16 Most Iconic Night Markets in Taiwan (2024)

Discover the lively atmosphere that defines the heart of Taiwanese culture, immersing yourself in Taiwan’s vibrant night scene with the top 16 night markets in Taiwan!

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Raohe Night Market, one of the most popular night markets in Taiwan

One of the top things you absolutely have to do when visiting Taiwan is exploring their night markets.

Taiwan is truly a foodie paradise – there are so many different tastes, textures, and combinations – you are about to have an extremely pleasurable trip for your taste buds.

Night markets in Taiwan is where you get to try the local food – like a local!

I moved here back in 2019 and throughout my travels here, I was constantly googling and asking my students where the best night markets were and what dishes to get at each of them.

Each city in Taiwan has usually one or two night markets that everyone flocks to for the city’s best street food, so I wanted to help any traveler who wants to get their hands on the best best night market cuisine across the major cities of Taiwan.

Ready to take a trip around Taiwan exploring their best night markets? Buckle up, we’re in for a sweet treat. Here are the 16 most iconic night markets in Taiwan:

16 Most Iconic Night Markets in Taiwan

Taipei Night Markets

Massive crowds fill the Shilin night market in Taipei

Shilin Night Market

The most iconic and famous in Taipei is the Shilin Night Market.

When Covid-19 spread around the world, it took a major hit; what used to be sardine-packed streets, turned into empty streets with an occasional street food vendor.

However, in the past couple of years, it’s been coming back to life and still holds a spot in one of the most iconic night markets in Taiwan.

Located in the neighborhood Shilin (surprise), it’s a massive night market that has streets upon streets of food vendors.

The first time I went, I was so surprised by how many people there were and how big it was. It felt like it never ended!

Split between the outdoor pedestrian streets and the indoor food court, there are hundreds of options to choose from.

The main food attractions are:

Non-food attractions:

Lovers Alley, popular among youngsters, they’ll come here for the yummy shaved ice shops and heart shaped lights lining the alley.

The newly installed 3D Baby Tiger has attracted hundreds of locals and foreigners alike. On the corner of the street, you’ll be able to watch an adorable baby tiger play around on a screen.

Even though it is a super touristy thing to do, I recommend checking it out, it’s fun and cute!

Address: No. 101, Jihe Rd, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan 111
Hours: Mon-Sun 4pm – 12am

Raohe Night Market

my personal photo of the beautiful entrance to the Raohe night market

Raohe is giving Shilin a run for its money with the most popular night market in Taipei.

The magnificent 松山慈祐宮 temple greets you at the bustling entrance and a 600 meter street is packed to the brim with vendors on vendors!

You can find your classic Pork Pepper Bun right at the entrance, and anything you could possibly imagine from dumplings to stinky tofu and everything in between down the street.

Must-tries:

  • Fuzhou Pepper Buns
  • Most people go here for Stinky Tofu, but I recommend walking all the way down Raohe Street to the very last stall (on the left side) for stinky tofu! You can’t miss it, you’ll smell it once you’re getting close 😉
  • Chen Dong Ribs Medicinal Herbs Soup (陳董藥燉排骨攤位)
  • Try Michelin-star mochi here
  • Taiwanese Sticky Rice and Vermicelli Noodles at Dongfahao
  • Japanese Okonomiyaki at Fukushima Yaki (福島屋圓圓燒)
  • My (favorite!) fresh juice shop, add fruit and/or veggies to make a refreshing drink 台北現打大木果汁 (the owners are super sweet + speak english!)

Non-food specialties:

Wufenpu Shopping Mall, the largest wholesale clothing market in Taipei, is a short walk away. If you’re into shopping, be sure to take a gander around here!

If you wander to the right of the night market, you’ll come across the Rainbow Bridge and the Raohe Evacuation Gate, I highly recommend walking through the Evacuation Gate and down to the riverside park.

It’s beautiful day or night and you’ll find a cute “LOVE” sign at the entrance of the Evacuation Gate down where the pedestrians and bike lanes are.

