taiwan food tour

Private Family Tour of Taiwan

Classic private tours of taiwan, natural wonders tour of taiwan, private tea tours of taiwan, private food tours of taiwan, private culture tours of taiwan.

Enjoy a Taiwan Food Tour, tasting a variety of traditional snacks, teas, and delicious meals in Taiwan.

3-Day Private Food Tour of Taiwan

Enjoy a three-day food tour as you taste a variety of traditional Taiwanese snacks and meals in Taipei. From beef noodles to bubble milk tea, you’ll explore signature dishes in local neighborhoods and see cultural landmarks around the city.

5-Day Private Food Tour of Taiwan

Enjoy a five-day food tour as you taste a variety of traditional Taiwanese snacks and meals. From beef noodles to bubble milk tea, you’ll explore signature dishes in local neighborhoods around the island.

7-Day Private Food Tour of Taiwan

Enjoy a seven-day food tour as you taste a variety of traditional Taiwanese snacks and meals. From beef noodles to bubble milk tea, you’ll explore signature dishes in local neighborhoods around the island.

What to Expect on Every Journey

• Fully customized Taiwan itinerary
• Dedicated Travel Designer
• Dedicated vehicle with licensed chauffeur
• Dedicated English-speaking tour guide
• The best accommodations in every location
• All meals tailored to your specific dietary needs
• Comprehensive insurance

Create Your Own Tour

Contact our Travel Design team to curate your Taiwan tour

THE 10 BEST Taiwan Food Tours

Food tours in taiwan.

• Cultural Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Private Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
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1. The Award-Winning PRIVATE Food Tour of Taipei: The 10 Tastings

2. Taipei Food Tour: Night Market & Convenience Store(Food Included)

3. Taipei Food Tour

4. [Private Tour] Shilin Night Market Walking Tour With a Private Tour Guide (2-hr)

5. Backstreet Food Tour: Food, Culture, and Fun

6. Taipei Day Tour including Taipei 101, Din Tai Fung and Hot Spring Experience

7. Traditional Old School Taiwanese Food Tour

8. Taipei Street Food & Night Market Tour with a Local: Private & Custom

9. Night Market Food Tour in Keelung

10. Taipei: Din Tai Fung Meal Voucher

11. WoknRoll Taipei Walking and Historical Food Tour

12. 2-hr Raohe Night Market Walking Private Tour with a Tour Guide

13. 2-Hour Vegetarian Private Walking Tour - Xingtian Temple

14. Half-Day Muslim Friendly Tour in Taipei City

What travellers are saying.

Home > Tour > Food

Taste all kinds of Taiwanese signature dish in one single tour

Learn to eat like a local while listening to stories behind the food

Visit the most famous culinary neighborhood in Taipei

Description

Taiwan is considered by many to be the heaven for gastronomes due to our creative and prolific ways to pleasure one’s palate. From local street food to luxurious delicacy, Taiwanese cuisine reflects the geographic location of our island as well as our tumultuous historic development - which has blossomed into an abundant and dynamic food culture after hundreds of years of development. Through our Food Tour, Like It Formosa takes you to the much celebrated Yongkang Street at Dongmen Station of Taipei, where guests will be shown a glimpse of the Taiwanese gourmet culture that locals take pride in. You are advised to come with an empty stomach, as it will be an afternoon that not only opens your eyes but also challenges your appetite!

Know Taiwan - the nation of street food and snacks - at the tip of your tongue: There is no better way to learn about a culture other than tasting it!

Every Tue / Thu / Sat 11:00 meet up with guide

Meeting point: Exit 1, MRT Dongmen Station

Our guide is recognized with a green and white paper fan saying "Like It Formosa".

1. Seasonal Fruits

Our Food Tour starts off at the hidden traditional market, where we introduce you to the tasty seasonal fruits of Taiwan, dubbed “Kingdom of Fruit”.

2. Dumplings

Often considered an extension from Chinese and Japanese culture, but Taiwanese dumplings have their own unique taste (and traditionally, along with the hot and sour soup).

3. Bubble Milk Tea

The most identified local pride when it comes to Taiwanese cuisine. Don’t miss your chance to have an authentic one here!

4. Flaky Scallion Pancake

Never miss out the both flaky and al-dente Taiwanese scallion pancake when at Yongkang Street. With our help, you will have special access to this popular snack spot without a queue!

5. Taiwanese Vermicelli

Another prominent street food for Taiwanese locals. The vermicelli is served with intestines and the optional coriander. Don't forget to add some black vinager in order to experience the soul of this authentic street food! 

6. Beef Noodle

Now a famous dish for worldwide gourmets, Beef Noodle had a humble beginning that started from Post-World War 2 military family villages in Taiwan. Every year, Taipei city hosts a competition for residents to vote for the best Beef Noodle in the city!

