Food You Must Eat When Visiting Taiwan
Either you are still thinking about going Taiwan, or you are already in Taiwan - there’s no doubt that a big part of exploring Taiwan is the food culture. Taiwan is renowned for its diverse and flavorful cuisine, influenced by various cultures including Chinese, Japanese, and indigenous Taiwanese. Here’s a list of must-try foods when visiting Taiwan.
#1: Beef Noodle Soup (牛肉麵)
Image from Sohu.com
If you are a noodle lover, this should be your first stop. A hearty and aromatic soup with tender beef, noodles. and rich broth, often seasoned with spices like star anise and chili bean paste. There’s various versions of this throughout Taiwan, some are spicy and some are not. They are found in almost every corner of the street.
#2: Lu Rou Fan (滷肉飯)
Image from MrsP’sKitchen
Hungry? Hoping to eat lot’s of meat? Lu Rou Fan is braised pork belly served over steamed rice, seasoned with soy sauce, garlic, and spices. This is a Taiwanese comfort food that is filling, cheap, and delicious. The salty and slightly sweet sauce is often paired with pickled vegetables, perfectly balancing the various flavors in your mouth.
#3: Boba Tea (珍珠奶茶)
Image from Unsplash
You might be wondering, why Boba tea? I can drink that back at [my home country]. Did you know boba tea actually originated from Taiwan? That’s right, this iconic drink with soft tapioca pearls and sweet milk came from Taiwan! Whether you are a boba addict or not, because boba is an essential part of Taiwanese culture, it’s something you must try while you are there! Can you taste the difference between the original and your home country’s?
#4: Scallion Pancake (蔥油餅)
Image from lindawu112470.pixnet.net
Need some lighter snack to hold you over until a full meal? Hoping to eat small portions at the night market so you can try it all? Scallion pancakes are thin and crispy pancakes layered with chopped scallions, sometimes served with dried pork or eggs. This pancake have an oddly addictive taste that will make you go back for more and more.
#5: Youtiao & Soymilk (油條豆漿)
Image from MeishiTianxia
Picture this, a fluffy, lightly salted, golden-brown deep-fried strip of dough that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Youtiao (yo-owe tee-yao) is a classic Taiwanese breakfast item that is convenient and cheap. it is often paired with Taiwanese soymilk (doujiang - dow-john). Instead of eating a hotel buffet breakfast, why not find a local restaurant that serves you fresh youtiao and soymilk? You’d be surrounded by locals and experience the true Taiwan in no time.
#6: Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐)
Image from Ailiaoli
Love it or hate it, stinky tofu is one of those food that is heavily split on opinions. It is a fermented tofu that is, well, stinky. It thankfully does not taste like how it smells, and have a full flavor pallet: a little bit of sweet, some sour, some salty, and some umami. The flavor is surprisingly mild and light, and it is often paired with sauce and sauerkraut. Regardless of if you find the smell appetizing or not, give it a shot! It might just surprise you.
