TaiwanWhat to eat in Taiwan: top 10 dishes
Traveling to Taiwan? These are the ten dishes it is best known for, from everyday staples to festive classics, with a short background and a tip on where and when to eat each one. Ranked by how widely they are known around the world.
01Pineapple cake
Pineapple cake is a Taiwanese sweet traditional pastry where pineapple filling is covered in a thin golden pastry shell.
Travel tip Sold in bakeries and souvenir shops and widely given as a gift. Buy a small box to try, and enjoy it with tea.
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02Suncake
A suncake, or taiyang bing, is a Taiwanese dessert originally from the city of Taichung, in central Taiwan. The typical fillings consist of maltose (condensed malt sugar), and they are usually sold in special gift boxes as souvenirs for visitors.
Travel tip Bakeries in Taichung sell it fresh, and it is a popular gift to take home. It is best with tea in the afternoon.
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03Small sausage in large sausage
Small sausage in large sausage is a snack sausage sandwich invented in Taiwan in the late 20th century. A segment of Taiwanese pork sausage is wrapped in a sticky rice patty, and usually served chargrilled.
Travel tip A night market snack, usually grilled to order at a stall. Ask for garlic and other toppings, and eat it right away while hot.
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04Ba-wan
Bah-uân is a Taiwanese dumpling made of starch and rice flour, filled with meat and vegetables. It is gelatinous and translucent, and often considered street food.
Travel tip Sold at street stalls and small shops as a snack or light meal. It is served with a sweet-savory sauce and eaten with a spoon or small fork.
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05Ló͘-bah-pn̄g
Ló͘-bah-pn̄g, also called bah-sò-pn̄g or Lou-rou-fan in southern Taiwan, or translated to minced pork rice in English, is a rice dish that is commonly seen throughout Taiwan and Southern Fujian, China.
Travel tip An everyday comfort food found at small eateries and night markets. Order a small bowl and add a side dish or soup to make a meal.
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06Ta-a noodles
Tàⁿ-á-mī, also known as ta-a noodles or danzai noodles, are a type of snack found in Tainan, Taiwan. Also known as "slack season ta-a noodles", they originated in Tainan about 130 years ago.
Travel tip Mainly associated with Tainan, where it is served in small bowls as a snack. Try a bowl or two between other dishes rather than as a full meal.
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07Oyster vermicelli
Oyster vermicelli is a noodle soup originating in Taiwan. Its main ingredients are oysters and misua (Chinese vermicelli). One of the famous places serving this is in Dihua Street, Dadaocheng, Taipei.
Travel tip Served at night markets and street stalls, often with a bit of vinegar or chili. It is eaten as a snack or light lunch.
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08Khong bah png
Braised pork rice (Taiwanese: khòng-bah-pn̄g, Chinese: 焢肉飯, 爌肉飯) is a gaifan dish found in Fujianese cuisine and Taiwanese cuisine.
Travel tip Found in small restaurants and lunch shops across Taiwan. It is usually served with pickled vegetables and often a braised egg.
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09Mongolian beef
Mongolian beef is a dish from Taiwan consisting of sliced beef, typically flank steak, usually made with onions. The beef is commonly paired with scallions or mixed vegetables and is often not spicy.
Travel tip Found on the menus of Chinese-style restaurants and stir-fry restaurants. Share it with rice and other dishes.
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10Mongolian barbecue
Mongolian barbecue is a method of preparing stir-fried noodle dishes. Despite its name, the dish is not Mongolian, nor was it influenced by Mongolian cuisine. It was developed in Taiwan by a waishengren during the 1950s.
Travel tip Usually a build-your-own buffet: choose raw ingredients and sauces, then watch them being stir-fried on a hot griddle. It is a restaurant meal rather than street food.
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