Night Market Recap

Taiwan has the largest number of night markets. These are places where road side boutiques and street food come together, a popular place for local friends to meet and eat. So expect large crowds on the weekends.

If you haven’t guessed it by now, I’m a fan of these places. Strange though, given how much I hate crowds and long lines to eat. But there’s something about the revelry that puts you in a good mood. Enough to make you tolerate those nagging questions like “What if this isn’t good?” or “Let’s try that instead.” Nope. For some reason, I felt fine standing right there. Maybe these establishments help you appreciate the finer things in life, like the company with you. Whatever it magic it may be here’s my run down of the night markets. Wish I had time to hit them all.

So this is a run down of the ones I have visited during the trip…

Chenghuang Temple Night Market 城隍廟夜市 (City God Temple), Hsinchu

Highlights:

• Next to the temple, inside the little food court, you can catch a Chinese theater act.
• Within a busy district where you can explore non-night-market like shops when you’re exhausted of street food.

Caution:

• There are alot of vendors selling Bawan and rice noodles. I’m not a fan of either, but it might be because I didn’t have the best. Hard to tell which vendor to choose from.

Hua Yuan Night Market 花園夜市 (Flower Garden), Tainan

Highlights:

• It’s in a large open area and if it’s breezy, you won’t smell of BBQ and the scent of stinky tofu gets whisked away.
• One half is food and the other is shopping and games.
• Everything is within one square so you don’t have to walk too much and you can cut through.

Caution:

• It’s only open on specific days, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. So even Thursday was crowded.
• The coffin toast and Danzai noodles aren’t good here.
• Expect parking to be tough by car. Get here by either taxi or scooter.

Liuhe Night Market 六合夜市, Kaohsiung

Highlights:

• The poster child of night markets, with food vendors lining the sidewalks between opposing storefronts.
• The street is closed off to traffic.
• A good range of food, from your typical land meats to seafood.
• If you’re adventurous, there’s a place to try snake.

Caution:

• Many vendors sell the same thing no matter how unique it looks.

Ziqiang Night Market 自強路夜市, Hualien

Highlights:

• Try the coffin toast here. Find the crowds and you’ll find the right place.
• Very happy with the grilled seafood vendor – a bit pricey though.

Caution:

• It’s a small night market compared to others
• The popular grilled meats vendor was just okay. I may have expected too much.
• No clothing stalls here (I’m personally fine with that), but does have games.

Luodong Night Market 羅東夜市, Luodong

Highlights:

• Covers many streets and you can still find food as you go by small boutiques.
• It’s within walking distance to the train station.
• Try the lamb noodle soup. It was a pleasant surprise. There’s also copy cat restaurants.
• Try the deep fried green onion wonton.

Caution:

• Be prepare for scooters as they are allowed through the small market streets.