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What to Eat in Taipei Taiwan [Best Places and Cost of Food]
I recently visited Taipei Taiwan for 5 days and had an amazing time. Taipei has a lot of delicious food options that will delight your senses. I’m a pescatarian which means I’m more limited when it comes to adventurous street food. But, I still partook in the foodie scene. On top of that, I traveled with true foodies that have no problem trying anything. I will share their food discoveries so you get the full spectrum of the cuisine you can have while in Taiwan.
Fresh Fruit and Juice
In Taiwan you’ll find small street markets everywhere you walk. It’s fun to start your morning at one of these where you can grab a fresh juice. Near my hotel Chaiin, there was a street market that we grabbed a juice from daily. My favorite was the apple dragon fruit but I also tried the avocado. They make the juice fresh to order. Being in Taiwan allows you to try tropical fruits you don’t have at home. Even if you don't grab a juice partake in the delicious fruit options that include: guava, dragon fruit, and oranges.
Cost: $2.66 USD
7-11 | Circle K | Family Mart
You will find a 7-11 on every corner. You’re at a disadvantage if you’re not indulging in the snacks you can try. I find chips in Asia to be delicious and my favorites are sushi or seaweed flavor. I also loved the ramen, Peanut Butter Crunch Hagan Daz, and seaweed sandwiches. The seaweed sandwich has different fillings you can choose like lobster or crab meat. In Asia, you'll find people enjoying meals in 7-11. You can also enjoy hot pot in some of them.
Soy Milk Magnate
This was the first place I ate in Taiwan. I enjoyed breakfast here with some local friends. The food was delicious and set the course for the rest of the trip. It was affordable and we were able to try a lot of food. If you come here make sure to try the soy milk. It’s made fresh and it tastes different than the variety you find in American grocery stores. They're famous for it so grab it hot or cold. My favorite food item was mantou.
Cost: $.50 - 3.33 USD
Photo: Exterior Soy Milk Magnate
JenJudan Bubble Tea
You will have bubble tea while you're in Taiwan. It’s a delicious milk tea with tapioca balls mixed in. We have bubble tea in Los Angeles but I found the bubble tea in Taiwan to taste delicious and fresh. The tapioca balls have a warmth to them that adds to the taste. My favorite flavor, while I was visiting, was the brown sugar milk tea with boba. You also can’t go wrong with rose, lavender or almond flavor.
Cost: $1.83 USD
Street Markets - Raohe and Jiufen
There are street markets everywhere in Taiwan. One of the famous ones is the Raohe Street market because it’s known to have the most adventurous food. Everything is reasonable.
Cost: $.50 - $3.33 USD
We grabbed some beer at the 7-11 nearby. But there is a bar within the Raohe Night Market making drinks.
While there I tried:
Stinky Tofu - It’s a main dish of Taiwan. They’re famous for it here. It is an acquired taste. If you want the "best" tasting variety order it fried. If you’re walking around the market and wonder “What’s that smell?” nine out of ten times it’s stinky tofu. Again, the fried version, “taste” better. It was an interesting flavor but not something I need to have again.
Otafuku - This is a fried squid with cheese and sauces. It was very tasty and I would recommend.
Spiral Potato - This was good, it tastes like a big potato chip with some seasoning.
Custard, banana and chocolate crepe - This was huge and delicious. It was crispy so not the traditional crepe. It almost tastes like a cookie with all the ingredients wrapped inside. You can share it with someone since it’s so big.
Affordable Sushi: MRT Sushi
On the go, I found that the MRT station had the best sushi I had in Taiwan. It was also affordable. You could build a box of sushi or get a pre-made box. This was good to take with you on a day trip. The cost starts at
Cost: Start at $3.33 USD
Expensive Sushi: Addiction Aquatic Development
If you’re craving sushi and an experience you’ll want to visit Addiction Aquatic Development. This is a fresh fish and gourmet market. It’s a bit overwhelming because it has a few different restaurants and packaged food you can choose from. This was the most expensive food experience we had during our time in Taiwan.
We ate at the sushi bar which is standing room only. I shared a sushi set with my friend.
Photo: Exterior Addiction Aquatic Development
This is not a cheap experience. It is comparable to expensive sushi in any major city. If you don’t want to eat at the bar. The packaged sushi is a bit more affordable one pack was 420NT ($13 USD). We ordered two sushi sets at the sushi bar and they cost 1980NT ($65 USD). It was good sushi but for the price, it won’t fill you up if you’re sharing it. It didn’t beat out any of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. But, if you don’t have good sushi available where you live it’s a good place to have some.
