🌙Ximending Night Market Taipei 2025 – Best Street Food & Travel Guide🍡

🌙 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 famous night markets. Taiwan is known for its vibrant evening scene — streets filled with delicious food, trendy shops, and a lively mix of locals and tourists. Compared to the ones in Manila, Taiwan’s night markets 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, Ximending Night Market (西門町夜市) was just a short walk from our hotel. After a bit of rest and freshening up, we dressed up and headed out for a night adventure. 🌃

Ximending is truly a haven for food lovers. From savory snacks to sweet treats, there’s something for everyone — and the best part? Everything is budget-friendly! We had a list of what we wanted to try, but ended up discovering even more food along the way.

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🍴 Our Food Hunt Begins - Must-Try When in Ximending

1. 🍗Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken Experience (豪大大雞排)

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! Although it's already available in Manila, it's still different when you eat it in Taiwan. As of 2025, there are at least 16 branches of Hot Star Chicken in the Philippines. Although it's the same, I find the taste and of course the size better when in Taiwan.

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! 

📍 Address: No. 1, Emei St., Wanhua District, Taipei City
💰 Price: Around NT$75 (~₱120.00)
⏰ Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

After grabbing our chicken, we continued wandering around the market, holding our giant snacks like locals. Our next stop, will be the one that will catch our nose and eyes!

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2. 🥔 Corn & Cheese Baked Potato – Ximending’s Quirky Street Snack

When we were planning our visit to Ximending, we came across the famous Corn & Cheese Baked Potato — a snack that many travelers say you “must try” when exploring Taipei’s bustling shopping district. We didn’t exactly know where in the market it was located, so we just strolled along, enjoying the lights and sounds. And as luck (or fate!) would have it, we eventually found it.

To be honest, it didn’t look very appetizing at first — a baked potato topped with corn, cheese sauce, and sometimes ham or bacon bits. But since it’s one of those “only-in-Taiwan” snacks, we decided to give it a go just to see what the fuss was about.

📍 Where to Find It: Stalls along Emei Street and Ximending Pedestrian Area (near Ximen MRT Exit 6)
💰 Price: NT$70–100 (₱130.00–₱180.00)
🕔 Hours: 2:00 PM – 10:00 PM
💡 Tip: Share one serving so you can try more food! Bring tissues — it can get messy. 😅

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3. 🔥 Blow-Torched Beef Cubes – Ximending’s Fiery Street Food

As we go along the night market, we saw more and more mouth watering food and we can't decide which one to try next.  We had chicken and also baked potato so we decided to try the beef they are cooking using a blow torch. I was actually curious as soon as I saw it because they are just using the blow torch. And if the beef is not a good quality, it might not be cooked enough. To see, we ordered one and true to my curiosity, it's kind of tough. The flavor is there, but it's hard to chew. You can try it if you want, but maybe talk to them to make sure it's done or at least soft.

📍 Location: Emei St. & Hanzhong St., near Ximen MRT Exit 6
💰 Price: NT$120–200 (₱220.00–₱360.00)
🕔 Hours: 4:00 PM – 11:00 PM
💡 Tips:
👀 Ask for “medium” or “well done”
💵 Bring cash
🍹 Pair it with bubble tea or Taiwan sausage

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4. 🧋 CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice – A Taiwanese Classic

Another spot we absolutely couldn’t miss was CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, one of Taiwan’s most famous milk tea brands that helped start the bubble tea craze across Asia. Long before milk tea shops flooded Manila’s streets, CoCo was already serving perfectly balanced blends of tea, milk, and chewy pearls in Taipei.

We dropped by the CoCo Ximending Branch after exploring the lively Hanzhong Street area, and the queue was already forming outside. The aroma of freshly brewed tea was irresistible — the kind of scent that instantly makes you crave that first sip!

📍 Location: No. 49, Hanzhong St., Wanhua District, Taipei City (3-minute walk from Ximen MRT Exit 6)
💰 Price: NT$50–80 (~₱90.00–₱140.00)
🕒 Hours: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
🌐 Website: www.coco-tea.com

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🍓 Candied Strawberry – Taiwan’s Sweet & Shiny Street Snack 

If you still have space after all that savory food, try Candied Strawberry (糖葫蘆) — glossy, sugar-coated strawberries on a stick that shine like edible jewels under Ximending’s neon lights!

📍 Location: Stalls along Emei Street and near Ximen MRT Exit 6
🍓 Popular Choices: Strawberries, grapes, tomatoes, hawthorn berries
💰 Price: NT$50–80 (~₱90.00–₱140.00)
🕔 Best Time: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Every corner in Ximending Night Market offered something new: sizzling scallion pancakes, grilled squid, pepper buns, and stinky tofu (which we bravely skipped this time 😆). If you want to try more food, these are some of what you can find.

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🍢 What Else to Eat at Ximending

 If you still have room after the famous Hot-Star Fried Chicken and Blow-Torched Beef Cubes, here are other mouthwatering must-try street eats you can’t miss in Ximending!

1. 🍗 Alliaceous Chicken Pops (Garlic Fried Chicken Bites)

These bite-sized chicken pops are crispy, juicy, and seasoned with loads of garlic — perfect for munching while walking around.
📍 Where to Find It: Along Emei Street and Chengdu Road
💰 Price: Around NT$80–100 (~₱140.00–₱180.00) per cup
🕔 Best Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
💡 Tip: Ask for the “spicy” version if you like a little kick. Best paired with bubble tea!

