Taipei Night Markets || The Best Markets, Snacks & Stalls To DIscover

The Best Night Markets in Taipei || The Ultimate Guide

Some of the best, oldest, and largest night markets in Taiwan are those night markets in Taipei.

It only makes sense, being the capital after all.

Whilst night markets can be found all over Taiwan, from north to south, each district and county brings its own flavours to the night market culture. 

And the night markets in Taipei are no exception.

If you can only get to one night market in Taiwan, or one area, then Taipei is the one for you.

With Taiwan’s oldest night market (Shilin), it can be considered as the home of night markets in Taiwan. 

With the sheer size alone, the intensity of the night markets in Taipei are likely to shock even those well travelled. They are busy, bustling, and very crowded places with hundreds of different food stalls, arcade games, and areas for entertainment. 

The sights, sounds, smells, and tastes of the hundreds of different Taiwan Little Eats (Xiaochi, snacks) will leave your stomach satisfied but your tastebuds wanting for more. 

Below, we explore the culture and history of night markets in Taiwan before giving a full guide to night markets in Taipei.

We’ve tried to make it as comprehensive as possible to ensure you get the most out of your night market experience in Taiwan.

Although, with so many night markets in Taiwan – we just couldn’t feature them all here. 

We cover the most famous, oldest, largest, and best night markets in Taipei below. 

Night Markets in Taipei || Night Markets in Taiwan 

Night Markets in Taipei || Best Night Markets in Taipei

Night Markets in Taipei || List of Night Markets

Night Markets in Taipei || Shilin Night Market

Night Markets in Taipei || Raohe Night Market

Night Markets in Taipei || Tonghua Night Market

Night Markets in Taipei || Nanjichang Night Market

Night Markets in Taipei || Huaxi Street Night Market (Snake Alley)

Night Markets in Taipei || Ningxia Street Night Market

Night Markets in Taipei || Shida Street Night Market

Night Markets in Taipei || Taiwan 小吃

Night Markets in Taipei || Michelin Star Food

Night Markets in Taipei || FAQs

Night Markets in Taipei || Night Markets in Taiwan 

So, what’s the deal?

What exactly are night markets in Taiwan?

Simply put, night markets in Taiwan are locations where groups of street vendors come together to sell a wide range of food and drinks. 

They have a history of over 100 years in Taiwan and more and more crop up annually.

DID YOU KNOW || There are almost 70 night markets in Taiwan now; 30 of which are based in Taipei.

So you’ll certainly be spoiled for choice when trying to find night markets in Taipei and it certainly makes it difficult to find the “best” one. 

They can differ in many ways, often depending on which county or area they’re found in.

For example, in Tainan night markets are all open-air and take place in large empty car park areas, not streets.

They close generally before or around 12am and often include shops to sell clothing and arcade games.

In Taipei, however, night markets may go on until 1am or 2am and are more often found covering long street areas. 

NIGHT MARKET IN CHINESE || 夜市 yè shì

Some may concentrate on only Taiwanese food and more local affair, others may get more creative with their food and offer international cuisine, too.

Some night markets aren’t just food, either.

You can find anything from hand-made boutique clothing to standard cheap market produce. You can also find any number of entertainment ranging from fortune tellers to KTV.

What sets the night markets in Taipei largely apart from the rest, though, is that you can famously find some Michelin-quality food at some night markets in Taipei.

Below we provide a list for these; so skip to it if that’s what you’re after! 

What they all have in common is that over the years, the night market in Taiwan has become an important part of Taiwanese culture.

They’re a space for people to meet and gather, enjoy each other’s company and just relax after work, whilst also picking up some really tasty but inexpensive food.

Depending on your needs, there will be a perfect night market in Taipei for you. 

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Night Markets in Taipei || Best Night Markets in Taipei

It’s no secret that Taipei is home to some of Taiwan’s best night markets, with several stalls even making it into the Taiwan Michelin Guide.

There are five main ones in total, the Taipei Night Market “Top 5”.

Shilin, Raohe, Ningxia, Tonghua, and Huaxi

We will go over these below, as well as a couple of others that may not have been on your radar but deserve a mention.

In terms of finding the best night market in Taipei… that depends on what you want!

Some things you might want to consider are size and location.

You might also want to consider if there are any specific foods you’re after.

To get a good night market experience, go for a fairly big one and one that is convenient to get to.

Taipei is a big place and you don’t want to be travelling for too long!

