Eat with curiosity

Taiwan, one delicious word at a time.

Get to know the staples, learn what to point at and find the phrases that make ordering easier.

Find a dish

滷肉飯 · Main dish

Braised Pork Rice

lǔ ròu fàn

Glossy soy-braised minced pork spooned over steamed rice: simple, savory and deeply comforting.

牛肉麵 · Soup

Beef Noodle Soup

niú ròu miàn

Tender beef, springy noodles and a fragrant broth, from clear and herbal to dark and spicy.

Spicy

珍珠奶茶 · Drink

Bubble Milk Tea

zhēn zhū nǎi chá

Taiwan’s iconic tea drink with chewy tapioca pearls. Choose your ice and sugar level when ordering.

Vegetarian-friendly

火雞肉飯 · Main dish

Chiayi Turkey Rice

huǒ jī ròu fàn

Shredded turkey and aromatic shallot oil over rice, finished with a light, savory sauce.

蔥油餅 · Snack

Scallion Pancake

cōng yóu bǐng

A crisp, flaky flatbread layered with spring onions. Ask for an egg or a little chili sauce.

Vegetarian-friendly

麻糬 · Dessert

Mochi

má shǔ

Soft glutinous-rice treats dusted with peanut powder or filled with red bean and sesame.

Vegetarian-friendly

小籠包 · Snack

Xiaolongbao

xiǎo lóng bāo

Delicate steamed dumplings filled with savory pork and hot broth. Lift carefully, bite a small opening and let the soup cool before eating.

蚵仔煎 · Snack

Oyster Omelet

é zǎi jiān

Small oysters, egg and leafy greens set in a pleasantly chewy starch batter, finished with a sweet-savory sauce.

臭豆腐 · Snack

Stinky Tofu

chòu dòu fǔ

Fermented tofu with a famously strong aroma, usually fried crisp and served with pickled cabbage, garlic and chili sauce.

Spicy

刈包 · Snack

Gua Bao

guà bāo

A fluffy steamed bun folded around braised pork belly, pickled mustard greens, peanut powder and cilantro.

鹽酥雞 · Snack

Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken

yán sū jī

Bite-sized chicken fried until crisp with garlic and basil, then tossed with pepper salt and optional chili powder.

Spicy

芒果冰 · Dessert

Mango Shaved Ice

máng guǒ bīng

A mound of shaved ice topped with ripe mango, mango sauce and often condensed milk or a scoop of ice cream.

Vegetarian-friendly

鳳梨酥 · Dessert

Pineapple Cake

fèng lí sū

A buttery short pastry wrapped around sweet-tart pineapple filling, popular with tea and as a travel gift.

Vegetarian-friendly

蛋餅 · Snack

Taiwanese Egg Crepe

dàn bǐng

A thin, chewy breakfast crepe cooked with egg, rolled and sliced, with soy-based sauce and optional cheese, corn or tuna.

Vegetarian-friendly

豆花 · Dessert

Tofu Pudding

dòu huā

Silky-soft tofu served warm or cold in light syrup, with toppings such as peanuts, red beans, taro balls or tapioca pearls.

Vegetarian-friendly

地瓜球 · Dessert

Sweet Potato Balls

dì guā qiú

Golden hollow puffs made from sweet potato and tapioca starch, fried until crisp outside and chewy inside.

Vegetarian-friendly

胡椒餅 · Snack

Pepper Bun

hú jiāo bǐng

A crisp, sesame-topped bun baked against the wall of a clay oven, packed with juicy peppery pork and scallions.

Spicy

蚵仔麵線 · Soup

Oyster Vermicelli

é zǎi miàn xiàn

Fine wheat vermicelli in a silky thickened broth with plump oysters, usually finished with black vinegar, garlic and cilantro.

芋圓 · Dessert

Jiufen Taro Balls

yù yuán

Chewy taro and sweet-potato dumplings served warm in syrup or chilled over ice - Jiufen's signature mountain-town dessert.

Vegetarian-friendly

魚丸湯 · Soup

Fish Ball Soup

yú wán tāng

Springy handmade fish balls in a light, savory broth. Jiufen shops may also serve Fuzhou-style balls with a juicy pork filling.

