Top 10 Must-Try Night Market Snacks in Taiwan According to Foreigners: Stinky Tofu & Coffin Bread Make the List

Reported by Xiao Wanning / Compiled from CNN

Taiwanese night market snacks are internationally renowned, even becoming a must-visit attraction for every foreign tourist traveling to Taiwan. So, what are the essential night market treats in the eyes of these foreigners? CNN has listed 10 snacks that foreigners believe are a must-try at Taiwanese night markets, including stinky tofu, coffin bread, and sweet mung bean balls. How many have you tried?

Stinky Tofu

▲ The unique smell of stinky tofu leaves a deep impression on many foreign visitors.
Stinky tofu is basically a household name in Taiwan. It smells pungent from afar but still has a fragrant taste when chewed. This uniquely flavored snack is sure to leave a lasting impression on travelers from around the world, and it’s widely available at night markets across Taiwan.

Sticky Rice in Intestine

▲ Sticky rice in intestine is one of Taiwan’s traditional snacks.
Not every night market sells this, but when they do, delicious sticky rice in intestine always becomes a highlight. The grilled sausage is fragrant, and the rice tube is cut open and stuffed with some lettuce and a sausage—this dish can also be quite filling, making it a favorite side dish among foreigners.

Coffin Bread

▲ Coffin bread originated in Tainan and is now also widely sold at night markets in northern Taiwan.
Thick slices of toast are deep-fried, then cut open and filled with thick soup. This is a Tainan specialty that not only locals love but also foreign visitors. Some say it resembles San Francisco’s soup-in-a-bread bowl, offering a very satisfying meal.

Fried Shrimp

▲ The most important thing about fried shrimp is freshness.
The crispy outside and tender inside of fried shrimp are indeed very appealing. Fresh shrimp are coated in a thin layer of batter and served with each vendor’s special sauce, leaving a deep impression on foreign visitors.

Braised Pork Rice

▲ Braised pork rice is one of Taiwan’s classic snacks.
Taiwan’s most popular snack, braised pork rice, has unsurprisingly made the list. The tender, melt-in-your-mouth braised pork releases all its gelatin, resulting in a rich and flavorful dish.

Pepper Bun

▲ Pepper buns are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, making them truly unforgettable.
It’s no surprise that pepper buns made the list, with the most famous ones coming from Raohe Night Market. The flatbread is stuck to a hot pan, baked, and then removed—resulting in a crispy crust and tender filling. No wonder it’s so memorable for foreigners.

Scallion Pancake

▲ Scallion pancakes are one of the traditional snacks.
This night market snack, which could almost be considered a national dish, is commonly found all over Taiwan. However, it’s mostly pan-fried, with the deep-fried version being less common.

Grilled Squid Rice Roll

▲ Grilled squid rice roll is a popular snack in recent years.
The squid is gutted and stuffed with stir-fried rice before being grilled. This is a quite famous snack at Fengjia Night Market and offers a novel way of eating for foreigners.

Barbecue

▲ Generally speaking, night markets usually offer a variety of barbecue foods.
At night markets in Taiwan, there’s always a stall dedicated to grilled skewers — from seafood and vegetables to meats, all grilled to perfection and served with the vendor’s special sauces, each with its own unique flavor.

Mango Pudding Balls

▲The appearance of Liangyuan is adorable and pleasing to the eye.
For foreigners, Liangyuan is a rather unique dessert — made by wrapping various sweet fillings such as mung bean paste, red bean paste, and taro paste in a layer of tapioca starch. The vibrant colors catch the eye, and its chewy, Q-texture makes it truly memorable.