5 famous night markets in Taiwan

To experience the local culture during your trip to Taiwan, visit the bustling markets with their vibrant nightlife. Strolling through Taiwan's night markets is not just about shopping; it's also about entertainment, eating, and socializing in a lively and bustling atmosphere.

Night markets are a cultural hallmark of Taiwan and an attractive tourist destination that easily captivates visitors with the enticing aromas of food, affordable shopping options, and a wide variety of goods. Each night market has its own unique style and character, offering visitors many interesting experiences.

And if you're traveling to Taiwan, don't miss the chance to explore these night markets!

1. Raohe Night Market

Raohe Night Market offers a vast array of goods, from clothing, shoes, and bags to electronics, technology, and everyday items. It's also a great place to find souvenirs for family and friends while traveling in Taiwan. The market is particularly diverse, featuring handcrafted souvenirs made from bamboo, wood, and embroidered handkerchiefs. Buddhist-related souvenirs are also a popular Taiwanese product attracting many tourists.

Raohe is ranked among the top 2 most famous night markets in Taipei. When visiting Raohe, you absolutely must try the meat-filled pepper buns baked in an earthen oven, pork rib soup, grilled squid, Raohe black pepper buns, and more.

Raohe is also popular because of its many surrounding attractions, such as the Ci You Temple, dedicated to the sea goddess, the oldest and most beautifully architected temple in Taipei, which is even more magnificent at night. Behind the temple is the Rainbow Bridge with a very picturesque riverside seating area.

2. Shilin

When mentioning famous night markets in Taiwan, Shilin Night Market immediately comes to mind. It's not only the most popular night market among locals, but also a major attraction for foreign tourists.

Shilin is famous for its wide variety of traditional Taiwanese dishes such as sticky rice wrapped in sausage, oyster omelets, fried chicken fillets, and bubble tea, as well as fashionable clothing items. Most shops are located inside buildings, but you can also find many shops and stalls along the street.

Shilin Market operates until 4-5 am, so if you have ample time, you can spend several hours exploring this vast market. This night market attracts many young Taiwanese people as well as locals, especially on weekends.

3. Shida

This Taiwanese night market has a distinctly student-friendly atmosphere, being located right next to National Taiwan Normal University. At Shida Night Market, you'll find affordable fashion items, delicious and hot street food, and authentic Taiwanese flavors.

Shida Night Market is famous for its Luwei (a type of Vietnamese noodle soup). With over 100 dishes made from tofu, pig's tongue and heart, rice, vegetables, and more, all the ingredients are displayed outside the stalls for customers to choose from. The key to the dish's flavor lies in the broth and sauce. Each stall has its own unique broth recipe; no two are alike.

4. FengJia

When mentioning Taichung, it's impossible not to mention Fengjia Night Market. It's considered one of the most famous and must-visit night markets in Taiwan in general, and Taichung in particular. While Shilin is only the largest night market in Taipei, Fengjia is the largest and most famous night market in Taiwan, highly regarded for its authentic Taiwanese street food.

The market is open every day of the week, from 4 PM until midnight, always bustling with people and overflowing with delicious aromas from skilled chefs from all over Taiwan, featuring dishes such as: octopus meat tied into balls, sticky rice sausage rolls, crepes, fried chicken and oysters, sweet taro ball soup, grilled abalone... And don't miss the stinky tofu and spicy duck head.

5. Ximending (West Gate Pavilion)

Ximending impresses Taiwanese tourists with its blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Western architectural styles. The goods here are diverse and colorful. The bustling crowds of shoppers transform Ximending into a vibrant and lively scene. Visitors can enjoy famous duck dishes such as Ya Rou Bian (steamed duck), roast duck, and more. There are also Taiwanese-style rice noodles and Lautianlu (a type of stew).

In addition, the fashion at Ximending Night Market is very diverse in styles and rich in variety. From Japanese, Korean, and Chinese to European styles, you can find it all at Ximending. Fashion enthusiasts should definitely not miss this market to shop for quality clothes and unique accessories at incredibly affordable prices.

Things to keep in mind when visiting night markets in Taiwan:

First, avoid visiting night markets during peak hours from 7-10 PM as they are very crowded. However, this is also when all the stalls are open, so if you don't mind the crowds, you can still enjoy the bustling atmosphere.

Most night markets have a very distinctive and strong smell: the smell of fermented tofu. This smell isn't subtle; sometimes it hits you straight in the nose. If you can't stand this smell, remember to bring a face mask.

Next, avoid bargaining, especially for food and drinks. Usually, stalls have fixed prices; just choose your items and pay. If you're buying clothes or small souvenirs in bulk, you can negotiate a better price with the shop owner.

Finally, wear simple, convenient, and comfortable clothing (such as shorts, jeans, t-shirts, and sneakers) to walk through the night market in the most relaxed state of mind.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao