What to eat in Taiwan this summer?

Taiwan is an island nation with a diverse culture, a blend of influences from various cultures such as Chinese, Japanese, and Portuguese. This rich diversity greatly influences many aspects of Taiwanese culture, including its cuisine. However, the Taiwanese people have mastered the art of blending, selecting ingredients, and creating unique characteristics for their national cuisine.

According to the websiteEaterTaiwanese cuisine revolves around the combination of sweet and savory flavors. Therefore, the street food of this island nation features many sweet pastries with savory fillings such as various meats, along with other characteristic stir-fried dishes.

Taiwan's street food scene is always bustling and vibrant throughout all four seasons. But if you're planning a visit to this beautiful island this summer, Travellive suggests some must-try dishes.

Grilled pork buns

This dish was brought to Taiwan by migrants from Fuzhou. According to ancient custom, Taiwanese people often enjoy this dish at the end of the year. They believe that grilled pork buns symbolize wealth and prosperity, as they resemble gold bars. The dish consists of two layers of steamed buns with grilled pork filling, along with vegetables, pickles, peanuts, and cilantro. Grilled pork buns are widely available in night markets. In Taipei, the food carts selling grilled pork buns are always the most crowded places.

3-liter chicken (sanbeiji)

Three-cup chicken is an iconic Taiwanese dish. Sanbeiji chicken is made with three main ingredients: one cup of rice wine, one cup of soy sauce, and one cup of sesame oil, along with various spices such as ginger, garlic, and basil.

This dish is usually served with rice or porridge. Additionally, some variations of Sanbeiji are made with pork or frog meat instead of chicken. Sanbeiji chicken is a popular dish, so tourists can enjoy it on the street or in a fancy restaurant.

Sweet potato dessert

This is the most popular dessert in Taiwan. Colorful sweet potato jelly is made from three different types of sweet potatoes: purple sweet potato, yam, and taro. It's served with syrup and herbal jelly.

Pineapple cake

Pineapple cake is a traditional Taiwanese treat. It's often given as a gift for special occasions or weddings. The famous Taiwanese pineapple cake is coated in a sweet buttery layer, creating a harmonious blend of sweet and sour flavors. Besides pineapple, it comes in many other flavors such as cranberry, strawberry, plum, and more.

Taiwanese iron eggs

Iron eggs are a popular snack in Taiwan. However, the preparation process is extremely complex. The eggs are simmered in soy sauce for three hours, then dried and soaked again. This process is repeated for a week. Each egg undergoes 11 such steps to achieve its dark black shell. Iron eggs are usually vacuum-packed in various flavors such as garlic, chili, soy sauce, and traditional.

Oyster omelet

This is a popular dish in Taiwanese night markets. Oysters are fried with eggs, potatoes, and flour, along with a little lettuce. Starch (usually potato starch) is mixed into the egg batter, giving the egg coating a thicker consistency. The dish is served with a spicy sauce or chili mixed with lime juice, which further enhances the flavor.

Sticky rice with Chinese sausage

Sticky rice with sausage filling is a unique dish, inspired by the hotdogs of Europe and America. The sticky rice is seasoned to perfection and stuffed into a tube to create the shape. Then, the rice is grilled over a hot fire along with Taiwanese sausage until cooked. Finally, the vendor splits the rice in half through a small slit, and sandwiches the sausage, cucumber, and chili sauce inside. The sticky rice is soft inside and crispy outside, perfectly complemented by the savory and sweet sausage.

Grass jelly

Grass jelly originates from Chiayi, but you can easily find it in Alishan. This type of jelly has a texture similar to grass jelly. It's a chewy, unflavored jelly crystallized from grass flowers, and it tastes delicious with milk tea, lemon juice, or honey.

Additional information

Travel Talk - Next Stop: Taiwan!

The program is organized by Travellive magazine in collaboration with the Taiwan Tourism Bureau.

The Travel Talk will cover topics such as travel experiences in Taiwan, tourism policies related to Covid-19, Taiwanese cuisine, and must-see destinations, shared by two veteran travel bloggers.Ly Thanh CoandBui Viet Ha (Ha La La)

By attending the event, guests will have the opportunity to receive attractive special gifts from the Taiwan Tourism Bureau and travel bloggers.

Time: 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM, May 28, 2022

Location: Stage A, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Anh Thi