7. Taro & Mango Shaved Ice

Last but not least, Our Food Tour takes you to one of the hidden gems of Yongkang Street for the glorious Taiwanese shaved ice. With the options of taro, mango or other season fruit, this taste will sure leave you a lasting impression of Taiwanese food!

Every Tue / Thu / Sat 13:30 tour ends

Every Tue / Thu / Sat 11:00~13:30

​Or,  book a private tour !

Meeting Point

Exit 1 of Dongmen Station

NT$1,800/person   (10% discount for a group of 3 or more!)

Important Notice

Online registration closes 12 hours before the tour starts (11:00PM on Monday, Wednesday and Friday). Travel insurance is included.

P lease specify your dietary restrictions upon registration. It is important to note that dishes included in this tour may contain allergens like nuts, milk, and other common allergens. While substitutes are available for most dishes, not all requests can be fully accommodated.

This tour is vegetarian and vegan friendly. However, please be aware that strict dietary adherence cannot be guaranteed because cooking procedures may vary according to different restaurants and vendors.

The guide is recognized with a green and white paper fan saying "Like It Formosa".

If less than 2 people register or if the Taipei City Government announces a day off because of natural disasters , the tour will be canceled and you will be notified via email one day in advance and receive a full refund.

In the event of emergency situations, please call the guide or message our  Facebook Fanpage .

Anything not covered hereunder, the Organizer reserves the right of final modification.

Cancelation Policy

1. Full refunds will be issued for cancelations made at least 7 days prior to the tour.

2. 50% refunds will be issued for cancelations made 1~6 days prior to the tour.

3. No refunds will be issued for cancelations made on the date of the tour.

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Food , Taiwan

Taipei food tours: the best tours for food travelers to taiwan.

Taipei is one of the best cities in Asia for food travelers. There’s so much good food and so many food markets in Taipei, Taiwan it can be intimidating. A Taipei tour that is focused on food markets or street food is a great way to learn about Taiwanese food culture. In this post, we share our tips on how to book the best Taipei food tours, tea tours, and cooking classes. 

*This post contains compensated links. Find more info in my  DISCLAIMER . As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Why Book A Taipei Culinary Tour

There are lots of great reasons why booking a Taiwanese food tour could make your visit to Taipei that much more special.

First, there is a  language  barrier in Taipei. We found a good number of people who spoke English. There are some English translations or picture menus at night markets.

But, to make the most of your experience and to learn about Taiwanese food culture, a  food tour  can help overcome these hurdles. 

A local Taipei tour guide will also help with understanding what makes Taiwanese food special. This includes helping you understand what is specifically Taiwanese versus Chinese or even a Hong Kong specialty.

Taiwanese cuisine is loaded with influences from their neighbors and a Taipei guide can help explain all of these intricacies. 

Last, we love taking food tours at the start of our stay in a new city. It really makes the rest of our trip better.

Your guide will give you inside tips on where and what to eat in Taipei too. Over the years, we’ve received great restaurant recommendations from some of our food tour guides.

Want to learn more about food in Taiwan? Check out our recommendations for the  best breakfast foods in Taiwan .

See The Top Rated Food Tours In Taipei On Viator 

How About A 9 Day Taiwan Food Tour?

This post focused on recommendations for Taiwan street food tours and cooking classes within Taipei. But, if you have more time and want to really dive into Taiwanese food culture, consider booking a Taiwan tour with a focus on food.

Intrepid Travel  offers a  9 Day Real Food Adventure in Taiwan . This tour focuses on exploring Taiwan street food, local dishes, cooking classes, and demonstrations. We took Intrepid’s Real Food Adventure in  Morocco  and learned so much about Moroccan cuisine.

Their Taiwan food tour package includes visiting some iconic Taiwanese restaurants, learning how to make some iconic dishes, and visiting tea fields and a whiskey distillery.  Book A Taiwan Food Tour With Intrepid Travel Here 

How To See The Best Of Taipei On A Food Tour

A great  food tour  means that you can start to understand Taipei food culture while exploring a new city. It is more than just the food that is served.

It means you have the chance to meet locals, ask loads of questions, and learn about the history and culture of a new city. It’s one of our favorite ways to see a city! In this post, we share our recommended food tours and cooking classes in Taipei.

All pricing is provided in US dollars. With some tours, pricing will adjust based on how many people have already booked, how many people are in your party, and the time of year. 

We recommend using  Viator  for booking food tours and experiences. We like Viator for a few reasons. One, we’ve used them for tours around the world without any problems.

Second, you will receive immediate confirmation of your booking.

Last, Viator is a reputable company that is actually owned by TripAdvisor, so if there are any issues with your booking, there is a big company standing behind the booking. See The Top Rated Food Tours In Taipei On Viator 

TAIPEI FOOD TOURS

Small-Group Taipei Night Market Tour

Taipei is a 24-hour city that really comes alive at night. Seven days a week across the city, dozens of night markets pop up, cooking a wide range of local food specialties.

