By now you know that night markets are popular in Taiwan. In fact, many trends are established at these epicenters of food, fashion, and fanfare. For example there are innovative or re-invented delicious Taiwanese snacks and delicacies found at these consumer collectives that end up becoming big hits across the country and even overseas.
While Taipei gets a lot of press, there are many famous night markets in Taichung City. Compared to their Taipei counterparts, the markets in Taichung offer a more extensive choice of food, drinks, clothing items and more, and most of which can be found at a lesser price. Below are three “must visit” night markets (with a focus on food) to hit when in Taichung.
Top 3 Taichung Night Markets That You Need to Visit When in Taiwan (updated for 2019-2020)
Fengjia Night Market (also known as Feng Chia Night Market)
Fengjia Night Market is in the Xitun District of Taichung and is beside Feng Chia University. It is the biggest night market in Taichung. Fengjia Night Market started its operation in 1963. Today, there are over 1000 stalls in the Night Market selling food, drinks, clothing items, electronic items and more. Many famous snacks that you find in Taipei’s Night Markets were initially from Fengjia Night Market. Stall vendors invent or re-invent new delicacies, and many become a hit across the country. Other Night Markets would follow and sell the same or slightly modified version of the snacks.
What are the must-eats in Fengjia Night Market? Here are a few you must try:
1) Xiao Xiao Qi soup dumplings:
If you have tried the soup dumplings at Din Tai Fung restaurant, then this is a cheaper version of the dumplings at the night market. Be prepared to wait for at least 20 minutes before you get to taste the best soup dumplings at Fengjia Night Market. The dumpling wrap is thin, with tons of soup inside. They also sell cheese-filled fried wraps, which are super delicious!
Address: Xitun Road Section 2, 272 No. 9, Xitun District, Taichung
Opening hours: 9 am-10:30 pm, closed on Mondays
2) Di Diao Hu Jiao Bing (Black Pepper Pastry):
Stone oven baked pastry filled with marinated pork, black pepper, green onions and other spices, this one of a kind pastry is typical in many Taiwanese Night Markets. However, Di Diao Hu Jiao Bing makes just the perfect black pepper pastry, not too oily inside, the pastry thickness is just right and not over-burnt. This is the best Black Pepper Pastry you will ever taste!
Address: Xitun District, Wenhua Road 12 no. 7, Taichung City
Opening hours: 4:30 pm -11:45 pm
3) Yi Xin Stinky Tofu:
Even if you don’t like the thought or smell of stinky tofu, we urge you to try just a bite, which will change your mind about this traditional Taiwanese snack. It is fermented tofu deep-fried in special sauce. The tofu is so juicy and crispy! There is always a long line-up for the tofu, so expect to wait a little while!
Address: Xitun District, Fu Xing Road No. 461, Taichung City
Opening hours: 4:00 pm – 12:00 am (closed on Mondays)
Yizhong Night Market
Yizhong Night Market is a very local night market in Taichung. Not many tourists and foreigners will visit this night market. However, there are a lot of locals who come to this night market because it is very close to local schools, and only a 10-minute drive from Taichung Main Train Station. The food and snacks here are cheaper compared to other night markets, and the quality of the food is exceptional. The main strip of the night market is on Yizhong Street. Along Yizhong Street onto the side streets, there are many cool and trendy shops as well as restaurants that you must visit.
Below are some foods that you will want to try out:
1) Hong Ye Little Egg Cakes
These little egg cakes are a typical snack throughout Taiwan. However, at Hong Ye’s egg cake stall, they cook the best cakes with different flavoured fillings like chocolate, cheese, egg yolk, peanut butter, raisins etc. The cakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Address: North District Yizhong street 6 No. 1, Taichung City
Opening hours: 3:00 pm – 10:00 am
2) Mr. Muscleman (Deep fried braised snacks)
Mr. Muscleman has been in business for more than 20 years. They first braise their meat and veggies in special Chinese style sauce and spices, and then deep fry them to perfection.
Address: North District, Taiping Road No. 99, Taichung City
Opening hours: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm
3) Heavenly Sweet Tapioca Balls and Shaved Iced Shop
Here at Heavenly Sweet, everything is handmade and all-natural. No artificial colours, flavours or anything fake. You can find Taro, sweet potato, vegetable and fruit flavoured tapioca balls and shaved ice, as well as other delicious goodies here.
Address: North District, Gan Xin Street 28 No. 3, Taichung City
Opening hours: 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
Tunghai Night Market
Tunghai Night Market, many people also called Dong Hai Night Market, is located West of Tunghai University. Night Markets close to Universities are common to cater to student’s huge appetite after class. The stalls at Tunghai Night Market sell mostly comfort foods at affordable prices. This night market is not as packed as Fengjia Night Market, but still, be prepared to fight your way through the people and motorcycles as you walk down the food-filled streets.
Below are a few must-tries at Tunghai Night Market:
1) Tunghai Gua Bao King (Pork Belly Buns)
Gua Bao is a delicious snack in Taiwan. Braised pork belly, peanuts, cilantro in fluffy buns will melt in your mouth. The Gua Bao in Tunghai is extra special as you can choose to put in an over-easy fried egg to make it taste even better.
Address: Longjing District, Taiwan Boulevard Section 5, Lane 3, No. 43, Taichung
Opening hours：6:30 am – 1:00 pm
2) Feng Wei Green Bean Milk Shop
There are a variety of desserts made with green beans, which you can easily find in Taiwan. Green bean is considered a “cool” food according to Chinese medicine and good for your health. At Tunghai Night Market, you must not miss this shop that serves green bean ice with milk. Especially during a hot summer day, this refreshing drink will help you cool down instantly.
Address: Longjing District, Xin Xing Road Lane 1, No. 1, Taichung
Opening hours: 12:00 pm – 9:30 pm
3) Tunghai Dong Shan Duck Heads Shop
If you go to Tunghai Night Market, all the local people will tell you to try the “orange ducks”. Besides duck heads as described in the shop’s name, Dong Shan Duck Shop sells almost all parts of a duck. From duck head, to duck neck, to duck wings and even duck blood, many locals come and line up for their ducks. Braised in their in-house sauce, then fried, you will be sure to come back for more ducks after visiting the shop.
Address: Longjing District, Taiwan Boulevard Section 5 Lane 3, No. 32 Taichung
Opening hours: 2:00 pm – 12:00 am
We hope you won’t get too hungry after reading this. But if you do, and you’re on the island and would like a local guide to make your experience even more unique, be sure to book a night market tour with one of our friendly locals.
