A friendly, practical, and culture-rich guide to navigating Taiwan’s food scene
Taiwan is a paradise for food lovers, but menus don’t always come with translations — and not all vendors speak English. This guide will help you recognize popular dishes, order with confidence, and maybe even connect with the locals along the way.
Each entry includes Traditional Chinese characters (as seen in Taiwan), pinyin, and English translations, along with example dishes and approximate prices.
💰 About the Prices:
The prices listed are just estimates based on typical street food stalls and casual eateries. They may vary by city, region, portion size, or even vendor popularity. In tourist areas or well-known shops, prices tend to be slightly higher. So treat them as a general reference, not fixed prices.
🍚 Rice & Noodles
Rice and noodles are at the heart of everyday Taiwanese meals. You’ll find them everywhere — in breakfast shops, lunch boxes, night markets, and even convenience stores. Some are light and simple, others are rich and hearty, but they’re all deeply satisfying and affordable. Whether you want to slurp, scoop, or chew, this is the section where your Taiwan food journey begins.
| 中文名稱 | Pinyin | English | Approx. Price (NTD) | Note & Example Dish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 魯肉飯 | lǔ ròu fàn | Braised pork rice | 35–55 | Classic comfort food with soy-braised minced pork over white rice. |
| 白飯 | bái fàn | Plain rice | 10–20 | A basic side dish. Often added to set meals or served with braised dishes. |
| 菜飯 | cài fàn | Vegetable rice | 30–45 | Rice mixed with chopped greens and seasoned with shallot oil. |
| 稀飯 | xī fàn | Rice porridge | 30–40 | Savory porridge, often served with small side dishes or pickles. |
| 粥 | zhōu | Congee | 50–80 | 虱目魚粥 (shī mù yú zhōu) – with milkfish. 皮蛋瘦肉粥 (pí dàn shòu ròu zhōu) – with century egg & pork. |
| 牛肉麵 | niú ròu miàn | Beef noodle soup | 120–200 | 紅燒牛肉麵 (hóng shāo) – soy-based broth. 清燉牛肉麵 (qīng dùn) – clear herbal broth. |
| 擔仔麵 | dàn zǐ miàn | Tainan-style noodle bowl | 50–70 | Small savory noodle bowl with minced pork, shrimp, garlic, and coriander. A Tainan classic. |
| 炒麵 | chǎo miàn | Stir-fried noodles | 40–60 | Thick yellow noodles tossed with soy sauce, cabbage, and sometimes meat. Common in lunch shops. |
| 米粉 | mǐ fěn | Rice vermicelli | 30–50 | 新竹炒米粉 (xīn zhú chǎo mǐ fěn) – stir-fried style. 米粉湯 (mǐ fěn tāng) – served in light broth. |
| 米線 | mǐ xiàn | Rice noodles | 50–70 | 雲南米線 (yún nán mǐ xiàn) – Yunnan-style with chili oil and sour soup. Slippery and satisfying. |
| 粄條 | bǎn tiáo | Flat rice noodles | 50–65 | 客家粄條 (kè jiā bǎn tiáo) – broad and chewy, served dry or in clear broth. |
| 湯麵 | tāng miàn | Noodle soup | 40–55 | 陽春麵 (yáng chūn miàn) – simple noodle soup with light broth, pork, and greens. |
| 涼麵 | liáng miàn | Cold sesame noodles | 35–50 | Served chilled with sesame paste, cucumber, and sometimes ham or egg. |
| 小籠包 | xiǎo lóng bāo | Soup dumplings | 100–200 | Steamed dumplings with juicy broth inside. 鼎泰豐 (Din Tai Fung) is the most famous spot. |
| 水餃 | shuǐ jiǎo | Boiled dumplings | 5–8 per piece | Usually filled with pork and cabbage. Best with garlic soy dipping sauce. |
🍲 Soups & Hot Dishes
Soups in Taiwan aren’t just appetizers — they’re often the main event. From comforting meatball broth to thick starchy soups or herbal stews with medicinal roots, Taiwanese hot dishes are flavorful, nourishing, and full of local character. These are best enjoyed slowly, often alongside rice or noodles, especially during rainy days or cooler months.
