1. Fried stinky tofu
The best place to try this prized Taiwanese delicacy for the first time is at the Shilin Night Market. It’s definitely an acquired taste, and this particular stand’s fragrant tofu is made from a family recipe passed from generation to generation. This street food is presented with a generous dollop of sweet and fiery red sauce. The crispy skin has the perfect amount of crunch which gives way to the creamy, buttery center.
2. Bubble tea
If there is one thing you cannot miss out on in Taiwan, it’s bubble tea. Hundreds – or even thousands – of bubble tea stalls line the metro with unique flavors and sometimes questionable concoctions. Whether or not you’re a fan of this milky delight, it’s definitely worth trying when you’re in Taiwan.
3. Pineapple cake
Taiwan is truly the birthplace of these delicious pineapple cakes. These buttery pastries have a pineapple filling in the center. There are so many famous brands selling pineapple cake, one of the most outstanding among them is Chia Te.
4. Beef noodle soup
Beef noodle soup often referred to as beef noodles, is a Chinese and Taiwanese noodle soup made of stewed or red braised beef, beef broth, vegetables, and Chinese noodles. It exists in various forms throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia. The beef noodle soup was first created by the Hui people during the Tang Dynasty.
5. Braised pork rice
A Chinese rice dish that is commonly seen throughout Taiwan and Southern Fujian. The flavor may vary from one region to another, but the basic ingredients remain the same: ground pork marinated and boiled in soy sauce served on top of steamed rice. It is a type of gaifan dish.
6. Iron egg
Iron eggs are a specialty egg-based dish from Taiwan. They are considered a delicacy and originated in the Tamsui District of New Taipei City. The dish consists of small eggs that have been repeatedly stewed in a mix of spices and air-dried. The resulting eggs are dark brown on the outside, chewy in texture, and very flavourful compared to standard boiled eggs.
7. Gua bao
Gua bao is a dish which is similar to a sandwich made with a steamed piece of bread stuffed with braised pork belly and pickled mustard greens. Gua bao originated in Fuzhou and was brought over to Taiwan by Fuzhounese immigrants where the flavors were modified to suit local tastes.
8. Tian bu la
Tian bu la refers to fish paste that's been molded into various shapes and sizes, deep-fried, then boiled in a broth. Before eating, the pieces of solid fish paste are taken from the broth and smothered in brown sauce.
9. Xiao long bao
Xiao long bao may be a Shanghai delicacy, but some argue the Taiwanese perfected them. Taiwanese restaurant Din Tai Fung does its Shanghai comrades proud with its succulent pork-soup dumplings. Din Tai Fung's bite-sized xiao long bao have a consistently high quality. Their paper-thin wrappings hold rich hot broth and tender pork meatballs. Gasps can be heard intermittently at Din Tai Fung as diners brace for the scalding hot soup that squirts out upon biting the dumpling.
10. Douhua
Douhua is a Taiwanese dessert made with the softest of tofu. The tofu disintegrates and melts as soon as you take a mouthful of this sweet treat. It can be served on ice in the summertime with a gingery sweet syrup to flavor it. Douhua is also delicious heated up in the wintertime, topped with peanuts, boba, mung beans and more.