Taiwan is a country that isn’t on many traveler’s radar: situated just off the southeastern coast of China, it’s a small, but beautiful island-nation that’s home to 24 million people and some of the best combination of city and nature to keep one busy exploring it all. Taiwan has been a strategic point for centuries, having been colonized by China, Japan, even Portugal, which has contributed to its unique and diverse culture today.
Because of Taiwan’s multicultural past, it has created a distinctive (and delicious!) cuisine. Taiwanese cuisine is large influenced by Chinese cuisine, particularly from the Fujian province, as well as hints of Japanese and Hakka. The food of Taiwan plays with flavors and textures, the former including a blend of sweet, salty, even spicy. Texture-wise, the cuisine prides itself on chewy, almost mochi-like mouthfeel that’s associated with dishes like ba-wan, oyster omelets, and boba– because of the abundance and importance placed on this chewiness, the Taiwanese even have a term for it: “QQ.”
Being Taiwanese myself, I grew up surrounded by familiar foods like shao bing you tiao and beef noodle soup. Even though I was born and raised in the US, living in a diverse city like Los Angeles was nothing short of Taiwanese food, and I would have more of it whenever I traveled to Taiwan to see family. The country’s claim to fame is boba (bubble) milk tea, which has proliferated throughout the rest of the world with thousands, if not millions, of tea shops offering that sweet, chewy, and milky drink. However, Taiwan is more than just boba, and I’d like to share some must-have eats; I hope after reading this, you’ll want to get on the next plane to Taiwan to try them out yourself!
Top 10 Taiwanese Dishes You Need to Try
1. Beef noodle soup (ηθι’)
This is considered the national dish of Taiwan, and it’s a must-get at any establishment, in Taiwan or elsewhere. As the name states, it’s literally a deep, savory broth filled with chewy (“QQ”) wheat noodles and tender chunks of beef– and if you feel daring, you can also order with beef tendon! One of my favorites, and you can’t go wrong with it!
2. Shao bing you tiao (ηι€ ζ²Ήζ’)
Consisting of shao bing (sesame flatbread) and you tiao (fried cruller), this is a marriage of two carb-heavy, but delicious components that make the ultimate, savory breakfast food. You can find them sold in hole-in-the-walls anywhere in Taiwan, and it offers that wonderful crispy texture from the you tiao with the soft and tender shao bing. Wash it down with soy milk, and you’re good!
3. Pineapple cake (ι³³ζ’¨ι ₯)
Taiwan makes fantastic breakfasts, but it also makes incredible desserts: pineapple cakes are no exception. Pineapples are grown abundantly on the island, which are then made into these delicious pastries. From the hearty and tender shortbread crust on the outside to the sweet, slightly tart fruity paste on the inside, pineapple cakes are best accompanied with a cup of tea.
4. Oyster omelette (θ΅δ»η )
Oyster omelettes combine a wide range of flavors and textures (savory, sweet, briny, crispy, and chewy) that some might find an acquired taste. The dish uses fresh oysters with eggs and starch before being topped off with a sweet and thick chili sauce. It’s not for everyone, but it’s worth a try at least once and can be found at every night market stall in Taiwan.
5. Stinky tofu (θθ±θ )
Like oyster omelettes, this classic dish is also an acquired taste. Essentially, it’s fried tofu cubes with a *erm* particular smell due to fermentation– some have described the scent as “smelly feet.” For those who aren’t used to having it, the smell can be a deterrent, but I promise you it doesn’t taste as bad as the smell. Personally, I love it, and I always order it at any night market I go to!
6. Boba (ζ³’ιΈ)
I’ve already talked about boba before, but I wanted to put it in again. It’s tapioca pearls that are sometimes sweetened with brown sugar or syrup before being put into a milk tea (ζ³’ιΈε₯ΆθΆ). The word “boba” cheekily means “big breasts,” and overall, this small but mighty ingredient has taken the world by force with thousands of tea shops operated globally.
7. Shaved ice (η€€ε°)
Taiwan has hot and humid summers, so what better way to cool off than with shaved ice? What makes this shaved ice unique is that it uses a combo of water and milk to make a fluffy, creamy-like texture to it. Add on sweetened condensed milk and toppings of your choice (personally for me, mango or red beans), and you have a sweet and refreshing dessert!
