Almond Tea (杏仁茶, xingrencha) is a traditional East Asian beverage made primarily from apricot kernels. It has been enjoyed for a long time in Chinese-speaking communities, including China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and is especially popular in Taiwan as a staple drink for breakfast and at night markets. Characterized by its creamy texture, subtle sweetness, and distinctive aroma, almond tea is also appreciated as a health drink. It is commonly served at street stalls in places such as Liuhe Tourist Night Market in Kaohsiung City, and various regional variations exist throughout different areas.
Pineapple cake (Chinese: 鳳梨酥, English: Pineapple Cake) is a pastry originating from Taiwan, characterized by a crisp, buttery cookie crust filled with a sweet pineapple-flavored filling. Today, it is a popular souvenir among both domestic and international travelers in Taiwan, commonly sold at airports, souvenir shops, and night markets. With various flavors and packaging styles available, pineapple cake has become one of the iconic sweets representing Taiwanese food culture.
A hot dog is a dish consisting of a sausage placed inside a long bun, typically served with various sauces and toppings such as ketchup or mustard. Originating in the United States at the end of the 19th century, it quickly became popular as a widely consumed fast food. In its country of origin, the United States, numerous variations exist, and in modern times, regional adaptations of the hot dog have become popular around the world. In Taiwan, unique serving styles and flavors have become established, especially at airports and convenience stores, where the hot dog enjoys popularity as a convenient snack.
Taiwan Beer Classic is a traditional lager beer sold by Taiwan Beer, one of Taiwan's representative beer brands. Founded in 1922, Taiwan Beer has been a longtime favorite in the country's beer market, and Taiwan Beer Classic is considered a staple product in its lineup. It is characterized by its refreshing taste, made from ingredients such as malt and rice, and is widely popular not only in restaurants and retail stores across Taiwan but also among travelers at airports as a local specialty.
Tea egg is a traditional tea-flavored boiled egg widely consumed in China and Taiwan. The eggshell is gently cracked and the egg is simmered in a broth containing soy sauce, tea leaves, and various spices, resulting in a distinctive marbled pattern and a rich aroma that permeates the entire egg. In Taiwan and other Chinese communities, tea eggs are easily found at train stations, airports, convenience stores, and food stalls, and are popular as an everyday snack or light meal.
Pig’s Blood Cake, known as Zhū xiě gāo, is one of Taiwan’s representative traditional street foods. It is mainly served at night markets and food stalls, and is characterized by being made from steamed glutinous rice mixed with pig’s blood, molded, and skewered on bamboo sticks. It is often topped with peanut powder or cilantro. While the dish is believed to have roots in southern China, particularly Fujian and Guangdong provinces, it has developed uniquely within Taiwanese food culture.
Diguayu, or Taiwanese sweet potato balls, are a popular sweet snack in Taiwan, primarily made from sweet potatoes and tapioca starch and deep-fried to create a puffed, round shape. They are characterized by their crispy exterior and chewy, mochi-like interior. These treats are especially common at night markets and street stalls, where they can be easily purchased. Widely enjoyed across various night markets and shops in Taiwan—such as Linjiang Street Night Market in Taipei (also known as Tonghua Night Market)—they are considered a traditional snack beloved by both locals and tourists.
Danzai noodles (Tánzǐ miàn) is one of Taiwan's representative traditional noodle dishes. Originating in Tainan, this dish typically features wheat noodles served in a distinctively light seafood broth, topped with minced pork, cilantro, garlic, and sometimes a boiled egg. Popular at night markets and specialty noodle shops throughout Taiwan, it enjoys wide support from both tourists and locals, especially in cities such as Taipei and Tainan. Known for its small-bowl serving style rooted in street food culture, it stands as a symbol of Taiwanese culinary heritage and remains a highly popular dish.
Tanghulu is a traditional Chinese confection consisting of fruits skewered on a stick and coated with a hardened sugar syrup. Originally from China, it is commonly found in street stalls and night markets across mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other regions with Chinese cultural influence in East Asia. While hawthorn berries were traditionally used as the main ingredient, a variety of fruits such as strawberries, muscat grapes, grapes, and tomatoes have become popular in recent years, resulting in a range of variations depending on the region and era. Tanghulu is also a popular sweet in places like Taipei's Linjiang Street Night Market in Taiwan, where it is enjoyed by both tourists and locals.
Asparagus juice is a vegetable beverage made primarily from asparagus, and is particularly popular in Taiwan. Known locally as ""lúsǔn zhī,"" it is readily available in supermarkets, convenience stores, and various dining establishments throughout the country. Asparagus juice is noted for its distinctive gentle sweetness and flavor, and is considered one of the representative drinks of Taiwanese local food culture. Its origins and establishment are linked to the utilization of regional agricultural products and a growing health consciousness. It is a unique drink that is rarely found outside of Taiwan.