| 中文名稱 | Pinyin | English | Approx. Price (NTD) | Note & Example Dish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 貢丸湯 | gòng wán tāng | Pork meatball soup | 30–45 | Clear soup with bouncy pork balls — a Hsinchu specialty and common lunch box side. |
| 蛤蜊湯 | gé lí tāng | Clam soup | 40–60 | Light broth with ginger and fresh clams. Popular at seafood restaurants or night markets. |
| 四神湯 | sì shén tāng | Four-herb soup | 50–70 | Herbal soup with pork intestine and Chinese medicinal roots. Believed to nourish the body. |
| 牛雜湯 | niú zá tāng | Mixed beef organ soup | 60–90 | Bold-flavored soup with tripe, brisket, tendon — for adventurous eaters! Often served in traditional shops. |
| 羹 | gēng | Thickened soup | 40–60 | A general term for starchy soups. Example: 肉羹 (ròu gēng) — shredded pork in a black vinegar-sweet broth. Often eaten with rice or noodles. |
| 大腸麵線 | dà cháng miàn xiàn | Intestine vermicelli | 50–70 | Thin wheat noodles in thick bonito-based broth, topped with braised large intestine, garlic paste, and cilantro. A beloved street food. |
| 滷味 | lǔ wèi | Soy-braised platter | 50–120 | Pick your mix of tofu, egg, seaweed, and meat cuts — all simmered in aromatic soy sauce. Served hot or warm. |
| 魚湯 | yú tāng | Fish soup | 60–100 | Example: 味噌魚湯 (wèi zēng yú tāng) — a miso-flavored broth with fish and tofu. Mild and filling. |
| 餛飩湯 | hún tún tāng | Wonton soup | 35–60 | Light and savory soup filled with small pork or shrimp dumplings. Sometimes includes seaweed or cabbage. |
| 排骨酥湯 | pái gǔ sū tāng | Fried pork rib soup | 70–100 | Peppery broth with deep-fried pork ribs and Chinese herbs. Especially popular in winter or in night markets. |
🍢 Street Food & Snacks
Night markets are the heart of Taiwan’s food culture — full of sizzling, bubbling, crunchy surprises. These street foods are cheap, fast, and unforgettable. Many come in paper bags or on skewers, perfect for strolling as you snack. Some are crispy, some chewy, and some… quite fragrant. 😅 But if you’re feeling adventurous, this is where the magic happens.
| 中文名稱 | Pinyin | English | Approx. Price (NTD) | Note & Example Dish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 鹽酥雞 | yán sū jī | Popcorn chicken | 50–80 | Bite-sized fried chicken with garlic and basil. Vendors usually offer other items like 甜不辣 (fish cake), 杏鮑菇 (king oyster mushroom), tofu, or squid — mix and match by weight! |
| 雞排 | jī pái | Fried chicken cutlet | 70–90 | Extra-large cutlet, crispy and juicy. Often spiced and cut into bite-size pieces. |
| 臭豆腐 | chòu dòu fu | Stinky tofu | 50–80 | Taiwan’s most infamous dish! Two types: 炸臭豆腐 (zhà chòu dòu fu) – crispy fried, with pickled cabbage and chili sauce; 蒸臭豆腐 (zhēng chòu dòu fu) – steamed in spicy broth with stronger smell. |
| 水煎包 | shuǐ jiān bāo | Pan-fried bun | 15–25 (each) | Doughy bun pan-fried to a golden crisp, usually filled with pork or cabbage. Juicy and satisfying. |
| 蔥油餅 | cōng yóu bǐng | Scallion pancake | 30–60 | Flaky and chewy flatbread fried with scallions. Sometimes topped with egg, cheese, or even bacon. |
| 蚵仔煎 | é zǎi jiān | Oyster omelet | 60–80 | Chewy egg omelet with oysters, starch, and sweet chili sauce. A classic Taiwanese flavor combo. |
| 肉圓 | ròu yuán | Ba-wan (meat dumpling) | 40–60 | Large dumpling with translucent, glutinous skin filled with pork and mushrooms. Served with sweet-savory sauce. |
| 雞蛋糕 | jī dàn gāo | Egg cake | 20–40 | Fluffy sponge cakes, often shaped like fish, bears, or cartoon characters. Soft and nostalgic. |
| 蘿蔔糕 | luó bo gāo | Turnip cake | 30–50 | Pan-fried radish cake made from rice flour, daikon, sometimes sausage or dried shrimp. |
| 蚵嗲 | é diē | Oyster fritter | 50–70 | Deep-fried batter stuffed with oysters, vegetables, and sometimes minced pork. Crispy and filling. |
| 豬血糕 | zhū xiě gāo | Pig’s blood rice cake | 30–50 | Steamed block of sticky rice mixed with pig’s blood, served on a stick and rolled in peanut powder and cilantro. Surprisingly chewy and tasty! |
| 刈包 | guà bāo | Gua bao / Taiwanese hamburger | 60–80 | Steamed bun sandwich with braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, crushed peanuts, and coriander. Sweet, salty, soft — a favorite! |
| 鐵蛋 | tiě dàn | Iron eggs | 30–50 | Soy-braised quail eggs, repeatedly dried and stewed until black and chewy. Originated in Tamsui. |
🍧 Desserts & Drinks
Taiwan’s hot and humid weather makes cold treats and sweet drinks a daily joy — not just dessert. From chewy taro balls to mountain-like shaved ice and iconic bubble tea, you’ll find refreshing options in night markets, street stands, and dessert shops across the island. Many are customizable, and some are so famous they’ve gone global.
