The Taste of Taipei: Top Food Spots You Can't-Miss

Classic Taiwanese Dishes

Taiwanese cuisine is all about bold flavors and comforting meals. From hearty noodles to delicious soup dumplings and flavorful broths, these dishes are a must-try for anyone looking to experience the country’s rich food culture.

Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles

@felicegabis

A renowned Taiwanese restaurant that has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for its exceptional value and quality. Known for its handmade noodles and rich beef noodle soup, this local favorite offers hearty, comforting dishes with a focus on traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients. Their tender beef noodles, featuring a flavorful broth and melt-in-your-mouth beef, are a must-try.

Add to

Details

Fuhong Beef Noodles

@felicegabis

Fuhong Beef Noodles is a popular 24-hour spot, perfect for a comforting meal anytime. They offer a variety of beef noodle options with generous servings, making it a great value. The restaurant provides an English menu for convenience. While the space is quite small, visiting early in the morning ensures a quieter experience with fewer crowds.

Add to

Details

Liangshan Po Soup Dumplings

@felicegabis

Liangshan Po Soup Dumplings is a must-visit spot for some of the best Xiao Long Bao in Taipei. This small shop offers affordable, delicious dumplings, but its limited dining space often leads to long queues. Despite the wait, the flavorful experience is worth it. Be sure to check their operating hours on Google Maps, as they can vary.

Add to

Details

Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao (Da'an)

@felicegabis

Hang Zhou Xiao Long Bao is a family-run restaurant with a Michelin Bib Gourmand, located near Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall. The restaurant is known for its delicious xiao long bao (soup dumplings), steamed dumplings, potstickers, and beef wraps. It can get crowded during peak lunch and dinner hours, so it’s best to plan if you want to avoid waiting. The family’s focus on quality and tradition has made it a popular choice for both locals and visitors.

Add to

Details

Wang’s Broth

@felicegabis

Wang’s Broth, a Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, is renowned for its braised pork, often considered the best in Taipei. While the menu features a variety of classic Taiwanese dishes, the lou rou fan stands out as the star. This dish features tender pork and a savory sauce served over rice, perfectly capturing the essence of Taiwanese flavors. Affordable and satisfying, it’s the one dish you simply can’t miss.

Add to

Details

Taiwanese Breakfast

Taiwanese breakfast is simple, hearty, and delicious. Popular options include warm soy milk, crispy onion pancakes, and flaky flatbreads, making it a great way to start your day.

Yong He Soy Milk

@felicegabis

If you’re looking for a traditional Taiwanese breakfast in Ximending, Yong He Soy Milk is a great option. This popular spot offers a variety of soy milk drinks and classic dishes like dan bing (egg crepes), you tiao (fried dough sticks), and shaobing (flatbreads). The food is freshly prepared, and although there’s usually a queue, the service is quick and efficient, so you won’t have to wait long to enjoy a satisfying local meal.

Add to

Details

Fuhang Soy Milk

@felicegabis

Fuhang Soy Milk is one of Taipei's oldest and most popular breakfast spots, and it's earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award for good reason. The place opens bright and early at 5:30 AM, and you’ll often find a line that can last anywhere from 15 minutes to over an hour. But don’t let the wait scare you—the line moves pretty quickly. While you're waiting, you’ll see the staff preparing everything fresh. The salty soy milk, egg pancake, and rice ball with egg are the standout dishes you don’t want to miss. It’s worth the wait if you’re up for an authentic Taiwanese breakfast experience!

Add to

Details

Tian Jin Onion Pancake

@felicegabis

Tian Jin Onion Pancake on Yongkang Street is a great spot for a quick breakfast if you’re in the Daan District. They serve classic Taiwanese scallion pancakes, which are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. The basil and egg version is especially good, adding a nice flavor. You can watch them make the pancakes right in front of you, and it’s usually busy, so be ready for a bit of a wait.

Add to

Details

Hot Pot and Seafood

Hotpot and seafood are beloved in Taiwan, offering fresh ingredients and flavorful broths for a satisfying meal experience.

Addiction Aquatic Development

@felicegabis

Addiction Aquatic Development is a must-visit for seafood lovers. They offer a great selection of fresh seafood, bento meals, and freshly prepared sashimi and sushi at their standing sushi bar. You can also enjoy wine, sake, or beer to go with your meal. The food is high-quality yet surprisingly affordable, and their desserts were a big hit with my daughter. It’s a great spot for a quick meal or a relaxed seafood feast.

