By MOOK Travel & Living Chen Guanxin | Compiled & Reported
As temperatures continue to drop, taking the MRT is the best way to comfortably explore night markets while staying warm. In the Greater Taipei area, there are numerous well-known night markets along the MRT lines, each hiding countless delicious treats. Following our previous feature on winter-warming night market foods (Part 1), we’re now back with the “Part 2” edition, taking you to popular spots like Fuhsing Night Market, Luzhou Temple Night Market, and Lehua Night Market to discover which tasty snacks will keep you cozy and full!
With temperatures dropping, why not take the MRT to a night market and indulge in some warming snacks to nourish both body and soul this winter? (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Xindian Line / Gongguan Station / Gongguan Night Market
The Gongguan shopping area, close to National Taiwan University and situated at a major transit point on the Xindian Line, draws crowds from near and far. The district is packed with a variety of shops—from tasty street food to trendy fashion—spread across Roosevelt Road, Xinsheng South Road, Tingzhou Road, and various side streets. Among them, the most beloved and talked-about are the mouthwatering, affordable and delicious snacks.
Jihsing Fish Ball Shop is most famous for its Fuzhou-style fish balls made from pure white fish paste. The exterior is smooth and delicate, but as soon as you bite in, the juices burst out uncontrollably. The savory filling, fragrant with minced pork, paired with the sweet outer layer, might just be what gourmet heaven tastes like. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Address: No. 243, Section 3, Tingzhou Rd., Taipei City
Transportation: About a 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Gongguan MRT Station
Xindian Line / Taipower Building Station / Shida Night Market
Located near National Taiwan Normal University, this night market centers around Shida Road, Longquan Street, and Taisun Street, combining a vibrant mix of pop culture and local charm. Here, you’ll find endless specialty cafés, international cuisines, lively bars, and delicious signature snacks.
Hand-pulled noodles are a common night market staple in Taiwan, but it’s rare to find ones that use only natural ingredients and absolutely no MSG. A-Hsin Hand-Pulled Noodles is one such place, where the sweet base broth is simmered for six hours using big bones, and then paired with handmade noodles and generous helpings of intestines—simple but satisfying. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Address: 1F, No. 8, Lane 39, Shida Rd., Taipei City
Transportation: About a 5-minute walk from Exit 3 of Taipower Building MRT Station
Ban-Nan Line / Ximen Station / South Airport Night Market
Nestled between Tibet Road, Nanhai Road, and Section 2 of Zhonghua Road in Wanhua District, the South Airport Night Market may not be as famous as Shilin or Raohe Night Markets, but the hidden culinary gems here are not to be underestimated. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Owner Lin Hsiao-Di comes from a family of chefs and has poured his passion for cooking into his more than 10-year-old Pork Rib Soup. As soon as you step into the South Airport Night Market, you’ll be greeted by rich savory aromas and stacks of small earthen pots, each plate of pork rib soup melting in your mouth. The deep-fried ribs—generous in size and including cartilage—are packed with flavor, having been simmered to extract all the essence of the seasonings into the broth, resulting in a rich yet non-greasy taste. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Address: Entrance of Lane 307, Section 2, Zhonghua Rd., Taipei City
Transportation: About a 25-minute walk from Exit 6 of Ximen MRT Station along Section 2 of Zhonghua Rd.
Ban-Nan Line / Longshan Temple Station / Wanhua Night Market
One of the highlights of Huaxi Street is the traditional red archway at the entrance and the red lanterns lining the way. The night market is known for its wide array of mountain delicacies, seafood, game meats, and other street eats, with many long-standing traditional vendors spanning 30 to 50 years in business. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Ancestral Temple Original Flavor Pork Ribs King is always bustling with customers. Its secret lies in using parts like the neck, chest, and small ribs from pigs weighing about 140 jin (70 kg), simmered together with high-mountain radishes to create a broth that balances the sweetness of vegetables with the aroma of big bones. The pork becomes so tender after slow cooking that it falls off the bone with just a touch of chopsticks, making it incredibly soft and easy to eat. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Address: No. 17-1, Lane 115, Section 2, Guiyang St., Taipei City
Transportation: About a 9-minute walk from Exit 3 of Longshan Temple MRT Station
Ban-Nan Line / Fuzhong Station / NS Ya Night Market
This night market is located between NS Ya South Road and Guanqian West Road, featuring a straight outdoor food street with over 30 years of history. Though the red lantern signs and archways at the entrance show signs of aging, every year over 100,000 visitors flock here. Once the lights go on and the stoves are lit, crowds gather at every food stall, savoring a variety of affordable, delicious local specialties.
