Taiwan is a small island, but its street food culture is big! If you’re familiar with Chinese food, you’ll find plenty of that here. But street vendors and hawkers all over Taiwan specialize in local dishes you won’t find anywhere else. In other words: You need to eat your way through this country as quickly as possible – there are too many great things to try at once! All the best street food in Taiwan is cheap and delicious and will keep you coming back for more. Here are some of the most famous street foods in Taiwan:

Beef noodle soup

‍
If there’s one Chinese dish that everyone knows, it’s beef noodle soup. There are different variations of this dish throughout Asia. But the Taiwanese version is a must-try when you’re in the country. It’s a simple broth made from beef bones, veggies, and spices, topped with thin slices of beef, scallions, and a pile of soft egg noodles. To fully experience this dish, you should eat it in a traditional Taiwanese restaurant.

My Top 5:
Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles – Address: No. 322, Section 2, Bade Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Yong Kang Beef Noodles – Address: No. 17, Lane 31, Section 2, Jinshan South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City
Lao Shan Dong Homemade Noodles  –Address: B1, No. 70, Xining Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City
Liu Shandong Beef Noodles –Address: No. 2, Lane 14, Section 1, Kaifeng Street, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
Din Tai Fung – Address: No. 194, Section 2, Xinyi Road, Da’an District, Taipei City

Ma-dan

Ma-dan, often translated as “spicy braised pork,” is a Taiwanese street food that’s a great addition to any meal. It’s made from ground pork braised in a complex red chili sauce, resulting in a spicy and savory meal that’s best eaten with rice in a bowl. Ma-dan is served in a piping hot clay bowl (the main reason you see people eating it with chopsticks). And it’s a bright idea to let it cool for a few minutes before digging in. Ma-dan is best eaten with warm white rice, as the chili sauce will overpower any other kind of rice.

My Top 5:
Wang’s Broth – Stall 153, 17-4 Huaxi Street, Wanhua District, Taipei
Yi Jia Zi – 79 Kangding Road, Wanhua District, 108 Taipei
My Tsao – 9-1, Lane 100, Songjiang Road, Zhongshan District, 104 Taipei
Chen Ming Tung Braised Pork Rice – 304 Zhongxiao Road, East District, Taichung
Fu Din Wang (Central) – 560, Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard, Central District, 400 Taichung

Rice waffles

Rice waffles are popular Taiwanese street food, and they’re also a dessert. These waffles are made from sweet potato and sticky rice, then baked until they’re crispy and soft on the inside. They’re topped with your choice of toppings, like honey or condensed milk, or served in a bowl with ice cream and fresh fruit. You can find rice waffles at many street food stands, so keep your eyes peeled for them as you walk around the city.

 Shao mai

Shao mai is a dumpling filled with pork, mushrooms, scallions, and ginger. Taiwanese shao mai are usually thinner than their Chinese counterparts, which allows the dumplings to cook more quickly. Taiwanese families often choose shao mai for dinner, as it’s kid-friendly and can easily be made in large quantities. Many shao mai stands can be found all over Taiwan, but the best shao mai can be found in the southern city of Tainan.

Stinky tofu

Stinky tofu sounds delicious, but it looks and smells a lot like rotten eggs. Tofu that’s been fermented in soybeans gives this dish a strong odor. Stinky tofu is served with a mix of soy sauce, chili peppers, and garlic. And it’s an essential part of Taiwanese street food. If you’re not sure, you’re up to the task of eating stinky tofu. It’s worth trying just to experience the unique smell. Stinky tofu is one of Taiwan’s most famous street foods. And it’s served at many restaurants and food stands around the island.

Tainan grilled pork rice

If you love pork – or any kind of meat for that matter – you need to visit Tainan for the city’s famous grilled pork rice. Everything about this dish is delicious. The pork is tender and juicy and topped with a sweet, savory sauce. But the best part is the sticky rice, cooked in a delicious broth and topped with scallions and peanuts. The pork is served with a side of cilantro and chili sauce. Which is a must-have for this excellent street food.

Taiwan is the place to be if you’re looking for a unique culinary experience. You’ll find all the best street food in Taiwan, so get ready to eat “through” this fantastic country!