Eat Recommendations
Late-night ramen, market kushikatsu, century-old shops — eating is the fastest way to travel.
Featured
Illustrative Dong Jia San Xiong Di Ba Wan is a Shui Li, Nantou institution with more than seventy years of history, famous for freshly handmade ba wan dumplings paired with complimentary pork bone broth. The small shop has only about twenty four seats and frequently sees queues, with weekday hours roughly 2 pm to 6 pm and holiday closures often triggered by early sellouts. The dumpling skin is translucent, glossy, and springy, the filling juicy, and the house chili and numbing spicy sauces can also be dipped directly in the bone broth. Beloved by locals and tourists alike, it is a Shui Li must try snack.
Illustrative Ya-Mi Buffet in Kinmen County's JinCheng Township is a Chinese-style buffet. The doors open at 11 AM, with the spread rotating through a wide range of dishes - the affordable crispy fried chicken steak is a particular highlight. The dining room is kept clean, prices are wallet-friendly and the food quality has earned positive feedback online with an average rating of about 3.7 stars. A great pick for travellers who want to sample many Chinese dishes in one sitting without spending much.
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Illustrative →Lukang Authentic Squid
Lukang Authentic Squid King Roasted Cuttlefish sits at the corner of Min-Sheng Road beside Tian-Hou Temple at the entrance to Lukang Old Street, and is one of the area's signature queue snacks. The shop grills deep-sea squid fresh to order, bringing out a sweet, bouncy, chewy texture, then finishes it with chopped scallion, slivered onion and white sesame for a fragrant bite balanced between savoury and sweet. Each piece is around NT$120-140, perfect for eating while you walk, and the constant queue of locals and tourists alike marks it as a Lukang must-try.
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Illustrative →94 Curry Niang Banqiao City Hall
94 Curry Niang Banqiao City Hall branch is located at No. 1, 1F, Lane 158, Sec. 1, Zhongshan Road, Banqiao District, right next to the Banqiao City Government and about a five-minute walk from MRT Banqiao Station. The shop is renowned for its pioneering aged curry claypot rice, made with 13 spices that are ground, dry-roasted, simmered for 48 hours, and aged for 28 days to create a richly layered flavor. Signature dishes include the White Snow (mild) and Red Snow (slightly spicy) claypot curries, plus vinegar noodles, pork chop rice, and chicken leg rice. With about 25 seats in a cozy, minimalist setting, average spending is NT$200-220. Open 11:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:30.
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Illustrative →La Foresta Restaurant
La Foresta Restaurant in Banqiao District at No. 24, Lane 202, Minquan Road, is conveniently located near Banqiao Train Station. Specializing in Italian cuisine, it serves pasta, squid ink risotto, and other dishes that combine high quality with affordable prices. The comfortable, clean dining environment has earned a strong local following and an online rating of about 4.6 stars. It's a popular queuing spot in Banqiao for travelers wanting authentic Italian flavors without breaking the bank, and online reservations are available.
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Illustrative →Yi Dian Tian Dessert Shop
Yi Dian Tian Dessert Shop on Anle Road in New Taipei's Yonghe District specializes in shaved ice, tofu pudding, sweet soups, and beverages. The desserts feature rich, satisfying flavors with generous portions of solid ingredients. A house-made brown sugar sauce, hand-stirred to order, keeps everything balanced without being overly sweet. Everything is made fresh daily, and customers can customize toppings to their liking. Though snow ice has been discontinued, the traditional shaved ice and tofu pudding remain beloved by locals and visitors alike, making it one of Yonghe's must-try dessert destinations.
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Illustrative →Qizhang Rice Noodle Soup
Qizhang Rice Noodle Soup in New Taipei's Xindian District, near MRT Xindian District Office Station, is a popular late-night dining spot. The signature rice noodle soup features a clear, sweet broth with springy noodles, and free soup refills are offered. Side dishes like assorted cold cuts, crispy oyster omelets, and shrimp omelets are all highly praised, especially when paired with braised pork rice. Open from 10:30 AM to 3:00 AM, it covers everything from brunch to midnight snacks. The simple, air-conditioned interior offers both dine-in and takeout, with long queues testifying to its stellar local reputation.
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Illustrative →Liubiju Claypot Congee
Liubiju Sandpot Porridge in Banqiao District specializes in Chaozhou-style sandpot congee, celebrated for its premium offerings like hairy crab porridge, abalone porridge, and emperor porridge. The first floor has limited seating, while the second floor is more spacious. A fish tank near the kitchen adds to the fresh seafood atmosphere. Given its stellar reputation, reservations often need to be made a week or more in advance, with callers frequently having to redial. The porridge is rich, hearty, and generously portioned, paired with assorted seafood and shellfish — ideal for family dinners or group gatherings. Phone reservations are accepted though online booking is not available.
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