Ruifeng Night Market Boasts Thousands of Stalls – 5 Must-Try Queued-Up Delicacies

Text & Photos /Miss kitb

Honestly, I’m no longer the type who says, “You have to go to a night market when you visit Taiwan!!” First, I’ve been to most night markets in Taipei more than once. Second, there aren’t many vegetarian options at Cai Cai Zi’s favorite spots. Third, I don’t enjoy crowded, pushy places. Fourth, night market food is completely at odds with my healthy eating preferences...

This time, when we went to Kaohsiung, our friend took us to Ruifeng Night Market. The Singaporean and Malaysian group members who hadn’t experienced night market culture were super excited, while my roommate and I—two Hongkongers who often visit Taiwan—took more of a “come along and check it out” attitude. So, actually, night markets are more appealing to those who haven’t been to Taiwan before. Ruifeng Night Market is the largest in Kaohsiung, with over a thousand stalls. It’s pretty overwhelming to explore on your own. Fortunately, our Taiwanese friend invited the owner of the popular “Crispy Fried Squid” stall—who always has a long queue—to show us around. That’s how we discovered which vendors are really worth trying.
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Okinawa Crispy Fried Squid
Located in the back row, second section of Ruifeng Night Market, this is the legendary Crispy Fried Squid. Its popularity means you’ll need a number and wait to be called. These jumbo, thick-sliced squids are coated in a light batter and fried to order, served with a choice of seasoning powders. The meat-loving members of our group couldn’t get enough of them.
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Kowloon City Hong Kong Tea
In the back row, near the first section of the night market—having an iced lemon tea in Kaohsiung that tastes even better than in Hong Kong felt oddly amazing XDD
Actually, their brewing method is very different from Hong Kong’s—it can’t really be called Hong Kong-style iced lemon tea, so it’s hard to compare directly. The black tea base here is milder, lacking the usual astringency, and they use green Taiwanese jade lemons instead of regular ones. The taste is totally different, but it’s surprisingly delicious!! I love the sourness from the whole lemon.
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Shi Ji Stinky Tofu
Stall 763, Row 14, Ruifeng Night Market
Cai Cai Zi is a fan—this stinky tofu is super tasty!! They only sell fried stinky tofu and fried tofu skin (and combos). Normally, you mostly get fried tofu, but rarely fried tofu skin. The tofu skin is layered and becomes even crispier after frying!! Plus, they use organic tofu, which is a bonus. The sides—pickled vegetables, shredded cucumber, and chopped scallions—balance the greasiness of the fried items perfectly. Really good.
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Wing-Wrapped Rice
Stall in Row 1, Ruifeng Night Market. Wow, wing-wrapped rice is stuffed chicken wings filled with different flavors of fried rice, then grilled in sauce until juicy and flavorful. The plump look is already impressive, and the chicken fat seeping into the fried rice makes it smell and taste amazing.
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Delices de France
https://www.facebook.com/delicesdefrance.delicesdefrance
For dessert, we sought out a French guy. The most fun part of this stall is definitely his handmade pastries (he speaks Mandarin!). The brownies are rich and delicious, and the canelés are great too!!

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INFO
Ruifeng Night Market
Address: No. 1128, Yucheng Road, Gushan District, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Business Hours: 18:30 – 01:00 (Tuesday, Thursday to Sunday)
 

miss kitB

Unprofessional Association core member, or “multifunctional cross-media freelance creator.” Believes boredom is the mother of creativity, and happiness is life’s greatest asset. Eats breakfast every day, travels the Earth daily.
Blog:http://kitx.mysinablog.com/index.php