During this two-hour small-group Taiwan night market food tour, you’ll explore one of Taipei’s most renowned markets, Yansan Night Market. Known for its delicious ‘xiaochi’ or street food, Yansan Night Market is a must-visit for any trip to Taipei. 

While walking the market, guests will sample eight popular Taiwanese dishes and regional specialties including tasty  Taiwanese desserts . 

Pricing for the night tour begins at $60. The tour is not wheelchair accessible and comfortable shoes are recommended. 

Book this tour  here .

Why We Like This Tour

This walking tour is limited to an intimate group of just four people. The small group setting allows for the undivided attention of your guide and allows you to experience Yansan like a local.

As one of the oldest night markets in Taipei, guests will enjoy amazing food and enjoy a slice of Taiwan’s history. Check Rates For This Taipei Night Market Tour Here 

Taipei Backstreets Food Tour

Navigating Taiwan’s immense food scene can be difficult for any traveler. During this four-hour backstreet tour, sample some of the best street food Taipei has to offer.

Explore the XinYi district on foot, taking in the sights, sounds, and delicious smells of Taipei. Renowned for its culinary offerings, guests will sample some of XinYi’s best dishes including stinky tofu and soup dumplings. 

The tour can accommodate up to 8 guests with pricing beginning at $70. A fair amount of walking is involved during the tour.

Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. Because of uneven street surfaces, the tour is not recommended for those with walking disabilities or using a wheelchair.

Guests with any dietary requirements are welcomed and asked to provide notice at the time of booking. 

Led by a local and knowledgeable guide, guests will receive personalized recommendations for after the tour.

In addition to delicious food, the tour will provide guests with views of stunning temples and other Taipei sights.

The tour includes over 10 different food tastings. Check Rates For This Taipei Backstreets Food Tour 

Full-Day Taipei Private Food Tour

Explore the wonders and tastes of Taipei on your very own Taipei private tour with a highly knowledgeable local guide.

From visiting the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall to taking selfies at Taipei 101, your private guide will escort your group around Taiwan’s capital highlighting the city’s many must-see sights.

In between stunning sights, taste a variety of traditional Taiwanese snacks  and dishes. Enjoy local favorites from beef noodle soup and dumplings to bubble milk tea and many other local dishes. 

The pricing for the tour begins at $310. The private tour begins promptly at 9 am with a pick-up at your local hotel.

Lasting eight hours, the tour includes a full lunch in addition to sampling snacks throughout the day.

Vegetarian options are available for guests with dietary restrictions. Notification at the time of booking is requested. Unfortunately, the tour is not wheelchair accessible. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

As this is a private tour, customization to the itinerary can be made. We like private tours because they can be customized.

They are a great way to explore the city if you are traveling in a group with family or friends. This full-day Taipei city tour is also a great way to make the most of your time in the city. Check Rates For This Taipei Private Tour Here 

TAIPEI COOKING CLASSES

Xao Long Bao Cooking Class

One of the iconic dishes of Taiwan, Xiao Long Bao or ‘soup dumplings’ are at the top of everyone’s must-eat list in Taipei.

During this three-and-a-half-hour cooking class, guests will learn to make traditional Xiao Long Bao from scratch and enjoy them in a sit-down lunch.

This experience begins with a quick trip to the historic Kuang Fu market. Led by your chef and instructor, you’ll explore one of Taipei’s many fresh markets, shopping for fresh spices and ingredients.

After finding your ingredients, return to the kitchen and roll up your sleeves, because it’s time to cook. In addition to making the famous Xiao Long Bao, guests will also learn the secret to making delicious Braised Beef Noodle Soup, and Bubble Milk Tea. 

Dumpling Cooking Class In Taipei

Pricing for the market tour and cooking class begins at $87. The tour is suitable for all levels of culinary experience and is suitable for ages 12 and above.

Morning and afternoon classes are available. If you have any food allergies substitutions can be made with advanced notification. The cooking class is conveniently located near public transportation.

Book this cooking class  here .

Amber loves here xao long bao. It’s one of her favorite things to eat in the world. And it is one of the most famous dishes to eat in Taiwan. 

With a maximum number of 10 guests, each participant will receive hands-on guidance from the local chef.

After all the dishes are made, sit down with the group to enjoy your feast while hearing stories about Taiwan’s incredible cuisine.  Check Rates For This Taipei Xao Long Bao Cooking Class Here 

Taiwanese Cooking Class And Market Tour

Discover what makes Taiwanese cuisine one of the best in the world from an expert local chef during a private cooking session.

This four-hour market tour and cooking class begins a visit to Dongmen Market to shop for fresh ingredients. Learn about different Taiwanese produce and discover how locals shop for delicious ingredients.

After shopping, it’s back to the professional kitchen to begin cooking. Guests can choose from one of two set menus, each featuring traditional Taiwanese dishes. Choices range from chicken with sesame or delicious braised pork.

