You haven’t really been to Taiwan until you’ve experienced one of its night markets. These snack-focused havens are the quintessential experience in this food-obsessed nation, and the country is famous for them.
There are over 100 night markets in Taiwan – where to even start?? In this article, we’ll travel from the north to the far south of Taiwan, hitting the most famous night markets along the way. I have personally visited all of these night markets, most of them multiple times.
My suggestion is to take your pick, dive in, and just order whatever looks tasty! Still, I’ll give you a few suggestions for the top items to order at each one, with all the locations marked, and links to all my night market guides for even more recommendations.
If you’re vegetarian or vegan, here or my recommended vegetarian stalls at most of these night markets.
Map of Taiwan’s Top Night Markets
Above is a map showing the location of the best night markets across Taiwan. Use the + icon to zoom in and click on any to see their name.
Taipei & Northern Taiwan
Taipei’s night markets will feature prominently here, but there are a few more outside of the capital that are worth the trip! I’ve arranged them geographically from north to south. See my guide to Taipei City for planning your visit.
Keelung Night Market (Keelung)
Keelung Night Market (基隆夜市), the northernmost entry on this list, also happens to be my personal favorite night market in all of Taiwan. Why, you ask?
For starters, it’s a pretty one, with its rows of hanging yellow lanterns (lit up on weekends only) and stunning temple at its core.
Second, each stall is numbered, with its main specialty labeled in English, Mandarin, and Japanese, unlike any other night market in Taiwan. Finally, the location near Keelung’s port makes for perfect nighttime strolling.
Must-try items include thick crab soup, dingbiancuo (a soup with lily flower petals and chunks of noodle), slushy pao pao bing, and unusual donut-meets-sandwiches (see photo above).
You can have a local show you what’s best to eat on this Keelung Night Market food tour.
The night market is a 10-minute walk from Keelung train station, with 45-minute local trains to Taipei (simple swipe EasyCard to ride). Many visit it at the end of a day trip to Jiufen & Shifen.
Find other things to do in Keelung in my Keelung city guide.
Taiwan isn’t only about night markets. Also see my list of the best morning markets in the country!
Shilin Night Market (Taipei)
Taipei’s once largest most famous night market, Shilin Night Market (士林夜市), is not quite as popular or large as it used to be, but it’s still one of the best.
You can find everything here, from creative innovations to solid classics. Where Shilin Night Market really shines is it has the largest games area of any night market in Taipei, plus the super cute 3D Tiger Cub, which eats Taiwanese corn and hurls turds at passersby.
Shilin Night Market also features a recently renovated underground food court here (perfect for super hot or rainy days), Modern Toilet (a poo-themed restaurant), several Michelin-rated food stalls, and you can even find penis-shaped cakes – the perfect(ly weird) souvenir for your loved ones back at home!
Jiantan MRT station is the closest, but you can also go from Shilin station. To be guided by a local, join this Shilin Night Market food tour.
See my guide to all the major night markets in Taipei to learn about some smaller ones.
Raohe Night Market (Taipei)
In recent years, Raohe Night Market has surpassed Shilin in popularity, taking the throne as the most popular night market in Taipei.
The market is a relatively easy to manage – walk in on one side and out on the other – though it does get packed, so come early (5-7 PM) to beat the crowds.
A major highlight is the seriously impressive Songshan Ciyou Temple next to its entrance. But most importantly, there’s just a whole lot of really good food here.
The most famous stall in Raohe Night Market is Fuzhou Black Pepper Buns. Other stalls that have achieved Michelin status are Chen Dong Ribs and A Kuo Lu Wei (braised foods).
Songshan MRT (Green Line) exit 5 will take you right to the night market entrance. Songshan Station on the TRA train line is also nearby, if you happen to be riding in from another city.
Wufenpu Shopping District, the best place to go shopping cheap clothes in Taipei, plus Rainbow Bridge are both nearby as well.
Ningxia Night Market (Taipei)
Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市) likely ranks third in fame and popularity among Taipei night markets. The market consists of a lane of food stalls pushed together to form a walkway down the middle of a street – you won’t get lost, but it does typically get silly packed.
Ningxia never fails to impress, with a vast array of goodies and more Michelin-rated stalls.
Liu Yu Zi is the single most famous stall, doing deep fried taro balls stuffed with egg yolk and pork floss. Other popular items include oyster omelets (the night market is especially known for them), chicken rice, and mochi on ice here.
Near the night market, you can find three of Taipei’s best craft beer bars.
