The 10 Best Restaurants In Wanhua, Taiwan

Sen Tian Wu

All of the districts in Taipei offer a plethora of Japanese restaurants and Wanhua is no exception. Hop off the subway at Ximen. One street away from the station, you will find this beautiful little Japanese venue. Upon climbing the short, steep flight of stairs, lies this quaint, lantern-wreathed room. It serves up fresh, light bowls of udon and delicious bento boxes. Sen Tian Wu provides customers with a quick stop in which you can escape from the crowds, from the street below, for a refreshing bowl of soup and crisp tempura shrimp.

2F, 101 Hanzhong Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle 阿宗麵線

This establishment has been around since 1975 and is a very famous and popular noodle shop in Taipei. Daily crowds await the steaming bowls of long thin rice noodles and pieces of pig intestine in a thick broth, full of flavor. A small bowl can be eaten on one of the nearby stools or while walking around the markets. This is a must-try during your visit to Taipei. Don’t forget to scoop up some of the chili sauce, garlic paste and vinegar from the vats on the side to make it perfect to your own preferences.

8 Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan

So Free Pizza

These homemade pizzas are all baked fresh to order in the wood-fired oven. Everything is vegetarian at So Free Pizza and there are a number of vegan options too. Don’t let that put you off if you’re a meat lover – these pizza bases are so delicious and mouthwatering that you won’t miss the pepperoni. More creative combinations include smoked cheese, rosemary potato and even sweet options, such as apple cinnamon and banana almond.

No. 1, Lane 50, Xining South Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan, +886 2 231 46 225

This is a clear favorite for those with an appetite for the unusual, and with stronger stomachs. The inspiration for this rather novel spot came to the owner when he was reading the manga cartoon Dr Slump while sitting on the toilet. They began mainly selling fluted piles of chocolate ice cream in containers shaped like white ceramic squat toilets. Modern Toilet is all about the visuals rather than the taste, but is still worth a visit. They even have both styles of the sit or squat toilet so no one feels left out.

Dianshui Lou

Hong Kong isn’t the only island around here with unforgettable dumplings. This establishment arguably offers Taipei’s very best. Dianshui Lou is technically on the border of Wanhua and the Zhongzheng district but only a 10-minute walk from Ximen station; it’s a must when you’re in the area. The fantastic baskets of xiaolong bao (steamed buns, usually filled with pork) are worth it. Famous traditional Chinese dishes include crab in red bean paste and onion barbecued carp.

64 Huaining Street, Taipei City, Taiwan, +886 2 2312 3100

Jian Hong Beef Noodle Stand

In a city where beef noodles are a favorite – there is even an annual beef noodles festival at which awards are given for quality and creativity – the dish is an obvious must-try. Popular among locals, but lesser-known among tourists, this 24-hour stall serves consistently generous bowls of thick beef soup with fresh handmade noodles. It’s a simple concept but packed with memorable flavor. Ask for some niu rou mian on this quiet street away from the brighter lights of the shopping district. Here, you will receive a local and authentic experience.

District, No. 45, 45-46 Luo Yang Street, Taipei City, Taiwan, +886 2 2371 2747