Taipei is highly bustling during the day, but its night markets really highlight how busy the city is at night. The ten best night markets in Taipei are full of delicious street food, traditional snacks, busy shopping stalls, and a mix of old and new moods. There are many different night markets in Taipei, each having its own unique experience for both tourists and locals. The famous Shilin Night Market has limitless food vendors, while the more laid-back Ningxia Night Market is more real.
These markets have more than just food; you may also shop, have fun, and learn about other cultures there. At Taipei’s night markets, you may have a freshly prepared Taiwanese sausage, drink bubble tea or shop at popular accessories. They give you a sense of what the city is like. If you prefer street food, finding deals, and learning about other cultures, this guide will show you the best night markets in Taipei. You’ll find out about spots like Raohe Street Night Market, Huaxi Street, and other hidden treasures that feature fantastic local food and a fun atmosphere. This list of the ten top night markets in Taipei will help you organise your evening and enjoy the city’s magic after dark.
Top Ten Night Market To Go In Taipei
10. Nanjichang Night Market
Tucked away in Datong District, Nanjichang Night Market offers a cozy neighborhood atmosphere without the bustle of tourist hotspots. Despite its modest size, this market shines with local favorites like sesame oil chicken, rice wine chicken, hearty clay oven rolls, and braised pork buns. Several of these dishes have earned recognition from Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list.
Under soft yellow lighting, families and office workers gather around shared tables, sipping herbal broths and savoring chewy glutinous rice cakes. With narrow lanes lined by long-standing stalls, each visit feels familiar like stepping into a neighbor’s kitchen. What sets Nanjichang apart is its dedication to flavor and tradition. Every mouthful speaks of comfort, community, and careful craft. It is an ideal stop for travelers seeking authentic Taiwanese street food that is genuine, affordable, and rich in character.
9. Lehua Night Market
Lehua Night Market in Yonghe District brings Taipei’s local life to vivid color. Operating since the 1970s, its stalls serve oyster omelets, shrimp stews, tempura, and shaved ice until late at night. Weekends are especially lively with string lights illuminated, laughter drifting from karaoke booths, and crowds gathering at communal tables. The sizzling aroma of grilled skewers blends with icy dessert stands, while vendors dish out hearty shrimp soup in steaming bowls. Located near the MRT, Lehua captures the essence of everyday Taipei nightlife. Without tourist-centric distractions, it focuses on authentic snacks and lively community vibes. The market is ideal for those who want to dive into local culture, with straightforward meals and unfiltered charm.
8. Gongguan Night Market
Near National Taiwan University, Gongguan Night Market is the heartbeat of student culture and local street food. This is where young crowds gather for pig’s blood cakes, cold noodles coated in chili oil, buttery crab, grilled squid, fresh bubble tea, and pepper buns. The market’s electric energy pulses through colorful alleys filled with pop-up shops selling stationery, handmade accessories, and trendy gifts. Seating spills onto sidewalks, where groups relax over skewers or bowls of seafood noodles. The atmosphere here is vibrant and relaxed, perfect for visitors who enjoy creative local food and casual street culture. Gongguan delivers variety and value while capturing the spirit of youthful Taipei after dark.
7. Shida Night Market
Shida Night Market, near National Taiwan Normal University, offers an artsy and boutique food experience. Vendors serve pork buns, egg and cheese crepes, tofu pudding, pineapple pastries, and rich bubble tea. Beyond the food, you will find vintage clothing stalls, handmade crafts, and local cafes playing soft music. Warm lights line the narrow alleys, creating a comfortable setting for evening strolls. It is less chaotic than larger markets, which makes it ideal for those who enjoy a quiet place to eat and explore. Shida brings together flavor, creativity, and comfort in a way that is perfect for a more relaxed night out.
6. Huaxi Street Night Market
Also known as Snake Alley, Huaxi Street Night Market maintains its historic charm near Longshan Temple. Red lanterns light up the lanes where stalls serve snake soup, turtle broth, Danzai noodles, herbal tea, and traditional rice dishes. Vendors once specialized in rare meats, and although those are less prominent today, the market still channels the old-world culinary spirit. Popular stalls now include those serving braised pork and nourishing herbal soups. For those interested in Taipei’s food history, Huaxi offers more than just flavor—it delivers a journey into traditional Taiwanese food culture surrounded by the echoes of the past.
5. Linjiang Night Market
Linjiang Night Market, also called Tonghua Night Market, sits in the heart of Da’an District. It is known for quality dishes like barbecue skewers, soup dumplings, sweet sesame tangyuan, fried sweet potato balls, and rich stinky tofu. Even though it is smaller than other markets, the food quality stands out. Many of the vendors have decades of experience and maintain high standards. The market’s late-night atmosphere is friendly and comfortable, with visitors chatting over plastic stools and steaming bowls. Linjiang is ideal for people who want great food in a quieter, more convenient setting. It is a lesser-known treasure with everything you need for a satisfying street food experience.
4. Ningxia Night Market
Ningxia Night Market is a food lover’s paradise packed into a small space. Located in Datong, this market is famous for fried taro balls, oyster omelets, popcorn chicken, sticky mochi, pork liver soup, and sesame oil chicken. It is a place where every vendor focuses on doing one or two dishes extremely well. That attention to quality draws long lines each evening. Families sit together at shared tables, trading bites and stories over bowls of soup and sweet snacks. Unlike larger markets with souvenirs and shops, Ningxia is all about the food. Its no-frills layout keeps your attention on flavor, making it one of the best markets for people who come strictly to eat and enjoy.
3. Raohe Street Night Market
Raohe Street Night Market, stretching from Songshan MRT, is one of the oldest and most visually stunning markets in Taipei. Visitors enter through an ornate gate and follow the aroma of baked pepper pork buns fresh from traditional ovens. The market offers a balanced mix of grilled squid, spare-rib soups, oyster vermicelli, mochi, stinky tofu, and herbal drinks. Lanterns hang above the crowds, lighting a path of food stalls on one side and game or souvenir stands on the other. The layout is organized, making it easy to explore without feeling lost. Raohe captures the charm of traditional Taipei while offering modern favorites, making it ideal for first-time visitors and returning food lovers alike.
2. Ximending Night Market
Located in the bustling Wanhua District, Ximending Night Market combines food, fashion, and entertainment in one of Taipei’s most energetic neighborhoods. It is known for its Taiwanese fried chicken, bubble tea, fruity shaved ice, sweet crepes, and international food trends. What sets Ximending apart is its youthful energy. Streets are full of local performers, colorful murals, and stylish shops selling clothes, gadgets, and accessories. The food is as diverse as the crowd, with both traditional and experimental flavors on offer. This market is ideal for people who want to combine street food with pop culture. It offers an exciting glimpse into modern Taipei life.
1. Shilin Night Market
Shilin Night Market is the largest and most famous night market in Taipei, often considered the ultimate destination for anyone wanting to experience local food culture. With over 500 food stalls, it has something for everyone: oversized fried chicken, oyster omelets, stinky tofu, steamed buns, grilled mushrooms, papaya milk, and traditional sausages.
An underground food court and nearby shopping lanes complete the experience. Shilin’s energy peaks around midnight as locals and tourists fill the alleys. There are arcade games, shops selling clothes and souvenirs, and rows of snack vendors offering nonstop flavor. It is accessible from Jiantan MRT Station, making it one of the easiest markets to visit. Shilin combines size, variety, and excitement in a way no other market does, earning its well-deserved place at number one.
