If it was based on the number of dumplings consumed since we landed, we would officially now be ‘experts’ on Taiwanese food (especially dumplings). But what else do you imagine when you think of Taiwanese food?
Taiwan definitely has a rich food culture, influenced from different directions of Asia and the diverse environments of the island of Taiwan itself.
Some of the kids food-rankings are slightly different. And I have to confess a few stops have been made at convenient 7-Eleven’s. (Did you know Taiwan has the highest density of convenience stores in the world?).
But here are a few of our favourite Taiwanese foods so far – and a few other more ‘unique’ options…
- Jen Jen dumplings
- ‘Biandang’ Taiwanese Bento Box
- Oolong Tea
- ‘Xiaolongbao’ Soup Dumplings
- Shaved Ice (Five ticks from the kids!).
- Mountain mushrooms [I’m giving this one a tick for interest…]
- Fish Ball Soup
- Stinky Tofu
- Bubble Tea [My favourite! But it looses the tick for the monster plastic…]
- Iron Eggs
We’ve tried all of this list; we just get Gavin to try it first!
Jen Jeon dumplings
Fried pork dumplings.
This is one of Taiwan’s iconic style of dumplings. (More about the other dumplings below!). These fried dumplings are mouthwatering and have been given the thumbs up by the whole family!
Iron eggs
Iron eggs are a bit like they sound. Hard boiled eggs, with shattered shells to infuse the broth they are boiled in.
They are in fact much harder and chewier than regular boiled eggs. I’m not sure I would claim to be a newfound fan of this style of eggs but it is definitely one of the unique Taiwanese foods found all over the country!
Baobing Shaved Ice
This dessert got five ticks from the kids. Baobing, or Tsua bing, is a shaved ice dessert intoruduced to Taiwan under Japanese rule. It is a popular dessert treat in Taiwan and often comes with the variation called xuehua bing where the ice is not made out of water but of milk.
The inside of the shaved ice is filled with berries or whatever flavour you choose. A wide variety of toppings exist, but the most common ones include sugar water, fruits, berries, condensed milk, mung beans and tapioca balls. And outside is literally just shaved ice sprinkled with goodies!
Xiaolongbao soup dumplings
Xiaolongbao are soup dumplings and they literally melt in your mouth. They are without question one of the key Taiwanese foods to try. Most often they are handmade, and delicate, with soup broth inside.
Amazeballs.
We tried the ‘Xiaolongbao’ Soup Dumplings at the famous Din Tai Fung Michelin star restaurant in Taipei. It takes three years to train for as a chef at Din Tai Fung.
Each dumpling is made meticulously and should weigh 21 grams, with 16 grams of filling. And each chef spends an hour at a station. So you are a roller, twister, or wrapper for an hour at a time!
Oolong tea
Taiwan has a reputation for producing some of the finest teas in the world. And based on the Oolong Tea we tried, I would agree with that!
There is definitely an art to the whole process and ceremony of drinking tea in Taiwan. And taking part in a tea ceremony while looking out over the tea farm where it was grown, makes for some seriously tasty tea.
Duck
Duck and goose is advertised everywhere at the street food markets in Taiwan.
And certainly none of the carcass is wasted…
Bubble Tea
Tea served the traditional way is popular here in Taiwan. But bubble tea or ‘pearl tea’ is EVERYWHERE.
It is literally iced tea (either black or with milk) with tapioca balls. It’s delicious, refreshing, and fun!
Tea served this way in Taiwan is hipster-like and tasty…
But bubble tea in Taiwan looses all points on the monster plastic!
Gua Bao
Gua bao is a steamed bread bun that is often served with breakfast. Or, otherwise made into a sandwich to eat on the go (a little bit like a burger!).
You Tiao
This is essentially a Chinese style donut!
You tiao is not always sweetened, so it is a Taiwanese food commonly eaten for breakfast. However, you will find it at any night market in Taiwan. We found the best You Tiao at the night markets in Taipei.
Fishball Soup
Another staple Taiwanese food of every night market in Taiwan.
Fishball soup is awesome. The balls are made with fish paste and boiled in a soupy broth.
Mountain mushrooms
And some Taiwanese food is a little more unusual. I’m giving this one a tick for interest…
Taiwanese Seafood
These seafood stalls are everywhere, particularly at the night markets on the southern coastlines. Taiwan is definitely proud of its fresh seafood!
Unidentifiable and weird Taiwanese food…
I have to finish with this one. This was a breakfast that was served to us up in the mountains.
And it turns out that not all Taiwanese food is quite as awe inspiring. Some is in fact almost unrecognisable!
We recognise the salted iron Eggs, and the green beans…
But the rest of this plate remains a mystery…
More useful links for your travels in East Asia and beyond…
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- Hostelworld– The largest inventory of hostel accommodation in the world.
- Skyscanner – This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home).
