Night markets in Taiwan
Encyclopedia
Night market
s in Taiwan
are street markets in Taiwan that operate in urban or suburban areas. They are similar to those in areas inhabited by ethnic Chinese
, such as Southeast Asia
. A few such as Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market (or Snake Alley) utilize purpose-built marketplace
s but most occupy either sidewalks (pavements) adjacent to streets or entire streets that are normal thoroughfares by day. Some night markets in smaller side streets or lanes feature retractable roofs. Most of the markets operate daily and feature a mixture of individual stalls hawking clothing, consumer goods, xiaochi
(snacks or fast food
; siaochi in Tongyong
), and specialty drink
s. The atmosphere is usually crowded and noisy with hawker
s shouting and fast-paced music playing over loudspeaker
s.
, these dishes are often taken as carry-out items, but many sellers provide a few small folding tables with stools. These dishes are offered at low prices, usually around $30 to $50 NTD
(≈$1-$1.75 USD). Visitors whom expect to eat enough to be full during a trip to the night market will usually spend around $100 to $300 NTD (≈$3-$10 USD). Most night markets also have some small restaurants which provide a number of simple courses that allow people to finish a full meal without having to eat their way through the entire market.
Though some of the xiaochi foods available will change from year to year with passing fads, certain xiaochi foods such as oyster omelets (蚵仔煎 ô-á-chian), chicken shawarma
(沙威瑪 shāwēimǎ), and stinky tofu
(臭豆腐 chhàu tāu-hū) persist, and have become staples in many night markets. Sometimes, the night markets of a city, or even just one particular market within that city, become well known for a certain type of food that is unique to the area, or prepared particularly well there. For example, Tainan has become known for its noodles (擔仔麵 tàⁿ-á-mī) and "coffin cakes" (棺材板 guāncáibǎn), bread baked into the shape of a coffin, hollowed out, and then stuffed. In Taipei, the Shilin night market features a particular store which is well known for serving tasty fried chicken breast, in large portions, and for a low price. There is also the Iron-egg (鐵蛋) from Tamsui.
In recent years, many of the night markets have become popular tourist destinations among sightseeing foreign travelers. It’s common to see many travelers with cameras, snapping photographs amidst the crowds (and of the crowds) within the streets. Some of the night markets, such as the Shilin (at Yuanshan
, Taipei) and Shida night markets (next to National Taiwan Normal University
) are among the first places that Taiwanese students will bring international students for a cultural experience.
In addition to food, night markets feature various forms of entertainment and a lot of shopping. Numerous products for sale include clothes, bags, shoes, trinkets, kitchen items, etc. Carnival-style games
are typically available to play for the price of a few coins. The night market in Tamsui is especially well known for featuring traditional carnival games such as balloon shooting, net fish, shooting marbles, and an assortment of mini games that could only have otherwise been seen many years ago.
Night market
Night markets or night bazaars are street markets which operate at night and are generally dedicated to more leisurely strolling, shopping, and eating than more businesslike day markets.-Geographical spread:...
s in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
are street markets in Taiwan that operate in urban or suburban areas. They are similar to those in areas inhabited by ethnic Chinese
Han Chinese
Han Chinese are an ethnic group native to China and are the largest single ethnic group in the world.Han Chinese constitute about 92% of the population of the People's Republic of China , 98% of the population of the Republic of China , 78% of the population of Singapore, and about 20% of the...
, such as Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
. A few such as Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market (or Snake Alley) utilize purpose-built marketplace
Marketplace
A marketplace is the space, actual, virtual or metaphorical, in which a market operates. The term is also used in a trademark law context to denote the actual consumer environment, ie. the 'real world' in which products and services are provided and consumed.-Marketplaces and street markets:A...
s but most occupy either sidewalks (pavements) adjacent to streets or entire streets that are normal thoroughfares by day. Some night markets in smaller side streets or lanes feature retractable roofs. Most of the markets operate daily and feature a mixture of individual stalls hawking clothing, consumer goods, xiaochi
Xiaochi
Xiaochi are an important category of Chinese food, substantial snacks along the lines of Spanish tapas or Levantine meze.Xiaochi are not typically cooked in homes nor are they featured prominently on the menus of more formal reaturants...
(snacks or fast food
Fast food
Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly. While any meal with low preparation time can be considered to be fast food, typically the term refers to food sold in a restaurant or store with preheated or precooked ingredients, and served to the customer in a...
; siaochi in Tongyong
Tongyong Pinyin
Tongyong Pinyin was the official Romanization of Mandarin Chinese in the Republic of China between 2002 and 2008. The system was unofficially used between 2000 and 2002, when a new romanization system for the Republic of China was being evaluated for adoption. The ROC's Ministry of Education...
