Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, boasts some of the country’s largest and most famous night markets. Almost every district in the city hosts its own renowned night market, each heralded as an essential experience. We’ve distilled the list to spotlight the most iconic and distinctive ones, ranging from the sprawling expanse of Shilin Night Market to the intimate charm of Ningxia Night Market.
Read on to find out each night market’s history, as well as recommended dishes.
Shilin Night Market
Frequently recognized as the most expansive and renowned night market in Taiwan, the original Shilin Night Market has undergone multiple transformations. In 2002, the market was moved from its original site which was scheduled to be demolished to a temporary location.
In 2011, it finally reopened in its current space. This modern iteration of the market features a sprawling food court that accommodates 539 stalls. Above this culinary hub, there’s parking for 400 cars, making commuting and visiting convenient for those living outside of the neighborhood..
Beyond the bustling food court, the adjacent side streets and alleys brim with diverse storefronts and roadside stands. The area pulsates with entertainment options, from cinemas and video arcades to karaoke bars.
Staying true to the rhythm of Taiwanese night markets, local businesses and vendors kickstart their operations around 4:00 PM. As the day wanes and students head home, the market reaches its vibrant peak between 8:00 and 11:00 PM. For those night owls, many businesses stay open until the early hours, often wrapping up between 01:00 and 02:00 AM.
Recommended dishes: Shilin super size sausages
Ningxia Night Market *Editor’s Choice*
With over 60 years of history, the relatively compact Ningxia Night Market is one of the oldest “neighborhood-size” night markets in Taipei. The majority of Ningxia’s 200-plus stalls sell inexpensive and delicious street food, so it’s no surprise that Ningxia is well-known as a top destination for getting a proper meal.
Many of Ningxia’s food stalls have 30-40 years of history and are generational businesses. One such local highlight is the Michelin-recognized stall Yuan Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette which has been operating since 1965 and sells generous portions of oyster omelet for around 3 USD.
For seafood eaters, a highly rated baked-prawn stall is located at the northern end of the market. It offers various flavors of baked and fried prawns, including garlic shrimp, butter shrimp, sweet-and-sour shrimp, and three-cup shrimp among others.
While the market is less than 400 meters long, most Taiwanese staple dishes can be found among the tightly packed stalls. For this reason we’ve named it one of our top 5 night markets in Taiwan.
On the southern side of the market, there is a range of shops selling clothing, accessories and souvenirs. The market operates from evening to just before midnight.
Recommended dishes: poached egg with shrimp soup, oyster omelet, steamed spring roll, and kumquat lemon juice
Raohe Night Market *Editor’s Choice*
Raohe Night Market, though second in size and fame to Shilin Night Market, offers its own distinct charm. Unlike Shilin, Raohe predominantly attracts locals and culinary enthusiasts from Taipei’s suburbs. The market stands out for its historic architecture and tantalizing food stalls, with black pepper buns and stinky tofu topping the list of local favorites.
A unique feature of Raohe Night Market is the abundance of massage parlors lining both sides of its streets. Venturing beyond the market’s boundaries, visitors can explore a myriad of massage options, including Thai massage and the Tui-na style. Adjacent to the market’s scenic eastern entrance stands the venerable Songshan Ciyou Temple, dedicated to Mazu worship and boasting a rich history of 270 years. A brief walk away, Songshan Station offers easy access to the Taipei Metro (MRT).
Recommended dishes: beef noodles, beef entrails soup, pork ribs medicinal herbs soup, Fuzhou black pepper bun
Linjiang Night Market
Linjiang Night Market, nestled at the junction of Linjiang Street and Tonghua Street, is the night market closest to Taipei 101 and the vibrant nightlife of Xinyi District.
Formerly known as Tonghua Night Market, it has carved a niche for itself with a predominant focus on culinary delights over clothing or accessory stalls. It tends to be less crowded than its larger counterparts, such as Shilin or Raohe, making it an ideal spot for a relaxed dinner after a visit to Taipei 101 or a trek up Elephant Mountain for sunset.
Echoing the nocturnal vibes of Shilin Night Market, Linjiang also caters to night owls and late-night explorers, with many of its 200-plus stalls welcoming patrons well into the early hours, often until 1 or 2 AM.
Linjiang previously had four eateries recommended by Michelin Guide, these are reflected in our recommended dishes below.
Recommended dishes: braised dishes (“lu wei”), stinky tofu, glutinous rice balls (“tangyuan”)
Huaxi Street Night Market
Huaxi Street Night Market, also known as Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market, is located adjacent to the famous Longshan Temple in Wanhua. The night market’s long history includes a period of infamy when it was one of Taipei’s red-light districts.
Today, the night market is well-known for being one of the remaining locations in Taipei where exotic foods like potable snake blood, snake meat, turtle blood and turtle meat are readily available. As a result, it has also retained the name “Snake Alley”. Not all the restaurants here offer exotic fare, some just simply serve cuisine cooked with medicinal herbs.
In addition to the smaller eateries located inside the retro-style arcade, several formal restaurants exist as well, the most famous of which is the Tainan Tan Tsu Mien (Danzai Noodles) Seafood Restaurant.
Recommended dishes: thick squid soup, oyster omelet, goose meat
