Taipei Classic Cuisine — From Din Tai Fung Xinyi Main Branch to Shilin Night Market
Taipei is a city of five meals a day, from morning soy milk to the closing of the night market. Since Din Tai Fung's Xinyi branch (the birthplace) uses a tablet-based number ticket system, it is standard practice to register and then take a stroll along Yongkang Street. Night markets are cash-based (only some stalls accept QR codes), so bring plenty of 100 and 10 yuan bills and coins; in Shilin, divide your efforts between the underground food district and the above-ground stalls.
Din Tai Fung Xinyi Main Branch
Din Tai Fung, Xinyi flagship
Yongkang Beef Noodles
Yongkang Beef Noodle
Fu Hang Dou Jiang
Fu Hang Dou Jiang
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
Shilin Night Market
Shilin Night Market
Din Tai Fung Xinyi Main Branch
Din Tai Fung, Xinyi flagship
The birthplace of Xiaolongbao. Located in the renovated original branch location; a one-hour wait is common during peak hours, so running early is the way to go.
Yongkang Beef Noodles
Yongkang Beef Noodle
The benchmark for Hongshao Beef Noodles since 1963. Let's order the half-tendon and half-meat version.
Fu Hang Dou Jiang
Fu Hang Dou Jiang
The morning doujiang mecca on the second floor of Huashan Market. Since the line stretches all the way down the stairs from dawn, aim for right after opening on a weekday.
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
The synonym for standing tripe noodles in Ximending. No seating available, so you slurp right on the street; the turnover is fast, so even if the line is long, you'll get through quickly.
Shilin Night Market
Shilin Night Market
Taipei's largest night market. The main attractions are the fried chicken made with Wang Peiji (Haoda Ji Pai), as well as stalls selling Ji Pai and oyster pancakes.