), and specialty drink
Drink
A drink, or beverage, is a liquid which is specifically prepared for human consumption. In addition to fulfilling a basic human need, beverages form part of the culture of human society.-Water:...
s. The atmosphere is usually crowded and noisy with hawker
Hawker (trade)
A hawker is a vendor of merchandise that can be easily transported; the term is roughly synonymous with peddler or costermonger. In most places where the term is used, a hawker sells items or food that are native to the area...
s shouting and fast-paced music playing over loudspeaker
Loudspeaker
A loudspeaker is an electroacoustic transducer that produces sound in response to an electrical audio signal input. Non-electrical loudspeakers were developed as accessories to telephone systems, but electronic amplification by vacuum tube made loudspeakers more generally useful...
s.
Night markets in Taiwan today
Night markets in Taiwan have become famous for their xiaochi foods (xiaochi roughly translates to "small eats" or finger foods). Served in portions similar to Spanish tapasTapas
Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers, or snacks, in Spanish cuisine. They may be cold or warm ....
, these dishes are often taken as carry-out items, but many sellers provide a few small folding tables with stools. These dishes are offered at low prices, usually around $30 to $50 NTD
New Taiwan dollar
The New Taiwan dollar , or simply Taiwan dollar, is the official currency of the Taiwan Area of the Republic of China since 1949, when it replaced the Old Taiwan dollar...
(≈$1-$1.75 USD). Visitors whom expect to eat enough to be full during a trip to the night market will usually spend around $100 to $300 NTD (≈$3-$10 USD). Most night markets also have some small restaurants which provide a number of simple courses that allow people to finish a full meal without having to eat their way through the entire market.
Though some of the xiaochi foods available will change from year to year with passing fads, certain xiaochi foods such as oyster omelets (蚵仔煎 ô-á-chian), chicken shawarma
Shawarma
Shawarma is a Levantine Arab sandwich-like wrap of shaved lamb, goat, chicken, turkey, beef, or mixed meats. The meat is placed on a spit, and may be grilled for as long as a day. It is eaten with pita bread, tabbouleh, fattoush, taboon bread, tomato and cucumber. Toppings include tahini, hummus,...
(沙威瑪 shāwēimǎ), and stinky tofu
Stinky tofu
Stinky tofu or chòu dòufu is a form of fermented tofu that has a strong odor. It is a popular snack in East and Southeast Asia, particularly mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong and in East Asian enclaves elsewhere where it is usually found homemade, at night markets or roadside stands, or as a...
(臭豆腐 chhàu tāu-hū) persist, and have become staples in many night markets. Sometimes, the night markets of a city, or even just one particular market within that city, become well known for a certain type of food that is unique to the area, or prepared particularly well there. For example, Tainan has become known for its noodles (擔仔麵 tàⁿ-á-mī) and "coffin cakes" (棺材板 guāncáibǎn), bread baked into the shape of a coffin, hollowed out, and then stuffed. In Taipei, the Shilin night market features a particular store which is well known for serving tasty fried chicken breast, in large portions, and for a low price. There is also the Iron-egg (鐵蛋) from Tamsui.
In recent years, many of the night markets have become popular tourist destinations among sightseeing foreign travelers. It’s common to see many travelers with cameras, snapping photographs amidst the crowds (and of the crowds) within the streets. Some of the night markets, such as the Shilin (at Yuanshan
Yuanshan Station
The Taipei Metro Yuanshan Station is located between the Zhongshan and Datong districts in Taipei, Taiwan. It is a station on the Tamsui Line . There was a station of the same name on the now-defunct TRA Tamsui Line.-Station overview:...
, Taipei) and Shida night markets (next to National Taiwan Normal University
National Taiwan Normal University
National Taiwan Normal University is an institution of higher learning operating on three campuses in Taipei, Taiwan . NTNU is widely recognized as one of Taiwan's elite institutions of higher education. The university enrolls approximately 11,000 students each year. The ratio of undergraduate to...
) are among the first places that Taiwanese students will bring international students for a cultural experience.
In addition to food, night markets feature various forms of entertainment and a lot of shopping. Numerous products for sale include clothes, bags, shoes, trinkets, kitchen items, etc. Carnival-style games
Carnival game
A carnival game is a game of chance or skill that can be seen at a traveling carnival, charity fund raiser, amusement park, or on a state and county fair midway....
are typically available to play for the price of a few coins. The night market in Tamsui is especially well known for featuring traditional carnival games such as balloon shooting, net fish, shooting marbles, and an assortment of mini games that could only have otherwise been seen many years ago.
See also
- Night marketNight marketNight markets or night bazaars are street markets which operate at night and are generally dedicated to more leisurely strolling, shopping, and eating than more businesslike day markets.-Geographical spread:...
- List of night markets in Taiwan
- Taiwanese cuisineTaiwanese cuisineTaiwanese cuisine has several variations. In addition to the following representative dishes from the people of Hoklo ethnicity , there are also Aboriginal, Hakka, and local derivatives of Chinese cuisines .Taiwanese cuisine itself is often associated with influences from mid to southern...
- Street foodStreet foodStreet food is ready-to-eat food or drink sold in a street or other public place, such as a market or fair, by a hawker or vendor, often from a portable stall. While some street foods are regional, many are not, having spread beyond their region of origin. Most street food are both finger and fast...