From a single tea leaf, a cup of bubble tea and a bowl of douhua to the lights of the night market — sail six stops along Taiwan's coast to meet its flavors and people, and see how a Taiwanese food company carries them to the world.
Along Taiwan's coastline — setting off from the tea hills and finally sailing from the harbor to the world.
Brand Philosophy
Tang Sugar Brand Philosophy: Taiwanese Food and Taiwanese Service, Bringing the Flavors of Taiwan to the World
From the Formosa Oolong that sailed to New York in 1869 to bubble tea loved around the globe, Taiwan has long been sending great flavors to the world. Tang Sugar (Caitang International) is a Taiwanese company proud of the food Taiwanese people make and the service they provide. With consistent ingredient quality, clear partnership terms and verifiable supply capability, we…
It introduces Taiwan's tea, bubble tea, night-market food, fruit and sugar, everyday life and Made in Taiwan, and shows how Tang Sugar brings these flavors and Taiwanese service to partners around the world.
How is Taiwan Stories different from the blog?
Taiwan Stories covers culture, origins and Taiwan through foreign eyes; the blog covers drink recipes, ingredient dosage and sourcing. The two link to each other, so you can go from a story to a recipe.
The Origin and History of Taiwan’s Night Markets: From Temple Markets to Tourist Night Markets — How Keelung Miaokou, Shilin and Liuhe Began
Key answer
Taiwan’s night markets mostly began with temples: squares in front of temples drew worshippers, crowds drew food stalls, and over time these became regular evening markets. Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market formed in front of Dianji Temple, built in 1875, and Shilin Night Market grew around the markets near Cixian Temple; after the war, night markets such as Kaohsiung’s Liuhe and Taichung’s Fengjia grew up with cities and universities. When the Ministry of Economic Affairs issued night market vouchers in 2019, Taiwan had 83 legal night markets. Tang Sugar supplies popcorn chicken seasoning, snow ice powder and bubble tea ingredients so shops overseas can recreate the taste of Taiwan’s night markets.
Where night markets come from: markets in temple squares
In Taiwan, temples are not only places of worship but also centers of local life. Temple squares host worshippers, opera stages and festivals, and the crowds naturally attract food stalls; vendors stayed from day into night, and night markets slowly took shape. Many night markets still carry this history in their names — most famously Keelung’s “Miaokou”, which literally means “temple entrance”.
Keelung Miaokou Night Market: a century-old food street in front of Dianji Temple
When Keelung locals say “Miaokou”, they mean Dianji Temple. Built in 1875, it enshrines deities brought by Qing-era immigrants from Zhangzhou, and a lively food culture grew up in front of it. Today nearly 200 stalls crowd a 300–400 meter stretch of Ren 3rd Road, some run by the same families for decades. When Tatler named the world’s 20 great markets in 2021, Keelung Miaokou Night Market was the only one from Taiwan.
Shilin Night Market: markets that grew around Cixian Temple
Taipei’s Shilin Night Market also began with a temple. Research shows that when Cixian Temple was rebuilt on its current site in 1864, the surrounding streets were laid out in a grid and gradually developed meat, vegetable and fish markets. In the Japanese era, markets nearby flourished from around 1909; in 1913 construction of the Shilin Public Market began in front of the temple, opening in 1915. From temple-front market to a must-visit for foreign travelers, Shilin Night Market has come a long way over more than a century.
Postwar night markets: growing with cities and universities
Kaohsiung’s Liuhe Night Market: formerly Dagangpu Night Market, which emerged around the late 1940s to early 1950s and later became southern Taiwan’s first pedestrian zone and tourist night market.
Taichung’s Fengjia Night Market: when the predecessor of Feng Chia University moved to Xitun in 1963, student crowds brought stalls to Wenhua and Fuxing Roads; today it is considered one of Taiwan’s largest night markets.
Tainan’s Garden Night Market: started only in 1999, it quickly grew into a huge market with nearly 400 stalls.
The number of night markets changes with land and policy. When the Ministry of Economic Affairs issued night market vouchers in 2019, 83 legal night markets took part, and Hualien’s Dongdamen Night Market redeemed the most (further reading: Taiwanese night market culture).
Night market
City
Origin
Keelung Miaokou Night Market
Keelung
Food stalls in front of Dianji Temple (built 1875)
Shilin Night Market
Taipei
Markets around Cixian Temple; Shilin Public Market opened in 1915
Liuhe Night Market
Kaohsiung
Postwar Dagangpu Night Market
Fengjia Night Market
Taichung
Student district after the university moved in (1963)
Garden Night Market
Tainan
Large night market started in 1999
Tang Sugar: taking the taste of the night market to the world
Night markets are a shared memory for Taiwanese people and the Taiwan experience foreign travelers mention most. Caitang International Co., Ltd. (brand name Tang Sugar) is proud of night-market snacks and drinks and wants shops overseas to make them just as well:
This article belongs to Stop 3, Night Markets & Street Food, of the Taiwan Stories series. Series opener: Tang Sugar brand philosophy.
FAQ
How did Taiwanese night markets begin?
Many grew out of temple-front markets: temple squares drew crowds, food stalls followed and regular evening markets formed — Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market, for example, formed in front of Dianji Temple.
What is Taiwan’s oldest night market?
It’s hard to name a single oldest one. Keelung’s Dianji Temple was built in 1875, and the markets around Shilin’s Cixian Temple date back to the Qing era — both are long-established temple markets.
How many night markets does Taiwan have?
When the Ministry of Economic Affairs issued night market vouchers in 2019, 83 legal night markets were included; the number changes with land and policy, so check the latest official data.
What is 夜市 in English?
夜市 is “night market” in English; Taiwan’s are often called Taiwanese night markets, for example Shilin Night Market.
Can shops overseas make Taiwanese night market snacks?
Yes. Using Taiwanese pre-blended marinades, coatings and seasonings brings the taste closer to Taiwan; exports must meet the destination’s food and labeling rules.
