The 5 Best Night Markets Taipei: Which Ones I Loved (And What to Eat There)

Last Updated on June 27, 2025 by Oliver

Alright, so a huge part of Taipei’s food scene is happening at the night markets. When I looked up what to eat in Taipei and where to find the best food, night markets like Shilin Night Market and Raohe Night Market came up every single time.

Night markets are a big deal here with over 70 of them across the city, ranging from huge and touristy to tiny and super local. They’re the perfect place to grab dinner for cheap, wander around, soak up the atmosphere, maybe buy a souvenir or two, and just people-watch.

I obviously haven’t been to every single night market in Taipei, but I did visit quite a few during my trip. So here are my picks for the best night markets Taipei, based on food, vibes, and overall experience. This is just from my own trip, of course. Other people might disagree, but here’s what I loved.

The Best Night Markets Taipei – My Experience

Alright, so let me start by saying this, some people treat night markets like the holy grail of food in Taipei. And while they’re fun and full of energy, I don’t actually think the best food in Taipei is always found in the night markets. A lot of the big-name spots, even the Michelin-mentioned food stalls, felt a bit overhyped to me. Good? Sure. Mind-blowing? Not always. 

I’m just saying this to encourage you to try different food spots and restaurants in Taipei and not visit a night market every single night for dinner!

That said, I still really love night markets. The atmosphere is unbeatable, busy, noisy, packed with smells and colors and people slurping noodles in plastic chairs. And some markets definitely have amazing food worth the hype.

My personal favorite is Raohe Night Market. It’s not the biggest one in the city, but from what I experienced, it has the best food. I went back a few times during my trip, and yes, I had the famous pepper pork buns from Fuzhou every single time. They’re that good.

So even if you’re not eating a full meal at a night market, I still think they’re a must. Wander around, try something weird, grab a bubble tea and just enjoy the atmosphere.

My Favorite Foods & What You Should Try at Taipei Night Markets

Here’s your quick little Taipei night market food 101. Because honestly, once you’re in the middle of it, things can get a bit overwhelming. Loads of signs and menus are only in Chinese, and not everyone speaks English either, so make sure you’ve got Google Translate ready (the photo feature will be your best friend). 

That said, here are some of my favorite things to eat at the night markets, and a few classics you should definitely look out for.

Pan-Fried Buns & Pepper Pork Buns: These are a must. Pan-fried buns (usually filled with pork and cabbage) have a crispy bottom and soft, doughy top. The famous pepper pork buns from Fuzhou at Raohe Night Market are baked in a clay oven and packed with juicy, peppery pork.

Gua Bao (Taiwanese Hamburger): Basically an open steamed bao bun with a thick slice of tender pork belly, crushed peanuts, coriander, and pickled veggies.

Taiwanese Fried Chicken: This usually comes as a massive, flattened chicken cutlet fried to crispy perfection. You can get it spicy, sweet, or just plain salty.

Oyster Omelette: A gooey, slightly chewy omelette with small oysters and a savory-sweet sauce on top. Locals love it, but I’ll be honest, I’m not the biggest fan.

Shaved Peanut Ice Cream Roll: A dessert wrap with two scoops of ice cream (usually taro or peanut), peanut brittle shavings, and sometimes cilantro (which I always skip).

Stinky Tofu: I didn’t have the heart to try this one because, well, it really lives up to its name. But if you’re brave, it’s a deep-fried tofu served with pickled cabbage and a spicy sauce. Apparently, it tastes way better than it smells. You tell me.

Bubble Tea: There are stalls all over for this. Whether you’re into classic milk tea with tapioca pearls or wild flavors like brown sugar or taro, it’s everywhere—and it’s always good.

Sweet Potato Balls: These are deep-fried mochi-like balls made from sweet potato flour. Light, chewy, and slightly sweet.

Grilled Squid: Usually served whole on a stick and brushed with a sweet-savory sauce. A little chewy, super flavorful, and very popular.

The 5 Best Night Markets Taipei (My Night Market Guide)

1. Raohe Night Market ( Best Night Market Taipei)

My favorite night market in Taipei is definitely Raohe Street Night Market. I ended up coming back here a few times just because the food was that good. And it’s not just me, most people would probably agree that Raohe has some of the best food of all the night markets in Taiwan.

The layout is simple: it’s basically one long street with food stalls on both sides and a row running down the middle. You walk up one side, then back down the other, and spot something new every time. Super easy to navigate, not overwhelming, and packed with good eats.

This is where you’ll find the famous pepper pork buns from Fuzhou, a Michelin Guide Taipei street food stall. You definitely can’t miss it, it’s the very first stall in the center of the market right as you walk in. There’s usually a line, but trust me, it’s worth it.