During the cooking class, each guest will receive hands-on lessons in a variety of Taiwanese cooking methods.

With a maximum of eight guests in class, the local expert chef will provide personalized help in preparing braised beef noodle soup and other signature Taiwanese signature dishes from scratch.

After all the dishes are ready, it’s time to savor them and learn more about Taiwanese cuisine. 

Taiwanese Cooking Class Details

Pricing for the cooking class begins at $130 and includes round-trip transport by taxi from Dongmen MRT Station. The tour and cooking classes are not wheelchair accessible. A minimum of two guests is required for the experience.

Guests with dietary requirements are welcome to participate. Substitutions to the menu are available with advance notice at the time of booking.

Learning how to cook local specialties is a great way to learn about a new culture. Plus, the tour starts with a local Taipei market tour. Exploring a local fresh produce market is another great way to experience a city.  Check Rates For This Taipei Cooking Class Here 

TAIPEI DRINKS EXPERIENCES

Taipei tea tour and experience.

Taiwan is world-renowned for its tea. During this small-group tour and tea tasting, guests will leave the noise of Taipei behind to see the tranquil natural beauty of Taiwan.

An eight-hour experience, guests are picked up at their hotels to set out by minivan to the green hills of the Bagua Tea Plantation.

Enjoy a scenic ride on the Maokong Gondola to reach the plantation, you’ll meet highly skilled local tea experts who will teach you how to steep the perfect pot of tea. The tea experts will provide the small group with insight into the history of tea cultivation in Taiwan.

Depending on the season, guests might have the opportunity to handpick tea leaves.

Regardless of the time of the year, guests will participate in a traditional Taiwanese tea ceremony with the tea expert. After your tea lesson, stop at a lookout point above Thousand Island Lake (Qiandao Lake) and soak in Taiwan’s natural beauty. 

Tea Tour Details

The pricing for the tour begins at $100 and can accommodate a maximum of six travelers. A minimum of four guests is required for the tour. The tour is not wheelchair accessible. Travelers with heart problems or other serious medical conditions are advised not to participate. 

We love drinking tea but are always looking for ways to learn more about tea drinking culture in Asia. This Taipei tea tour is a great way to spend a day. It’s also one of the more unique day tours from Taipei.  Check Rates For This Taipei Tea Tour Here 

FAQS – HOW TO BOOK A TAIPEI FOOD TOUR

Comfortable shoes! Many food tours involve a lot of walking. Also, be prepared for bad weather. Just because it’s rainy doesn’t mean the tour will be canceled. The same goes for the summer when temperatures can soar. Just be prepared.

Some people look at the cost of the individual items eaten on a food tour to determine whether they’ve gotten their money’s worth. A quality culinary tour, though, is more than the food served. It’s the value of the guide, the history learned, and the overall experience. And, it is almost always worth it!

In addition to booking a one day tour in Taipei that focuses on food, definitely consider heading out to the Keelung night market and Beitou hot springs. Both of these spots are easily visited from Taipei.

Yes. Like all cuisines, Chinese food is regionalized. In Taiwan, the food is generally mild compared to Sichuan. The food has been been shaped by outside influences for centuries. It’s most similar to Cantonese Chinese food or Hong Kong Chinese food.

Amber Hoffman

Amber Hoffman, food and travel writer behind With Husband In Tow, is a recovering attorney and professional eater, with a passion for finding new food and drink destinations. She lives with her husband, Eric, in Girona, Catalonia, Spain. Together over the last 20 years, they have traveled to over 70 countries. Amber is the author of the Food Traveler’s Guide to Emilia Romagna. She regularly lectures on social media marketing to travel professionals throughout Europe.

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• Taipei Night Market Tour

2 hrs    •    6-7 Tastings    •    $60USD

Enjoy an evening at the best-kept secret night market loved by local foodies. A truly off-the-beaten path experience, oblivious to tourists and guide books. Your hotel concierge will be surprised you’re going!

Explore the remarkable culture and ethnicity that define today’s Taiwan night markets eats. As one of the first night markets in Taipei, you’ll learn and see how today’s night markets came to be.

Nestled in the historical Daqiaotou district of Taipei, Yansan night market is your point of entry for a no-frills, old-school dining experience with an intimate group of up to just 6 travelers.

You will be rubbing shoulders with locals and sampling our favorites bites for the ultimate night market indulgence. Sample items such as slow braised beef noodle soup, freshly boiled mochi on shaved ice, the old-school smoked shark, and the unique savory tangyuan (湯圓)  – loosen your belt and get ready to feast!

• Devour recipes from family stalls that have been there for generations.
• Sample shark that is bought fresh daily from the Keelung fish market and smoked with brown sugar under low heat to perfection.
• Enjoy street-side cooking by a 70 year-old chef who makes one of the city’s best oyster omelette, using a closely held family recipe.
• Witness the pulse of Taipei by people watching during the rush hour hustle and bustle from the vantage point of Taipei Bridge.
• Small group of just six guests to ensure an intimate and flexible experience with your guide and store owners.

