A Taste of Taiwan: A Night at Shilin’s Legendary Street Food Spots
#newyearnewtrip #travelanywhere After a day of exploration, we made our way to the lively Shilin Night Market to indulge in some of Taiwan's most iconic street food. Our first stop was Hot Star Fried Chicken (豪大大雞排), renowned for its oversized, crispy fried chicken. Despite the constant flow of customers, the queue moved quickly, and we were soon savoring the rich flavors of the perfectly seasoned chicken, enhanced by a distinctive pepper and spice blend that made each bite memorable.
Just opposite Jiantan Station, near the entrance of the night market, we discovered another fried chicken favorite: Hometown BBQ Chicken (家鄉碳烤香雞排). This dish offered a unique twist, where the chicken is first fried, then grilled and glazed with a special savory sauce. The result was a juicy, smoky flavor that provided a satisfying contrast to the first fried chicken we had tried.
Next, we indulged in the popular Big Sausage Wrap Small Sausage (大腸包小腸) from 士林廟口 八芝蘭Pattsiran, located just outside the temple. This delicious snack consists of a large Taiwanese sausage wrapped in a glutinous rice “sausage,” offering a chewy, flavorful experience that paired perfectly with the savory sausage. It was a delightful combination of textures and flavors that captured the essence of Taiwan’s street food culture.
For a lighter yet equally satisfying option, we sampled the smoky, grilled king oyster mushrooms (燒烤杏鮑菇). These mushrooms were grilled to perfection, tender and juicy with a distinct smoky flavor that made them an ideal complement to the richer fried snacks we had earlier.
As we headed back to Ximending, our food journey continued with a stop at the relatively new 王福芋圓, where we tried their oversized taro and sweet potato balls. These chewy, fist-sized treats were bursting with natural sweetness and had the perfect balance of texture—a refreshing and satisfying dessert to round out our evening.
We couldn’t resist the addictive egglet from Mammy Pancake (媽咪雞蛋仔), either. The batter, crispy on the outside yet soft and chewy inside, paired with sweet fillings, made it impossible not to go back for seconds.
Full and content, we wrapped up the night by returning to our lodging in Ximending, reflecting on the vibrant culinary adventure we had experienced. Taiwan’s night markets never fail to impress, offering an array of flavors that are as diverse as the lively atmosphere that surrounds them.
#myitinerary #taiwan #travel #couplestrip