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2. 🦑 Grilled Giant Squid Skewers

Juicy, smoky, and freshly grilled before your eyes — this seafood favorite is brushed with sweet-spicy glaze and torched to perfection.
📍 Location: Emei Street corner Kunming Street, near Ximen MRT Exit 6
💰 Price: NT$120–150 (~₱210.00–₱270.00)
💡 Tip: Tell the vendor your preferred doneness; “crispy outside, tender inside” hits the sweet spot.

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3. 🍹 Dream Cool Juices (Fresh Fruit Juices & Smoothies)

Need a refreshing drink between bites? Dream Cool offers colorful, freshly blended juices made from tropical fruits like mango, kiwi, and dragon fruit.
📍 Location: Near No. 10, Emei Street, Wanhua District
💰 Price: NT$60–90 (~₱110–₱160)
🕔 Hours: 2:00 PM – 11:00 PM
💡 Tip: Their mango smoothie with pearl jelly is a must-try for a sweet, cooling treat!

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4. 🍠 Taiwanese Sweet Potato Balls

A true night market classic! These golden balls are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside — light, addicting, and perfect for sharing.
📍 Where to Find It: Near Emei Street and Hanzhong Street intersection
💰 Price: NT$50–70 (~₱90.00–₱130.00) per bag
💡 Tip: Get the mixed flavor (sweet potato + taro) for extra texture and taste.

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5. 🍡 Ay-Chung Flour Rice Noodles (阿宗麵線)

One of Taiwan’s most iconic street eats! Ay-Chung’s silky vermicelli soup comes with braised intestines or oysters — flavorful, comforting, and beloved by locals and tourists alike.

📍 Address: No. 8-1, Emei St., Wanhua District, Taipei
💰 Price: NT$65 (~₱115.00)
🕒 Hours: 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM daily
💡 Tip: There are no tables — everyone eats standing up with chopsticks. Add chili and vinegar for that authentic Taiwanese kick!

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6. 🍞 Peanut Ice Cream Roll (花生冰淇淋潤餅)

A fun and unique dessert — soft crepe wrapped with ice cream, shaved peanut brittle, and cilantro! It sounds unusual, but it’s surprisingly refreshing.
📍 Where to Find It: Along Chengdu Road and near Red House area
💰 Price: NT$60–80 (~₱110.00–₱140.00)
💡 Tip: Try it with taro or pineapple ice cream — the peanut adds the perfect crunch.

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7. 🐚 Baked Scallops & Seafood Stalls

Seafood lovers will love these stalls selling freshly baked scallops, oysters, and grilled shrimp topped with garlic butter and cheese.
📍 Location: Around Emei Street and Kunming Street area
💰 Price: NT$150–200 (~₱270.00–₱360.00) depending on size and toppings
💡 Tip: Choose your seafood fresh from display trays. Best enjoyed with Taiwan Beer or fruit juice!

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8. 🍔 Other Well-Known Restaurants & Fast Food in Ximending (2025 Update)

If you need a quick sit-down break between food stalls, Ximending also has popular chain spots for comfort meals:

• Pepper Lunch: No. 51, Hanzhong St., Taipei — sizzling Japanese-style beef plates from NT$180–250 (~₱320.00–₱450.00).
• KFC Taiwan: Near Ximen MRT Exit 6 — serves unique local items like rice bowls and egg tarts unavailable in the Philippines.

💡 Tip: Ximending’s restaurants stay open later on weekends (until midnight). Expect long queues during peak dinner hours (7–9 PM).

  

✨ You can never go wrong when you visit Ximending Night Market! Just keep an open mind, be adventurous, and try everything you can — every bite is part of the experience! 🍢💜

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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 to enjoy the liveliest atmosphere, but go earlier if you want to take pictures before the crowds arrive.
🚆 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! 🌃💜

✨ As of 2025, Ximending Night Market remains one of Taipei’s top attractions, with new dessert shops like Jen Ju Dan Brown Sugar Milk Tea and Tiger Sugar joining the mix.

There’s truly no better way to experience Taiwan’s culture than through its food — and Ximending is the perfect place to start. Come hungry, bring friends, and let your taste buds explore! 🍢🇹🇼

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🚇 How to Get to Ximending Night Market

Getting to Ximending is quick and easy — it’s one of the most accessible areas in Taipei!

By MRT (Metro):

• 🚆 Take the Blue Line (Bannan Line) or Green Line (Songshan–Xindian Line).
• 🏙️ Stop: Ximen Station (西門站)
• 🚪 Exit 6: You’ll emerge right at the heart of Ximending’s pedestrian area — the night market starts here!

By Bus:

• Several bus lines stop at “Ximen Station” or “Emei Street.”
• Look for buses: 307, 527, 621, 628, or 705.

By Taxi:

• From Taipei Main Station: ~10 minutes (NT$120–150).
• From Shilin Night Market: ~20 minutes (NT$200–250).

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💸 Total Estimated Spend for a Ximending Night Market Food Crawl (2025)

Item	NT$	₱ (approx.)
Hot-Star Fried Chicken	75	120.00
Corn & Cheese Baked Potato	80	140.00
Blow-Torched Beef Cubes	150	270.00
CoCo Milk Tea	80	140.00
TOTAL (approx.)	385 NT$	₱670

 💡 Budget Tip:
If you’re visiting with friends, share each dish so you can taste more without overspending! A fun and filling food crawl can cost just around ₱350–₱400 per person when shared by two.

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👉Have you been to Ximending Night Market?

Which street food would you try first — the giant fried chicken or candied strawberries?

Comment below or tag me on Instagram @lakwatserangligaw with your Taiwan food finds! 🇹🇼✨

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