Ningxia is a 10-minute walk from two MRT stations – get off at Shuanglian to access the northern end of it or Zhongshan to access the southern end.
Dihua Street, “Taipei’s Oldest Street” and the best place to buy tea and traditional herbs, is nearby.
Tonghua / Linjiang Street Night Market (Taipei)
Linjiang Street Night Market (臨江街觀光夜市), also called Tonghua Night Market (通化夜市), is known for being close to Taipei 101 and the ritzy shopping district (learn about the building and area in my guide to visiting Taipei 101). Yet, this classic Taipei night market retains its reputation for true-to-tradition foods.
Come here for an uncrowded night market experience and to sample authentic renditions of Taiwanese classics. Due to its location, visitors often dine here after watching sunset from Elephant Mountain or Taipei 101, a few MRT stops or walkable distance away.
Some highlights here include deep-fried stinky tofu, guabao (Taiwanese hamburgers), cuttlefish stew, and Michelin-rated hot tangyuan on ice. Not far from the market, you can seek out Ounce and Alchemy, two of Taipei’s coolest speakeasy bars.
The night market is a five-minute walk from Xinyi Anhe MRT station, which is 1 station before Taipei 101 and 2 stations before Xiangshan (Elephant Mountain) Station.
Huaxi Night Market (Taipei)
Near famous Longshan Temple in Old Taipei (Wanhua District), Huaxi Night Market (華西夜市) is the black sheep of Taipei Night Markets. In the 90s, tour groups were taken here to watch snakes being skinned for making snake soup and snake blood wine.
Needless to say, the appeal faded with time, and Huaxi has gone from Taipei’s most iconic to most ignored night market (did I mention there’s also a red light district for elderly people next to it?), eve though it’s right beside the city’s most famous temple.
Come to Huaxi Night Market to get a taste of that wilder, old-time vibe. The night market still specializes in herbal dishes, especially appealing to an older generation of Taiwanese dishes. One stand-out stall is Wang’s Broth, which is so famous that there’s even a branch at Taoyuan International Airport.
There are actually four connecting night markets here. See the map I’ve created of them and what to eat at each one in my guide (linked above).
Nanjichang Night Market (Taipei)
Nanjichang Night Market (南機場夜市) is often described as the most local of Taipei’s major night markets.
It’s foods are oh-so-good, with several Michelin-rated stalls, on par with other more famous night markets. But still, the vast majority of visitors to Taiwan still always stick to Shilin, Raohe, Tonghua, and Ningxia, and leave Nanjichang out.
I suspect this will change over time, so enjoy Nanjichang’s local vibes while you can! Use my guide to find the best eats there, but most stalls display their specialties in English, too.
Smelly Boss has some of the stinky tofu I’ve had, while tiramisu ice cream wraps, sesame oil chicken, and Taiwanese burritos (run bing) are other specialties here.
It’s a 15-minute walk from Longshan Temple MRT or you can get closer on local buses. See other off-the-beaten-track places in Taipei here.
Nanya Night Market (New Taipei City)
Speaking of super local night markets, Nanya Night Market (南雅夜市) is in my opinion the best night market in New Taipei City, the sprawling city surrounding Taipei. It is still on the Taipei City MRT line, but in Banqiao district, the seat of New Taipei City.
Nanya Night Markets feels like a world away from Taipei – don’t expect to see many (or any!) tourists here. You can also expect local prices, usually a little cheaper than Shilin and other touristy night markets in Taipei.
Like many night markets outside of the Taipei city center, you’ll also find more games, clothing, and regular shops besides all the food stalls.
The night market features loads of classic Taiwanese street foods, such as xiaolongbao, pig’s blood cake, Taiwanese oden, oyster omelets, and much, much more.
It’s a short walk from Fuzhong MRT, which is one stop past Banqiao Station.
Zhongli Night Market (Taoyuan)
You probably know Taoyuan City as the location of the Taoyuan International Airport, but the city also has a bustling night market of its own, Zhongli Night Market (中壢夜市). The night market is in Zhongli District, where you’ll also find the Taoyuan HSR station (see my Taiwan HSR guide).
Despite the fact that millions of foreign tourists pass through Taoyuan every year, a tiny fraction of them ever make it to this night market, though Taoyuan residents flock to it.
Just like Nanya in New Taipei City, Zhongli Night Market features more local vibes and a wide array of typical street foods, including stinky tofu, traditional shaved ice desserts, and clam soup.
It’s less than 10 minutes’ walk from Laojie River, the last station of the airport MRT line to Taoyuan City (opposite direction from Taipei). If you have a short stopover, this would be the closest night market to the airport.