Night Markets in Taipei || List of Night Markets

Here is a list of night markets in Taipei and New Taipei (source Wikipedia).

Taipei Night Markets

New Taipei Night Markets

Here are some of the best night markets in New Taipei City.

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Night Markets in Taipei || Shilin Night Market

士林夜市 in Taipei is often considered the biggest and most famous night market in the whole of Taiwan.

Because of this, it’s also the most touristy. But don’t let that put you off.

These things are usually touristy for a reason, and Shilin night market is popular with both foreign and domestic tourists.

FUN FACT || The night market has been around for over 100 years.

In 1909 the daytime Shilin Market was established, then in 1913 the Shilin night market was formally established.

Its proximity at the former location to the Keelung river (and therefore transporting produce etc) helped it to quickly get a name for itself.

The location of this Taipei night market today is convenient to get to as it’s located right next to the Jiantan Station on the Tamsui–Xinyi Red Line.

Shilin Night Market is kind of split into two parts; a food court area as well as the surrounding shops and businesses.

With 539 stalls you will be spoilt for choice here. You are best to get lots of 小吃 (little snacks) as you go around the various stalls – and not fill up just on one stall.

There is also tons of entertainment here that sets it aside from most night markets that only have limited entertainment.

There is KTV, cinemas, and arcades, and can be a great start to a much longer night.

Night Markets in Taipei || Raohe Night Market

This night market in Taipei stretches for 600m along Raohe Street; hence the name Raohe Night Market.

There is a temple called Ciyou Temple located at one end which, built in 1753, is enough of a site in itself.

There are three sections to this market, so all bases are covered.

The first section is your random goods, daily essentials etc, whilst the next one is more physical market stuff (i.e. everything you might find at a market apart from food), then the final – and main – section is the food.

Located just 100m from Songshan metro station, Raohe Night Market in Taipei is also very easy to access.

TOP TIP || As you enter the market under the big sign, grab yourself a 胡椒餅. You can’t miss it because the queue is typically sizeable but don’t let that put you off. It moves fast and it’s well worth it.

Not for veggies unfortunately

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Night Markets in Taipei || Tonghua Night Market

Tonghua Night Market is also known as Linjiang Night Market.

It’s located on Linjiang Road (hence the name) and makes it onto this list for its superb location right in downtown Taipei, as well as the fact that it’s a smaller, more intimate and local affair.

This doesn’t mean it won’t be any less lively or you’ll have any fewer choices.

On the contrary, the fact that it doesn’t have 500+ stalls means it’s not overwhelming. But you still very much get the Taiwan night market experience.

Linjiang Night Market may not have as much entertainment and other market stalls as Shilin or other bigger markets – but it still has lots of choices AND even some Michelin-recommended stalls.

Some typical dishes here include salt chicken and peanut powder pigs’ blood cakes.

But in reality, you won’t be disappointed with trying anything!

TOP TIP || This is the closest night market to LTL Taipei school. After a long day of studying, why not take a quick 12 minute stroll and explore the market.

Night Markets in Taipei || Nanjichang Night Market

A night market with an interesting history, Nanjichang Night Market is located on an old airstrip used for the Japanese military during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan.

There are also various Japanese government-constructed buildings in this area.

This explains the name. Nanjichang which literally means ‘South Airport’, as Songshan airport was located in the north.

This night market is one of the most famous and best night markets in Taipei to visit, with price being a major factor here, as many agree that Nanjichang is one of the most budget-friendly night markets in Taiwan.

Another thing setting this ‘night market’ aside is that it actually operates throughout the day; morning, noon, and evening. Each of these times offering different experiences!

Due to its smaller and low-key nature, it also doesn’t attract as many chain vendors so you’re in for a pretty local and unique experience.

Another thing setting this night market in Taipei aside from the rest is its offer of Michelin-recommended foods…

Night Markets in Taipei || Huaxi Street Night Market (Snake Alley)

The Huaxi Street Night Market is also known as Snake Alley.

This is due to its controversial past with various shops serving snake meat.

There would also be performances here where they would kill and cook the snakes live.

Don’t worry, though, these practices were outlawed and the last shop selling this snake meat closed down some years ago now.

Nevertheless, the name has somewhat stuck.

But the food apparently has gotten much better! As of 2019, the whole market received recognition from the Michelin Bib Gourmand guide.

It is located over two blocks and largely covered, and features shops that have been there since the start over 50 years ago.

Walkable distance (500m) from Longshan Temple Taipei Metro station, this market is convenient to access.

