Taoyuan's newly opened "Longtan Night Market" features a carousel and mini train!

Text & photos by /Viviyu

Taoyuan’s newest night market in 2017 begins operating every Thursday and Saturday evening, covering an area of 6,000 pyeong (approx. 20,000 m²), making it the largest night market in southern Taoyuan. The Longtan Night Market boasts up to 500 vendors. It includes a wide array of food snacks, games and entertainment, drinks and juices, daily necessities, trendy fashion, and even attractions like a carousel and an earthquake experience center — fun and delicious, ensuring your night market visit is anything but boring. You can sample international cuisines and Taiwanese street food, guaranteeing a full and satisfying stomach.

When it comes to night market outings, it’s truly one of the favorite nightlife activities for Taiwanese people, and I’m definitely one of those who rushes in at the first chance to go. The biggest night market in southern Taoyuan is the newly relocated Longtan Night Market next to Qianlong Elementary School in 2017. There’s also a free parking lot on-site — super convenient!

<图来自：Longtan Night Market>

When you reach Zhongfeng Road, just turn into the alleyway in front of the car wash. Walk to the middle section to find the car parking area. This was actually my first time visiting a night market in the Taoyuan area that had a free parking lot — really awesome. But the available spots are limited, so if you live nearby, riding a scooter is more convenient and easier to park.

If you want to avoid the crowds like we did, you can come as early as 4:30 PM to stake out your spot, though many vendors will only just be setting up. The advantage is that you’ll have your pick of parking spaces.

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Seeing this small carousel in the game area — now that’s pretty impressive!

Take a closer look — why is there an upside-down house? Turns out there’s also an earthquake experience center here. It’s seriously cool — kids can experience the intensity of an earthquake. I think this is the first time I’ve seen such a facility at a night market.

Since we arrived early to the night market, while waiting for the other vendors to set up, we let the kids pass the time by trying out some amusement games. We started with target shooting — one round for 50 NT$, three rounds for 100 NT$. The best part, of course, is exchanging points for toys. We picked a block puzzle to take home.

The inflatable playground is also a favorite among many kids. Here you can slide non-stop for half an hour at 100 NT$ — totally worth it for the fun.

Ring toss is a night market game I’ve loved since childhood. This stall was super popular — it had already drawn a crowd even before fully setting up. We were among them, and the vendor was quite generous — if you ringed it, you got the prize right away. We spent 100 NT$ and won 10 small toys, which made the kids really happy.

Arrow shooting costs 50 NT$ per round.

Girls only need to hit 3 balls to get a stuffed toy, boys need 4.

Of course, there are also the usual shouting toy vendors — though I’ve never actually managed to win anything from them.

There’s even a mini train, making it feel like a theme park. You can have fun while exploring the night market, spend very little money, and no entrance fee — not bad at all.

There are also mini airplanes now. Seriously, feels like a theme park!

The little cars are for both kids and adults — another super popular game. Be prepared to wait in line if you want to play.

Fishing for small fish also attracts many children. No wonder so many parents bring their kids to the Saturday night market. You’ll never run out of things to do here.

Try your luck at the toy claw machines — everyone wins a prize. There are plenty of plush toys waiting to go home with you.

There’s also a basketball game with prizes. Test your shooting skills — guys need to score 7 baskets for a plush toy, girls need 6.

Trendy 3D puzzles, ice cups, and other lifestyle products are all available at the Longtan Night Market.

As this is a night market supervised by the Taoyuan City Government, the restrooms are very clean. There are cleaning staff regularly maintaining hygiene during operating hours, which is very convenient for visitors.

After exploring the amusement game area, the crowds start pouring in. Just look at the sea of people — you know the famous snacks will have long lines. Now, let’s see what night market foods we tried.

Zhongyuan Night MarketThe famously delicious Peng Mama’s Bird’s Nest Skewers — 20 NT$ per skewer, with tons of flavors. It’s a self-service flavor bar, and when the crowds show up, this popular spot has a long line.

Gan Ji Ma La Tang /

This Hakka-style spicy hot pot (Ma La Tang) stall is known for its rich and diverse flavors. The broth is incredibly tasty, especially after simmering for a while. There are many spice options, and the price is just 100 NT$. I originally just bought the coconut flavor one, but after taking a bite, I found the texture of the meat so Q (chewy) and springy. Yincent also took a bite and immediately added a sesame-flavored one. Because they make it fresh on the spot, the taste is really the best. In general, it’s best to add sauce afterward.

Middle Eastern Shawarma

I didn’t expect there to be so many flavor options for shawarma,including original, spicy, seaweed, curry, plum, wasabi, and black pepper.Additionally, you can add cheese for just 10 NT dollars, and the shop’s recommended flavors arewasabi and plum..

The owner swiftly prepared the meal. It turns out the meat used in the shawarma is slow-roasted chicken thigh and breast, which the owner has to monitor carefully for doneness, and before it’s nearly done, he dips it in some of the drippings to toast the bread.

One serving 45 NT / three servings 130 NT / extra cheese +10 NT

Mr. A chose the shop’s recommended plum flavor, but it was unexpectedly finished off by the kids. Later, Vincent bought an additional seaweed-flavored one, which was also polished off—even the kids loved it. It’s stuffed with plenty of shredded cabbage, ketchup, and mayonnaise, and it’s really delicious.

Octopus hot dog

This stall’s hot dogs are shaped like octopuses—so cute. A little boy even helps with the sales pitch nearby, and his childlike chatter is super adorable～

Shu Jie’s Big Bao

You can choose between fattier, half-fat-half-lean, or egg-filled bao options… making the bao a customizable choice, and business is pretty good too.

Huang Shang Soy Milk Chicken

Freshly fried chicken wings and soy milk chicken fill the air with aroma—the crispy-looking skin is irresistible, making me stop in my tracks to buy some and try it.

Soy milk chicken (small) $50

The most delicious one, in my opinion, is the fried chicken wings. The chicken butt is a bit drier when fried, but the skin is really crispy. The kids also love the soy milk chicken.

Hao Li Ji

This braised snack stall is seriously insanely popular. Once it hits a certain time, there’s a huge line, with people already forming a long queue around the block. I should’ve bought some to try earlier—if this many people are lining up, it must be delicious!!

The setting sun in the distance actually drew even more crowds. Wow, even the parking lot is completely full. The charm of Longtan New Night Market is amazing～

Stone-baked flatbread

The famous stone-baked flatbread from Zhongli Night Market, which has been featured in many food reviews, is also available here at Longtan Night Market. No wonder everyone’s scrambling to buy it.

Zhang Family Mahjong Cake

Freshly fried, crispy outside and soft inside mahjong cake, puffed up and looking super delicious, then sprinkled with peanut powder or sesame powder, best enjoyed while hot.

It’s hot out, and after walking around the night market and sweating a lot, I spotted grass jelly tea for 25 NT a cup. I bought some to rehydrate—refreshing and thirst-quenching.

Wan Li Xiang Charcoal-grilled Corn

Charcoal-grilled corn for 50 NT a cob. Even though I couldn’t eat much, as a grilled corn lover I still wanted to buy one to take home for a late-night snack. The texture of the corn is very chewy, and it has that fresh corn aroma—it’s delicious.

Old Master’s Braised Food Stall

This is another popular spot. Pots of braised snacks are cooked and simmered on the spot, with aromatic traditional Chinese medicine-infused braising broth, and the business is booming.

xia Iced Lemon Tea

I love Hong Kong-style drinks, so when I saw iced lemon tea, I had to try it. I opted for half sugar—it had a nice lemon aroma, but the more I drank, the more bitter it became. Sliced lemon is probably better～

Hongjiabao Kiln-Baked Pepper Buns

I was surprised to spot Hongjiabao from Kaohsiung at Longtan Night Market, so I immediately bought some. The buns are baked in a kiln against the oven wall. Watching the staff make them fresh on the spot, I tried one of each flavor just to sample.

I absolutely love this cheese potato cake—the sweet mashed potatoes are packed with lots of cheese, and when you bite into it, the cheese stretches into long strands. Even the kids fought over it; it’s so delicious. Mr. A’s version has meat juice that squirts out when you bite it, with a super crispy and thin crust, though the filling is a bit on the sweet side, reflecting southern Taiwanese flavors.

This trip to Longtan Night Market introduced me to many delicious dishes, and there are tons of stalls plus plenty of games and entertainment to keep the kids entertained. It’s really a great mix of tasty food and fun. I highly recommend this largest night market in southern Taoyuan, which is only open two days a week—Longtan Night Market.

Longtan Tourist Night Market

Business Hours: Thursdays and Saturdays, 5:30 PM – 12:00 AM
Address: No. 465, Zhongfeng Road, Wulin Village, Longtan District, Taoyuan City (near Qianlong Elementary School)
Free Parking: 300 car parking spaces, 200 motorcycle parking spaces
FB:https://www.facebook.com/Longtanyes/

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