What to Eat in 48 Hours in Taipei
It would take months to try all the incredible food that Taipei has to offer, such is the abundance of choices available. But for those with only a short stop in Taiwan’s capital, here are some of the best dishes to try and the restaurants at which to find them.
Day 1: Youtiao for breakfast at Yong He Dou Jiang
1. Yong He Dou Jiang
Restaurant, Asian
Yong He Dou Jiang is one of the most famous breakfast brands in Taiwan, and there are a few locations in the city. Here, you can experience what a real local breakfast tastes like, with the most popular items being a cup of frothy soy milk combined with fried youtiao, which is a kind of churro. For something a little more filling, try the steamed pork dumplings.
Day 1: Shabu shabu for lunch at Ben Shabu Shabu
2. Ben Shabu Shabu
Bar, Asian
3. Ice Monster
Dessert Shop, Dessert
Taipei has perfected the art of chilled-out food for a hot summer day. Hot and humid in the summer, Taipei residents find creative and tasty ways to stay cool. Having invented and popularized bubble tea and shaved ice desserts on a global scale, Taiwan’s icy desserts just keep getting better. Capitalizing on two of Taiwan’s best products: fruit and icy summer desserts, Ice Monster offers a tantalizing combination of shaved ice topped with fruit slices and ice cream, drizzled over with syrup. Ice Monster’s mango shaved ice comes as a small mountain of shaved ice covered in fresh mango with a dollop of mango ice cream. Perfect to stave off the sweltering Taiwanese summer.
Day 1: Xiao long bao for dinner at Din Tai Fung
4. Din Tai Fung
Restaurant, Asian
Day 1: Late-night street food at Tonghua Jie Night Market
5. Tonghua Night Market
Market, Asian
Day 2: Dan bing for breakfast at any local breakfast shop
There are hundreds if not thousands of breakfast stores throughout Taipei, and between the hours of 5am and 12pm at least one can be found open on every street. Each store usually has a similar menu, and every single one of them will serve up the legendary Taiwanese breakfast item, dan bing. It’s a thin pancake with egg and a variety of fillings from bacon and tuna to cheese and sweetcorn, so there’s a dan bing to suit everyone’s tastes. It’s the staple item of a local breakfast, and for that reason it’s a must-have.
Day 2: Beef noodles for lunch at Niu Ba Ba
6. Niu Ba Ba
Restaurant, Asian
Day 2: Afternoon tea at Chun Shui Tang | 春水堂
7. Chun Shui Tang
Bubble Tea Shop, Asian
Day 2: Classic Taiwanese dinner at Shin Yeh
8. Shin Yeh
Restaurant, Asian
As one of the most popular restaurants in Taipei, getting a table at Shin Yeh in Taipei 101 is no easy feat, but it is well worth the wait. Here, they cook up classic Taiwanese dishes, but to a level of perfection that is quite simply beyond compare. It’s no surprise that it is many locals’ favorite restaurant, and once you add the fact that the view is spectacular, you have found yourself the perfect location for your final big meal in Taipei.
Day 2: Late-night snacks at Shilin Night Market
9. Shilin Night Market
Market, Bubble Tea Shop, Street Food
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