By Ricky Ly of TastyChomps.com on Nov 10, 2015 01:06 pm
Best Street Food Dishes in Taipei, Taiwan
Taiwan has a long tradition of great food – from the native Taiwanese dishes to the influences of neighboring Fujian, and eventually, Japanese, and the huge influx of Mainland Chinese who came to Taiwan after 1949.
These people all brought with them their own regional specialties, making Taiwan the perfect melting pot for Chinese street food.
The country is beautiful, the people are kind, and the food is some of the best in the world. No wonder it often ranks high on the lists as a foodie destination, known for its many night markets and vibrant, dynamic food culture.
Here are some of our favorite top 10 must eat street food dishes to get while in Taipei, Taiwan:
Photo Credit- Flickr user JLim02
10. Stinky Tofu
Stinky tofu, or chòu dòufu, is a form of fermented tofu that has a strong odor – some say it is reminiscent of strong body odor – popular in Taiwan as a street food dish. The traditional method of producing stinky tofu is brining in a mixture of fermented milk, vegetables, and meat. You can tell right away when you walk by a stinky tofu stall whether in a subway station or at a night market. Despite its pungent smell – giving it the nickname as the “blue cheese” of tofu – it is quite delicious. For the best stinky tofu, visit the old Shenkeng tofu street on Shenkeng Street in Taipei, Taiwan.
Photo credit: projectbabyboiron.wordpress.com
9. Oyster vermicelli noodle soup
Oamisoir is a popular noodle soup dish containing oysters and misua (Taiwanese vermicelli) and some times pork intestines. The unique tan brown color comes from the caramelization of the wheat noodles used in the dish and it can be found at street food stalls through out Taipei from Shilin Night Market to Ningxia night market.
8. Oyster Omelettes
Oyster Omelette is often sold in night markets, consists of an egg omelette with a filling primarily composed of small oysters. Starch (typically potato starch) is mixed into egg batter, giving the dish its thick consistency. A savory sauce is often poured on top of the omelette for added taste.
Lai Ji Oyster Omelet With Eggs
No. 198-22 Minsheng W. Rd., Datong Dist, Taipei Taiwan
Photo Credit -opensourcefood-com
7. Gua Bao pork buns
Gua bao (literally: “cut bread”), is a Taiwanese street food consisting of a slice of stewed meat, usually pork belly, and other condiments sandwiched between flat steamed bread. Also known as “Taiwanese hamburgers”, the traditional filling for gua bao is a slice of tender braised pork belly, dressed with pickled mustard greens, fresh cilantro, and ground powdered peanuts in between a fluffy steamed bun.
Lan Jia Steamed Sandwich Shop | No. 3, Aly. 8, Ln. 316, Sec. 3, Roosevelt Rd., Daan Dist, Taipei Taiwan
Jian bing, a traditional snack that’s often eaten for breakfast, is a fried crepe made from a batter of wheat and grain flour that is fried on a griddle with an egg and beef, and can be topped with scallions, and cilantro. It’s like a delicious Chinese morning breakfast burrito.
5. Mango Shaved Ice at Ice Monster
The perfect way to fight off the summer heat – try the mango shaved ice dessert – made with heavenly, delicate shaved slivers of creamy ice (known as bao bing in Chinese) and topped with chunks of mango fruit and condensed milk or syrup. Other toppings include mung beans, strawberries, sweet potato, taro, and more.
Ice Monster
No. 297, Section 4, Zhongxiao E Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City, Taiwan 106
4. Giant Fried Chicken chop (Ji Pai) at Hot-star large fried chicken
Hot Star Large Fried Chicken serves their deep fried chicken breast in form of a large cutlet, spiced with garlic powder, Chinese five spice, sugar, and other chili spices. The chicken is as large as your face and is a fun street food to snack on as you explore the night markets, particularly in Shilin night market.
Shilin Night Market
+886 2 2881 5557
3. Taiwanese Sausage Wrapped in Sticky Rice bun
Small sausage in large sausage (literally: “small intestine wrapped in large intestine”) is a made of sweet and savory Taiwanese pork sausage wrapped in a sticky glutinous rice “sausage” bun and chargrilled and served with garlic and sauces, similar to a Chinese hot dog.