This sounds like more food than it was. Of course, we were still hungry so I grabbed a box of sushi to go.
Photo: Addiction Aquatic Development standing only bar.
Mister Donut
The brother of Dunkin Donuts founder, Mister Donut was a dream to find. I went to one in the MRT station but there are a few locations around. I loved the shape of it and it was buttery and soft. My favorite donut is a traditional glazed and that’s what I got here.
Cost: Glazed donut $1.16 USD.
Photo: Mister Donut
Maokong Village
This is a village you get to by gondola. They have teahouses that do traditional tea ceremonies and street food outside. One of my favorite street food meals the entire trip was the fried egg scallion pancake. You’ll find this in every market. Some places will add cheese to it. It’s good both ways but if they offer it, add the cheese. This cost $1.66 USD. I had an embarrassing amount of these during the trip.
I also got the fried squid in Maokong village and the fish balls twice.
Those are most of the delicious treats I had while in Taipei Taiwan. If you want to see more of what I ate check out my video What to Eat in Taiwan.
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Taipei Taiwan Travel Guide
Why travel to Taipei, Taiwan?
When deciding on a trip this year I went back to Asia for affordability. When visiting Asia you can have a wonderful world-class trip without going into debt. The main goal of our trip was Bali, Indonesia. Yet, tickets there were expensive, so we looked for ways to get to Bali on a more affordable route. That’s why we decided to visit Taipei for a few days first, then travel to Bali from there. That made the trip affordable while also getting to explore another country.
Taiwan is an Island located in East Asia with Taipei being its capital. It gives the city life while still surrounded by parks and nature. It also has excellent public transportation street food and fun excursions.
We traveled to Taiwan in mid-October. Taiwan is prone to rain, especially in Fall and Winter. Leading up to our trip it said that it would be raining for most of it. Yet, we lucked up and didn’t encounter any rain the duration of our travels.
Make sure to have Google Translate with Chinese downloaded before you go. I was lucky to be with people that speak the language. But without them, I would have needed to rely on Google translate.
How much money to take to Taipei?
As a personal preference, I like to order my money from my bank before I go on trips. This allows me to have some cash and to get familiar with the currency. For the 5 day trip in Taiwan, I took $300 USD in New Taiwan Dollar (TWD). I was in a group where we shared costs for things. But this was enough for my trip. We ate street food and the day trips were easy to access on Taipei Metro. The most money went to Taipei 101, Hot Springs and Addiction Aquatic. Which ranged from $25-$65 USD.
I had a little bit of money left which I spend at the airport before going to Bali.
How to get from the Airport to your hotel?
From the airport, we had a driver that we hired ahead of time. Many services allow you to pay and hire drivers before you leave. They also have Uber in Taipei. Our drive cost about $30 USD to take us from the airport to New Taipei City.
You can also use the Taipei Metro. After a 14 hour flight, we liked the convenience of not figuring that out as soon as we landed.
Where to stay in Taipei?
When choosing a hotel we wanted something modern and close to public transportation. We choose the Chaiin hotel which was $60 USD a night. It’s a small boutique hotel but they pay attention to detail. They keep the rooms stocked with more than enough toiletries. Our room also came with complimentary breakfast every morning. The breakfast was buffet style which offered a different spread every day.
When traveling if you’re staying in a hotel find ones that offer complimentary breakfast. It takes care of a meal and saves you money.
The rooms were cozy so best for 1-2 people. When booking ask them for a view and the highest floor. We did and loved the view of Taipei from our room every day.
How to get around Taiwan?
Getting around Taipei is a breeze with the ease of public transportation. The Taipei MRT or Taipei Metro is easy to get the hang of and efficient. We had an MRT station less than a 5-minute walk from our hotel. This helped to make our day trips accessible.
If you’re intimidated about using the metro, don’t be. You can use Google Maps which will tell you which lines to take and connect to. Also, when using Google maps you can download offline so that it works with or without wifi or data. When using Google Maps you can pick the route that is easiest for you.
Before you start using public transportation, get an Easycard. You can buy one at any 7-11. I got mine and loaded it with $300 NT (about $10 USD) to start with and only reloaded one more time for $200 NT (about $7 USD). This is what you tap to enter and exit the MRT and buses in Taipei. It’s a must and a lot easier than calculating how much each metro trip is going to be.
