Taiwan Delicacies to Bring Home

Some popular Taiwanese snacks and candy include nougats and pineapple cakes. Keep reading to find additional delicacies to bring home.

I’ve lived in Taiwan for more than 5 years and have tried and seen many snacks and candies. I want to provide recommendations based on my experience.

Popular Taiwanese Delicacies to Bring Home

Pineapple cakes	Sun cakes	Taiwanese nougat candies	Instant noodles
Taiwanese pastries	Egg rolls	Tea	Pork floss
Iron eggs	Dried fruits	Mochi

Best Taiwanese Food Souvenirs & Snacks

The following sections will explain what each popular Taiwanese snack is, where to get them, what they taste like, and their average price.

1. Pineapple Cakes

Taiwanese pineapple cakes are a sweet traditional pastry with butter, flour, egg, sugar, and pineapple jam or slices. They are typically square or rectangular, with a jammy pineapple filling encased in a tender short-crust pastry.

Pineapple cakes are a popular snack and dessert in Taiwan. They are also often given as gifts.

2. Sun Cakes

Taiwanese sun cakes (taiyang bing) are a pastry originating from Taichung, Taiwan. They are made with a flaky crust and a sweet filling, typically made of maltose (condensed malt sugar). The cakes are round and are about 2 inches in diameter.

Stores typically sell them in gift boxes as souvenirs. However, you’ll often find them sold individually in grocery stores or standalone bakeries.

Ingredients for these cakes involve flour, butter, sugar, maltose, eggs, milk, and salt.

3. Taiwanese Nougat Candies

Taiwanese nougat candies are typically chewy, dense, and grainy. The exact texture can vary depending on the ingredients and cooking method. 

For example, chocolate nougats are more dense and chewy than fruit nougats, which are often lighter and airier.

Taiwanese nougat candies are very popular in Taiwan. They are frequently sold in small, individually wrapped pieces, making them a convenient snack or souvenir. They are also popular in desserts, such as cakes and ice cream.

4. Instant Noodles

Taiwanese instant noodles are a popular snack and meal in Taiwan. They are also a popular export, and found in supermarkets and convenience stores around the world.

5. Taiwanese Pastries

Taiwanese pastries are a diverse and delicious array of sweet and savory treats. Various cultures, including Chinese, Japanese, and Dutch influence them.

Anything in this category involves baked goods throughout Taiwan. I’m not recommending anything specific here. I’m suggesting that you try some of Taiwan’s various baked goods.

6. Egg Roll Snack

These are a type of Taiwanese dessert made with a thin wrapper of dough that is filled with a sweet filling. The egg rolls are then deep-fried until golden brown.

Flavors you could find include:

• Chocolate
• Custard
• Red bean paste
• Green tea
• Sesame

Egg roll snacks are not the same as the savory Taiwanese egg roll snacks that are made with meat and vegetables. They are a sweet dessert snack that is made with a different type of dough and filling.

7. Tea Bags or Packages

Taiwanese tea is known for its unique flavor and aroma, which is often described as being smooth, delicate, and refreshing.

Some of the things that make Taiwanese tea different from tea from other countries include:

• Climate: Taiwan has a warm, humid climate that is ideal for growing tea leaves.
  • The variety of climate conditions helps to produce tea leaves with a complex & nuanced flavor.
• Soil: The soil in Taiwan is rich in nutrients, which helps to produce high-quality tea leaves.
  • The island is also home to a variety of minerals & trace elements that can be found in the tea leaves, giving them a unique flavor & aroma.
• Tea processing methods: Taiwanese tea makers have a long & rich tradition of tea processing.
  • They use traditional methods that have been passed down for generations, which helps to preserve the unique flavor & aroma of Taiwanese tea.

8. Pork Paper

Taiwanese pork paper is a type of dried pork snack popular in Taiwan. It’s made from thinly sliced pork and then marinated in a soy sauce-based mixture. The pork is then cooked and dried until it is crispy.

9. Iron Eggs

• Taste: salty
• Chinese name: 淡水阿婆鐵蛋

Tamsui iron eggs are a type of snack food that originated in the Tamsui District of New Taipei City, Taiwan. They are made by boiling eggs in a mixture of soy sauce, sugar, and spices, and then drying them.

The resulting eggs are dark brown and have a chewy texture. They are said to taste sweet, salty, and slightly spicy.

10. Dried Fruits

Taiwan’s home to various dried fruits like:

• Dragon fruit
• Lychee
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Goji berries
• Apricots
• Dates

These will vary by price depending on where you get them. I don’t recommend any specific brand or location to buy them from.

11. Mochi

Taiwanese mochi is a type of mochi that is made with glutinous rice flour, sugar, and water. It’s often filled with a variety of fillings. Taiwanese mochi is typically steamed or boiled, and then coated in a sweet glaze or dusted with powdered sugar.

You’ll find various flavors such as:

• Peanut butter
• Red bean
• Macha
• Custard
• Fruit
• Green tea

If you are looking for a delicious and unique snack or dessert, then Taiwanese mochi is a great option. It is certain to satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more.

Tips for Buying Taiwanese Food Souvenirs

Here are some tips for buying Taiwanese food souvenirs:

• Consider the recipient’s taste: When choosing food souvenirs, it is important to consider the recipient’s taste.
  • If you are not sure what they like, it is always a safe bet to choose something that is popular in Taiwan, such as pineapple cakes, mochi, or dried fruits.
• Buy from reputable vendors: When buying food souvenirs, it is important to buy from reputable vendors.
  • This will ensure that the food is fresh & of good quality.
• Check the expiration date: When buying food souvenirs, it is important to check the expiration date.
  • This will ensure that the food is still good when you give it to the recipient.
• Pack the food carefully: When packing food souvenirs, it is important to pack them carefully.
  • This will help to prevent the food from spoiling or getting damaged during transport.

If you have food restrictions (e.g., Halal or kosher), many shops will label them as so. And many food items won’t have English ingredients.

Do you have food allergies? I wouldn’t trust Google Translate for ingredient translations. I’d bring a local to translate the ingredients to prevent any mishaps.

Where to Buy Taiwanese Food Souvenirs

Find Taiwanese food souvenirs at the following places:

• Night markets
• Gift shops
• Boutique stores
• Hypermarkets
• Supermarkets
• Street food vendors
• Convenience stores

Hypermarkets and supermarkets offer the lowest prices among all these shops. Gift and boutique stores will often provide the highest-quality variations and brands of each food type.

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