Abroad and Hungry in Taipei City: 3 Spots

Researched by Varedelo

Planning notes for Taipei

Must-try foods in Taipei

• Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian)
  Beef Noodle Soup (Niu Rou Mian)Taipei is obsessed with this dish, which comes in two primary styles: 'Hong Shao' (red-braised with spicy soy and tomato) and 'Qing Dun' (clear, medicinal broth). The soul of the dish is the long-simmered beef shank or tendon and chewy, hand-pulled wheat noodles. Locals favor 'Liu Shandong' for its thick.
• Stinky Tofu (Chou Dou Fu)
  Stinky Tofu (Chou Dou Fu)A polarizing but non-negotiable Taipei experience. Tofu is fermented in a brine of milk, vegetables, and meat for months until it develops its signature pungent aroma. It is typically deep-fried until incredibly crispy and served with a heap of 'Pao Cai' (sweet and sour pickled cabbage) and a spicy garlic sauce. High-quality versions feature a hollow.
• Salty Soy Milk (Xian Dou Jiang)
  Salty Soy Milk (Xian Dou Jiang)A traditional breakfast dish that often surprises tourists. Hot soy milk is curdled with vinegar to create a texture similar to soft tofu or savory custard. It is topped with 'Youtiao' (fried dough crullers), dried shrimp, pickled radish, and scallions. 'Fuhang Soy Milk' is the 2026 hotspot for this, often requiring a 45-minute wait starting at 5:30 AM.
• Peanut Ice Cream Roll
  Peanut Ice Cream RollAn 'interesting' and visually striking traditional dessert from the Yilan region that has become a Taipei staple. It consists of a thin popiah (spring roll) skin filled with two scoops of taro or pineapple ice cream, topped with shavings from a giant block of peanut brittle. Crucially.

Trip guide

• About Taipei
  About TaipeiTaipei is a municipality located in northern Taiwan, situated within the Taipei Basin and bordered by the Tamsui, Keelung, and Xindian rivers. The history of the area includes early habitation by the Ketagalan people, followed by periods of Spanish and Dutch presence in the 17th century.
• When to go
  When to goThe best months to visit Taipei are March to May and October to November, which offer pleasant temperatures (68–77°F) and the clearest skies for sightseeing and hiking. Avoid the peak summer months (June–September) if you want to bypass extreme humidity and the annual typhoon season, though the late spring "plum rains" also bring frequent showers. While December and school holidays are the busiest and most expensive peak periods.
• Getting around
  Getting around Taipei

  • Taoyuan Airport MRT This is the fastest and most convenient way to reach the city center from Taoyuan International Airport (TPE). Express trains (purple) take approximately 35 to 39 minutes to reach Taipei Main Station.
  • Taipei Metro (MRT) The backbone of local travel, the MRT system is clean, safe, and highly efficient. It features several color-coded lines that connect major districts and landmarks.
  • EasyCard & Public Buses The EasyCard is a versatile reloadable smart card essential for using Taipei’s extensive bus network and renting Ubikes. Buses provide deep coverage into areas not served by the MRT.
• Local tips
  Local tips

  • Never stick your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice because this gesture resembles funeral offerings and is considered offensive.
  • Use both hands when giving or receiving objects like money, cards, or gifts to demonstrate proper respect.
  • Stand on the right side of escalators in public areas to allow those in a hurry to pass on the left.
• What’s new
  What’s new in Taipei

  • International concert series at the Taipei Dome featuring acts like TWICE and ONE OK ROCK.
  • Completion of the Zaha Hadid-designed Danjiang Bridge, a major new architectural landmark.
• North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic Area↗
  North Coast & Guanyinshan National Scenic AreaOfficial tourism site for Taiwan's North Coast, including the famous Laomei Green Reef, managed by the National Scenic Area Headquarters.