When we needed to reload the card we went to the ticket window at the MRT station or the 7-11.
How to use your smartphone in Taiwan?
Unless your phone has global coverage you’re going to want to get a SIM card. First, make sure that your phone is unlocked. I have Verizon and it was as easy as signing into my account and talking to a live chat person. Verizon is a travel-friendly service provider. They unlock your phone after 90 days with them.
When you get to Taiwan you can pick up your SIM card at the airport or you can wait till you’re in the city. When I landed none of the phone stores within the airport were open yet. Which meant I had to wait to get a SIM card when a mobile store opened around 11 am.
I got my SIM card from TaiwanMobile. I got 4G and unlimited data for 5 days. This came to 1000NT ($33 USD). A SIM card will give you a local phone number. If you want to text friends or family give them the new number. This process took about 15 minutes to complete.
When getting a SIM card make sure to take your passport. As you’ll need it to take care of all the necessary paperwork.
I was only in Taiwan for 5 days. But if you’re there longer there are SIM card plans that can fit your needs.
Bathroom Tips
When traveling to Asia, you never know what the bathroom situation will be. Especially from a woman's perspective. In Taiwan, I found that it’s best to carry tissues and hand sanitizer in case. Also, the best bathrooms when out are in the MRT stations. They were always clean and had toilet paper. You will have to squat to use the bathroom in most places.
Things to do in Taipei
7-11 & Circle K
Asia keeps 7-11s and Circle Ks in business. They’re everywhere and I love them. One night I went out on my own to shop only to find everything closed. I ended up wandering around to different 7-11s. It’s a great place to pick up liquor, snacks, and water.
Raohe St. Night Market
If you love street food this is the street market for you. Versus markets that have a lot of clothes or souvenir shopping. They also have a lot of claw machines (a thing in Asia). You’ll find unique carnival games between the different types of food. We ventured outside of the market and grabbed some beers before venturing back in. Which made the process more fun.
Photo: Raohe Street Night Market
If you need to use the bathroom while at a street market go through one of the claw machine arcades until you find one. Usually in the back and free to use.
Rainbow Bridge
From the Raohe St. Night Market stroll over to the Rainbow Bridge. It’s in the same neighborhood and a cool sight to see. This steel bridge is 167 feet long and only accessed by foot or bicycle. It lies across the Keelung River.
Photo: Rainbow Bridge in Taiwan
Day Trip to Jiufen
We went on a day trip to Jiufen which is an old mining town in the hills. Start early as traveling includes a few trains and a bus. Once in Jiufen you’ll find a street market, teahouses, and shopping.
Jiufen has a lot of beautiful views that you’ll want to check out from one of their many teahouses. When finding a teahouse don’t go to the first one you see. Make sure to check the prices of a few before making your selection and even asking to see the view. The teahouse we found was friendly and allowed us to grab some beers while enjoying the sights.
Light Lanterns in Shifen, Pingxi District
Light lanterns in Shifen. This is a popular tourist destination. You’ll want to visit it in the evening as the lanterns look cool going into the sky in the dark. That’s a personal preference though. We went all the way to the last stall and had a wonderful experience that seemed more private.
Photo: Getting ready to light lanterns in Shifen
Photo: Lighting Lanterns in Shifen, Pingxi District
The lanterns come in different color combinations. With each color symbolizing a different category. We were able to get 8 colors (two lanterns) and two polaroids for 350NT ($10 USD). They took a lot of photos for us with our DSLR camera with no problem. Very friendly team!
When you get the lantern you get to write your wishes on them in black ink. Then when you’re ready they light them and you let them go into the sky.
While I was there I also bought two mini lanterns as souvenirs they were $2 each.
If you go late you’ll deal with fewer crowds. Pay attention to when the last train is so you don’t miss it.
Maokong Gondolas
If you take the Taipei Metro the Taipei Zoo you can take grab the Maokong Gondola. This is a must-do if you visit Taipei. You can use your Easycard and get a discount if you go during the week. The cost was less than $5 USD roundtrip. When you go get the crystal gondola which has a glass bottom.
Photo: Maokong Gondola
The gondola ride is about 30 minutes and will give you views of Taipei. It will take you to the village of Maokong which has street food and traditional teahouses. We did a tea ceremony there. A lot of the teahouses have a minimum that you need to spend to enjoy them. Our tea ceremony for 5 people was $15 USD in total.
