Taipei Foodie Bucket List: 21 Of The Best Dishes In The City

If you’re lucky enough to have the chance to eat your way around Taipei, you’ll find some of the best food in Asia – in fact, some of the best food in the world. The city has everything, from traditional Taiwanese street food and snacks to cutting-edge Michelin restaurants and everything inbetween. Craving a juicy burger? Check. What about world-class coffee? Of course! Here’s our guide of the best places to eat and drink in Taipei…

Taipei Foodie Bucket List: 21 Of The Best Dishes In The City, How do these rankings work?

1. Pineapple Cake at Sunny Hills

What makes these pineapple tarts so good? It could be their master bakers, or the fact that Sunny Hills only use native pineapples sourced directly from local family farms. It could also be the sheer amount of passion put into every single bite. Pineapple cakes are a hugely popular treat in Taiwan, and Sunny Hills is considered the best of the best.

2. Boba Toast at TP Tea

You can’t visit without trying Taiwan’s national drink – bubble tea. A TP Tea they pride themselves on pure milk boba drinks and are known for their delicious tapioca balls. But they also have an amazing boba toast. Don’t leave without trying this… In addition to their fresh treats, they are famous for their fast and friendly service and milky lattes.

3. Hot Pot at Orange Shabu 

Taiwan is famous for its flavoursome hot pots, and it’s a wonderful way to eat as a group. A steaming clay pot of stock or broth is brought to the table and you then cook your own food with a mixture of meat, seafood and lots of fresh vegetables. The liquid from the pot makes a wonderful mixture between a sauce and a soup.

4. Coffee at Simple Kaffa

You’ll need to refuel on your foodie tour, so be sure to stop by Simple Kaffa. Last year, it earned a No. 1 spot on our list of the 50 Best Coffee Shops in Asia. As the love child of a former Taiwan and World Barista Champion, it’s easy to see why the coffee here is so quality. They’re particularly well-known for their cappuccinos, but guests often stop by to marvel at the unique space as well. It’s hidden, tucked away inside of the Hotel V, giving it a bit of an exclusive vibe that makes the experience that much more unique.

5. Steak Frites at Le Blanc

Le Blanc is a French-style steakhouse that specialises in premium beef cooked with flair. Order the USDA Prime Certified Angus Beef Ribeye steak and go wild – throw on half a juicy lobster to make it a Surf n Turf. The bonus? Each steak comes with beautiful, unlimited fries.

6. Scallion Pancake at Wenzhou Street Daikon Pancake

You’ll see huge queues outside this local institution pancake stall, but don’t let that put you off – it moves fast! Your reward for waiting will be a hot and crispy savoury pancake with either green onions (cong you bing) inside and an optional runny, gooey egg, or crunchy daikon (luo bo si bing). Order as many as you can eat and dig in.

7. Tasting Menu at RAW

This legendary 2-Michelin Star restaurant is a lesson in wonder and creativity. The 8 or 11-course tasting menu is an innovative take on French style, Taiwanese cuisine with the odd street food influence in seasonal dishes that are real works of art. You’ll have to join a waiting list for a table here, but it’s worth it. A once-in-a-lifetime food experience in Taipei.

8. Fried Chicken at Shi Yun Fried Chicken

Make your way to Shida Night Market for this locally famous fried chicken stall. People rave about the crispy, deep fried chicken here and for good reason. Pick out what pieces you want, fill out your choices on the pink paper docket, and eat them hot and fresh straight from the paper basket. Ask any local what food to eat in Taipei, and they will direct you here.

9. Boba Tea at Chun Shui Tang

You’ll never go wrong with a creamy, refreshing bubble tea at this legendary chain in Taiwan. Their teamakers are certified in ‘tea-teaching’ which means you get a great cup every single time. Be sure to try one of their original pearl milk teas.

10. Chicken & Waffle Sandwich at Spot 

Spot is an American-style cafe, expect big portions of classic comfort food. There’s plenty of breakfast and brunch dishes, but the real highlight is the juicy fried chicken and waffle sandwich. You’ll be thinking about this for weeks after.