Located toward the back of the night market, Xu Ji Medicinal Diet & Tonics tempts passersby with the rich scent of herbal cuisine wafting through the air. What started as a street vendor has now grown into a proper shop, a testament to its popularity among food lovers. Must-try dishes include medicinal stewed live catfish, medicinal stewed pork ribs, and angelica lamb—all served in hearty portions. (Image provided by Moleskine Editorial Department)
Address: No. 45-1, Nanya E. Rd., Banqiao District, New Taipei City
Transportation: From Exit 1 of Fuzhong MRT Station on the Ban-Nan Line, take County Rd., Huaxing St., and Nanya S. Rd. for about a 13-minute walk
Xinzhuang Line / Taipei Bridge Station / Sanhe Night Market
With a history of over 30 years, Sanhe Night Market spans from Zhongxin Road, Zhongyang North Road, and Wenhua North Road all the way to Ziqiang Road and Sanhe Road, including the Zhongyang Market within its area—hence it's also known as Zhongyang Market Night Market. Vendors typically start operating around 4 or 5 pm, with some staying open until midnight. The market gets livelier as the night goes on, and it’s home to many long-standing, well-loved food stalls that attract food enthusiasts.
Hidden in the alleys of Fude North Road, Xiarou Huogeng may look modest and unassuming, but it’s a must-try dish that comes highly recommended by locals. The soup appears light in color, but it’s packed with fresh shrimp, without any additional fish paste coating, allowing you to enjoy the freshest and most authentic flavors. Its bouncy texture makes every bite a delight. (Image provided by Ink Editing Team)
Address: Entrance of Lane 27, Zhongyang North Road, Sanchong District, New Taipei City
Transportation: A 3–5 minute walk from Exit 1 of Taipei Bridge MRT Station
Luzhou Line / Sanmin High School Station / Miaokou Night Market
Close to the Luzhou neighborhood, accessible westward to Guandu and Bali and eastward to Sanchong and Taipei via Sanmin Road, the area enjoys excellent transportation links. The nearby Luzhou Miaokou Image Commercial Area originally served as a local night market for residents’ dining pleasure. Since the opening of the MRT, it has attracted many tourists, further boosting the vibrancy and prosperity of Luzhou.
Luzhou is famous for its Qiezi Noodles (sliced noodles), and among the options, “Tian Ding Qiezi Noodles” is one of the better-known spots. It’s always packed during mealtimes, often drawing long queues. The owner, surnamed Liao, shares a name with a folk hero from the early Republican era—an interesting coincidence that also inspired the shop’s name. The shop’s sliced noodles are celebrated for their Q (chewy) and smooth texture, especially when drizzled with homemade shallot oil, releasing an irresistible aroma. The owner also offers a variety of side dishes for diners to choose from. (Image provided by Ink Editing Team)
Address: No. 22, Desheng Street, Luzhou District, New Taipei City
Transportation: A 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Sanmin High School MRT Station
Xinzhuang Line / Fu Jen University Station / Fu Jen Garden Night Market
Fu Jen Garden Tourist Night Market was established in October 2011. Currently open Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in the evening, the night market is known for its wide variety of street food and buzzworthy offerings, adding a lively commercial atmosphere to Fu Jen’s already rich cultural and academic environment.
The owner of Douji Sanxing Cong Tui Ban Shao (Fighting Chicken Three-Star Scallion Leg Skewers) is a big fan of chicken leg cutlets, which inspired them to spend a lot of time developing this signature dish. They select famous Three-Star Scallions from Yilan, combining them with ingredients like onions. The mix is stir-fried first and set aside until the chicken leg is fully cooked. The chicken is marinated with the owner’s special blend of seasonings before being pan-seared on an iron plate, resulting in a uniquely flavorful dish that many are willing to wait an hour in line for. (Image provided by Ink Editing Team)
Address: B1, No. 666, Section 2, Zhongshan Road, Taishan District, New Taipei City
Transportation: A 12–15 minute walk from Exit 1 of Fu Jen University MRT Station
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