Is there a trick to buying drinks and eating fruit? 9 “new common knowledge” about traveling in Taiwan through Japanese eyes

Decoding bubble tea: What your choices in ice and sweetness say about where you're from? (Photo courtesy of our newspaper group)

Sampling Taiwan’s diverse cuisine is a must-do for international travelers visiting the island, from xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and mango shaved ice to various popular street foods. A recent Japanese TV program introduced 9 “new common knowledge” highlights for an extraordinary Taiwan travel experience. Beyond enjoying Taiwan’s culinary charm, the show also revealed surprising tips on how to buy drinks, get a salon hair wash and massage, and make fruits even more delicious.

Taiwan’s relatively low prices compared to Japan attracted nearly 1.83 million Japanese tourists last year. A recent special episode on Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) focused on essential travel know-how in Taiwan, sharing tips for an affordable yet fulfilling trip. In addition to well-known Taiwanese restaurants and attractions, the program featured seasonal “mango shaved ice” made with farm-fresh ingredients, “xiaolong soup buns” with tastier broth than regular xiaolongbao, as well as alternatives to the popular Shilin Night Market such as “Ningxia Night Market,” and other railway-themed experiences like visiting “Shifen” in addition to Jiufen.

Before heading to the night markets, the show also recommended starting with a visit to a bubble tea shop to learn how to customize drinks based on personal taste preferences, such as choosing the level of sweetness and ice. It also highlighted adding “plum powder to fruit” as a key trick to enhance the flavor of Taiwan’s fresh produce, and trying a salon hair wash to enjoy the relaxing full-body “Taiwan-style massage.”

The program took on the challenge of completing a 3-day trip to Taiwan with just 21,800 yen, with money-saving tips including “browsing first, then shopping.” In addition, while ekiben (railway boxed meals) are popular among Japanese tourists in Taiwan, the show also recommended trying Taiwan’s own affordable and generous “Taiwan Railway Boxed Meals.”