(Lulu Chen)
Night Markets in Taipei I
n Taipei, snacking is almost a cultural celebration, and nowhere showcases that better than the city’s numerous night markets. For more than a century, every night around 5 p.m., hundreds of vendors flock to stalls lining both sides of the designated night market districts of Taipei. With the vendors come the customers—both native Taiwanese and tourists alike, crowded shoulder to shoulder, surrounded by a carnival
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of noise and flavor. Everyone is hunting for a midnight snack. It’s not uncommon to wait in long lines for the most popular snack food stalls, made famous by word of mouth, Instagram posts, or food bloggers. All types of flavors can be found: salty, sweet, crunchy, savory, and stinky (yes, stinky). There is something for everyone. If you’re not enjoying the atmosphere of the night market you’re currently exploring, try going to a
different one a few miles away. Each night market has its own personality and assortment of specialties. You’ll find different foods, different stalls, and different attractions in each one that you visit. With over sixty-five night market districts in Taipei, you’re guaranteed a new adventure every time. Not sure where to start? Here’s a brief introduction to three of Taipei’s most popular night markets.