From Laojie River, it’s 4 stops to Taoyuan HSR station, 9 stops to the airport, and 22 stops to Taipei. The night market is also 20 minutes’s walk from Zhongli TRA (regular train) station.
See more info on how to travel from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei and other cool things to do around Taoyuan Airport.
Chenghuang Temple Night Market (Hsinchu)
As is often the case, Chenghuang Temple Night Market (新竹市城隍廟夜市) started out with a few food stalls in front of a temple, then spread down the adjacent streets.
Hsinchu’s most famous night market is a perfect example, as the temple is now buried inside the food market. The temple is Hsinchu city’s Chenghuang Temple (City God Temple), and the night market is thus called Chenghuang Temple Night Market.
On great thing about this market is that you can find loads of tasty traditional foods both in the daytime and at night, and most of it is covered/indoors.
And it’s all connected to Hsinchu Central Market, and even larger morning market that has it all – products and food. That’s means you can find something good to eat around here practically around the clock.
I especially enjoyed the taro paste balls (芋泥球) at this tiny stall, this 90+ year-old braised pork rice (滷肉飯) shop, and the unique-to-Hsinchu “thick thick soup” (稠稠的羹) at this shop – the soup contains squid, crispy pork, Taiwanese celery, and a hint of sweetness.
Luodong Night Market (Yilan)
Luodong Night Market (羅東夜市) is one of the best night markets on the east coast of Taiwan, along with Dongdamen in Hualien. It is in the Luodong city center, one of the three urban centers in Yilan county.
While many night markets first develop in front of temples, this one grew up to serve customers outside a local movie theater. It is a sprawling night market featuring the usual classics plus several local Yilan specialties.
The night market is especially known for its many Yilan-style green onion cakes (蔥抓餅), smoked duck, and fragrant angelica mutton soup.
The night market is just west of Luodong Train Station. Luodong area is known for its large number of minsus (民宿 or “guesthouses”). It’s also a good base for visiting popular tourist places like Zhang Mei Ama’s Farm, DIY green onion experiences, and Taipingshan.
Central Taiwan
Here I’ll cover the most memorable night markets in Central Taiwan, including Taichung on the west coast and Hualien on the east coast.
Feng Chia Night Market (Taichung)
Feng Chia Night Market (逢甲夜市, also spelled Fengjia Night Market) is the most famous night market in Taichung and one of the largest in all of Taiwan.
The night market started out with some stalls in front of Feng Chia University but gradually spread out into the neighborhood. It now stretches 1.5 kilometers from north to south, with many small lanes and streets in between.
The night market is known for its sheer size and diversity of foods. Some very popular ones include deep fried sweet potato balls, green onion crepes, steamed clams, and vegetarian stinky tofu.
The night market is a little ways from Taichung city center, with no MRT connection to the city center (yet).
It’s a 10-miniute Wenxin Yinghua MRT station, which connects to the Taichung HSR station. Some visitors stay around Feng Chia Night Market for their Taichung visit just to be close to the night market.
See my guide to all five major night markets in Taichung.
Yizhong Street Night Market (Taichung)
Although less famous than Feng Chia, Yizhong Street Night Market is more conveniently located near the Taichung city center and Taichung Station.
This night market is also a more manageable size, so you are unlikely to get lost (can’t say the same about Feng Chia!) It is located next to a high school, so it has younger/trendier vibes, comparable to Ximending in Taipei.
At Yizhong Night Market, I really enjoyed the super crispy stinky tofu, deep fried chicken fillets, and shaved ice desserts.
Yizhong Street Night Market is just north of Taichung Park. Consider watching sunset beside the pond in the park before heading over. It’s a 20-minute walk north of Taichung Station.
Dongdamen Night Market (Hualien)
Jumping over to the east coast of Taiwan, Dongdamen Night Market (東大門夜市) is the most popular night market in Hualien. Because many so tourists stay in Hualien City as a base for visiting Taroko Gorge, many of them make it to this night market.
Unfortuntaley, Dongdamen has been very quiet ever since the 2024 Hualien Earthquake scared away most of the tourists. The night market is still open and desperately needs your business!
Dongdamen is held in a large, dedicated space close to the sea, with alphabetical areas and numbered stalls.
It has lots of fun games, live music, and some seriously booze cocktails. But the biggest highlight is the fact that it has more Indigenous foods than any other night market in Taiwan (see here for more places to taste Indigenous food in Taiwan).
