When many think of Taiwan, they think of a Taiwan night market.
That’s because these markets give you a glimpse into the country’s culture and a means to satisfy your hunger without spending a fortune at a restaurant.
So, you’re probably wondering what these night markets are and where they came from.
Keep reading and I’ll cover basic information about Taiwan night markets.
I’ll also list off most of the island nation’s street food markets and a general idea of where you can find them.
What Are Taiwan Night Markets?
A Taiwan night market, or 夜市 (yeshi), is a street market that operates between sunset and sunrise.
You will find these markets in either purpose-built venues, like Huaxi Night Market, or you’ll find food stalls and shops lining streets and occupying sidewalks.
These markets usually exist in suburban or urban areas throughout the country.
Taiwan has over 65 night markets as of now.
However, these markets tend to come and go depending on their demand.
These vendors mostly accept cash.
Sometimes they may accept alternative payment methods like LINE Pay or smart cards like Taiwan’s EasyCard.
Taiwan Night Market History: How Did It All Start?
Taiwan’s first night market, Shilin Night Market, popped up in 1899.
Most modern night markets didn’t debut until post-World War II.
Once they began emerging, vendors began hawking their food and wares to migrants who were rapidly building Taiwan during this period. They’d also sell inexpensive versions of banquet food to keep workers well-fed.
Around the 1960s’, Taiwan-made toys, garments, and other accessories began flooding these markets.
And as the 70s’ approached, manufacturers began shifting toward international markets, thus displacing these stores and bringing in handicrafts, Chinese medicine, and other shops.
By the time the ’80s hit, Taiwanese night markets had gift shops, high-quality garments, various vendors, and popular restaurants.
By then, it transitioned into becoming a popular culture.
What Can You Do at Night Markets in Taiwan?
For the most part, at Taiwanese night markets, you can buy xiaochi (fast food). In Mandarin Chinese, this translates to “small eats.”
Otherwise, you can buy specialty drinks like bubble tea or smoothies, explore clothing or souvenir shops, or play carnival-style games. Sometimes, you may find interesting vendors like the fortune-telling birds in Raohe Night Market.
If you see people lining up for a food stand, then that usually means the stand has really good food.
I recommend waiting in line if you have time.
Taiwan Night Markets Map
Central Taiwan Night Markets
Not much to say about central Taiwan.
So, I’m going to dive into the night markets in Miaoli, Yunlin, Changhua, Nantou, and counties in addition to Taichung City.
If you plan on visiting Taiwan’s Leofoo Village Theme Park and other attractions, save time and money. Get yourself an all-in-one ticket and experience central Taiwan’s wonders.
| Night Market | City |
|---|---|
| Jingcheng Night Market | Changhua |
| Lugang Night Market | Changhua |
| Caotun Night Market | Nantou |
| Fengjia Night Market | Taichung |
| Donghai Daxue Night Market (Tunghai Villa) | Taichung |
| Fengyuan Miaodong Night Market | Taichung |
| Zhonghua Night Market | Taichung |
| Yizhong Street Night Market | Taichung |
| Lufeng Night Market | Taichung |
East Taiwan Night Markets
No city- or county-specific markets here.
| Night Market | City |
|---|---|
| Dongdamen Night Market | Hualien |
| Dongqing Night Market | Lanyu (offshore island) |
| Ziqiang Night Market | Permanently closed |
North Taiwan Night Markets
Northern Taiwan is where you’ll find a majority of the population (and night markets).
| Night Market | City |
|---|---|
| Qingda (NTHU) Night Market | Hsinchu |
| Chenghuang (City God) Temple Night Market | Hsinchu |
| Zhongzhengtai Night Market | Hsinchu |
| Linkou Night Market | New Taipei |
| Luzhou Night Market | New Taipei |
| Datong Night Market | New Taipei |
| Nanya Night Market | New Taipei |
| Shalun Night Market | New Taipei |
| Lehua Night Market | New Taipei |
| Ji Ying Miao Night Market | New Taipei |
| Sanxia Night Market | New Taipei |
| Tamsui Yingzhuan Night Market | Permanently closed |
| Xinzhuang Night Market | New Taipei |
| Xingnan Night Market | New Taipei |
| Sanzhi Night Market | New Taipei |
| Sanhe Night Market | New Taipei |
| Zhongyang Night Market | New Taipei |
| Keelung Miaokou Night Market | Keelung |
| Nanjichang Night Market | Taipei |
| Ximending Night Market | Taipei |
| Shilin Night Market | Taipei |
| Raohe Street Night Market | Taipei |
| Linjiang Street Night Market | Taipei |
| Ningxia Night Market | Taipei |
| Dalong Night Market | Taipei |
| Gongguan Night Market | Taipei |
| Guangzhou Street Night Market | Taipei |
| Jingmei Night Market | Taipei |
| Liaoning Street Night Market | Taipei |
| Shida Night Market | Taipei |
| Shipai Night Market | Taipei |
| Shuang Cheng Street Night Market | Taipei |
| Tonghua Street Night market | Taipei |
| Yansan Night Market | Taipei |
| 737 Night Market | Taipei |
| Huaxi Street Night Market | Taipei |
| Zhongli Sinming Night Market | Taoyuan |
| Zhongyuan (Chungyuan) Night Market | Taoyuan |
| Taoyuan Tourism Night Market | Taoyuan |
| Xingren Garden Night Market | Taoyuan |
| Toucheng Night Market | Yilan |
| Luodong Night Market | Yilan |
| Dongmen Night Market | Yilan |
Explore More Things To Do in Northern Taiwan
South Taiwan Night Markets
Other than Taiwan’s outlying islands—with the exception of Lanyu—here are the rest of Taiwan’s night markets.
| Night Market | City |
|---|---|
| Wenhua Road Night Market | Chiayi |
| Chia-Le-Fu (Carrefour) Night Market | Chiayi |
| Liuhe Night Market | Kaohsiung |
| Kaisyuan Night Market | Kaohsiung |
| Ruifeng Night Market | Kaohsiung |
| Zhonghua Street Night Market | Kaohsiung |
| Tainan Flower Night Market | Tainan |
| Fuhua Night Market | Tainan |
| Wusheng Night Market | Tainan |
| Dadong (Ta-Tung) Night Market | Tainan |
| Xiaobei Night Market | Tainan |
Final Thoughts About Every Night Market in Taiwan
While I haven’t been to every night market in Taiwan, all of the ones that I’ve been to offer an amazing variety of food.
That’s why I highly recommend exploring all the markets you can during your stay in Taiwan.
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