Duration:  2 hours

Tour Style: Casual Walking for all fitness levels.

ADULTS/CHILDREN

Tastings are subject to vendors’ availability. Prices do not include tax or booking fees. All sales are final and non-refundable.

• Departs Thursday from 17:30 to 19:30. Experiences happen rain or shine – Majority of the market is covered. Availability varies by season – Please check calendar .
• Starts at Daqiaotou MRT; Ends at the same place.
• Unfortunately NOT diet restriction friendly. Check out the Iconic Food Tour for a vegetarian friendly tour or email us .
• Suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
• Small group size: 1-6 people.
• 6-7 Tastings

385 REVIEWS | Rated “Excellent” by 343 Travelers

“I did both the Xinyi and Yansan Market tours with Taipei Eats. They were very different tours with little overlap in food so don’t hesitate if you are considering doing both. I was able to try so many foods I wouldn’t have found on my own and learned something about their provenance and cultural significance. And of course, it is fun to discover these new foods with other like minded visitors to Taipei.”

Awarded Tripadvisor 2019 Certificate of Excellence

What’s Included

• 6+ food and beverage tastings. Trust us – it’s enough for you to leave satisfied. Come hungry! Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
• Experienced and friendly local guide to guide you through the back alleys of Taipei.
• The opportunity to learn and see about how traditional Taiwan night markets looked like.
• Wander Yansan night market, an every-night local’s dinner spot with your own local food expert.

What are night markets?

Night markets have been around since the Tang Dynasty (A.D. 836). Taiwan night markets started increase in popularity in 1950s. Vendors focused on creating simplified versions of banquet dishes. These modified dishes became what is now known as xiaochi. Vendors are a mix between street stalls and restaurants. What started as small stall, have now developed into a mix of restaurants, food, and pop culture stalls. The night markets that have become popular among tourists are a mix of food and goods. If you really want to learn, experience, and taste a night market in it’s original form, join our Taipei night market tour and go back to the early 1900s.

Why YanSan Night Market?

This night market is our favorite because it was started for the everyday Taiwanese blue collar worker. The heart of Taiwan’s growth as a country. In the early 1900’s people who worked in the bustling Dadaocheng would stop through this market everyday before going back across the river to their homes. Back then they would use horses or walk, but presently there is the Taipei Bridge, which has become renowned for the number of scooters that flood the bridge during rush hour.

About Our Expert Guides

Your tour will be lead by one of our expert, English-speaking guides. They’re all gifted storytellers who are smart, passionate and talented and whose excitement for this country is contagious!

Meet Them Here

Have Questions?   Here are the most frequently asked.

What if it rains.

Our tours run rain or shine. It does rain quite often in Taipei, so please prepare necessary clothing and/or equipment you might need to stay dry. Don’t worry, the food taste the same! 🙂 If the Taiwan government issues an official alert shutting down businesses or we deem conditions unsafe for our guests, tours will be cancelled. This is the only situation where guests can decide whether they would like to reschedule their tours or receive a full refund.

Are gratuities expected?

Gratuities are not common in Taiwanese culture, however if you really enjoyed your time and want to show your guide how much you appreciate him/ her, they’ll be extremely happy!

Will I be full by the end of the tour?

99{7ea748cf3cd44048e18f3d4842812133efb4af85d2e0765e711f6de31d5462ea} of our guests have been happily full at the end of the tour.

If I am bringing an infant/very young child, do I need to purchase a ticket for them?

If you are bringing an infant / very young child and they will not be participating in the tastings, you do not need to purchase a ticket for them. However, please do let us know if you will be attending with an infant or young child when you purchase tickets in the notes section.

Can I cancel or reschedule my tour?

If you contact us at least 14 days prior to the start of your tour, we can help you reschedule your tour. However we do not allow cancellations as we have limited space on our tours and once a ticket is sold, it cannot be filled by others.

Still have questions? Visit our full FAQ to view more questions or Contact Us .

Check Out Our Day Tours

• Iconic Food Tour

Our original Iconic food tour takes you on an authentic culinary and visual journey. We’ll sample classic Taiwanese dishes from both award winning chefs and in-the-know local’s restaurants.

4 hours | 10+ tastings | $75 USD

• Old School Food Tour

Discover the historical side of Taipei. Sample traditional Taiwanese recipes handed down over generations and walk through a district rich in cultural and architectural history.