草仔粿 · Snack

Herbal Rice Cake

cǎo zǎi guǒ

A soft, chewy green rice cake scented with local herbs. Fillings range from savory preserved radish to sweet red bean.

雞翅包飯 · Snack

Rice-Stuffed Chicken Wing

jī chì bāo fàn

A deboned chicken wing packed with seasoned fried rice, then grilled until the skin is smoky and crisp—a popular handheld bite in Shifen.

米粉湯 · Soup

Thick Rice Noodle Soup

mǐ fěn tāng

Short, thick rice noodles served in a light savory broth with scallions, fried shallots and optional pork or offal toppings.

萬里蟹 · Main dish

Wanli Crab

wàn lǐ xiè

Fresh swimming crab landed along New Taipei’s north coast, often steamed or cooked in soup to highlight its sweet meat, especially during autumn.

淡水阿給 · Snack

Tamsui A-gei

dàn shuǐ ā gěi

Fried tofu stuffed with braised glass noodles, sealed with fish paste, steamed and covered with a sweet-savory chili sauce—Tamsui’s signature breakfast or lunch snack.

Spicy

鐵蛋 · Snack

Iron Eggs

tiě dàn

Chicken or quail eggs repeatedly braised and air-dried until dark, compact and pleasantly chewy—a portable Tamsui souvenir.

魚酥 · Snack

Fish Crackers

yú sū

Crisp, airy batons made with seasoned fish paste and flour, sold in bags around Tamsui Old Street as an easy riverside snack or souvenir.

大溪豆干 · Snack

Daxi Dried Tofu

dà xī dòu gān

Firm tofu pressed and braised in a savory soy-based marinade. It is a signature Daxi Old Street snack, often sold warm or vacuum-packed to take away.

大溪花生糖 · Dessert

Daxi Peanut Candy

dà xī huā shēng táng

A traditional Daxi Old Street sweet made by folding roasted peanuts into warm malt sugar, then cutting it into soft, chewy bars for sharing or taking home.

太陽餅 · Dessert

Taichung Sun Cake

tài yáng bǐng

A flaky, layered Taichung pastry with a sweet maltose filling, commonly chosen as a portable souvenir.

大麵羹 · Main dish

Taichung Da Mian Geng

dà miàn gēng

A thick noodle dish with a characteristic alkaline aroma, traditionally eaten as an everyday or breakfast-time meal in Taichung.

竹筒飯 · Main dish

Bamboo Rice

zhú tǒng fàn

Sticky rice steamed inside bamboo, often served with mountain ingredients and Indigenous-style dishes in the Alishan area.

阿里山高山茶 · Drink

Alishan High-Mountain Tea

Ā lǐ shān gāo shān chá

A fragrant high-mountain oolong, prized for its clean floral aroma and lingering sweetness.

Vegetarian-friendly

野生愛玉 · Dessert

Wild Aiyu Jelly

yě shēng ài yù

A lightly citrusy jelly made by washing native aiyu seeds in water, usually served chilled with lemon or honey.

Vegetarian-friendly

七星柴魚片 · Other

Qixingtan Bonito Flakes

qī xīng chái yú piàn

Dried bonito shaved into aromatic flakes, a coastal Qixingtan specialty used over rice, soup and snacks.

月光餅 · Dessert

Daxi Moonlight Cake

yuè guāng bǐng

A soft, pan-browned Daxi pastry with a chewy sweet-potato filling, named for its round moon-like shape.

炭烤香腸 · Snack

Charcoal-Grilled Sausage

tàn kǎo xiāng cháng

A smoky, lightly sweet pork sausage grilled to order—a classic easy bite while walking Shifen Old Street.

章魚小丸子 · Snack

Feng Chia Takoyaki

zhāng yú xiǎo wán zi

Large, tender-centered octopus balls with cabbage, sauce, mayonnaise and bonito flakes—a longtime Feng Chia Night Market favorite.

泰式涼拌青木瓜 · Snack

Thai Green Papaya Salad

tài shì liáng bàn qīng mù guā

Crisp shredded green papaya pounded with lime, chili, tomato and peanuts—a bright, spicy-sour break from richer night-market snacks.

Spicy

日月潭紅茶 · Drink

Sun Moon Lake Black Tea

rì yuè tán hóng chá

A fragrant black tea from Yuchi near Sun Moon Lake, best known for Taiwan Tea No. 18 Ruby and Assam varieties.