8. Pig’s blood cake (豬θ‘η²Ώ)
Also an acquired taste, it’s sort of like a black pudding in which it’s made of sticky rice and pig’s blood, resulting in a savory (and slightly iron) taste. Personally, I like it, and it’s a staple in just about every night market. Top it off with peanut powder, and it’s the perfect little snack to take with you while eating more delicious food!
9. Lu rou fan (ζ»·θι£―)
Known as “minced pork rice” in English, lu rou fan is the ultimate comfort food with its rich and savory pork over a bed of rice. The pork is so fatty that it coats every grain of rice in all of its juices and flavor. It’s one of my favorite Taiwanese dishes, and I always have to get it whenever I go to a Taiwanese restaurant.
10. Fan tuan (ι£―η³°)
Fan tuan is like a burrito made with rice that’s filled with you tiao, pork floss, and pickled vegetables as main ingredients. It’s carb-heavy, but oh-so-savory, crispy, and acidic all in one. While its origins are from China, it has spread to Taiwan and has become a staple for locals. Fan tuan is a popular breakfast food, often eaten with soy milk, and it’s sure to leave you full in the end!
*bonus* Pepper bun (θ‘ζ€ι€ )
This is a popular street food in Taiwan, which is made of ground pork or beef that’s heavily spiced with black and white pepper before being encased in dough and baked in a clay oven. It results in a tender and flaky outer layer and a juicy, peppery interior. The most-famous place to get them is at the Raohe Night Market in Taipei, and I would recommend stopping by!
Which Taiwanese would you try? Let me know! Thanks for reading, and have a good day! π
— Rebecca
Rebecca Goes Rendezvous 
I love boba drinks, but I never knew what QQ meant. I also like pineapple cake and pork floss. From your list, I would try the lu rou fan. Thanks for sharing, Rebecca!
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Thanks for reading, Darlene! I’m glad you enjoy some Taiwanese dishes, including pork floss (which is quite an acquired taste)! If you like pork, you’ll enjoy lu rou fan. Bon appΓ©tit! π
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The lu rou fan looks delicious. I have gluten and dairy intolerances, what other dishes would you recommend?
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On the list, stinky tofu and mango shaved ice are some delicious options! I’m also sure that big cities like Taipei offer gluten-free options for equivalents like lu rou fan and whatnot. Here’s to happy (and healthy) eating!
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Thanks, Rebecca. Good suggestions.
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I don’t know if they came from Taiwan, but I’ve already eaten some delicious Pineapple cakes. Now I’m going to try and remember the Beef noodle soup, I just have to find a Taiwanese restaurant.
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Yes, pineapple cakes are from Taiwan! By way of the Portuguese, actually. Beef noodle soup is one of my favorite dishes, and I hope you find a place nearby that serves it!
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I love Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Luckily, there is a place here in Jakarta that does it well, so whenever I crave it, I don’t need to fly all the way to Taiwan to have it. After trying the local dishes in Taipei and the south (Kaohsiung and Tainan), I have to say I prefer the latter. I’m probably biased though since southern Taiwanese food shares something in common with Central Javanese food (which I grew up eating): the incorporation of sweet flavor to a dish.
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Nice! All the better you have Taiwanese food close to home. It’s interesting to learn that southern Taiwanese cuisine shares similarities to that of central Javanese; I can imagine it must be a comforting and familiar taste for you! Thanks for reading, Bama π
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So cool! Pardon my naivety but I didn’t realize boba was Taiwanese. Boba is now available at dozens of tea shops in Jamaica yet I’ve never had it! I’ll fix that soon. Most of these dishes are new to me but I’d love to try them all although I’m not sure I’d get past the stinky tofu’s smell, ha. Thanks for sharing + I look forward to more Taiwan posts in the future π
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Thanks, Elle! Yes, boba is from Taiwan, and it’s incredible how much it’s taken the world by storm, as you can find boba shops all over the globe! It’s worth a try, as is stinky tofu (although that’s an acquired taste, haha)! My Taiwan travel posts will be out next year, as I’m getting through backlogged posts from this year! π
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On our two week visit to Taiwan we sampled some of these dishes and loved the night markets. I enjoyed Taiwanese food but am not a fan of bubble tea. Hopefully I’ll return to Taiwan before too long.
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Night markets are an indelible part of Taiwanese culture, and I’m glad you got to experience a part of local life! Boba (bubble) tea isn’t for everyone, but you have to admit that it’s taken the world by storm. I hope you can head back to Taiwan soon!