Add to

Details

New Mala Hot Pot Hanzhong Branch

@felicegabis

Mala Hot Pot is a popular hot pot chain with branches across Taipei. They’re known for their high-quality meat and seafood, along with an impressive selection of drinks and desserts. The Häagen-Dazs section is one of the highlights! Prices are reasonable, but it’s best to make a reservation as it tends to get busy.

Add to

Details

Tea and Coffee

Taiwan is the birthplace of milk tea, and you’ll find a variety of delicious options to try. In addition to milk tea, Taiwan also offers specialty coffee, including brews from an award-winning barista, as well as traditional tea houses where you can enjoy authentic tea experiences.

50 Lan

@felicegabis

50 Lan is a popular bubble tea chain in Taiwan known for its tea-forward milk tea. If you prefer a stronger tea flavor in your milk tea, 50 Lan is a great choice. If you’re in the land of milk tea, 50 Lan should be on your list.

Add to

Details

Xing Fu Tang Flagship

@felicegabis

Xing Fu Tang is a great choice for those who enjoy creamy, dessert-like milk tea. The rich and smooth texture makes it a satisfying treat. It's a big hit with my daughter, and it's worth trying if you're in the mood for something indulgent.

Add to

Details

Simple Kaffa Huashan Flagship Store

@felicegabis

Simple Kaffa, founded by Wu Zelin, the 2016 World Barista Champion, is a must-visit for coffee lovers. Known for its expert brewing techniques, the café serves high-quality, aromatic coffee. In addition to the exceptional coffee, it offers a variety of delicious desserts to complement your drink. With its modern and inviting atmosphere, Simple Kaffa is the perfect spot for coffee connoisseurs and those looking to indulge in a sweet treat.

Add to

Details

A-Mei Teahouse

@felicegabis

A Mei Tea House is one of Jiufen’s most recognizable spots, with its classic architecture and beautiful views. Here, you can take part in a traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony, learning the careful steps involved in preparing and savoring tea. While the experience is a bit on the pricier side, around $NT300 per person, the setting and cultural immersion make it a memorable part of any visit to Jiufen.

Add to

Details

Maokong Tea House

@felicegabis

Maokong Teahouse in Maokong Village is a must-visit spot, especially if you're a fan of tea. The oolong tea ice cream with tapioca pearls topped with green tea cat biscuit is a standout treat that’s sure to impress. In addition to their delicious desserts, the teahouse offers a wide variety of teas, making it an ideal place to pick up some unique tea souvenirs. It’s a great stop to enjoy a relaxing tea experience with a bit of fun flavor.

Add to

Details

Thank You and Safe Travels

Thanks for joining me on this tasty journey through Taipei! I hope this guide helps you discover delicious flavors and create unforgettable memories during your visit.

If you’re still in the planning stage and looking for a family-friendly guide, check out my FREE Taiwan Planning Guide. It’s packed with practical tips for navigating Taiwan with ease, including recommendations for transportation, apps, and other essentials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience.

Felice Gabis

Available for hire

Taiwan For Families: Practical Travel Tips and Planning Guide

This practical guide is designed for families planning a seamless trip to Taiwan. It provides essential advice on the best time to visit, navigating transportation, managing currency exchange, and using helpful travel apps. You’ll also find valuable airport tips and strategies to enhance your travel experience. Whether visiting Taiwan for the first time or being a seasoned traveler, this guide equips you with all the planning tools needed for a stress-free family adventure. Best of all, this guide is FREE to access anytime—be sure to save it for easy reference!

Free

Guide

For a more personalized experience, I also offer custom itineraries and curated recommendations tailored to your preferences. Whether you’re looking to focus on specific interests or need a more flexible plan, I can create an itinerary and recommendations that perfectly suit your family’s needs, ensuring a memorable and stress-free trip.

Get a custom itinerary made for your trip by Felice Gabis

www.thatch.co

Get curated recommendations for your trip by Felice Gabis

www.thatch.co

If you found this guide helpful and would like to support me in creating more content like this, tips are always appreciated! Your support allows me to keep sharing valuable travel insights.

Enjoy every bite and have a fantastic time in Taipei!

Happy you’re here,

Felice