Vegetarian-friendly

集集山蕉 · Snack

Jiji Mountain Banana

jí jí shān jiāo

A sweet, firm local banana associated with Jiji’s warm, sheltered growing conditions and often enjoyed as a simple travel snack.

Vegetarian-friendly

大餅包小餅 · Snack

Wrapped Biscuit

dà bǐng bāo xiǎo bǐng

A crisp, flaky biscuit wrapped in a larger soft pancake with fillings such as malt sugar, peanut powder or savory pork floss.

藥燉排骨 · Soup

Herbal Pork Rib Soup

yào dùn pái gǔ

Slow-simmered pork ribs in a dark, warming herbal broth—one of Taiwan’s most comforting cool-evening night-market bowls.

牛肉湯 · Soup

Tainan Beef Soup

niú ròu tāng

Thin slices of beef served in a clear, hot broth. It is commonly eaten as an early meal, though preparation and opening times vary by shop.

虱目魚鹹粥 · Soup

Savory Milkfish Congee

shī mù yú xián zhōu

A savory rice porridge with milkfish and a light fish-based broth, often offered as a breakfast or brunch dish.

擔仔麵 · Main dish

Danzai Noodles

dān zǎi miàn

A small bowl of wheat noodles in a savory broth, usually topped with minced pork, shrimp and herbs. Portions are often snack-sized.

米糕 · Main dish

Mi Gao

mǐ gāo

Steamed sticky rice topped with a sweet-savory minced-meat sauce, fish floss and garnishes. It is a compact, filling local-style meal.

A pocket phrasebook

Ordering helper

Keep practical Mandarin phrases ready, then choose a dish to build an order for the stall.

Quick phrases

For the moment you need it.

Ordering basics

Thank you.

謝謝
xiè xie

xiè xie

One serving, please.

一份,謝謝。
yí fèn, xiè xie

yí fèn, xiè xie

Two servings, please.

兩份,謝謝。
liǎng fèn, xiè xie

liǎng fèn, xiè xie

Allergies

I have a peanut allergy. Does this dish contain peanuts?

我對花生過敏,請問這道菜有花生嗎?
wǒ duì huā shēng guò mǐn

wǒ duì huā shēng guò mǐn

I have a shellfish allergy. Does this dish contain shellfish?

我對甲殼類過敏,請問這道菜有嗎?
wǒ duì jiǎ ké lèi guò mǐn

wǒ duì jiǎ ké lèi guò mǐn

I have a milk allergy. Does this dish contain milk?

我對牛奶過敏,請問這道菜有牛奶嗎?
wǒ duì niú nǎi guò mǐn

wǒ duì niú nǎi guò mǐn

I have an egg allergy. Does this dish contain egg?

我對蛋過敏,請問這道菜有蛋嗎?
wǒ duì dàn guò mǐn

wǒ duì dàn guò mǐn

I have a nut allergy. Does this dish contain nuts?

我對堅果過敏,請問這道菜有堅果嗎?
wǒ duì jiān guǒ guò mǐn

wǒ duì jiān guǒ guò mǐn

Dietary needs

Is this vegetarian?

這是素的嗎?
zhè shì sù de ma

zhè shì sù de ma

I do not eat pork.

我不吃豬肉。
wǒ bù chī zhū ròu

wǒ bù chī zhū ròu

I do not eat beef.

我不吃牛肉。
wǒ bù chī niú ròu

wǒ bù chī niú ròu

I do not eat meat.

我不吃肉。
wǒ bù chī ròu

wǒ bù chī ròu

I am vegan. Is this vegan?

我是全素食者。這是全素的嗎?
wǒ shì quán sù shí zhě

wǒ shì quán sù shí zhě

Preferences

This one, please.

我要這個
wǒ yào zhè ge

wǒ yào zhè ge

Not spicy, please.

不要辣
bú yào là

bú yào là

No cilantro, please.

不要香菜
bú yào xiāng cài

bú yào xiāng cài

Can I get this to go?

可以外帶嗎?
kě yǐ wài dài ma

kě yǐ wài dài ma

For here, please.

內用
nèi yòng

nèi yòng

Payment / takeaway

The bill, please.

我要結帳
wǒ yào jié zhàng

wǒ yào jié zhàng