Taipei 101
This is one of the biggest attractions in Taipei. It was the tallest building in the world from 2004 to 2010. It’s 101 floors with the main observatory on the 89th floor. The infamous elevator can transport passengers to the 89th floor in under 40 seconds.
You can order your tickets ahead of time for Taipei 101 or buy them there. To get to the entrance you’re going to walk through a huge mall with high-end stores. Once you get to the entrance of Taipei 101 you’re going to see a long line. That is for citizens of Taiwan. If you’re visiting you can go straight to the front and buy your ticket from a kiosk or person. The ticket is $20 USD per person. From there you’ll wait 20 to 30 minutes before you're let up to the 89th floor.
When visiting the 89th floor you’ll get 360 views of Taipei. You can also grab a snack and drink up there. I enjoyed the beer and mango ice cream float.
Photo: Exterior Addiction Aquatic Development
Addiction Aquatic Development
If you’re craving fresh sushi you’ll want to visit Addiction Aquatic Development. This is a fresh fish and gourmet market. It’s a bit overwhelming because it has a few different restaurants and packaged food you can pick up. If you want to eat sushi you can do it at the sushi bar. Which is standing only.
Beitou Springs
I had never experienced hot springs before and I went in with an open mind. The Beitou Springs are the most popular in Taipei. We went at night which meant fewer people and no sun beating down. This made for a relaxing night. The Spring City Resort is in the hills so you will need to take an Uber or car up very windy streets. It’s not a destination you can walk too.
The Spring City Resort can arrange a shuttle back to MRT or down the hill after your visit. We were having such a relaxing time we missed our shuttle and had to take an Uber back to our hotel.
The cost is $25 USD per person but there is no time limit and you can stay all day or night. We didn’t, but you can get a discount if you research and buy your tickets ahead of time.
Once you buy your ticket they’ll give you a bucket with:
Towels
Flip Flops (that you can keep)
Shower cap
Robe
Locker Key
Make sure that you take a bathing suit with you when going to the Hot Springs. They have a locker room where you can change, take a shower and store your clothes.
In Beitou Springs, they have spring pools at different temperatures. From cold to hot. Each pool has a sign with the benefits for the body. Once you’re done in the hot springs you can shower and return your bucket of items. Don’t forget you can keep your flip flops.
Nightlife
The W Hotel
If you want to take a peek inside luxury check out the W hotel. This is full of Instagram worthy shots and beautiful restaurants, bars, a smoke room, and lobby. Grab a drink at the bar and take in the views. The W hotel's located in an area of Taipei surrounded by designer shopping. So you know this area is a bit more expensive than most.
Frank Taipei
After a tipsy trek through the city, we finally found Frank Taipei. This is a hip rooftop bar that serves high-end cocktails. You can chill outside or at the bar. We found this to be a great place to grab a drink with friends and the bartenders were very nice.
Quick note we did need an ID to get into the bars.
Tiffy Travels Tips:
Google Translate - Download the language “Simplified Chinese” to use offline.
Google Maps - Download the map for Taiwan to use offline.
Get your Sim Card at the airport or mobile store when you get to the city.
Look online for deals on Taipei 101 and Hot Springs tickets.
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What's in my Carry-On Travel Bag for Bali
What’s in my Travel Bag for Asia 2019.Heading to Taipei, Taiwan, and Bali Indonesia soon for two weeks. I’m excited this is my second trip to Asia. Last year I went toThailand and visited Bangkok and Phuket. Where I traveled 11 days in a carry-on.
Heading to Asia again I’m a bit more prepared in what to bring. I’m using a 45-liter travel backpack as a carry on. Which is different than my last trip where I used a roller luggage.
When packing for Asia you need to consider the weather, humidity, and bugs. It’s smart to pack light and leave room in your suitcase for souvenirs you want to bring home. I always break this rule, so don’t be like me!
The new travel essentials I bought made me more prepared. You might find these packing items useful for your trip.
Here’s a list of the essentials in my travel bag for Asia:
45L Travel Backpack
I’m new to traveling with a backpack. I used it once before for a trip to Washington. I still love roller luggage but backpacks leave more flexibility. They’re good for maneuvering and getting around on different modes of transportation. A travel backpack is good if your trip will include a lot of travel between many locations.