It’s also located in Taipei’s oldest district; Wanhua District, which can be a nice place to just walk around.

Although it does have a bad reputation with the locals as this area used to be a red light district before Taiwan outlawed prostitution in the early 2000s.

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Food in Taiwan is full of flavour and variety. Using a base of noodles and rice, with strong flavours and lots of meat (mainly beef and pork) and fish.

Night Markets in Taipei || Ningxia Street Night Market

The people have spoken! In 2015, the government held a vote for the best night market in Taipei.

Ningxia Night Market in Taipei won in several categories, including;

• “Best Night Market”
• “Most Delicious Night Market”
• “Most Charming Night Market”
• “Most Environmentally Friendly Night Market”
• “Friendliest Night Market”

So, don’t let its small size put you off.

And if you don’t take our word for it – at least listen to the people! And, of course, Michelin!

DID YOU KNOW || Three stalls in this night market were listed in the Michelin Guide Taipei 2019 Bib Gourmand selection.

It also has an interesting and difficult history including going through a fire before being rebuilt into what it is today.

Night Markets in Taipei || Shida Street Night Market

The Shida Street Night Market is located next to National Taiwan Normal University; which in Chinese is quite simply 師大 shīdà.

Located in a student area, you can expect cheaper prices and more of a student vibe; especially around 6-8pm as hungry students finish classes, let off some steam, and fill their bellies.

It also has some popular fashion stores with closes and accessories, and the vibe is pretty trendy and bohemian.

You might also find some interesting businesses here lining the streets or buskers playing music.

Night Markets in Taipei || What To Eat

Since stalls are changing all the time, and everyone’s tastes are different, we didn’t offer a section in this post for the best foods for each market.

Unless they’re Michelin recommended stalls, you’re usually better off trusting your own sights and smell senses.

TOP TIP || As much as you might try to avoid them, look out for those stalls with massive queues. They are typically well worth the wait. Trust the locals!

Nevertheless, if you’ve never been to a night market before, the choice can be overwhelming and daunting.

You may also not understand just quite what you’re looking at.

So, below is a small list of the kinds of choices of food you might find at the Taipei Night Markets.

To help you we’ve included the Chinese name so you can look out for them and find them.

How many have you tried before? Let us know in the comments below.

Night Markets in Taipei || Michelin Star Food

You may have heard that some night markets in Taiwan offer Michelin-quality foods.

With their tiny price tags, how is this possible?!

Well, this is basically down to Michelin’s Bib Gourmand List.

It’s a list of restaurants that serve amazing dishes with affordable price tags. Basically recognising some of the amazing food you can get that’s actually worth the money you’ll pay.

As of 2023, there are 8 night markets in Taipei and 24 food stalls that are recognised on this list. And out of these 8, three night markets actually include several stalls.

Let’s take a closer look…

Raohe Night Market (4)

• A Kuo Lu Wei
• Beef Noodles & Beef Entrails Soup
• Chen Tung Pork Ribs Medicinal Herbs Soup
• Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun

Linjiang Street Night Market (4)

• Lo Chi Hsiao Chao
• Tien Hsiang Stinky Tofu
• Liang Chi Lu Wei
• Golden Fried Chicken

Nanjichang Night Market (4)

• Sung Ching Taiwanese Burrito
• A Nan Sesame Oil Chicken
• Stinky Tofu Boss
• Unnamed Clay Oven Roll

Shilin Night Market (3)

• Good Friend Cold Noodles
• Hai Yu Pork Ribs
• Chung Chia Sheng Jian Bao

Ningxia Night Market (3)

• Fang Chia Shredded Chicken
• Liu Yu Zi
• Rong’s Pork Liver

Yansan Night Market (3)

• Da-Qiao-Tou Tube Rice Pudding
• Shih Chia Big Rice Ball
• Cabbage Rice and Pork Rib Soup

Gongguan Night Market (2)

• Hsiung Chi Scallion Pancake
• Lan Chia Guabao

Huaxi Street Night Market (1)

• Hsiung Chi Scallion Pancake With Pickles in Broth

That concludes our extensive look at the best night markets in Taipei and the surrounding areas.

Night markets are a huge part of Taiwanese culture and if you come to visit one day, we highly recommend you tick off as many of these as possible to get a true flavour of local life (excuse the pun).

Come along to Taipei to study Mandarin with us and discover everything about this amazing little island including the night markets 🤩

Night Markets in Taipei || FAQs

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