Taiwan's Hottest Places: Shilin Night Market (Shilin District, Taipei City)
Shilin Night Market is Taipei's most popular night market landmark🔥🍢
Shilin Night Market is arguably Taipei's most iconic night market. Located in Taipei's Shilin District, it's a sprawling area encompassing two main areas: the Jihe Market and the Huarong Market. It's a must-visit foodie destination for Hong Kongers visiting Taiwan, practically their "home base for Taiwanese cuisine"! 😍 Let's take a closer look at Shilin Night Market's characteristics, food, atmosphere, and transportation.
Shilin Night Market Area Overview
Shilin Night Market consists of two parts:
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The outdoor stall area of Jihe Market (outer night market) : mainly consists of open-air stalls selling all kinds of classic Taiwanese snacks. The environment is lively and has a strong sense of the market.
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Huarong Market (Inner Night Market) : It has an air-conditioned environment, with a relatively concentrated area of restaurants and cooked food, making it suitable for families or children who want to stay longer.
The two areas are closely linked. After the walk, you can stop by the Jihe Road Night Market. The whole street is full of trendy shops, cultural and creative stalls and daily necessities.
Must-try food recommendations 👨🍳
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Giant Chicken Cutlet : The most popular dish at Shilin Night Market, fried to a crisp and surprisingly large portion, this chicken cutlet is a popular choice that many tourists and young Taiwanese people will line up to buy. 🍗
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Hot-Star Chicken Steak : Very famous, the chicken steak is large and thick with rich flavor, and is one of the classic Taiwanese chicken steaks.
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Stinky Tofu : Shilin's stinky tofu is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, paired with hot and sour sauce, it has a unique and unforgettable stinky flavor. It is a must-try specialty snack. 🧀
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Oyster Omelette : Thick oysters with chewy egg skin and topped with a special sauce, it is fragrant and not greasy.
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Large Intestine Wrapped in Small Intestine : A representative Taiwanese street snack with a sweet and salty sauce.
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Pearl milk tea and mango ice : the king of night market desserts, refreshing and sweet. 🧋🍧
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Fried Chicken : A variety of fried foods, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with free choice of toppings, perfect for a late-night snack.
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Fried squid/sausage : A classic night market skewer, rich in flavor and full of meaty goodness. 🐙
Night market atmosphere and cultural characteristics🎉
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Shilin Night Market is incredibly popular, especially on weekends and holidays, with bright lights and bustling crowds, resembling a Taipei street festival.
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The vendors mainly speak Taiwanese and Mandarin, and are down-to-earth and enthusiastic.
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In addition to restaurants, there are also game stalls and handmade goods stalls, suitable for all ages.
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Next to the night market is the Shilin Official Residence Park, where you can take a walk to digest your meal without rushing.
Transportation Tips🚇
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Get off at Jiantan or Shilin Station on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line and walk to the night market. The entrance to the night market is a popular exit, so boarding and alighting is flexible.
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Public buses run frequently, making it convenient to travel to different directions in the city.
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There are a lot of passengers on holidays, so it is best to avoid peak hours or use public transportation.
Editor's sharing and tips 🌟
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The editor recommends going early on weekday evenings or on holidays to avoid the crowded hours so that you can relax and enjoy your meal.
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Bring enough cash in Taiwan dollars, as night market stalls rarely accept credit cards.
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You must try the chicken cutlet and stinky tofu, and the mango ice is also available when it’s cold, which is a perfect match!
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It’s best to go to the night market with a group so you can divide the work and try more different things, enjoying the most authentic Taiwanese flavors!
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The atmosphere at night is so vibrant, and I look forward to it every time I go there. It is a must-see classic in Taipei!
In short, Shilin Night Market is a great place to experience Taiwanese night market culture and cuisine. Whether you're a foodie, a family, or a group of friends, its diverse cuisine, lively atmosphere, and convenient transportation make it a must-try. Come to Taipei and eat your way through Shilin Night Market—it's a truly exciting experience that won't disappoint! 🎈🍢🎤
There are so many must-try dishes at Taipei's Shilin Night Market that it's hard to count them all. We've hand-picked a few of our top must-try dishes for you!
Chicken Cutlet: The chicken cutlet at Shilin Night Market is truly famous, with crispy skin and tender and juicy meat. It is fried and ready to eat, which is super addictive.
Haoda Chicken Steak: These large and thick chicken cutlets are juicy and delicious, making them a popular choice at Shilin Night Market.
Oyster Omelette: A traditional classic, crispy on the outside and fresh on the inside, paired with our special sweet and spicy sauce, a perfect combination.
Stinky tofu: fried until crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, served with pickled cabbage and chili sauce, a must-try for those who love spicy food.
Large intestine wrapped in small intestine: A Taiwanese specialty snack, glutinous rice sausage wrapped in sausage, the different flavors teach you how to enjoy the layered taste.
Braised food: A classic at the night market, rich and flavorful, with a platter of your choice, rich and satisfying.
Octopus balls: soft on the outside and springy on the inside, served with sweet sauce, loved by both children and adults.
Desserts: mango ice, pearl milk tea, etc., a sweet and perfect ending.
BBQ sausages, fried chicken, fried noodles and fried rice are all available. The aroma fills the streets, making it a true feast for your taste buds!
I highly recommend visiting Shilin Night Market and trying all of these signature snacks to experience the authentic Taiwanese flavor!