OSMO Pocket Camera
OSMO Pocket Camera
My favorite item on my list. The OSMO pocket camera shoots in 4K and has a built-in stabilizer. It’s great if you want to capture your trip for travel vlogging. It’s not as big as traditional cameras so you don’t feel annoying and intrusive. A lot of people don’t even know it’s a camera. You can get away with stealing shots from cool places. The OSMO can use your iPhone as a monitor which I recommend. The lightweight size makes it easy to pack and carry around. It’s an affordable investment if you want to try documenting your travel adventures.
DSLR SONY A6300 Camera
Sony A6300 DSLR Camera
I like having a DSLR camera to capture Instagram worthy shots while I’m walking around. The Sony A6300 has great features and is pretty small and lightweight if you want to throw it in your bag.
Power Plug Adapter (Pink)
Power Plug Adapter
I didn’t take an adapter last year to Thailand and I fried my phone as a result. This pink one is cute and convenient to carry. You can use it on pretty much any international trip you have. It's an investment if you travel a lot.
Mophie Powerstation
Power Bank
Having a power bank is a safety net. Sometimes you don’t know how long you’ll be gone on day trips. Creating social media content on your phone can drain the battery. It’s nice to know you have a way to charge your phone if needed. This power bank by mophie is my favorite because it’s lightweight, charges fast and two people can use it at once.
Kindle Paperwhite
Kindle Paperwhite.jpg
If you like to read, a Kindle is a nice luxury to have. Even if you enjoy the feel of books. It’s good to have a kindle for traveling since it lightens the load of what you’re packing. Another plus is that the battery life lasts a long time.
Bonus tip: If you want free ebook options check out Libby, Amazon Prime, and Amazon First Reads Program.
Paravel Travel Fold Up Bag
paravel fold up bag
I knew I wanted a bag to bring home souvenirs. This bag is my favorite for that purpose. It folds within itself for easy packing. You can also use it as a carry-on or weekend bag. I bought mine from the Paravel website so I could get personalization. But you can also buy it through amazon.
Travel Packing Cubes
Packing cubes make packing more organized. You can separate clothes and find what you’re looking for easier. I’ve used these with my backpack and with my rolling carry-on luggage. They compress what you’re packing so that you can fit more. If I’m not using packing cubes I’ll use zip-lock bags and push out the air so it has a “vacuum seal.”
Travel Wallet
Travel Wallet
This travel wallet makes airport travel easier. It holds tickets, credit cards, passports, and travel cards in one spot. Plus it’s durable and an eye-catcher. It looks more expensive than it is and you can use it as a clutch since it can hold your iPhone too.
Water Bottle
I like having a water bottle that I can refill. This one keeps drinks hot or cold. I love it and it’s a great way to stay hydrated. When traveling you’ll find that there are water stations at most airports and train stations. This also helps to cut the use of plastic. Even if you have to buy water at the 7-11s you can get large gallon water instead of wasting small water bottles.
Natrapel Bug Wipes
Natrapel bug wipes
I took these bug wipes on my trip to Thailand last year. Even if you don’t get this brand invest in some bug wipes. That way it’s not included as a liquid by TSA standards. I buy these in bulk so I have enough. Bug wipes and sprays in Asia can be expensive and you never know if you’re getting the real deal.
Sunscreen
Sunscreen is a must-have. You’ll want to buy your own so that you know what ingredients are in it and that it’s good for your skin. In Asia, they don’t have as many sunscreen options. It’s also expensive and sometimes they scam you and give you lotion in a sunscreen bottle. To avoid that take your favorite body and face sunscreen.
Combination Locks
Master Lock.jpg
If you’re staying in Airbnbs or want added security in your hotel takes some combination locks. Now, you want to get normal locks, not the TSA approved ones. That’s because now scam artist has found ways to get the TSA keys. So you’re not even safe if you use those locks.
Skechers Sandals
Sketchers Sandals
Reef Flip Flops
Sketchers Sneakers
I researched a lot of shoes before choosing these for my trip. I even went to the store and tried on different styles and brands. These shoes were the winner of my trip. Sandals for day or night,flip flops for beach wear and sneakers for hikes and walking. I have sensitive feet that’s why I was so picky. Now, you don’t need all three pairs for your trip. I’m sharing the shoes I ended up falling in love with. (Update: I wore them all on my trip and none of them disappointed!)
Watch the video: What’s in my Travel Bag for ASIA 2019
To follow more of my Asia adventures check out Tiffy Travels.
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