Shilin Night Market
+886 2 2881 5557
2. Taiwanese Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian) at Lin Dong Fang
Beef noodle soup is a the national soup of the Taiwanese made of stewed or red braised beef, beef broth, vegetables and Chinese noodles – often stewed and simmered for hours. Beef noodles is served with suan cai (Chinese sauerkraut) on top along with scallions. In Taiwan, at beef noodle soup shops you can also find cold side dishes, such as braised dried tofu, seaweed, or pork intestine.
Originally from Shanghai, xiaolongbao soup dumplings at the renown, Michelin starred Din Tai Fung are silky smooth and are a must try for those visitors to Taipei. Xiaolongbao are filled usually with either pork or a combination of pork with minced crab meat and roe. The soup inside the dumpling is created by steaming the gelatinous meat aspic soup that melts during the steaming process.
Din Tai Fung Dumpling House, 192 Xinyi Road, Section 2, Taipei City; +886 2 2321 8929
Umi, located on Park Avenue, across the street from beautiful Rollins College is a Japanese Fusion restaurant that serves up Japanese cuisine, fresh sashimi and sushi, and a array of local drafts, wine, and sake.
We were there on this occasion for a sake presentation by Chad Doss of Stacole Fine Wine Company, as he took us through the night filled with high quality sake.
He first informed us about the process of creating sake, and the various grades of sake based on the milling quality of the rice itself.
It was quite enlightening on the fine art of its production and Jimmy the bar manager, even mentioned that there are even sake made from the water of glaciers.
We learned that the sake that we were to try were of Junmai Ginjo grade (40% of rice milled away) and a much higher quality grade otherwise known as Junmai Daiginjo (50% of rice milled away).
With interesting names of sake like, Bride of the Fox and Snow Maiden for example the various samples that we were given each had their own character whose taste were as beautiful as the names to which they were given.
On top of that, we had samples of the various sushi, sashimi, and robata grill items that Umi serves which were of the best I’ve had in a while. It was an interesting night, to which the takeaway from it was a better understanding of Japanese culture as it applies to painstaking art of sake.
There’s no better way to spend Halloween, than at Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. This was a spectacular experience that leaves you waiting for next year’s event.
Kicked it all off with the wine blending seminar inside the resort. Instructed by Tony Porcellini, who is the director of food & beverage. This seminar was laid back and educational. Porcellini, teaches the roots of wine, breaks down barrel samples, and how to save money when purchasing wine. Knowledge that will most definitely be used in the future! The seminar also included a fun opportunity to blend your own wine which was also served with a yummy variety of cheeses.
Kimonos was an easy choice for first stop. This is the dragon roll. A sushi roll with crispy shrimp, tuna, avocado, and Japanese mayonnaise. Served with ginger, wasabi, and soy sauce.
Smoked Wagyu Short ribs, parsnip puree, melba toast, and pommery mustard sauce. From Cib’s Smoke Shop.
Mascarpone, chestnut ravioli, Italian sausage, celery root, and bacon Jus. From Il Mulino.
Stopped by Bluezoo and saw Todd English!
St. Augustine Distillery’s Gin & Tonic and Florida mule.
Buffalo chicken wings, pickled celery, petite carrots, and blue cheese fondue. From Cabana Bar and Beach Club.
Sixpoint Brewery had multiple kinds of beer with knowledgeable staff that were there to help everyone find the beer for them.
In the carnival corner, Nitro Kettle Corn caught everyone’s attention. Popcorn caramel foam, honey roasted peanuts, sea salt, made with liquid nitrogen. How cool!
Also in carnival corner, The Farmer’s Gratitude Grille. Mac and cheese with toppings of your choice.
Can’t forget desserts!
On the left, was from the S’more Action Station. White chocolate vanilla ice cream, graham cracker streusel, raspberry compote, raspberry marshmallow, vanilla whipped cream, with caramelized hazelnuts. The caramelized hazelnuts hit the spot.
In front, Éclair coffee caramel pecan.
The back, chocolate almond crunch cake.
Last but not least, on the right, is the lime panacota, lime gelée, lemongrass pineapple soup, which came with a lovely flower on top.
Got lucky, and ran into Chef Robert Ciborowksi while walking around end enjoying the event!
The entire event was filled with lively staff, guests, music, entertainment, and lights. Definitely a yearly must!