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They all look absolutely beautiful! I’d absolutely love to visit Taiwan one day.
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I hope you can visit some day, Han! Such a beautiful country I’m proud to call my ancestral home π
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These all look scrumptious. Iβm not a meat eater though; is it difficult to find vegetarian options in Taiwan?
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Much of Taiwanese food is meat-based, so it might be difficult to find vegetarian options. However, I’m sure you can find meat alternatives in big cities like Taipei, so it’s not completely out of the question! And stinky tofu (one of my favorite dishes) is vegetarian!
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This is a great list! As a recovering picky eater I’d probably try half of this list. I used to be afraid of boba tea because I detest chunks in my smoothie and I was afraid the little pearls going up my straw. Silly me, boba tea is delicious!
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Nice! I’m glad you’ve recovered from picky eating and are exploring the variety of delicious cuisines and dishes out there. Boba is a staple in Taiwanese culture, and it really is incredible just how widespread it’s become all over the world. Hope you can try more Taiwanese dishes!
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I looooove Taiwanese Beef Noodles- I discovered it in my trip to Taiwan but just realised that I haven’t tried to find it here in Sydney (time to change that). I would love to try the Fan tuan. I love pork floss and you tiao but I haven’t had them together.
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Yay! Taiwanese food is stellar; I’m sure there are spots in Sydney you can try out! Fan tuan is delicious, although you’ll be really full afterwards! Hope you can have some Taiwanese food closer to home π
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I have never tried Taiwanese food but I would love to.
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Perhaps you could find Taiwanese food close to home! I hope you can try it some day π
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i could go a bowl of the beef noodles. The pig blood cake… i tried black pudding once and actually really liked it. My bowels didnt so much they refused to work for DAYS!!!! The pork dishes also look great. I wonder if any of these often have peanuts???
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Thanks, Andy! Beef noodle soup is delicious and pig’s blood cake is as well (although it’s an acquired taste)! Pork is sometimes serve with peanuts, but not always. Appreciate you reading π
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I take your post as a sign and reminder of what I promised myself about visiting Taiwan again next year. D liked his beef noodle soup, and I think heβd like the stinky tofu. Something to look forward to!
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Awesome! I hope you return to Taiwan sooner than later and have more incredible eats there. Stinky tofu is a must! π
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I don’t know that I’ve ever tried any of these, but there are a few, at least, that I would if given the opportunity. The pineapple cake in particular sounds tasty!
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The pineapple cake is a popular treat for locals and foreigners, and I definitely recommend a try! They’re also great gifts to give to friends and family! π
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I’ll take the Lu rou fan accompanied by a boba tea and pineapple cake for dessert! I must admit I haven’t yet tried boba tea, even though it has become very easy to come by in the USA. To me its appearance is slightly unappetizing, but from what you said, it must be delicious!
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Yes, the perfect meal! Ideal combination of sweet and savory. Boba milk tea is delicious, but also a meal in itself with the tapioca pearls; I don’t always get my drink with boba, but it’s worth a try at least once!
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Canβt wait to try!
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Hope you can!
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An interesting selection of eats Rebecca. Although I can’t say I’ve had much Taiwanese food over the years there is a familiarity to a few of these dishes from my years in China. As awful as the pig’s blood cake looks and sounds I’d definitely give it a try as I am a fan of black pudding. The dishes that appeal the most to me are the beef noodle soup and lu rou fan.
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Thanks, Leighton! Much of Taiwanese cuisine has origins in southern China, so there’s plenty of crossover! Pig’s blood cake is very similar to black pudding, so I’m sure you’ll love it. I hope you can try Taiwanese food sometime, whether in the country or at a Taiwanese restaurant close to home!
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I would try lots of these, but the pineapple cake is most enticing.
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Pineapple cakes are delicious and are popular among locals and tourists. Hope you can try one sometime! ππ
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We have to go make lunch now! π
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Bon appΓ©tit! π
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I’d love to try them all! (Not sure about the smell of stinky tofu π ) So now I need to find find a Taiwanese restaurant or… go to Taiwan (which is on my list for a long time! π ) Thank you for sharing, Rebecca π
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Thank you! The stinky tofu doesn’t taste as bad as the smell, I promise; in fact, it’s delicious! Hope you can find a Taiwanese restaurant close to home, or otherwise head to Taiwan!
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