Address: Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105
Hours: Mon – Sun 5 – 11pm

Ningxia Night Market

Entrance of the Ningxia Night Market 2023

My love for the Ningxia Night Market runs deep, it was one I went to frequently because I lived near it the first two years I was in Taiwan.

It’s small, but mighty, and famous for its oyster omelettes and netflix features. You can find everything and anything in this fun little night market.

Check out everything you need to know with my article Ningxia Night Market | Top 18 Foods + Drinks ♥

Some of the delicious Taiwanese snacks you can find here:

  • Oyster Omelette (what this night market is known for!)
  • Er Dai Goose for the best goose soup
  • Len Zen Zhao Mochi for traditional and modern mochi
  • Peanut Ice Cream Roll (my absolute favorite Taiwanese dessert)
  • Rong’s Pork Liver (I promise it’s more appetizing than it sounds)
  • Fang Jia Chicken Rice for a delicious Chiyai specialty that’s hard to find in Taipei

Address: 103, Taiwan, Taipei City, Datong District, Ningxia Rd, 58號2樓
Hours: Mon-Sun 5pm – 1am

Taichung Night Markets

Stinky tofu must-try at one of the night markets in Taiwan

Feng Chia Night Market

This beast of a night market of course holds a spot as one of the most iconic night markets in Taiwan. Foreigners and locals come to the Feng Chia night market to experience this supreme and massive night market alongside to eat the yummy food.

It’s located near the Feng Chia University, not Taichung’s city center. But lucky you, the Taichung city government finally implemented an MRT system in their city!

So, from the Wenxin Yinghua MRT station you can take a 20 min walk, take a bus, or taxi to the night market.

Be sure to feast on:

Address: Wenhua Rd, Xitun District, Taichung City, Taiwan 407
Hours: Mon-Sun 4pm – 1am

Yizhong Night Market

the Yizhong night market, trying a fun fried egg in scallion pancake.

Located right in the city center is the second most popular night market in Taichung, the Yizhong night market. It’s often many traveler’s favorite due to it’s smaller size and central location.

It’s popular amongst the younger crowd, but you’ll find all walks of life coming here to try the delicious cuisine! I thoroughly enjoyed wandering up and down the street to see what I was craving.

Here are some of the can’t miss items:

Address: Yizhong St, North District, Taichung City, Taiwan 404
Hours: Mon-Fri 11am – 10pm, Sat & Sun 11am – 11pm

Chiayi Night Market

Fish head soup, Turkey rice, and Shark right by the Wenhua night market in Chiayi

Wenhua Night Market

In the small town of Chiayi, you’ll find a poppin’ little night market on Wenhua Street.

Compared to the night markets in the other cities, it’s a bit smaller and has equal parts food, clothes, and games.

Their signature food includes Turkey Rice, which is almost exclusively found in Chiayi, and Smartfish. After a feature on a netflix show, it’s popularity boomed.

While it’s a restaurant and not a food stall, it’s a hop-skip away from the night market street and it’s specialities include: fish head soup, turkey rice, and shark. Be sure to arrive early to get a good spot in line.

I highly recommend the fish head soup and turkey rice, I tried the shark, but the texture was not vibing with me. However it is interesting to try, but also made me reflect on the ethics of eating shark, which is a topic for another post.

Address: Wenhua Rd, West District, Chiayi City, Taiwan 600
Hours: Wed & Sat 3:30pm – 11:30pm, all other days 3:30pm – 11pm

Tainan Night Markets

My friend and I ordering classic Southern Taiwanese dishes - tofu pudding, milkfish soup, and delicious noodle dish!

Anping Old Street

Anping Old Street is Taiwan’s oldest street, it was built by the Dutch during their colonization of Tainan from 1624 to 1662. The Dutch East India Company came here and set up shop for transportation of goods, and with that came constructions of multiple forts and streets.

Nowadays, it is more of a day and evening market that you can’t miss visiting when in Tainan. There are so many special kinds of southern Taiwanese food to try here. With a maze of alleys of food vendors, you can easily spend hours here grazing on all the unique snacks, which is why I still place it in one of the best night markets in Taiwan.