3 hours | 12+ tastings | $85 USD

• Private Tours & Corporate Experiences

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A Culinary Walking Tour Through Taiwan’s Street Food Capital

A short train ride from Taipei, Tainan is where many of country’s most famous dishes began

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It is a widely held belief that the best street food in Taiwan exists not in Taipei, but in Tainan. A former Dutch colony, the southern city was populated by refugees fleeing China during that country’s regime change of the 17th century, and spent 200 years as Taiwan’s capital before it was moved north in 1887. Compared to Taipei, the roads here are narrow (maybe don’t rent a car), and the architecture is as varied and captivating as the city’s xiao chi, or “little eats” — famed delicacies that today attract culinary tourists from all over Asia and beyond.

The upheavals that shook Taiwan at the end of the 19th century and after World War II — respectively, Japan’s colonization of the island, then a huge influx of Chinese as a defeated Chiang Kai-shek withdrew from the mainland — didn’t reshape the culture in Tainan nearly so much as they did in the north, and that includes the foodways. When it comes to old-style Taiwanese cooking, most will admit that Tainan is unmatched. The dishes here tend to be sweeter than their northern Taiwan equivalents, too, due to greater Tainan’s 400-year history as a sugar (and salt)-producing region. And because the southwest is known as the island’s rice bowl, vegetable patch, oyster bed, and piggery combined, Tainan cuisine benefits from being close to the ingredient motherlode.

While culturally distinct, Tainan is an easy one-night detour — or even an ambitious day trip — on any Taipei itinerary. Bullet trains operated by Taiwan High Speed Rail take between about 90 minutes and 2 hours from the capital; you can buy tickets at the main station just before departure, or from special kiosks at local 7-Elevens.

Once in town, the dense city center is ideal for a walking tour of Tainan’s most acclaimed spins on street food, aided by this guide to crawling your way through them all. English is less widely spoken here than in Taipei, but the welcome is just as enthusiastic. In the end, your persistence will be rewarded by a peerless day of eating, with enough scenic walking between stops to stave off the meat sweats.

Note: You can get from the station to the city center by the H31 shuttle bus to Jiansing Junior High School (about 40 minutes, free) or Shalun Branch Railway (22 to 28 minutes, $25 TWD, or 80 cents USD) to Tainan Station. The bus drops you less than 1000 feet from the first eatery described below. (Alternately, you could also hop a taxi to the same address for about $400 TWD/$13 USD). Before eating, you may want to look around Tainan’s ancient Confucius Temple ( 台南孔子廟), located nearby. If you take the local train, consider starting your food crawl at stop 3.

Steven Crook is a freelance writer and co-author of A Culinary History of Taipei: Beyond Pork and Ponlai . He has called Tainan, Taiwan home for 24 years.

Zhu Jiao Fan (Pigs’ Trotters and Rice, 豬腳飯)

The restaurant may be quaint, but the specialty here is anything but. A stick-to-your-ribs achievement in pork cookery, large bowls come filled with steamed rice, Hakka pickle, stewed bamboo, and jiggly braised pigs’ knuckles or zhu jiao fan . To mitigate the heft, get yours with a helping of vegetables or a bowl of dou bao tang (豆包湯), a mild, clear soup bobbing with fried tofu balls. Open: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 5 to 8 p.m.; closed Mondays. Price: from $90 TWD ($3 USD)

Directions: From here, walk north to the next intersection, where you’ll see the entrance of Tainan Art Museum’s colonial-era Building 1. Turn right here and walk about 300 feet on the north side of Youai Street to a cooking station set up right against the sidewalk.

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Chao Fan Zhuan Jia (Fried Rice Expert, 炒飯專家)

It’s not just about the way the chef uses a ladle to press rice against the hot wok, ensuring no grain is left unbrowned. This family-run eatery, located at the back of the art museum’s Building 1, goes one ingredient beyond conventional fried rice recipes. Whether tossed with beef, mutton, or lamb, the fried rice here comes imbued with the clean, menthol fragrance of white sesame oil which, because of its low smoke point, takes a deft hand to use in stir-fries. Here, the oil provides an almost lemony sharpness and nuttiness. Helpings come generously loaded with thinly sliced meat, and bits of bell pepper, grated carrot, egg, and shredded cabbage more than round out each serving — which is big enough to split three ways. Open: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., 4 to 8:30 p.m.; closed Sundays. Price: from $60 TWD ($2 USD)

Directions: Take a few strides east to the nearest intersection, follow Kaishan Road north to the traffic circle, then go counter-clockwise around the circle to Qingnian Road. On the north side of the latter road, very near the circle, is an alley labeled Lane 8, Zhongshan Road. About 150 feet into the lane, you’ll find the next stop on your right.

