taiwan bao buns was actually at a place in London. And they blew us away - we didn't realise what we'd been missing!
Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup
Another staple food, beef noodle soup may actually hold the title of the most beloved comfort food in Taiwan - and ours, too. There's so much to love about this hearty, aromatic dish featuring tender braised beef, chewy noodles and a rich, wholesome broth. In fact, many people consider Taiwanese beef noodle soup to be the national dish there.
Beef noodle soup is so highly regarded that Taiwan holds a festival in its honour!
Boba (Taiwanese Bubble Tea)
By this point, you're probably well aware of the bubble tea trend sweeping the nation. But you may be surprised to hear that boba originated in Taiwan! Some of the best boba we've ever had was at night markets such as Shilin Night Market in Taipei - and for less than £1.
Traditionally made with a milk tea base and tapioca pearls, you can now find varieties of fruit teas and popping pearls.
Red Bean Wheel Cakes
Red bean is an acquired taste, but in Asia it dominates the market of sweet treats. When looking for street food in Taiwan, you'll be hard-pressed not to find these red bean wheel cakes.
In the Taiwanese version of Japanese imagawayaki, you can find these wheel cakes in a variety of flavours, although red bean is by far the most widespread.
Where to find the best Taiwanese food
Visiting Taiwan? Then you'll be spoilt for choice on every corner. Street food in Taiwan is near unbeatable and you'll find night markets dotted all around. Whether you go to a street vendor or a restaurant, you're in for a treat. And you'll never regret stepping into the nearest 7-Eleven. Their snack selection is truly incredible.
In the UK, Taiwanese cuisine is popping up all over the place. And if you want to take a step into the world of Taiwanese food, then check out our selection.