| 中文名稱 | Pinyin | English | Approx. Price (NTD) | Note & Example Dish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 珍珠奶茶 | zhēn zhū nǎi chá | Bubble tea | 50–70 | Taiwan’s most iconic drink! Black tea with milk and tapioca pearls. Also comes in taro, matcha, brown sugar, and fruit tea versions. (More in a future article!) |
| 雪花冰 | xuě huā bīng | Snowflake ice | 90–150 | Ultra-fine milk-flavored shaved ice topped with fruit, syrup, and condensed milk. Popular flavors: mango, matcha, peanut, chocolate. |
| 刨冰 | bào bīng | Traditional shaved ice | 50–80 | Chunky ice topped with red bean, jelly, taro balls, peanuts, and syrup. Often build-your-own. |
| 豆花 | dòu huā | Tofu pudding | 35–50 | Soft tofu in syrup, served warm or cold. Popular toppings: red beans, peanuts, 粉圓 (fěn yuán). |
| 芋圓 | yù yuán | Taro balls | 30–50 | Chewy balls made from taro or sweet potato. Served with grass jelly, tofu pudding, or shaved ice. |
| 愛玉 | ài yù | Aiyu jelly | 35–50 | Refreshing fig seed jelly, served with lime juice and honey. Especially great in summer. |
| 綠豆湯 | lǜ dòu tāng | Mung bean soup | 30–45 | A lightly sweet soup served cold in summer, often with barley or small tapioca pearls. |
| 布丁 | bù dīng | Pudding | 25–45 | Soft caramel custard. You’ll find it everywhere — try 統一布丁, the convenience store classic! |
| 粉圓 | fěn yuán | Tapioca pearls | 10–30 (as topping) | Used in 豆花, bào bīng, or even hot sweet soups. Softer and smaller than typical boba pearls. |
| 果汁 | guǒ zhī | Fruit juice | 40–70 | Fresh juices made from passionfruit (百香果), guava (芭樂), watermelon (西瓜), papaya (木瓜), and more. Custom sugar/ice levels available at most stands. |
🥤 Pro Tip: Most drink shops let you choose ice and sugar levels. Try asking for 少糖 (less sugar), 微糖 (light sugar), or 無糖 (no sugar) to taste more of the tea or fruit!
💬 Useful Dialogues & Bonus Phrases
Ordering food in Taiwan can be easy and fun — even if you only speak a few words of Chinese. These helpful phrases will get you through most situations at night markets, restaurants, and food stalls. Many vendors love it when visitors try using Mandarin (even just a little), and you might get extra smiles… or snacks!
🧾 Practical Phrases
| 中文句子 | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 我要一份這個 | wǒ yào yí fèn zhè ge | I want one of this | Say while pointing — works great at food stalls! |
| 謝謝 | xiè xiè | Thank you | Always a good word to know. 🙏 |
| 內用 / 外帶 | nèi yòng / wài dài | Dine-in / Take-out | You’ll hear this a lot in shops or counters. |
| 加辣嗎？ | jiā là ma? | Do you want it spicy? | Common question. Reply: 小辣 (mild), 中辣 (medium), 大辣 (hot). |
| 不要香菜 | bú yào xiāng cài | No cilantro | Especially useful if you’re not a fan — it’s everywhere! |
| 不要加糖 / 不要加冰 少糖 / 少冰 | bú yào jiā táng / bú yào jiā bīng shǎo táng / shǎo bīng | No sugar / No ice Less sugar / Less ice | Useful for customizing drinks. You can also say: 半糖 (half sugar), 微糖 (light sugar), 無糖 (no sugar). |
| 老闆，來一份！ | lǎo bǎn, lái yí fèn! | Boss, give me one! | Very local way to place your order — casual and fun. |
| 可以推薦嗎？ | kě yǐ tuī jiàn ma? | Can you recommend something? | Great for discovering local favorites. |
| 有英文菜單嗎？ | yǒu yīng wén cài dān ma? | Do you have an English menu? | Especially useful in traditional restaurants. |
| 太好吃了！ | tài hǎo chī le! | It’s so delicious! | Let your vendor know they nailed it 😋 |
😄 Bonus: Fun Local Expressions
Want to sound even more like a local — or just have fun joking with friendly vendors? Try these playful expressions (especially at night markets). Locals will love it!
