Temple Grandma Stinky Tofu

Gongguan Night Market in Taipei's Daan District sits beside MRT Gongguan Station, surrounded by NTU, NTUST, and NTNU, making it a popular gathering place for students and tourists. The market is famed for diverse Taiwanese snacks, from salty crispy chicken, oyster omelets, and braised snacks to assorted desserts, all at friendly prices and generous portions. The atmosphere is lively, with neatly arranged stalls, sparkling lights, street music, and bustling crowds after dark. Whether craving traditional Taiwanese flavors or innovative dishes, Gongguan Night Market satisfies many tastes and stands as an iconic landmark of Taipei nightlife.

Little Wooden House Crystal Dumplings is a long-standing snack shop on Xinmiao Street in Miaoli City with over seventy years of history. Its signature chewy dry crystal dumplings and crystal dumpling soup infused with basil aroma gain extra flavor when paired with sweet chili sauce. The shop is small but clean and bright, often with morning queues, and operates until around 12:30 PM. Prices are friendly, with dry dumplings and soup both around NT$25, making it an unmissable local brunch choice on the South Miaoli Hakka food street.

Houlong Oden Uncle is located in the temple square in front of Ciyun Temple in Houlong Township, Miaoli County, a beloved local oden snack shop. The menu centers on oden items such as fish cakes, assorted balls, tofu, and vegetables, with a rich broth that can be refilled unlimitedly, warming body and stomach on cold days. Besides oden, the shop also offers crispy outside, soft inside stinky tofu, rice cakes, and tofu pudding, with diverse items and authentic flavors that often draw queues. Operating for years with traditional handmade flavors, it is a must-try food spot when visiting Houlong or Ciyun Temple.

Dongbei Xiangbaba is tucked in an alley right behind Baishatun Gongtian Temple in Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, a famous fried snack stand. Its signature made-to-order crispy rice cake (Xiangbaba) features a filling of minced meat, scallions, and dried baby shrimp, with a crispy outer layer that gains an extra kick from the house-made chili sauce. Besides Xiangbaba, the stand also offers shrimp rolls, crispy rice crust, Dajia taro, and cuttlefish balls, with friendly prices of about NT$45 per item and NT$130 for a three-item combo. Renowned for its unique taste and called the only one of its kind in Taiwan, queues are common, making it a must-visit local delicacy at the Baishatun temple entrance.

Tonghua Village on Shuimei Street in Sanyi, Miaoli, specializes in innovative Hakka cuisine, emphasizing low oil and salt with a healthy, refreshing profile. The dining room features dark brown wood tones paired with Hakka floral fabrics and bamboo-woven lighting, creating a warm setting that blends traditional and modern aesthetics. The menu includes classic Hakka dishes such as preserved-mustard braised pork, Hakka free-range chicken, grass jelly chicken soup, Hakka stir-fry, and lei cha, with average per-person spend around NT$300 to NT$600. Thanks to strong word of mouth and a 4.6-star rating, it is often full on weekdays; advance reservations or avoiding weekends are recommended. Parking is nearby, just a 3-minute drive from the Sanyi interchange, with very convenient transport.

Shuishang Renjia Alanjie Crystal Dumplings is a local snack hidden in the alleys of Miaoli City, specializing in Hakka-style crystal dumplings. The dumplings here have thicker skins shaped like regular dumplings, with a mainly preserved winter vegetable filling, offering a chewier texture; while debated, they still draw many tourists willing to queue. The shop is near Sanjiao Park and a paid parking lot next to 85°C, suited to scootering or walking, and is one of Miaoli's popular breakfast and lunch options.

Jiangji Jiuji is a long-standing snack shop in Miaoli City, founded in 1949 and family-run across three generations for over 70 years. The shop is famed for handmade thin-skin wontons, bouncy crystal dumplings, and meatballs (bahwan), with prices mostly between NT$40 and NT$70. Unique flavors and high popularity often mean queues; parking and restrooms are nearby, transport is convenient, and it suits travelers eager to taste authentic local Hakka snacks.

Baishatun Waisheng Beef Noodles on Zhongshan Road in Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, hides inside an old iron-roofed shack. The faded exterior signage belies queues year-round thanks to tasty beef noodles, generous portions, and friendly prices (about NT$110), with crowds gathering even before 11 AM. The beef is tender and flavorful, the dual-sauce noodles (sesame paste plus fried sauce) deliver a unique flavor, and braised snacks and dumplings are also available. Though the surroundings are simple, air conditioning is ample, making it ideal for travelers or pilgrims seeking a quick meal in Tongxiao.

Lao Beifang Puzi at No. 126, Ziyou Street, Zhunan Township, Miaoli County, is a popular Chinese-style noodle snack shop. The menu is known for hearty portions and fragrant sesame paste dry noodles, clear-simmered beef noodles, and clear-simmered lamb noodles, plus assorted pick-and-choose braised snacks, surf-and-turf mixed noodles, and fresh meat dumplings. Decorated in a vintage rural style with hanging lanterns, it is beloved by locals and tourists alike. Certified by the Miaoli County Cultural Tourism Bureau as a local specialty restaurant, average spend is around NT$220, ideal for travelers wanting to quickly taste local noodles and braised snacks.

