5 night markets in Taipei for foodies: A quick guide

Taipei after dark is one long snack crawl. In this compact, super‑navigable city, night markets double as dinner, family time, and street‑level culture, often with Michelin‑recognised stalls sprinkled in.

Top 5 Taipei night markets by vibe + what to eat

Most popular: Shilin Night Market

Taipei's biggest name with multiple streets of food, fashion, and carnival‑style game alleys.

• Try: giant fried chicken cutlet, oyster omelette, tempura fish cakes, lemon‑aiyu jelly.
• Getting there: Jiantan MRT (not Shilin Station). Exit 1, follow the crowds. 

Less‑touristy gem: Nanjichang Night Market 

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Old‑Taipei alleyways with deeply local flavors and several Bib Gourmand‑recognised stalls scattered across side lanes.

• Try: fried oyster balls, Taiwanese spring rolls, chewy peanut mochi.
• Getting there: Short bus hop from Ximen/Xiaonanmen, expect narrow lanes and pack light.

Liveliest: Raohe Street Night Market

Compact, photogenic, and definitely popular.

• Try: the famous Bib Gourmand-recommended Fuzhou black pepper bun right by the arch, charcoal‑grilled squid.
• Getting there: Songshan MRT/TRA. Market starts near the temple/arch. 

Best neighborhood vibe: Tonghua/Linjiang Street Night Market 

A true after‑work local hang in Da'an/Xinyi. It's open late with a big mix of snacks and fruit stands.

• Try: pan‑fried buns, sesame‑oil chicken, grilled seafood, fresh fruit juices.
• Getting there: Xinyi Anhe MRT (Exit 3) ~10 min walk. 

Best old‑town flavors (Michelin‑packed): Ningxia Night Market

Short, dense, and flavor‑heavy with multiple Bib Gourmand plaques dotted along the strip.

• Try: taro balls, cuttlefish thick soup, oyster omelette.
• Getting there: Walk ~10-15 minutes from Shuanglian or Zhongshan MRT.

Quick market-exploring tips

• Go early (5.30-7pm) to beat peak queues, prime time is after 7:30pm.
• Share everything and sample widely. Most portions are snack‑size.
• Queue = good. Long lines typically mean signature stalls.
• Many stalls are cash‑first. Bring small bills, while a handful of vendors take QR or EasyCard taps.
• If you're not familiar with the language, don't fret. Stalls often use photo menus or big boards, and translation apps close the gap.
• If you follow halal, look for restaurants with halal certification or "halal" signs. Seafood and vegetarian stalls are usually the safest options. Be sure to ask whether they use lard or pork broth, and choose vendors who prepare food separately.

When to go

• Sweet spot: April and October-November for comfortable temps and fewer rain.
• Weather watch: May-June sees plum‑rain showers, while July-September is typhoon season, so pack a light shell and check forecasts.

Where else to go in Taipei

Taipei 101 + Elephant Mountain: Ride to Taipei 101/World Trade Center for the mall/observatory; hike the Elephant Mountain Trail from Xiangshan Station (Exit 2) for sunset city views (15-25 mins of stairs).

Dihua Street, Dadaocheng: Heritage shophouses, tea shops, fabric stores, indie cafes, and riverside sunset at Dadaocheng Wharf; a short walk or bus from Beimen/Daqiaotou.

Longshan Temple + Bopiliao Historic Block: Classic temple rituals and Qing‑era lanes; steps from Longshan Temple Station.

How to get around

• Tap & go: Pick up an EasyCard at MRT stations or convenience stores. You can top up anywhere. Works on Taipei Metro, city buses, YouBike (bike share), and small purchases.
• Metro basics: Trains run from early morning until around midnight. Stations have English signage/announcements. Check last trains on platform boards or in the app.
• Buses & walking: Buses fill the gaps between markets, sidewalks are excellent in market zones which often go pedestrian‑only in the evening.
• YouBike: Great for 5-10 minute hops between neighborhoods;,dock near most MRT exits.
• Taxis & ride‑hailing: Street cabs are plentiful; Uber and local apps (e.g., 55688) run citywide. Cash is most reliable.

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This article was first published in Wego.