| 中文句子 | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 老闆太強了！ | lǎo bǎn tài qiáng le! | Boss, you’re amazing! | A great compliment after a good bite. Very Taiwanese. |
| 太好吃了啦！ | tài hǎo chī le la! | It’s sooo good! | Add “啦 (la)” for extra enthusiasm — sounds super local. |
| 超讚的！ | chāo zàn de! | Super awesome! | Works for food, views, or anything fun. |
| 有夠香！ | yǒu gòu xiāng! | Smells amazing! | Say it when something on the grill hits your nose. |
| 一吃就上癮！ | yì chī jiù shàng yǐn! | Addictive from the first bite! | For that snack you can’t stop eating. |
| 這真的中！ | zhè zhēn de zhòng! | This one hits the spot! | “中” (zhòng) is local slang for something that lands perfectly. |
| 老闆很帥！ | lǎo bǎn hěn shuài! | Boss, you’re handsome! | Playful compliment — say it with a grin 😉 |
| 老闆娘超正！ | lǎo bǎn niáng chāo zhèng! | Lady boss, you’re gorgeous! | Great way to charm the friendly vendor 😄 |
🎯 Local Tip: Even if you mess up your pronunciation, people will appreciate your effort. A big smile and a “謝謝” (xiè xiè) go a long way.
🌱 Dietary Notes
Taiwan is known for its food, but if you have specific dietary needs — whether for health, religion, or personal preference — it helps to know how to communicate clearly. While many vegetarian and Buddhist eateries are well-marked, smaller shops or night market stalls might need a bit more explanation. This section gives you the phrases to ask politely and avoid surprise ingredients.
| 中文詞彙 | Pinyin | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 素食 | sù shí | Vegetarian | Often includes egg/dairy unless otherwise stated. Found in Buddhist restaurants and buffets. |
| 蛋奶素 | dàn nǎi sù | Ovo-lacto vegetarian | The most common kind of vegetarian diet in Taiwan. |
| 全素 | quán sù | Vegan | No animal products — some also avoid garlic/onions. Look for temple-run or Buddhist shops. |
| 無麩質 | wú fū zhì | Gluten-free | Rarely labeled. Be cautious with soy sauce, fried foods, or thickened soups. |
| 不吃牛 | bù chī niú | I don’t eat beef | Common request — respected in many local households for religious reasons. |
| 不吃豬 | bù chī zhū | I don’t eat pork | Especially helpful if keeping halal or kosher. Pork is very common in Taiwanese cuisine. |
| 不加蔥蒜 | bù jiā cōng suàn | No onion or garlic | Buddhist vegetarians often avoid these. Some restaurants will accommodate. |
| 過敏 | guò mǐn | Allergy | Add the ingredient after it. Example: 我對花生過敏 (wǒ duì huā shēng guò mǐn) = I’m allergic to peanuts. |
| 可以幫我看一下成分嗎？ | kě yǐ bāng wǒ kàn yī xià chéng fèn ma? | Can you help me check the ingredients? | Useful when buying snacks or dishes with unknown sauces or fillings. |
💡 Travel Tip: Look for restaurants labeled 素食 (vegetarian) or 齋. Taiwan has many dedicated veg-friendly places, especially near temples — they’re delicious and often very budget-friendly.
Whether you’re pointing at a mystery dish, ordering bubble tea with custom sugar, or charming a vendor with “老闆太強了,” we hope this guide helps you feel more confident — and more connected — as you explore Taiwan’s incredible food scene. With just a few key phrases and a curious appetite, you’ll open the door to countless unforgettable meals. Don’t be shy — try something new, ask a friendly question, and most of all… enjoy every bite!