Taichung Food Guide | What to Eat at Top Markets & Restaurants

Plan a DIY foodie four with this Taichung food guide that takes you to some of the best markets and restaurants in Taichung City and beyond. Get tips on what to eat at Feng Chia Night Market in Xitun District, and plan a Taiwanese food eating extravaganza at Tunghai Villa Night Market near the gorgeous campus of Tunghai University. From stinky tofu to pineapple cakes and pearl milk tea, Taichung food is an adventure for the taste buds and a perfect way to immerse yourself in Taiwanese culture.

Taichung Food Guide | Feng Chia Night Market

You’re likely to run into Feng Chia (Fengjia) Night Market while wandering down Fuxing Road or Wanhua Road in Taichung’s popular district of Xitun. The market is the largest in the city, and if you don’t just happen upon Feng Chia Night Market by chance, then let your nose lead the way! The area is brimming with local restaurants and shops dishing out everything from stinky tofu in black tea to Taiwanese sausage with sticky rice. A must-try restaurant at Feng Chia Night Market is Minglun Pancake (Ming Lun Chinese Omelet). Located at No. 546 on Fuxing Road, the shop serves savory stuffed pancakes hot off the grill!

Address: Wenhua Road, Xitun District
Hours: many restaurants start firing up their grills around 4 p.m., but some shops are open as early as noon. No matter what, Feng Chia Night Market stays hopping until 1 or 2 a.m.

What to eat at Feng Chia Night Market

• Stinky tofu soaked in black tea
• Chinese omelet at Minglun Pancake (明倫蛋餅)
• Taiwanese sausage with sticky rice

Check In to Chase Walker Hotel, Step Out to Feng Chia Night Market

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Taichung Food Guide | Taichung Second Market

Sightseers and foodies alike will love a trip to Taichung Second Market. Sandwiched between Liuchuan Riverside Walk and Taichung Park, the market makes a perfect go-between for attractions in Central District. The market is as much a cultural experience as a foodie tour, as locals make good use of the area for daily meals, shopping and its hangout spots. Along with traditional Taiwanese food, visitors can buy fresh produce, Taiwanese snacks, souvenirs and enjoy a cup of coffee. As one of the only early-morning markets in Taichung, Taichung Second Market is the perfect place to experience a traditional Taiwanese breakfast.

Address: No. 87, Section 2, Sanmin Road, Central District
Hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday)

Traditional Taiwanese foods to try at Taichung Second Market

• Lu rou fan – braised pork in a soy sauce with five spices
• Sweet tofu – just like the name sounds, it’s sweet tofu (think of a custard made with tofu)
• Radish cakes – kind of like a potato cake, only made with radishes

Check In to Park City Hotel Central Taichung, Step Out to Taichung Second Market

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Taichung Food Guide | Taichung Fifth Market

For a more intimate foodie experience and an unforgettable Taiwanese breakfast or lunch, head to Taichung Fifth Market in West District, which is about a 15-minute drive from Taichung Second Market in Central District. While the Fifth Market maybe smaller in size, its restaurants are not less in tastiness. In fact, travelers may find restaurants at Fifth Market serving even more traditional Taiwanese food – at cheaper prices – than its nearby competitors.

Address: No. 9, Daming Street, West District
Hours: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily

Must-try dishes at Taichung Fifth Market

• Handmade vermicelli – served with a variety of dishes
• Popiah – fresh spring rolls
• Oyster congee – rice porridge with oysters

Check In to 52 Hotel, Step Out to West District

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Taichung Food Guide | Enjoy Pineapple Cakes & Original Pearl Milk Tea

While out and about at Taichung Second Market and Feng Chia Night Market, sightseers should make it a point to pick up two of Taichung’s most famous snacks, which happen to make a perfect combo! While at Taichung Second Market, make a run to Sunny Hills to grab a box of pineapple cakes. Later, while shopping at Feng Chia Night Market, take a break at Chun Shui Tang (Original Store), where you can wash down your pineapple cakes with a world-famous bubble tea in the very shop in which it was invented!

Sunny Hills address: 407, Taiwan, Taichung City, Xitun District, Section 3, Taiwan Boulevard, 10th Floor, No. 301
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Chun Shui Tang (Original Store) address: No. 30, Siwei Street, West District
Hours: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Check In to Li Gang Hotel I, Step Out to West District

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Taichung Food Guide | Tunghai Villa Night Market & Donghai Daxue Night Market

Being located across from the gorgeous campus of Tunghai University is a bonus to visiting Tunghai Villa Night Market (and connecting Donghai Daxue Night Market), and being a favorite for college kids in the area also means good food at cheap prices. While the market is located about 25 minutes northwest of Taichung City, a jaunt to Longjing District is well worth the traveling time. The market also makes a great place to go during a short layover at Taichung International Airport, only 15 minutes away.

Address: No. 9, Xinxing Road, Longjing District
Hours: 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. (but visitors can find something to do at the market 24 hours a day)

What to eat at Tunghai Villa Night Market

• Chicken feet jelly (gelatin) – well, it’s basically chicken feet, drenched in medicinal herbs and cooked until gelatinous. You can eat the jelly-like skins smothered in gravy or the gelatin itself, which is said to contain many health benefits.
• Mung bean smoothie – trick your taste buds with this sweet treat, and top it with a scoop of red bean ice cream!
• Steamed buns – it’s not really a trip to Taiwan unless you have a steamed bun. Go where the lines are longest and try as many pork- and chicken-based fillings as you can.

Check In to T-Life Hostel, Step Out to Tunghai Villa Night Market

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Taichung Food Guide | Braised Pork Knuckle Rice at Fu Ding Wang

After you’re finished touring markets and walking your legs off looking for the perfect taste temptation, you may be ready for a sit-down meal at a popular Taichung restaurant. Fu Din Wang is one of Taichung’s favorite eating establishment when it comes to braised pork knuckle, a savory pork leg marinated in special spices and cooked until the meat falls off the bone.

Address: No. 560, Section 1, Taiwan Boulevard, Central District
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Monday (closed Tuesday)

Check In to Fengchia INNK Hotel, Step Out to Fu Din Wang

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