Introduction to Night Markets
Night markets play a vital role in the lives of Taiwanese. They are one of the favorite attractions for both local and foreign people. According to the report from the Ministry of Transportation and Communication's Tourism Bureau in Taiwan, around sixty percent of visitors would like to visit night markets and experience the local culture. Instead of specializing on only one purpose, most night markets in Taiwan are multifunctional, providing customers with snacks, gadgets, clothes, accessories, and even a place to have fun. The atmosphere in night markets is always boisterous with many passionate vendors promoting their products.
Night markets are served as a retreat for people after a day of exhausting work. In night markets, there are many kinds of local Taiwanese food which fill customers' stomachs and contents. The low prices of fashionable clothes or accessories are also attractive points of night markets. While purchasing things in night markets, it is common for customers to bargain prices with the vendor. Furthermore, many people love to go to night markets to play games, like pin-ball, darts, and hoopla. Come and enjoy the lively atmosphere of Taiwan night markets!
What to Eat in Night Markets
Boasting its hygiene, Taiwan night markets provide thousands kinds of pure and delicious food. If you want to sample delicacies in night markets, remember to choose the more prosperous ones to get rid of diseases. Based on statistics, the top 10 local snacks are: oyster omelets, bubble tea, salt pepper chicken, soup dumplings, Taiwanese meatballs, braised pork rice, Taiwanese Tempura, pan-fried dumplings, Grilled Taiwanese sausages, and stinky tofu. In addition, the famous Huaxi St., or "snake alley," is a place to taste snake cuisine. Following are specific introduction to each famous local snack.
Top 10 Local Snacks
Oyster Omelet 蚵仔煎 Uh Ah Jian
Bubble Tea 珍珠奶茶 Zhen Zhu Nai Cha
Salt Pepper Chicken 鹹酥雞 Xian Su Ji
Soup Dumplings 小籠湯包 Xiao Long Tang Bao
Taiwanese Meatball 肉圓 Ba Wan
Braised Pork Rice 滷肉飯 Lu Rou Fan
Taiwanese Tempura 甜不辣 Tian Bu La
Pan-fried Dumplings 煎餃 Jian Jiao
Grilled Taiwanese Sausages 香腸 Xiang Chang
Stinky Dofu 臭豆腐 Chou Dou Fu
EAT YOUR WORDS at night markets
多少錢？ ---- How much?
Duo shao qian
請給我菜單。----May I have the Menu please?
Qing ge wo caidan
買單/結帳 ---- Bill (Check)
Mai dan/ Jiezhang
這是什麼？----- What is this?
Zhe shi shen me
我要一份。---- I want one order (of this).
Wo yao yi fen
謝謝。---- Thank You
Xie xie
要辣 / 不要辣。----I Want it spicy / I don' want it spicy
Yao la / bu yao la
Popular Night Market Foods
Pearl Milk Tea (Bubble Tea)
Pearl milk tea (Bubble tea) is a popular drink for Taiwanese and foreigners, whether served iced or hot, the special taste and pure milk tea attract lots of people to become a fan of this drink. In the beginning, a famous Taichung tea shop found add some tapioca into their tea is a new taste, and then become a popular Taiwan specialty, even runs oversea stores. Nowadays you can see cup tea shops everywhere; the best selling is still Pearl milk tea (Bubble tea).
Cuttlefish Thick Soup
Cuttlefish is a suitable ingredient for thick soup, it tastes chewy and commonly to been seen at night markets. The cuttlefish would be sliced before going with the thick soup, usually match with sliced vegetables to add crispy taste. Some proprietor would fry sliced cuttlefish with pasty coating; some just poached them before cook. Taiwanese will have the soup with rice or noodles, and then add some black vinegar to have extra flavor. Don't forget to taste Cuttlefish Thick Soup when visiting night markets!
Fried Chicken Fillet
Fried Chicken Fillet is made of chicken breast, which is the most flesh part. The fillet will be dipped in sauce then coated with flour or pastry before frying. It is so popular because of its crispy and tender taste. Fried chicken fillet is easy to take away; you can always see people have them in hand in night markets. Some proprietor invents various flavor of seasoning pepper, like dried laver, cheese, curry, even garlic and plum, to add exotic flavors.
Oyster Omelet
Oyster Omelets are made of small oysters and vegetable mixed in starch and egg batter. It is served with a special sauce with rose color. It is a traditional Chinese snack that is still popular today.
Taiwanese Meatball
Taiwanese Meatball is uniquely covered in a thick layer of starch that is flavored with a special type of sauce. The sauce differs at different regions of Taiwan. The starch is made into a round shape stuffed with meat, bamboo, mushrooms, and a variety of ingredients. When put together, the Taiwanese Meatball is a unique combination of chewy softness and a flavorful meat sensation.
Braised Pork Rice
Braised tiny pork pieces are spread over steamed rice and are sprinkled with braised meat sauce. Often accompanied with radishes and pickles, the tasty braised pork rice will leave you wanting seconds.
Stinky Tofu
The deep-fried Stinky Tofu, as its name suggests, has a very strong smell. Although some people comment on the disturbing smell of Stinky Tofu, many Stinky Tofu lovers really enjoy its distinct flavor and odor.
Braised Snacks
Braised Snacks include a variety of items that are cooked in a braised sauce made with special herbal ingredients. Braised Snacks often include chicken wings, tofu, seaweed, pork blood cake etc. With a strong herbal scent, Braised Snacks have a special taste with unique aroma.
Shaved Ice
Shaved ice is a delightful dessert especially in the hot summer weathers. The ice is machine-chopped into a crunchy texture and is served with a variety of flavors and fruits to choose from. There are also many mixed flavored shaved ice that are truly refreshing.
Oyster Thin Noodles
With a special type of thin rice noodles, the Oyster Thin Noodles are covered in a layer of starch to create a slippery texture. It is often cooked with oysters, meat, or pig intestines to create its exotic flavor.
Soup Dumpling
Soup dumpling is one of the top delicacies in Taiwanese snacks. No travelers would want to miss this unforgettable taste in Taiwan. A proper soup dumpling should have the unified number of folds at the top; thin and very stretchy skins; tasty meat stuffing; spoon sized; and have soup inside. As you carefully pick one up with your chopsticks, you could literally see the weight of the soup pressing the skin down; almost ripped the thin skin apart. The perfectly balance of skin, soup, and meat makes a flavorful explosion in just one bite.
Shu Mai
"Shu Mai," or common referred as "steamed dumpling" in English, is one of the loveliest traditional Chinese snacks. Shu Mai is steamed dumpling with open-topped; the filling is visible at top and the wrapper pinched the Shu Mai skin into pleats making up a shape of flower. There would be various kinds of Shu Mai to be chosen from Taiwan.