Wuming Mi Gao (“No Name” Mi Gao) (無名米糕)

This eatery is known as Mi Gao (米糕), which isn’t so much its name as what happens to be the first of three items listed on its little hand-painted sign. Mi gao is a glutinous rice cake, and the version here is hailed by aficionados of guzao wei (“ancient flavors”), topped with tiny cubes of braised pork belly and a generous sprinkling of pork floss (pork that’s been simmered until it breaks into strands, then thoroughly dried in a wok). The di gua ye tang , or sweet potato-leaf soup, is historically a peasant dish. Today, the dark greens — similar to broccoli rabe — give a snappy bitterness to the mild pork bone broth, which has none of the garlic and shallots used so ubiquitously and aggressively in Taiwanese cooking. Open: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 to 8 p.m.; closed Sundays. Price: from $30 TWD ($1 USD)

Directions: Retrace your steps to Pigs’ Trotters and Rice (No. 1), walk south to Fuqian Road, then west half a mile to stop 4.

Ah Long Xiangchang Shu Rou (Ah Long’s Sausages and Cooked Meats, 阿龍香腸熟肉)

Ah Long serves hei bai qie , literally “black and white cuts,” but not far from what we think of as “cold cuts” in English. A variety of pork offal — heart, lung, liver, and stomach — as well as shark meat, deep-fried crab roe, and bitter gourd are precooked, then served chilled. Additionally, there’s a kind of soft sausage made from pig chitterlings called fen chang , plus crunchy deep-fried shrimp rolls (see No. 11 below). Each item costs just $20 TWD, and everything is laid out on the counter, so ordering is as easy as pointing. Simply sliced and served naked, your order will arrive with a saucer of mild mustard and thickened soy sauce for dipping. Open: 10:30 a.m. until sold out; closed Mondays. Price: from $20 TWD (65 cents USD)

Directions: From here head west 800 feet, then south 500 feet to stop 5.

Lu Ji Du Tuo Yu Geng (Lu’s Spanish Mackerel Soup, 呂記𩵚魠魚羹)

The owners of this stall-turned-storefront do just one thing, and they have it down pat. Marinated nuggets of Spanish mackerel are breaded and deep fried, then left to drain. Customers can pick between having it with a tangle of mian (wheat noodles), mǐ fen (rice-flour vermicelli), or just the fish in soup. Only after an order has been placed is the soup — thickened with cornstarch and flavored with a squirt of black vinegar — poured over the fish, which arrives at the table perfectly plump and flaky. Open: 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. daily. Price: from $60 TWD ($2 USD)

Directions: From here, make your way to Hai’an Road. Walk north to Minsheng Road, then east to one of the street-food epicenters of Tainan at stop 6.

Ah-Juan’s Rou Zong and Lu Mian (阿娟肉粽魯麵)

Good luck securing a seat at this daytime hotspot, where the lu mian — a starch-thickened soup packed with shredded vegetables, wheat noodles, and pork-fish paste dumplings — is singularly satisfying. And because locals phone in orders hours before breakfast, the queue for savory congee is just as lengthy, whether it’s yu tou zhou (taro congee, Mondays and Fridays only) or the Tuesday-special cabbage version, gao li cai zhou . Fortunately, take-out rou zong can be procured without much of a delay. These stodgy pork-and-mushroom-filled rice pyramids are prepared southern-style, overflowing with soft, whole peanuts, and boiled, not steamed, making for stickier rice. Across the street from the store you’ll spy the boiling apparatus and bundles of bamboo-leaf-wrapped rou zong hung up to cool. Open: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; closed Sundays. Price: from $40 TWD ($1.30 USD)

Directions: Go north on the right-hand side of the road to the next stop.

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Tainan Tan Kao Di Gua (Tainan Roasted Sweet Potatoes, 台南碳烤地瓜)

Look for the pot-bellied barrel on wheels roasting fragrant, yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes. Resting on top of it, you’ll see a selection of spuds that are ready to eat; the skins are crispy and blotched where the juice has oozed out and caramelized. Point to the one you want and wait for the price to be calculated according to its weight. It’s then entirely up to you whether you peel your sweet potato with your fingers, or bite right in. Open: 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily. Price: around $30 TWD ($1 USD)

Directions: Continue north on the same side of Guohua Street for less than 165 feet to stop 8.

Neipu Xiang Nian Gao (Neipu Rice Cake, 內埔鄉年糕)

Mr. Chen, as he prefers to be called, lives two hours to the southeast of Tainan, in an area where most people are Hakka, an ethnic subgroup of Han Chinese complete with its own language and culinary customs that migrated to Taiwan from southern China in the 18th century. Each morning, Mr. Chen sets out from home before dawn to hawk several different kinds of freshly made Hakka-style nian gao (a sweet rice cake) and mochi to morning shoppers. Not quite desserts, not quite confections, everything in his box of delights is made of glutinous rice pounded into paste. Before steaming, varieties get slightly sweetened with white or brown sugar and flavored with adzuki beans, taro, banana, or with a combination of millet, barley, and other grains. Each portion is about the size of a deck of cards and comes wrapped in plastic. The pale colors don’t give much away in terms of flavor, so it’s a bit of a blind tasting for those who don’t speak Mandarin or Taiwanese. Get a second box to nibble on the train ride back to Taipei. Open: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; closed Sundays and Mondays. Price: from $30 TWD ($1 USD)

Directions: Continue north on the opposite side of Guohua Street for 150 feet to your next destination.