I highly recommend coming here during the day time and trying all the snacks, dishes, and drinks you can find.

The main food attractions are:

  • Shrimp-flavored anything (surprisingly delicious!)
  • Rice Pudding (also known as whay guay)
  • Coffin Bread
  • Oyster Rolls

Address: Yanping St, Anping District, Tainan City, Taiwan 708
Hours: 24/7, but most vendors will be open between 10am – 8pm

Garden Night Market (Tainan Flowers Night Market)

One my absolute favorite night markets in Taiwan - the Garden Night Market in Tainan

Probably one of my favorite night markets in Taiwan, this is another massive and popular night market people don’t miss when visiting Tainan. It’s got all the regular Taiwanese food as well as the unique Tainan staples.

If you haven’t already heard, the food in Southern Taiwan is more sweet than in Northern Taiwan. This is due to the field workers needing energy to work in the hot sun throughout the day, according to my Taiwanese students.

It’s typically a hit or miss with Northern Taiwanese people, but I loved the Tainan dishes!

Must-tries:

  • Beef Soup
  • Tofu Pudding
  • Eel Noodle Soup
  • Milkfish soup
  • Shrimp rolls
  • Danzai Noodles

Address: No. 533號, Section 3, Hai’an Rd, North District, Tainan City, Taiwan 704
Hours: Thurs, Sat, & Sun 5pm – 12am, closed all other days

Kaohsiung Night Markets

Ruifeng Night Market

The most popular among locals and tourists, equivalent to the Shilin night market in Taipei and Feng Chia night market in Taichung, we’ve got the Ruifeng Night Market.

Located north-west of Kaohsiung, it’s poppin with over a thousand food stands filled with your classic Taiwanese dishes as well as local specialties and international cuisine.

Some of the can’t miss delicacies include:

Address: 804, Taiwan, Kaohsiung City, Zuoying District, Yucheng Rd, 南屏路
Hours: Mon & Wed closed, all other days 5pm – 12am

Liuhe Night Market

Delicious Papaya and Mango smoothies from any and all night markets in Taiwan

The most touristy night market within Kaohsiung due to its central location has been offering up delicious taiwanese street food since 1950. With 138 stalls, it offers halal, traditional taiwanese food, and plenty of seafood delicacies – with a bonus of steak houses surrounding the street.

Be sure to feast on:

Non-cuisine attractions:

The Dome of Light is located nearby, definitely add that on your list of things to see before or after popping by the night market.

Pier 2 Art Center is an artsy, outdoor space. It’s not super close to the night market, but just a couple of stops away on their MRT. Here you’ll find artwork on the street, street performers, markets filled with all different types of vendors, and exhibitions in the buildings. Highly recommend checking it out during the day

Address: Liuhe 2nd Rd, Xinxing District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan 800
Hours: Mon – Sun 5pm – 2am

Kenting Night Market

the sunset while walking along the Kenting Night Market

Kenting Night Market

There’s only one night market within Kenting and it’s a fun one – you’ll find plenty of stalls that offer classic Taiwanese food, but also stalls that are minibars, offering cocktails and shots. Kenting is the place to go for a getaway beach vacation, hence the more upbeat options at the night market.

Along the main Kenting Street, you’ll find a plethora of international and local cuisine in the stalls and restaurants. As the sun sets, the crowds arrive. The street isn’t closed off to traffic so it’s a very lively street to say the least.

Here are some of the can’t miss snacks:

  • Lots of Thai food (thai tea, thai banana pancakes)
  • Grilled Corn
  • 巷子內海鮮熱炒
  • Grilled Squid
  • Any and all seafood!

Address: Taiwan, Pingtung County, Hengchun Township, Kending Rd, 946
Hours: Mon – Sun 5 – 11pm

Hualian Night Markets

Dongdamen Night Market

My friend and I visited the Dongdaman night market during the Lunar New Year back in 2023, and I absolutely LOVED it. It quickly got it’s spot on one of the best night markets in Taiwan.

