🌙 Ximending Night Market Taipei | Street Food Adventure and Must-Try Eats 🍡

🌙 Exploring Ximending Night Market — A Feast for the Senses 🍡

One of the things I was most excited about during our Taiwan trip was visiting their night markets. Taiwan is famous for its vibrant night scene — streets filled with delicious food, trendy shops, and a lively mix of locals and tourists. Compared to the ones in Manila, theirs are cleaner, more organized, and packed with unique, mouthwatering street food.

Even though our second day was long and we got back to the city late, we didn’t want to end the day without experiencing one. Luckily, the Ximending Night Market (西門町夜市) was just a short walk from our hotel, so after a bit of rest and freshening up, we dressed up and headed out for a night adventure. 🌃

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🍗 Our Food Hunt Begins

As we strolled along the lively streets, bright neon lights lit up every corner, and the aroma of sizzling street food filled the air. Our first stop? Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken (豪大大雞排) — a must-try in Ximending!

🍴 Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken
📍 No. 1, Emei St., Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
💰 Price: Around NT$75 (~₱120)
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

When we got to the stall, the line was already long, but it moved fast — and the smell was impossible to resist! We each ordered one fried chicken, not realizing that one piece was literally bigger than our faces 😅 It was crispy, juicy, and seasoned perfectly — honestly, one order can feed two to three people!

After grabbing our chicken, we continued wandering around the market, holding our giant snacks like locals. Every corner offered something new: sizzling scallion pancakes, grilled squid, pepper buns, and stinky tofu (which we bravely skipped this time 😆).

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🧋 Of Course — Milk Tea!

Another spot we couldn’t miss was CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, one of Taiwan’s most famous milk tea brands.
📍 Ximending Branch: No. 49, Hanzhong St., Wanhua District, Taipei City, Taiwan
💰 Price: Around NT$50–80 (~₱80–₱130)

When we visited, milk tea shops weren’t yet everywhere in Manila, so this was a treat! We ordered our favorite CoCo Milk Tea with pearls, and it tasted heavenly — smooth, creamy, and perfectly balanced.

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🍢 What Else to Eat at Ximending

If you’re planning to explore Ximending Night Market, here are some food must-tries and popular stalls:

🍡 Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles (阿宗麵線) – Legendary Taiwanese vermicelli soup served with intestines or oysters.
📍No. 8-1, Emei St., Wanhua District
💰 NT$65 (~₱105)

🍠 Taiwanese Sweet Potato Balls – Crispy outside, chewy inside; light and addicting!

🦑 Grilled Giant Squid Skewers – Juicy and smoky, perfect with spicy sauce.

🍞 Peanut Ice Cream Roll (花生冰淇淋潤餅) – A local dessert with shaved peanut brittle, ice cream, and cilantro wrapped in a soft crepe.

🍓 Candied Strawberries – We bought one but never got to eat it because we were too full — maybe next time! 😅

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🛍️ More Than Just Food

Aside from food, Ximending is also known as Taipei’s youth fashion district — think of it as the Shibuya of Taiwan. The area is packed with trendy boutiques, sneaker shops, and quirky souvenir stores. There are also street performers, music corners, and photo-worthy spots like the iconic Ximending Red House (紅樓).

📷 We couldn’t help but take lots of pictures — from food stalls to the glowing signs. I still remember how we laughed while posing at a phone booth and random corners along the street. These are the kinds of travel moments that stay with you forever. 💕

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💡 Travel Tips for Visiting Ximending Night Market

🕓 Best Time to Visit: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (that’s when the crowd and stalls are at their liveliest)
🚆 How to Get There: Take the MRT Blue Line to Ximen Station (Exit 6) — the market is right outside.
💰 Budget: NT$300–500 (~₱470–₱780) per person for a satisfying food crawl
📸 What to Bring:

• Small bills and coins 💵
• Tissue wipes (you’ll need them!)
• A reusable water bottle
• Comfortable shoes 👟

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💬 Even though it was late, the energy in Ximending was contagious. Everything was alive — the people, the lights, the food, the laughter. I was amazed at how clean and organized the place was, with vendors wearing hairnets and gloves. The atmosphere felt festive but safe.

We ended the night with full tummies and happy hearts, walking back to our hotel while munching on fruit from the roadside stalls. The strawberries and melons looked fresh and were much cheaper than back home.

By the time we got back, we were exhausted but completely satisfied. I still smile thinking about how fun it was — our first night market experience in Taiwan, and certainly not our last! 🌃💜

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🌏 Updates (2025)

🆕 Ximending Night Market remains one of Taipei’s top attractions. Most stalls are open daily until 11:00 PM, and several new trendy dessert shops have popped up — try Jen Ju Dan Brown Sugar Milk Tea and Tiger Sugar nearby!

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✨ There’s no better way to experience Taiwan’s culture than through its night markets — and Ximending is the perfect place to start. From giant fried chicken to milk tea perfection, every bite tells a story of Taiwan’s passion for food and community.

If you’re visiting Taipei, make sure to save a night for Ximending — come hungry, bring friends, and let your taste buds explore! 🍢

👉 Planning your Taipei itinerary?

Include Ximending Night Market after a full day of exploring — it’s the best way to end the night with flavor, fun, and a bit of shopping!

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