Eat Recommendations
Late-night ramen, market kushikatsu, century-old shops — eating is the fastest way to travel.
Featured
Illustrative Zhong Family Original Shanghai Pan-Fried Bun is a long-running snack stall in Taipei's Shilin Night Market, with more than 30 years of history, specializing in freshly wrapped and freshly pan-friedsheng jian baoin two flavors: cabbage and fresh pork. Each bun costs about NT$20, fried to a golden, crispy bottom while the filling stays juicy, beloved by loyal regulars and tourists alike. The stall opens at 15:00 and closes at 20:00, with Wednesdays off. Its Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition often fuels long queues, making it a coin-purse-friendly must-eat at Shilin Night Market.
Illustrative Lao-Dan A-Zhang Ba-Wan is a century-old snack shop on Chang-An Street in Changhua, near the train station, founded in 1948. It is known for the springy oil-bathed skin, the generous meat filling, and the side options of dragon-marrow-bone soup or free pork-bone broth, and famously appeared in the film 'You Are the Apple of My Eye', which still draws queues of tourists. The dish has also been served at state banquets and remains affordably priced — a must-eat when visiting Changhua.
-
Illustrative →Xiangxiang Scallion Pancake
Xiang-Xiang Scallion Pancake is at No. 32, Fuxing Road in Keelung's Zhongshan District, a hidden-gem breakfast spot that locals love. The dining room is roomy and clean, and the menu centers on golden, crisp scallion pancakes, hand-made wonton soup, and Taiwanese classics like dry noodles and soy milk. The pancakes come out crisp on the outside and tender within, packed with scallion aroma, while the wontons wrap a thin skin around a generous filling in a clear, light broth. The two together are a frequently recommended breakfast combo, beloved by both residents and visitors.
107 -
Illustrative →OX Yakiniku Steak Yilan Yuanshan
OX Yaxus Seared Steak (Yilan Yuanshan branch) sits at No. 202, Sec. 1, Yuanshan Road in Yuanshan Township, right beside the Yuanshan Farmers' Association. The interior is industrial-style, with blues and jazz setting a laid-back tone and walls lined with rows of motorcycle helmets. The menu centres on a self-service bar and steaks: the bar alone is just NT$109 for salad, hot dishes, toasted bread and ice cream, while steaks start from NT$309 and come with the free bar. Oden, Japanese steamed egg, spicy duck blood with stinky tofu, a chocolate fountain and corn chowder round things out, with no service charge—great for family and group dinners.
70 -
Illustrative →North Gate Green Bean Slush
Beimen Mung Bean Slush (Beimen Lvdousha Milk King) is a long-standing Yilan drink shop with more than 40 years of history. Hand-made to order, the mung bean slush milk, papaya milk and taro slush are the most popular, and the rich, smooth taste routinely draws long queues. Beyond the signature drinks, the bright, refreshed storefront also offers seasonal limited editions—an unmissable taste of Yilan for any traveller.
91 -
Illustrative →North Gate Garlic Pork Thick Soup
Beimen Garlic Meat Soup is a Beimen District, Yilan institution with more than 60 years of history, famed for its rich garlic-fragrant broth. The thickened soup features tender strips of pork shoulder, paired with garlic puree, shredded bamboo shoots and vegetables. Common choices include meat-soup noodles, rice cakes (gua zai) and rice noodles or rice, at about NT$55 a bowl—a coin-purse snack that often draws queues and a Yilan classic not to be missed.
96 -
Illustrative →City God Temple Noodle Shop
Chenghuang Temple Qie-Zi Noodle Shop at No. 27, Chenghuang Street, Yilan City, is a hidden breakfast spot locals love. Sign-less and plain-looking, it serves old-school dry and soup noodles, rice cakes and rice vermicelli, paired with handmade fish balls and small plates like pork liver, lung and cheek meat at friendly prices. Opening hours are roughly 6 to 11 (some say 12); queues are common, so driving in and parking along Zhongshan Road or near the temple is recommended. The dining area is simple and there's no air-con in summer—an authentic choice for travellers wanting a traditional Yilan breakfast.
48 -
Illustrative →Anyongxin Food Hall
Anyong Heart Food Hall in Su'ao Township, Yilan, is a tourism factory that blends marine food education with high-tech interactivity. The site has a seafood supermarket, hot pot buffet, pizza DIY and afternoon-tea café, with tickets at NT$200 (fully redeemable on purchases) and free entry on weekdays for Yilan residents. Inside, AR motion games, a glass-walled production line, balance-bike area and fishing simulator offer rich family interaction, all in a tall, spacious hall that's both photo-friendly and educational—an excellent indoor family pick on rainy or hot days.
65