Taiwanese food is a diverse and flavorful cuisine that draws inspiration from Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous Taiwanese ingredients and cooking techniques. Here are 10 popular Taiwanese dishes that Tipsy Claire recommends.
What to eat in Taiwan?
Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)
Beef Noodle Soup is a popular Taiwanese dish that is often considered a comfort food. It consists of slow-cooked beef, noodles, and a flavorful broth spiced with herbs and spices like star anise, cinnamon, and ginger. Different regional variations exist in Taiwan, with variations in the broth flavor and noodle type. You can eat Beef Noodle Soup with pickled vegetables and cilantro, they also go along really well.
👍 Highly recommended：林東芳牛肉麵 Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodle、富宏牛肉麵 Fuhong Beef Noodles
Fried Chicken Cutlet (雞排)
Fried chicken steak is a popular dish with a larger and flatter piece of chicken. The chicken is typically pounded thin, seasoned with a blend of spices and herbs, coated in batter or breadcrumbs, and then deep-fried until crispy and golden brown.
👍 Highly recommended：家鄉碳烤香雞排 士林店、豪大大雞排 HOT-STAR Large Fried Chicken
Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶)
Bubble tea, also known as boba tea or pearl milk tea, was invented in Taiwan in the 1980s. It is a Taiwanese tea-based drink that typically contains tea, milk, and chewy tapioca pearls. It can be served hot or cold and comes in a variety of flavors such as fruit, chocolate, and matcha. Bubble tea is often enjoyed as a refreshing and sweet treat. If you notice the Oolong Milk Tea with Bubble and Pudding on the menu, Tipsy Claire recommends you to try it.
👍 Highly recommended：50嵐、COMEBUY、春水堂Chun Shui Tang
Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)
Stinky tofu, also known as chou doufu (臭豆腐), is a popular street food in Taiwan. It is made from fermented tofu that has a pungent odor and is often described as having a strong cheese-like aroma. The tofu is typically marinated in a mixture of soy sauce, fermented milk, and vegetables, and then deep-fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Stinky tofu is usually served with a variety of condiments such as pickled vegetables, chili sauce, and soy sauce.
👍 Highly recommended：新品悅蚵仔麵線專業脆皮臭豆腐、永樂臭豆腐/涼麵、雅口天香臭豆腐-永和店
Oyster Omelet (蚵仔煎)
Oyster omelet consists of a fluffy omelet filled with fresh oysters, vegetables, and a starchy batter made from sweet potato or tapioca starch. The dish has a unique texture and flavor profile, with the crispy omelet and chewy oysters complementing the sweet and salty sauce. A perfectly cooked oyster omelet has a crispy and chewy texture, it is worth to try.
👍 Highly recommended：布袋鮮之蚵、圓環邊蚵仔煎、廣州街蚵仔煎
Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯)
Braised pork rice is a classic Taiwanese dish that features tender chunks of braised pork belly served over steamed white rice. The dish is often topped with chopped scallions and served with a side of pickled vegetables, giving it a balance of salty, sweet, and tangy flavors. Braised pork rice is a comforting and filling meal that is enjoyed throughout Taiwan. Remember to add a soft-boiled egg to eat with it.
👍 Highly recommended：天天利美食坊、今大魯肉飯、蓮霧滷肉飯、金仙魚丸蝦卷飯
Gua Bao (割包)
Gua bao is also called hu yao ju, or tiger bite pig, as it looks like the jaws of a tiger biting into a pig. It’s a dish that Taiwanese eat during Weiya, the last celebration to honor the earth god each year. Gua bao consists of a soft and fluffy steamed bun filled with savory braised pork belly, coriander, and ground peanuts. Gua bao is a good pairing with Four-Herbal Soup, which is a traditional Taiwanese herbal soup made from four medicinal herbs.
👍 Highly recommended：藍家割包、石家割包
Taiwanese meatball ; Ba Wan (肉圓)
Ba wan, also known as “Taiwanese meatball” consists of a translucent and gelatinous wrapper made from tapioca starch and filled with a mixture of minced pork, bamboo shoots, and shiitake mushrooms. The filling is seasoned with soy sauce, sesame oil, and other aromatic ingredients before being wrapped in the chewy wrapper and steamed until cooked through. Ba wan is typically served with a sweet and savory sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and sugar, and topped with cilantro. It has a unique texture and flavor profile that makes it a must-try food in Taiwan.
👍 Highly recommended：正阿財彰化肉圓、何家台中自製肉圓、南機場彰化肉圓、安東街彰化肉圓
Intestine and Oyster Vermicelli（大腸麵線）
Intestine and Oyster Vermicelli consists of rice vermicelli noodles in a savory broth with small intestines, oysters, and various toppings such as garlic, cilantro, and fried shallots. Intestine and Oyster Vermicelli has a rich umami flavor and a variety of textures, from the chewy small intestines to the soft and juicy oysters. It is a beloved comfort food in Taiwan and can be found in night markets and local eateries.
👍 Highly recommended：新品悅蚵仔麵線專業脆皮臭豆腐
Taiwanese Sausage (台灣香腸)
Taiwanese sausage is a unique type of sausage with a flavor that distinguishes it from sausages found in other countries. The sausage is commonly grilled or pan-fried, and it is often served on a stick or sliced and eaten as a snack.
👍 Highly recommended：黑橋牌食品《漢口店》(西門町)、通化街大花香腸 （臨江街夜市）
About Tipsy Claire
From the “beer girl” to “alcohol creator”, I am dedicated to the promotion of “craft beer”. I gradually stumbled into the pit of good food and am looking to propagate them through sound, text, and videos. I hope that my fellow wine friends can immerse themselves in the beautiful and jolly alcohol world through my vision. Aside of this blog, I also run the instagram account @drinkies_podcast Read more about me here. 📧 drinkies.podcast@gmail.com
Author｜克萊兒 Claire
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