Yi Wei Pin Wha Guay (Number 1 Rice Pudding, 一味品碗粿)

There’s no satisfactory translation of the savory steamed rice pudding-like dish known in Taiwanese dialect as wha guay . To help, Yi Wei Pin has a chart on the wall that shows the precise order in which the kitchen assembles up to 500 bowls each day: At the bottom there are two freshly cooked shrimp, a piece of pig’s foot, and a tiny strip of pork loin. A little diced braised fatty pork is added, then the bowl is filled with cooked rice that has been ground into a liquid, then steamed. Just before serving, pureed garlic, a sweet-ish spicy sauce, mild wasabi paste, and soy sauce are poured on top of the wheaty-tasting snack. The elements arrive unmixed, so feel free to stir everything together, or as many prefer, don’t, and instead delight in the variety of each bite. Open: 5 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Tuesdays. Price: from $30 TWD ($1 USD)

Directions: Take a few steps to the north toward the store where the sign incorporates an image of a toad.

Shuxian Gong Qingcao Chadian (Water God Temple Herbal Tea Shop, 水仙宮青草茶店)

The formula for Taiwanese herbal tea isn’t set in stone. It can be infused with the flavors of verbena, dandelion, the herb known as “heart of the earth” or “heal-all,” or various types of mint. These herbs, along with some grasses, are boiled up into a juice which is then filtered. Some vendors add sugar before cooling and selling the decoction. But not this one, which claims to have been making the stuff since the early 1950s. The result is slightly bitter yet refreshingly light, and goes down especially well after nine stops of hefty street food. The shop also sells the fresh (growing in pots in front of the store) and dried herbs to brew the stuff at home. Open: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Price: from $30 TWD ($1)

Directions: The final stop of this food tour is a calorie-burning half-mile away if you walk through the backstreets around the Yuemen, one of the few surviving remnants of the city walls that once kept Tainan safe from rebels and bandits. A slightly longer route (nearly a mile) will take you through the gorgeously aged Shennong Street, lined with crumbling 19th-century merchants’ abodes. On this side of town, it’s also easy to flag down a taxi.

Fucheng Huang Jia Xia Juan (Fucheng Huang Family Shrimp Roll, 府城黃家蝦捲)

A bit bigger than Chinese/Vietnamese deep-fried spring rolls and slightly darker, Tainan shrimp rolls are filled with a mix of ground shrimp, shallots, pork, and pig offal. Most of the city’s deep-fried shrimp roll spots — including Taiwan’s best-known shrimp roll chain, Chou’s — have replaced the traditional caul fat wrapper with tofu skin. The third generation of Huang family to specialize in this Tainan delicacy is standing their ground in this respect, however, and as a result their shop lays claim to the crispiest rolls in town. For your final bite before leaving the city, add tiny dabs of the thickened soy sauce and piquant mustard brought to your table with your food, and enjoy a quintessential flavor of old Tainan. Open: 2:30 to 8 p.m. daily. Price: from $50 TWD ($1.63 USD)

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Best Food Tours in Taiwan - Secret Food Tours

Ready to explore the culinary world of Taiwan? Join us on our secret food tours and discover the best that this island has to offer. From street food to fine dining, we'll show you all the best places to eat in Taiwan.

Our knowledgeable guides will share insider tips on where to find the tastiest dishes and what to order. You'll also get to sample some of the local cuisine, so you can experience the flavor of Taiwan for yourself.

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Tainan Food Tour

• • Find the best Taiwanese dishes with your local, English-speaking guide
• • Sample local street food at the Shueisian Temple traditional market
• • Watch how Tainan's famous milkfish congee is prepared (and taste for yourself!)
• • Participate in an authentic Taiwanese tea ceremony
• • Explore Taiwanese desserts on Guohua and Zhengxing food street

Eat like a local and gain a deeper understanding of Taiwan's food culture as you explore the island's most traditional food mecca with your knowledgeable, local guide. On this food tour, your guide will take you to try Tainan's most famous and delicious eats while explaining the origins, traditions, and general obsession behind Taiwanese food. Watch how milkfish congee is prepared (and sample for yourself!), stroll down the alley of a traditional fruit and vegetable market, participate in a traditional tea ceremony, and satisfy your sweet tooth with local Taiwanese desserts!

▴ Participate in an authentic tea ceremony in a local tea house

▴ Enjoy Tainan's famous milkfish congee, prepared right in front of you

▴ Try the best Taiwanese street eats recommended by your local tour guide

▴ Explore a traditional, Taiwanese market on this authentic food tour

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• • A professional English speaking tour guide
• • 5-seater sedan / 9-seater van / 21-seater mini bus
• • Travel insurance

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