Yuanli Jiumei Beef Noodle Shop in Yuanli Township, Miaoli County, near Yuanli Train Station, serves red-braised, clear-simmered, and other beef noodle varieties. The meat chunks are large, the broth is fresh and sweet with a Vietnamese touch, and prices are only around NT$100, offering excellent value. A free parking lot is provided, hours are 11 AM to 8 PM, queues are common but reviews are excellent, beloved by locals and tourists alike. It is a must-eat local delicacy in Yuanli.

Zhan Shifu Zhunan Vietnamese-Style Lamb Hot Pot at No. 15, Zhongyi Street, Zhunan Township, Miaoli County, has operated for 30 years and is considered the representative lamb hot pot of Zhunan. Using Taiwan lamb as the main ingredient, the broth is simmered with dozens of Chinese herbal medicines, sweet and clear without MSG, preserving the natural herbal aroma. The lamb is skin-on and bone-in, chewy and juicy, especially suited to diners who enjoy the original flavor of lamb. Charcoal heat keeps the broth aromatic and warm; takeout lamb hot pot can be reheated at home for convenience. The dining space is spacious and bright with warm service, an ideal choice for gatherings of friends and family.

Jinbang Noodle House in Sanyi Township, Miaoli County, is a beloved local Hakka noodle shop, known for big bowls, fair prices, and bustling queues. The signature pig-head-meat noodles offer chewy texture and rich broth, paired with Hakka flat noodles, wontons, and assorted braised snacks to satisfy foodies. Free parking is available, hours are about 7 AM to 8 PM year-round without closing days, ideal for travelers to taste local delicacies after strolling the woodcarving street or visiting Shengxing Station.

Chen Mama Mugwort Cake at No. 38, Neighborhood 5, Baidong Village, Tongxiao Township, Miaoli County, is a local Hakka snack specializing in handmade mugwort cake and taro cake. The cake skin is chewy with a faint herbal aroma, the filling is generous, and flavors include savory (with cured meat) and vegetarian (red bean or plain). Adjacent to Baishatun Gongtian Temple, the shop often has long lines during temple fairs and is a must-buy traditional souvenir and snack before or after worship. The family grows their own mugwort and follows traditional methods, winning praise from locals and tourists.

Menya Youyu is a Japanese ramen shop in the Shangshun shopping district of Toufen City, Miaoli County, renowned for its rich fish-based broth. The shop features two ramen bases, grouper white soup and shrimp soup, plus creative flavors like cappuccino shrimp soup. The broth is full-bodied but not overly salty, with a gelatinous texture, paired with medium-thick curly noodles that are chewy and broth-absorbing. The Japanese-style interior offers single-person bar seating as well as two- and four-seat tables, with self-service ordering machines and complimentary traditional-style iced black tea and water, perfect for queuing ramen lovers.

Dabaozhu Korean BBQ All-You-Can-Eat Miaoli Shangshun Branch on Yule Street, Toufen City, Miaoli County, offers affordable Korean BBQ plus hotpot dual dining. Weekday lunch is NT$389 per person, weekends and dinner NT$429, served in 100-minute sessions with over 50 kinds of meat, seafood, vegetables, and Korean side dishes. Customers can adjust the hotpot broth's spice and sourness themselves. An extra NT$100 unlocks unlimited four kinds of seafood. With dedicated zones for meat, hotpot ingredients, fried foods, lettuce and sauces, and oden-rice cake sections, it suits meat lovers and family gatherings.

Ouyage Western Restaurant on the first floor of Miaoli Toufen Shangshun Junle Hotel, offers Western-style buffet dining (all-you-can-eat) covering salads, meats, seafood, soups, fruits, and other multi-national cuisines. Prices are relatively friendly, around NT$429 to NT$500 for adult lunch and dinner (plus 10% service charge), NT$329 for children. The restaurant is spacious and comfortable, with seating for nearly 190 people, suitable for family gatherings, couple dates, or short meals for travelers. Service periods include breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with optional chef-selected main courses at extra charge. Transport is convenient, with walking access to other hotel facilities such as the shopping center and recreation world.

Jinghouya Zhunan Branch is located at No. 308, Guangfu Road, Zhunan Township, Miaoli County. It is an affordable Japanese-style buffet restaurant featuring tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) set meals. The main course centers on tonkatsu sets paired with an all-you-can-eat self-service bar offering oden, beverages, and side dishes. Prices range from NT$168 to NT$300, delivering excellent value that is ideal for family or student gatherings. The restaurant provides free parking and convenient transportation access, earning consistent praise from locals and tourists alike.

Kerou Stone Pot Toufen Branch is located at No. 1270, Zhonghua Road, Toufen City, Miaoli County, close to the Toufen Interchange for convenient transportation. This buffet hot pot restaurant is famous for its cascading meat waterfalls and extensive self-service bar, offering over 60 kinds of fresh vegetables, various meats (including snowflake beef, plum pork, and Angus beef), and multiple noodle options. The restaurant also features all-you-can-eat combos such as braised pork rice, Thai basil minced pork rice, and curry rice, with abundant beverage and ice cream choices. The British-style interior decoration, tables for 4-6 people, and spacious, uncrowded seating make it perfect for dates, birthday celebrations, or group gatherings. Reservation line: 037-667-977. Open until late evening with an average spend of about NT$560, offering excellent value and beloved by local foodies.