CNN Recommends 40 Must-Try Taiwanese Foods: Stinky Tofu and Pig’s Blood Soup Make the List

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

Taiwan is not only known for its strong sense of community but also for its many amazing foods. Recently, CNN’s food section held a food voting event, where Taiwan won the championship with 8,242 votes. On the 24th, CNN then listed40 Must-Try Taiwanese Snacks, including braised pork rice, oyster omelet, milkfish, Japanese-style tempura, meatballs... and much more. In Taiwan, food is a way of life — just in Taipei, there are 20 streets that are entirely lined with street food vendors.

▲Braised Pork Rice. (Photo / KUNI)

1. Braised Pork Rice
Braised pork rice (or minced pork rice), made with savory braising sauce and ground pork poured over white rice, can be considered Taiwan’s national dish. Its simple yet sweet-and-salty flavor has made it extremely popular in Taiwanese

▲ Beef noodles with thyme. (Photo / Orange Dog Loves Candy)

2. Beef noodles
Beef noodles have now become one of the must-try dishes for visitors to Taiwan. Good noodles, rich broth, and large chunks of meat are almost essential features of beef noodles. Paired with special chili sauce and pickled vegetables, it makes for a satisfying meal. Not to mention, it even has its own dedicated festival and competitions, gaining such popularity that it has reached the international stage.

▲ Pineapple cakes come in many flavors to choose from. (Photo / Reporter Hsiao Wan-ning)

3. Pineapple cake
How could pineapple cake, one of the must-buy souvenirs when visiting Taiwan, not make the list? In addition to specialty souvenir shops, you can now find them in major stores and bakeries as well.

▲ Pearl milk tea from Chun Shui Tang. (Photo / Courtesy of Chun Shui Tang’s official fan page)

4. Pearl milk tea
Pearl milk tea has become one of Taiwan’s representative beverages. Although both Chun Shui Tang and Hanlin Tea House claim to be the originators of pearl milk tea, you should try both if you love this drink — each has its own unique flavor.

▲ Guanxi stinky tofu. (Photo / Provided by Ailishi)

5. Stinky tofu
When it comes to the top Taiwanese street foods that foreigners are most wary of, stinky tofu is almost always on the list. Though “stinky,” once you take a bite of its crispy, fragrant goodness paired with the shop’s specially made soy paste, chili, and the essential green leaf — Taiwanese pickles — many people find it absolutely addictive.

6. Medicinal rib soup
As winter arrives, the hottest night market dish is undoubtedly medicinal rib soup, especially at the Shilin Night Market and Raohe Street Night Market, where it always draws huge crowds. It includes angelica, ligusticum, rehmannia (the source of the black broth color), white peony root, goji berries, cassia twigs, ginseng rootlets, black dates, rice wine, and pork ribs — perfect for warming up and nourishing the body.

▲ Wu Pao-chun’s award-winning bread – “Lychee Rose Bread” (Photo / From Wu Pao-chun Bakery)

7. Wu Pao-chun bread
Wu Pao-chun, a pride of Taiwan in the bread world, is famously known for his glutinous rice wine longan bread and lychee rose bread, all made with local Taiwanese ingredients. His bread is often sold out the moment it comes out of the oven, which speaks volumes about its popularity.

▲ Auntie’s Oyster Vermicelli (Photo / Reporter Wei Hsuan-hsuan)

8. Oyster vermicelli
Taiwan’s oyster vermicelli is popular from breakfast to lunch and dinner. In addition to oysters, you can also add intestines or diced meat, along with cilantro, black vinegar, and mashed garlic. It’s among the most beloved of Taiwan’s traditional snacks.

9. Spicy hot pot
Taiwanese people generally love hot pot—whether it's the scorching summer or the cold winter, hot pot restaurants are always packed. The spicy hot pot that has gained popularity in recent years is especially loved by those who enjoy spicy food. For those who don’t eat spicy food, you can also opt for a yuanyang (split-flavor) hot pot and enjoy two flavors in one pot!

▲Spicy grilled meat bento. (Photo / wisely)

10. Bento
Bentos, which are commonly seen all over Taiwan, have also made it onto the list of the top 40 foods. A typical bento features rice as the main staple, along with around three to four side dishes and one main dish, emphasizing convenience and affordability. With the fast-paced lifestyle in Taiwan, bentos are a popular choice for lunch and dinner among urban workers.

In addition, the other 30 foods on the list include:
11. Thai-style fried battered seafood and vegetables
12. Rice cake balls
13. Fried chicken
14. Scallion pancake
15. Taiwanese breakfast (sesame seed cake and deep-fried dough sticks)
16. Milkfish
17. Sweet potato
18. Shaved ice
19. Pepper bun
20. Din Tai Fung xiaolongbao (soup dumplings)
21. Fish ball soup
22. Danzai noodles
23. Goose meat
24. Mianbianguo (rice noodle soup)
25. (Text garbled — original meaning unclear)
26. Heated marinated meats
27. Tube rice cake
28. Iron eggs
29. Pig’s blood soup
30. Three-cup chicken
31. (Text garbled — original meaning unclear)
32. Hong Rui Zhen sandwich
33. Grass jelly
34. Century egg with tofu
35. Steamed spring rolls
38. Giant meatballs
39. Pan-fried pork buns
40. Guabao (pork belly buns)