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.
Taiwan Night Market Guide: 8 Top Night Markets North to East — Shilin, Ningxia, Keelung Miaokou, Fengjia, Garden, Liuhe, Luodong and Dongdamen
Key answer
Choose Taiwan’s night markets by region: in the north, Taipei’s Shilin and Ningxia night markets and Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market; in central Taiwan, Taichung’s Fengjia Night Market; in the south, Tainan’s Garden Night Market and Kaohsiung’s Liuhe Night Market; in the east, Yilan’s Luodong Night Market and Hualien’s Dongdamen Night Market. Fengjia is considered one of Taiwan’s largest night markets; Ningxia won five titles, including tastiest and best to stroll, in Taipei’s 2015 night market vote; and Keelung Miaokou was the only Taiwanese market on Tatler’s 2021 list of the world’s 20 great markets. Tang Sugar supplies night-market snack mixes and bubble tea ingredients so shops overseas can serve a taste of Taiwan’s night markets.
Before you go: a few tips
Most Taiwanese night markets open in the late afternoon and are busiest at night, with stalls selling freshly made snacks, drinks and games. Bring cash and your own shopping bag, and carry your trash to recycling points as you snack. The classic Taiwanese night market combo is a cup of bubble tea with a bag of popcorn chicken.
North: Taipei’s Shilin and Ningxia, and Keelung Miaokou
Shilin Night Market (Taipei): its history traces back to the markets around Cixian Temple; it’s one of the night markets foreign travelers know best, packed with “big cake wrapped in small cake”, fried snacks and drinks (further reading: the origin and history of night markets).
Ningxia Night Market (Taipei): on Ningxia Road in Datong District, famous for traditional Taiwanese snacks. In the Taipei City Government’s 2015 night market vote, Ningxia won five titles: best to stroll, tastiest, most charming, greenest and friendliest.
Keelung Miaokou Night Market (Keelung): formed in front of Dianji Temple, with nearly 200 stalls along 300–400 meters; named one of Tatler’s world’s 20 great markets in 2021.
Central: Taichung’s Fengjia Night Market
Fengjia Night Market took off after the university moved in in 1963; stalls line Wenhua, Fuxing and Fengjia Roads, and it’s known for creative snacks and youth food trends. Ministry of Finance figures show it paid the most business tax of any night market in 2016. Many Taiwanese drink brands also started in Taichung, such as Chun Shui Tang and Tiger Sugar.
South: Tainan’s Garden Night Market and Kaohsiung’s Liuhe Night Market
Garden Night Market (Tainan): started only in 1999 but grew to nearly 400 stalls — the variety of Tainan street food all in one place.
Liuhe Night Market (Kaohsiung): formerly postwar Dagangpu Night Market and southern Taiwan’s first pedestrian zone and tourist night market, known for seafood congee, salt-steamed shrimp and other seafood snacks.
East: Yilan’s Luodong Night Market and Hualien’s Dongdamen Night Market
Luodong Night Market (Yilan): one of Yilan’s most popular tourist night markets, loved for angelica mutton soup and stuffed tapioca balls.
Dongdamen Night Market (Hualien): a large night market in downtown Hualien; in the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ 2019 voucher program it redeemed nearly 200,000 vouchers, the most in Taiwan.
Region
Night market
Highlights
North
Shilin Night Market
Best known to foreign travelers, wide variety
North
Ningxia Night Market
Traditional snacks; five titles in Taipei’s 2015 vote
North
Keelung Miaokou Night Market
Century-old food street in front of Dianji Temple
Central
Fengjia Night Market
Huge, full of creative snacks
South
Garden Night Market
Nearly 400 stalls
South
Liuhe Night Market
Southern Taiwan’s first tourist night market, seafood snacks
East
Luodong Night Market
Yilan local snacks
East
Dongdamen Night Market
Hualien’s big night market
Tang Sugar: recreating Taiwan’s night markets overseas
This article belongs to Stop 3, Night Markets & Street Food, of the Taiwan Stories series. Series opener: Tang Sugar brand philosophy.
FAQ
What is Taiwan’s largest night market?
Taichung’s Fengjia Night Market is often considered one of Taiwan’s largest; Tainan’s Garden Night Market also has nearly 400 stalls.
Which night market should I visit on my first trip to Taipei?
Foreign travelers most often go to Shilin; for traditional snacks try Ningxia, and if you have time, head to Keelung Miaokou.
What time do Taiwanese night markets open?
Most open in the late afternoon and are busiest at night; stall hours vary and some markets open only on certain days, so check before you go.
What should I eat at a Taiwanese night market?
Popular picks include bubble tea, popcorn chicken, oyster omelet, “small sausage in large sausage”, sweet potato balls, stinky tofu and snow ice, plus each market’s local specialties.
Can I open a Taiwanese night market–style shop overseas?
Yes. Importing pre-blended snack mixes and drink ingredients from Taiwan brings the taste closer to Taiwan; check the destination’s food and labeling rules before exporting.
