See some of Taipei’s must-try street foods, as well as the shops and stalls that locals turn to for a fix of their favorites.
Taipei’s street food usually falls under the xiao chi (“little eats”) category. These are quick, convenient foods that can be eaten as an on-the-spot snack or grouped together to make a full meal. There’s a lot of variety in xiao chi, and though convenience is key, they’re still expected to deliver a whole lot of flavor and quick punch of umami. Visitors to Taipei are often pointed towards night markets as the best way to sample the local street food, and while they do make great places to try many dishes in one go, those with more time in the city may find more rewarding experiences in going where the locals go. Here are some highlights from Taipei’s street food offerings, plus some top spots favored by the city’s residents.
With the right planning, even those short on time can pack in plenty of food, history, arts, and local sights—check out our guide to a long weekend in Taipei for tips. To see what we think makes the city great, read our overview of Taipei in the 2018 Fodor’s Go List.