It consists of three separate areas, all with their own theme. One of which is an indigenous street. There is a large population of indigenous Taiwanese living in the southeast coastal towns, which gives you the perfect opportunity to try some indigenous Taiwanese snacks!

You don’t want to miss:

  • Toron and Hemay Indigenous Bamboo Rice (stall D21)
  • Maquaw Pepper Fried Noodles in Gua Bao (stall D19)
  • Dongmaiju Grilled Corn

Here are some other recommendations for top-notch Taiwanese food:

Address: No. 415號, Chongqing Rd, Hualien City, Hualien County, Taiwan 970
Hours: Mon – Sun 6 – 11pm

Yilan Night Markets

my favorite Taiwanese dessert: the amazing peanut ice cream burrito. Created in Yilan.

Luodong Night Market

The Luodong night market is the largest night market in Yilan and a favorite among locals and foreigners alike. Yilan is a large county and the Luodong night market sits nicely in the southern city center.

I unfortunately never made it here, but I heard so much about it through my students and friends that visited. Here are some of their best recommendations:

Address: No. 265, Minquan Rd, Luodong Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 265
Hours: Mon – Sun 3pm – 12am

Jiaoxi Street

Jiaoxi is such a fun street to walk up and down, there are plenty of places to eat; however, it’s open during the day. They don’t offer a night market, but most shops are open until about 6pm and the restaurants will stay open until around 9:30-10pm.

Check out all of my favorite shops and restaurants in my article 6 Best Day Trips From Taipei (2024) under number 4 ♥

Address: Section 5, Jiaoxi Rd, Jiaoxi Township, Yilan County, Taiwan 262
Hours: Mon – Sun 10am – 8pm for shops / Mon – Sun 11am – 9:30pm for restaurants

Keelung Night Markets

Me eating some yummy pig blood at the Keelung Night Market

Keelung MiaoKou Night Market

The Keelung Miaokou night market is one of the most popular night markets in Taiwan. Everyone comes here for the fresh seafood and classic Taiwanese dishes; the problem isn’t finding what food to eat, but having a large enough appetite to eat everything you want to try!

I was lucky enough to have a local show me the ropes here. After exploring the coastline, we walked through the night market and he showed me all the must-tries that were offered. It was so much fun and the food was absolutely delicious!

Their signature food include:

Non-food attractions:

The Maritime Plaza is a great place to walk around, see street performers, and get a beautiful view of the water.

At one of the busiest intersections in Keelung, there’s an abandoned building.

Rumor has it the building was owned by a businessman who made it into a bar in the 1950s. Soon, American troops showed up, and a female worker became pregnant by an American troop. He refused to bring her back to the US and taunted her, so she staged a farewell party and burned the building down, with both of them (and others) in it.

No one is allowed in the building, so unfortunately we can’t see for ourselves if the ghost stories are true, but some people claim they’ve seen a woman through the windows with half of her face burned off..

Address: 200, Taiwan, Keelung City, Ren’ai District, 玉田里仁三路
Hours: Mon – Sat 12pm – 12am, Sun 8am – 12am

Kanziding Fish Market

Fish at the Kanziding Fish Market in Keelung

This lively fish market comes to life beginning at 1am. It’s such a fun vibe – it attracts local fisherman, business professionals, as well as tourists! And with that comes vendors who sell the freshest fish. While it’s not your classic Taiwan night market, it’s a special version you can’t quite find anywhere else. I’ve never eaten here, but I’ve passed by it multiple times and I’ve always wanted to stop and take a peak!

Although I can’t recommend any specific vendors to choose from, I highly recommend wandering around and if you see people in a line – join the line! It will most likely not disappoint.

Address: Xiao 1st Rd, Ren’ai District, Keelung City, Taiwan 200
Hours: Tues – Sun 1 – 7am, Mon closed

Bippity boppity boo – there you have it! The best night markets in Taiwan are now at your fingertips. I hope this has given you a good overview of where to go and what to eat at each night market in all the cities in Taiwan.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to write to me in the comments 🙂

happy trails ♥

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