What Foods Should You Try When Visiting Taiwan?

Taiwan has one of the best cuisines in the world and worth travelling for. If you are planning to visit Taiwan after the pandemic is fully contained, you need to consider their food scene since there are so many wide selections of mouth-watering delights made with authenticity. Taiwanese cuisine is also influenced by many factors especially the colonizers of Dutch and Spanish, the Japanese, and the Kuomintang from China. No wonder their food options are varied in flavors and appearances. You won’t be running out of ideas of what to eat for sure. And here are some of the most recommended Taiwanese foods to try during your visit:

Danzai Noodles

This noodle dish was first introduced by Taiwanese fisherman named Hong Yu-Tou in 1895 and has become a hit since then. You can find this in various restaurant in Taiwan especially those located in Yongkang Street. There is a restaurant run by the fourth generation of Hong’s family serving the most delicious Danzai Noodles. This dish consists of chewy noodles, hot broth made with various herbs and spices, and topped with minced, braised pork, bean sprouts, bok choy, shallots, and boiled shrimp. 

Gua Bao

This is more like a food to snack on when exploring Taiwan. Gua Bao is pork buns in a palm size stuffed with braised pork, pickled cabbage called suancai, and peanuts ground. This food is also often called as Chinese hamburger especially by travelers from around the world. It is more known as street foods and you can find it almost in every corner of the street in Taiwan. Enjoy it while it is still warm and let everything melt in your mouth. 

Luwei

This is such a unique Taiwanese food you must try. It is like a staple at night markets across Taiwan. To buy this, you will be given a small basket then you can help yourself buffet-style to a variety of foods served. There are marinated meats, tofu, and vegetables to choose. What you choose will be cooked by the sellers and you wait. Most recommended places to enjoy Luwei include Linjiang Street Night Market and Shida Night Market. 

Shaved Ice

This is the ultimate item for dessert lovers. This dessert treat is quite simple. It is made from ice shaved off into massive slabs of ice. The ice pile up precariously high into the bowl. You can choose many toppings such as condensed milk, tropical fruits, and red beans. Or, you can also try the creamier version of this dessert called xue hua bing which resembles snow. 

Stinky Tofu

If you want to go a little bi more extreme, might as well trying the infamous stinky tofu which is also widely known in China and Hong Kong aside from Taiwan. The stinky smell comes from the fermentation process. You can choose stinky tofu that is fried, steamed, stewed, or barbecued. It usually served with toppings such as pickled cabbage or chili sauce. Have a cup of bubble tea to freshen up your mouth.