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Thali

🇹🇼 The food of Taiwan

23 dishes from Taiwan, best known first, across 5 cities and regions.

Taiwanese cooking blends influences from indigenous peoples, southern Fujian, Hakka, Japanese, and later Chinese migrants. Its food stands out for its vibrant night markets, inventive use of local produce, and a balance of rice, seafood, pork, and bold seasonings. Vegetarian dishes are widespread, shaped by both religion and modern trends.

  • Night markets are central to Taiwanese food culture.
  • Milkfish is a favored and versatile local fish.
  • Vegetarian food is common due to religious and modern influences.
  • Japanese rule introduced short-grained rice and new dishes.
  • Xiaochi snacks are a signature feature, often enjoyed at night markets.

The cooking of Taiwan

Taiwanese cuisine is shaped by waves of migration and colonization, resulting in a mix of indigenous, southern Chinese (especially Fujian and Hakka), Japanese, and later mainland Chinese influences. The island’s food culture is lively, with night markets central to daily life and a strong tradition of street snacks known as xiaochi. Flavors are robust, often built on soy, rice wine, sesame oil, pickled vegetables, and distinctive spice blends like five-spice powder. Seafood is abundant, and grilling and stir-frying are common techniques. Japanese rule introduced new rice varieties and dishes, while American food aid after WWII brought wheat and processed meats into the diet. Vegetarian food is prominent, reflecting Buddhist and other religious practices as well as modern concerns.

Staple foods in Taiwan

Rice, especially the short-grained japonica type, is a foundation of most meals, though wheat-based foods like noodles and dumplings have become more common. Pork, chicken, and seafood—particularly milkfish—are key proteins, while beef is less central. Fresh tropical fruits and vegetables are widely available. Seasonings include soy sauce, rice wine, sesame oil, pickled greens, and local basil. Sugar is used more than in many neighboring cuisines.

Snacks and street food in Taiwan

Xiaochi, or substantial snacks, are a highlight of Taiwanese food culture and are most often found in night markets. These include a wide range of small dishes, often grilled or stir-fried, and can be enjoyed as a casual meal or in more upscale settings. Each night market is known for its own specialties, and the government actively promotes these snacks.

From region to region in Taiwan

Taiwan’s food varies by region, reflecting local produce and historical influences. Southern Fujianese flavors dominate mainstream cooking, but Hakka and indigenous traditions remain strong in some areas. Japanese influence is more pronounced in certain dishes and rice varieties. Night market specialties and xiaochi can differ widely from city to city, giving each region its own culinary identity.

Where this page comes from

The facts in this overview come from the Wikipedia article "Taiwanese cuisine", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence. Thali rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

Cities and regions of Taiwan

Alishan 1Lishan 1Pinglin Township 1Shenkeng District 1Tamsui 1
MealBreakfastLunchTea timeDinnerSupperSnacks
KindMain dishStreet foodSoupStew or curryRice dishNoodle or pasta dishDumplingBreadGrill or roastSandwich or wrapPie or savoury pastrySalad or sideCheese or dairy foodSausage or cured foodSauce, pickle or fermentSweet or dessertDrink
DietVegetarianVeganFish and seafoodMeat
Bubble tea珍珠奶茶 🇹🇼 Taiwan and 5 moreSweet tea with chewy tapioca pearls, served hot or cold Drink Soy milkVegan豆奶 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA plant-based drink made by soaking, grinding, and boiling soybeans Drink, Breakfast, Snacks Lei chaVegan擂茶 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreA Hakka tea-based drink or soup made with ground tea, nuts, seeds and grains Drink Tempura天ぷら 🇯🇵 Japan and 1 moreSeafood or vegetables coated in a light batter and deep-fried Main dish, Lunch, Dinner OolongVegan烏龍茶 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreA semi-oxidized Chinese tea with a wide range of flavors and aromas Drink Mooncake月饼 / 月餅 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA round Chinese pastry with sweet or nutty filling, eaten at the Mid-Autumn Festival Pie or savoury pastry, Tea time, Snacks Bento弁当 🇯🇵 Japan and 4 moreA Japanese meal packed in a box, often with rice, meat or fish, and vegetables Main dish, Lunch Congee粥 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreRice simmered in water to make a soft, comforting porridge Main dish, Breakfast, Dinner Spring roll春卷 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA thin wrapper rolled around vegetables or meat, served fried or fresh Main dish, Snacks, Lunch TakoyakiMeatたこ焼き 🇯🇵 Japan and 1 moreRound Japanese snack balls with octopus, cooked in a special molded pan Street food, Snacks Zongzi粽子 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreSticky rice parcels with sweet or savoury fillings, wrapped in leaves and steamed or boiled Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Shabu-shabuしゃぶしゃぶ 🇯🇵 Japan and 4 moreJapanese hot pot where diners cook thin meat and vegetables at the table Main dish, Dinner, Lunch Odenおでん 🇯🇵 Japan and 3 moreJapanese one-pot dish of assorted items simmered in soy-flavored dashi broth Soup, Dinner, Lunch BaijiuVegan白酒 🇨🇳 China and 1 moreClear Chinese spirit distilled from grain, with a range of aroma styles Drink YōkanVegan羊羹 🇯🇵 Japan and 1 moreA Japanese sweet block made from red bean paste, agar, and sugar Sweet or dessert, Tea time, Snacks Egg tartVegetarian蛋撻 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA small pastry tart with a sweet egg custard filling, found in Cantonese cuisine Pie or savoury pastry, Snacks, Tea time CastellaVegetarianカステラ 🇯🇵 Japan and 1 moreSweet, moist Japanese sponge cake with roots in Portuguese baking Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time Stinky tofuVegetarian臭豆腐 🇨🇳 China and 3 moreFermented tofu with a strong aroma, sold as a snack in China and Taiwan Street food, Snacks Pineapple cakeVegetarian王梨酥 ông-lâi-so͘ 🇹🇼 TaiwanTaiwanese pastry with sweet pineapple jam inside a golden, crumbly shell Sweet or dessert, Snacks, Tea time UnadonFish or seafood鰻丼 🇯🇵 Japan and 2 moreGrilled eel fillets served over steamed white rice in a bowl Main dish, Lunch, Dinner Oyster omelette 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreA chewy egg and oyster dish fried with starch, popular across East and Southeast Asia Main dish, Breakfast, Lunch DouhuaVegan豆花 🇨🇳 China and 5 moreSoft tofu served as a sweet or savoury snack across East and Southeast Asia Sweet or dessert, Breakfast, Snacks Phat kaphraoผัดกะเพรา 🇹🇭 Thailand and 2 moreThai stir-fry of meat or seafood with holy basil, served over rice Main dish, Lunch, Dinner

The weekly plate

Every Monday: seven dishes you may not know, what the world is cooking this week, and one way of eating.