Taipei is all about the FOOD. We generally hit up Taipei at least once a year just to stuff our faces. People usually spend no more than three days in Taipei, so I compiled a short list of my favorite spots. If you have limited time in the city, these are the spots you have to visit. If I missed out on anything or if you have recommendations, please let me know in the comments =)
林東芳牛肉麵 (Lin Dong Fang Niu Rou Mien)
林東芳牛肉麵 has that beef noodle game on lock. The menu is straight forward serving a limited selection of beef noodle counterparts including beef tendon, tripe, and other offal. Small cold side dishes such as cucumbers, bean sprouts, vegetables are also available in the self-serve fridge in the back. This spot serves its beef noodle soup with fairly thick slices of mad tender beef shank that literally melt in your mouth.
No. 274號, Section 2, Bādé Road, Zhongshan District
Taipei City, Taiwan 104
p: +886 2 2752 2556
Da-Wan Yakiniku Restaurant 大腕燒肉專門店
Da-Wan is without question, the CRAYest yakiniku restaurant in Taipei. This spot is Taipei’s holy grail of yakiniku and is always bumpin’. This Japanese BBQ-centric restaurant, is notorious for serving the crème de la crème of Wagyu beef and pork. If you’re planning a trip to the city, make sure you make reservations far in advance.
106, Taiwan, Taipei City, Da’an District, Lane 177, Section 1, Dunhua South Road, 22號
p: +886 2 2711 0179
Muteki Japanese Yakiniku 炭火燒肉無敵
If you need a good yakiniku back-up plan, hit up Muteki. The quality of beef and service does not compare to Da Wan, but it definitely hits the spot.
105, Taiwan, Taipei City, Songshan District
市民大道四段183號
p: +886 2 2578 9797
Din Tai Fung 鼎泰豐
Din Tai Fung started from the bottom in Taipei and now has branches globally including Australia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, the United States and Thailand. You have to visit the OG Taipei location, where its delicious soup dumplings made history.
No.194 Second Section, Xinyi Road, Taipei 111-0021, Taiwan
p: 02-23218928
彭記蚵仔麵脆皮臭豆腐
This is my favorite stinky tofu spot! Don’t knock it until you try it. I never liked stinky tofu until I tried it in Taiwan. This particular style of stinky tofu has a huge crater in the center of the tofu block which is meant to hold Stinky Tofu condiments such as soy sauce, pickled cabbage on the side, minced garlic and hot sauce.
110, Taiwan, 30 Yongji Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City, Lane 177, Lane on the 1st
p: +886 2 8787 4628
Elixir Health Pot 無老鍋
Elixir does not fux around when it comes to hot pot. Elixir’s hot pot is so good that trying to get a reservation will be your only complaint about this restaurant. Everything including atmosphere, décor, price, service and taste is on point. I used to think hot pot was simple and self-explanatory until eating at Elixir. There are specific instructions and techniques to eating almost every dish so that everything you eat meets optimal deliciousness.
No. 143, Section 3, Shìmín Boulevard, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan
p: +886.2.2731.7928
Addiction Aquatic Development (AAD)
AAD is essentially the Tsukiji fish market of Taipei. The island of Taiwan is surrounded by fresh delicious seafood which is why you have to hit up AAD.
No. 18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu E Rd, Zhongshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 104
p: +886 2 2508 1268
Mitsui Cuisine
Mitsui holds a reputation of being one of the best Japanese restaurants in Taipei. I definitely recommend making ressies as Mitsui is pretty popular, especially on the weekends. The menu consists of all the Japanese essentials including an assortment of sushi, sashimi, rolls, beef, hot pot, grilled and fried dishes. We went with the special lunch sets and a few à la carte items!
B1, No.108, Sec. 1, Dun-hua South Road, Taipei City
p: +02.2741.3394
瞞著爹三店 Japanese Donburi Restaurant
This little Japanese gem specializes in donburi, Japanese rice bowls served with a variety of toppings including bluefin tuna, salmon, hokkaido scallops, squid, conger eel, shrimp, flatfish, salmon roe, caviar, and snow crab.
105, Taiwan, Taipei City, Songshan District, 八德路二段346巷9弄17號
p: +886 2 2751 7345
車輪釣蝦場
If you like fishing and shrimp, you need to go shrimping. You can either catch/cook your own shrimp from a massive shrimp pool or order pre-made shrimp. Either way, it’s delicious and so much fun!
No. 485, Section 2, Zhìshàn Rd, Shihlin District
Taipei City, Taiwan 111
p: 886.2.2841.4226
Monster Ice or Smoothie House 永康街思慕昔
I personally prefer Monster Ice, but Smoothie House isn’t too shabby. Shaved Ice is kind of a big deal in Taipei. Nothing beats a huge mountain of light fluffy ice surrounded by fresh fruits, topped with a giant ball of ice cream and drizzled with fruity sizzurp.
No. 297, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
p: +886 2 8771 3263
Night Markets
It’s practically a crime if you go to Taipei and don’t visit the night markets. There is a ton of delicious and cheap street food to be eaten here. My favorites are listed below.
Shilin: Shilin has a rap as being the biggest and most popular night market in Taipei. You’ll find all the usual suspects here including oyster omelet, giant fried chicken steak, stinky tofu and “Big Cock Cakes.” Mmmmm…
Raohe: Raohe Street Market is one of the oldest night markets in Taipei conveniently located in the Songshan district with practically every classic street food item you would want to eat. Its most popular stall is 福州世祖胡椒饼 serving piping hot pepper meat buns. These buns have a crispy crust filled with steaming hot green onions and seasoned meat.
Tonghua: Tonghua is another great night market located in the heart of Taipei City close to Taipei 101. It’s smaller than some of the other night markets, but it has all the night market essentials.
Shida: Shida Night Market is situated between two of Taipei’s largest universities so most of the foot traffic is made up of students and tourists. It can get pretty packed so expect some minor pushing and shoulder checks. Shida has all the night market usual suspects as well as some new trendy takes on street food.