If you’ve still got room, finish it off with a housemade chocolate chip and hazelnut cookie sandwich for dessert. A real treat for a food feast in Taipei.

11. Stinky Tofu at Dai’s House of Stinky Tofu

This is an iconic local snack. Most stinky tofu vendors in Taiwan offer deep fried ones with non-spicy Taiwanese kimchi or sichuan kimchi as a side dish to balance off the greasiness of the tofu. You’ll find it at plenty of street vendors all over the country, but there’s none as iconic as the raw, cold stinky tofu at Dai’s House of Stinky Tofu in Taipei’s Xinyi District, which has been a go-to spot since 1989.

12. Oyster Omelette – Yuan Huan Pien

A perfectly cooked oyster omelet has a crispy texture from the coating made of yam flour and cornstarch, with fillings of bok choy. It is a must-eat snack when you visit a night market! To try the absolute best in the city, seek out Yuan Huan Pien in Ningxia Night Market. It’s been featured in the Michelin guide and has been serving its omelettes with oysters from Tainan drizzled in homemade sweet hot sauce, since 1965.

13. Taiwanese Jasmine Tea at Yao Yue Teahouse

This beautiful 24-hour tea house looks out over a peaceful valley, so you can enjoy amazing views as well as tasty brews. It’s traditional in style, with hundreds of different teas to choose from. It can be tough to pick just one, but the Taiwanese Jasmine tea is a must-try.

14. Mango Shaved Ice at Ice Monster

Shaved ice was first introduced to Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period and is now a hugely popular sweet treat. Ice Monster is well known as an essential place to grab a bowl. The ice is so finely shaved it melts straight in your mouth and the mango flavour is wonderfully intense. Other flavours to try include their bubble tea shaved ice and almond and sesame shaved ice.

15. Seafood Risotto at Peacock Bistro

This fantastic modern Taiwanese restaurant is hidden in the depths of traditional street houses on Dihua Street. There’s all sorts of seasonal and tempting dishes to choose from, but the seafood risotto is full of flavour. The secret to its tastiness? It has to be the crispy squid that’s covered in a salted egg yolk coating…

16. Minced Pork Rice (Lu rou fan) at Jin Feng

Food author Shu Guo-Zhi once commented that minced pork rice is the “national rice” of Taiwan. You can find minced pork rice everywhere from a street vendor to a five-star hotel, but this low-key spot is a must-try. The rice is soft and fluffy, and it pairs perfectly with a boiled duck egg and tender pork. It’s a must-eat food in Taipei.

17. Beef Noodles at Mien Mien Chu Tao Tasty Noodle House

Delicious beef noodles require three essential elements, which are noodles, broth and beef. The broth is especially important, and Mien Mien Chu Tao nails it every single time. There’s spicy (like, really spicy!), clear and tomato broths, with a beef and clam bowl also available.

18. Pizza at BANCO Pizza

BANCO is all about authentic Neapolitan pies, cooking them to perfection in a wood-fired oven. Beautiful bubbles of charred spots add extra flavour and the toppings are simply perfect. This place is taking pizzas to whole new levels.

19. Chocolate Truffles at Yu Chocolatier

Known as one of the best chocolatiers in the country, Yu Chocolatier is the real deal. What they lack in affordability they make up for tenfold with award-winning truffles and melt in your mouth signature chocolates. We recommend staying a while and enjoying a few of the Signature Yu truffles and a glass of whiskey.

20. Chicken Wings at GumGum

GumGum are experts in all things chicken wings and craft beer – the perfect combination in our eyes. With 14 creative flavours to choose from, you’ll be in wing heaven here. Must-orders include the salted egg, rosemary & orange or the maple hot. Our advice? Come with friends and order as many different wing flavours as you can to share!

21. Pork Belly Bao at Lan Jia Gua Bao

Spot the long lines outside this small eatery in the Gongguan district and you’ll know you are in for some of the best street food in the city. The fluffy steamed bun is filled with braised pork, pickled greens, powdered peanut and coriander. It’s easily some of the best food in Taipei, and is a champion amongst Taiwanese snacks.