By MOOK Scenic Editor Team
“This is a cloth that can clean dishes without dishwashing detergent!” An old lady who has been selling in the market for over 30 years enthusiastically introduces all kinds of dishcloths. To allow travelers to experience local Taipei life and taste traditional market cuisine, the Taipei City Government’s Department of Information and Tourism specially organized the “Wanhua Market Learning Journey” experience activity. Led by Zhou Yuru, head of Urban Yeast, both domestic and international travelers set off from Wanhua’s “Xin Fu Market” and “Dong San Shui Street Market.” Through interaction and exploration of the markets, they gained an in-depth understanding of daily life in Taipei.
Travelers from the UK experience local Taipei life. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism)
Upon entering the market, you’ll see the old lady enthusiastically introducing dishcloths. Upon closer inspection, the hand-painted characters hanging on the market cloth turn out to be the old lady herself. Next door, the national treasure-level “Grandma’s Fried Rice” wafts a rich rice aroma. The classic “Grandma’s Fried Rice” is the market’s signature dish. Dong San Shui Street Market is like a living classroom, offering a feast for the palate with all kinds of fresh produce and local snacks, while the scattered hardware stores and upscale jewelry shops are truly astonishing.
The hand-painted character on the market cloth is the old lady who sells dishcloths herself. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism)
The event visits long-established vendors that have been in business for over 30 years one by one. In addition to learning how to select the most seasonal fruits and vegetables, observing the noodle-making process, and mastering meat preparation knife techniques, participating domestic and international travelers were also surprised to discover highly practical dishcloths that don’t require detergent, laundry paste, and traditional scissors. Foreign visitors experiencing Taipei for the first time were amazed—so many life treasures are hidden in the markets.
Shi Fu Vegetable Shop showcases design aesthetics and a refined lifestyle. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism)
Xin Fu Market and Dong San Shui Street Market were the most bustling markets in Taipei during the Japanese colonial era, housing over 135 entrepreneurial stories and specialties. Among them, “Xin Du Ru Ni Yi Flower Garden” and “Shi Fu Vegetable Shop” are participants in the city government’s “One-Day Stallholder Makeover” project. The three-generation “Shi Fu Vegetable Shop,” after being redesigned by professionals, features classical rattan pendant lamps illuminating vegetables as colorful as a palette, showcasing design beauty and a refined lifestyle.
Xin Du Ru Ni Yi Flower Garden breaks the stereotype of traditional markets. (Photo provided by Taipei City Government Department of Information and Tourism)
And another hidden gem, the 60-year-old flower shop “Xin Du Ru Ni Yi Flower Garden” tucked around the corner, has a new facade in warm tones, resembling a European street-corner flower boutique at first glance. These small stalls shatter the common perception of traditional markets, helping participants understand the wisdom of century-old markets and the hidden details of everyday life. Throughout the activity, interactions with vendors allowed travelers to experience Taipei’s local life, ingredients, and culinary culture.