The night market is a 30-minute walk from Hualien Station, so consider hopping in a taxi or bus.
Southern Taiwan
We finish our night market hopping in the tropical far south of Taiwan, covering night markets Chiayi, Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Kenting.
Wenhua Road Night Market (Chiayi)
Chiayi city is the gateway to Alishan, and most tourists see little more than the train station. There is some excellent food to be enjoyed in Chiayi, though – so much that Netflix even did a whole Chiayi episode on Street Food Asia series.
Wenhua Road Night Market (文化路夜市) is the city’s largest and best night market.
It is here that you’ll find Smartfish, one of the two restaurants featured on the Netflix documentary. Their specialty is fish head stew (沙鍋魚頭), but you’ll need to wait in line to try it.
The other shop featured on the show does turkey rice (火雞肉飯). It is here outside of the night market, but you can find the same dish at several spots in or near to the night market.
The night market is a 10-15 minute walk from Chiayi Station.
Garden Night Market (Tainan)
Garden Night Market (花園夜市, also called “Flower Night Market”) is currently the most popular night market in Tainan, a city that locals consider the food capital of Taiwan.
An important thing to know about this and other night markets in Tainan is that each one only takes place on certain nights, and famous vendors often move between them.
Garden Night Market only runs on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. See my guide to night markets in Tainan to find out the opening days of each one.
Popular stalls here include this Thai ice tea and banana pancakes, shwarma, fish balls in duck blood soup, and souffle pancakes.
The night market is a little ways from the Tainan city center – just hop in a taxi to get there.
Ta-Tung (Dadong) Night Market (Tainan)
Ta-Tung Night Market (大東夜市 or Dadong Night Market) is Tainan’s second-most popular and runs on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday.
If you find it looks similar to Garden Night Market, that’s because both are held in empty parking lots, and many of the popular food vendors operate at both night markets. Which one you choose just depends on which night you want to go.
Some popular staples here include deep fried taro and sweet potato balls, Indigenous grilled meats, and mulberry garlic tofu.
This one lies to the east of the city center – again, you’ll probably find it easiest to just taxi over.
Ruifeng Night Market (Kaohsiung)
Kaohsiung best night market, in my opinion, is Ruifeng Night Market (瑞豐夜市, also spelled Ruifong Night Market).
The market is north of the city center. Even though it’s close to Lotus Pond and Zuoying HSR Station, comparatively few tourists make it here. This is a shame (or perhaps blessing, depending on how you look at it), as the night market boasts some delicious traditional and creative modern foods.
A few items that really stood out for me were the best mochi I’ve ever had, fresh milk tea, oyster omelets, and what might just be the best deep fried chicken fillet in Taiwan.
Access is from Kaohsiung Arena MRT Station. See my guide to Kaohsiung and all the major night markets in the city.
Liuhe Night Market (Kaohsiung)
Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市) is the most popular night market in Kaohsiung among tourists, mainly due to its convenient location. It is close to Formoas Boulevard MRT Station (the one with the famous Dome of Light art installation).
But Liuhe still has some excellent foods, so don’t snub it. It also has one of the few 7-Elevens in Taiwan that serves draft beer! There are a couple 7-11s, but it’s this one.
Some unmissable vendors here are include a long-running papaya milk stall, a luwei (braised foods) stall visited by many celebrities, and Tainan-style eel noodles.
Exit 11 of Formosa Boulevard Station is the closest to the main entrance, but you could also walk over from Kaohsiung Station area.
Kenting Night Market (Kenting)
I finish off this article with Taiwan’s southernmost major night market, Kenting Night Market (墾丁大街夜市).
The night market is in the main tourist village of Kenting National Park, sometimes called Kenting Main Street (墾丁大街). It is set up right along the highway running through town.
This market has beach resort vibes, so you expect fun items like gelato and drinks served it oversized plastic bottles. It’s probably the only night market in Taiwan where you can come in beachwear and no one will look twice.
Expect even more seafood than usual, which goes nicely with at least a dozen cocktail stalls, some of which are set up on trucks or minivans. There’s EDM music blasting, or chill reggae if you head to the cocktrail truck bars at the far eastern end.
Also read about the best places to stay in Kenting, and more info in my guide to Kenting National Park).
That brings us to the end of my Taiwan night markets guide. Which one do you plan to visit? And which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
I’m planning a trip!
Regarding Jungli night market in Taoyuan, is it worth mentioning that the laojie river mrt station makes it a breeze to get there now?
Thanks for catching that. I’ve updated it!