Besides that, you’ll find all the usual suspects here, pan-fried buns, Taiwanese fried chicken, bubble tea, and more. There are also a few stalls where you can actually sit down for a proper meal with noodle soups or rice dishes, which is a nice bonus if you’re looking for something a little more filling.

2. Shilin Night Market ( The Biggest Night Market in Taipei)

Shilin Night Market is the biggest and most well-known night market in Taipei and maybe even the most famous night market in Taiwan. It’s the one that shows up in every blog, YouTube video, and guidebook. And yes, it’s massive. If your idea of a night market includes a bit of chaos, game stalls, claw machines, and entire buildings dedicated to food courts, then Shilin’s probably going to be your thing.

For me personally though, it wasn’t my favorite. The food just didn’t hit the same way it did at Raohe. It felt a bit more touristy, a bit more expensive, and not quite as focused on quality street food. That said, it’s still fun to check out, especially if it’s your first time in Taipei or you’re traveling with kids as there’s definitely more going on here than just food.

So while I wouldn’t come here just to eat, I’d still say it’s worth seeing what all the hype is about. Go once, walk around, snack on a few things and play a game or two.

3. Ningxia Night Market ( Mercato Notturno Di Ningxia)

Ningxia Night Market is another one of my favorites in Taipei and for food specifically, I’d say it comes second after Raohe. It’s a proper foodie night market. The kind of place where every second stall smells amazing and you just want to try everything.

It’s a smaller market, but it gets really busy. Like shoulder-to-shoulder crowded. So busy that some of the food stalls have their lines wrapping behind them just to avoid blocking the main walkway. That part can feel a bit intense and slightly annoying to be honest.

If you want a more chilled experience, I recommend coming between 5 and 7pm. I made the mistake of showing up around 10pm the first time and it was absolute chaos, fun, but chaotic. When I came back earlier, it had a much better vibe.

The oyster omelet I had here was amazing, and there’s tons of other great stuff too. This market feels less touristy than Shilin or Raohe, so the crowd here is definitely more local.

4. Linjiang Night Market

Linjiang Night Market is definitely more of a local spot and it’s a lot smaller than most of the other night markets on this list. But it was basically around the corner from where I was staying near Taipei 101, so it kind of became my night market. I’d pop over here for a late-night snack or bubble tea all the time.

There’s some great Taiwanese fried chicken here, tasty pan-fried buns, and good boba tea. It’s not one of the must-see night markets if you’re staying on the other side of town, but if you’re nearby, it’s a perfect easy and not crowded option.

5. Nanjichang Night Market

Nanjichang Night Market was honestly one of my favorite night market experiences in Taipei. This place feels the most local and you won’t see many tourists here at all. It’s not shiny or flashy, and it’s definitely not trying to impress anyone. No glowing signs or cutesy dessert stalls. Just good food.

It’s where locals actually go to grab dinner, and I loved that about it. Prices are cheaper than Raohe or Shilin, and the atmosphere is way more down-to-earth. No one here really speaks English, and I just pointed at random dishes and hoped for the best and it worked out every time.

If you want to experience what a real local night market feels like, come here. It’s not Insta-pretty, but it’s real.

FAQs About Night Markets in Taipei

What is the best night market in Taipei for food?

I’d say Raohe Street Night Market takes the win. It has a great vibe, just touristy enough to feel lively but not overcrowded and honestly the best food in Taipei in my opinion.

Is Ximending Night Market worth visiting?

Yeah, I think it’s worth a look. I didn’t include it in my list because I’ve been to the area a bunch and always end up eating at the great restaurants nearby instead. But the night market itself is fun and has a cool energy.

What are the best night markets in Taipei?

Probably the ones I’ve listed here. Raohe and Shilin are definitely the most famous, but some of the smaller ones like Ningxia or Nanjichang are great if you’re after more local vibes.

What to eat in Taipei at a night market?

I’ve got a whole section on Street Food Taiwan, but I’m a sucker for anything in bun form, pan-fried buns are amazing, and the pepper pork buns at Fuzhou in Raohe are next-level good.

Final Thoughts on the Best Night Markets Taipei

Street Night markets in Taipei are 100% a must, both for you and for me. They’re such a big part of the culture here and honestly one of the best ways to experience local life. And if you’re continuing your travels around Taiwan, you’ll see them pop up in pretty much every city.

But Taipei is still my favorite when it comes to night markets. The atmosphere is just unbeatable, busy, chaotic, full of energy and the food is amazing. I’m always torn between sitting down at a restaurant or hitting a night market, but every time I end up at one, I eat way too much and have a great time.

The only thing I wish they did better? Drinks. I can’t tell you how many times I was standing there, happily eating dumplings or something fried and salty, absolutely craving a beer and nope. Nothing. Someone please fix that.

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