Taiwan’s night markets have become one of the must-do activities for travelers, as they’re not only a foodie’s ultimate paradise but have also been deeply embedded in local culture.

It might be overwhelming as numerous stalls sizzle and shout for customer’s attention. Here are some traditional foods that Taiwan’s night markets are famous for, from stinky tofu to a tasty lemon aiyu jelly. A spectacular food adventure is about to start!

Stinky Tofu 臭豆腐 looks like fried tofu? Sure! But it’s really fermented bean curd, fried then drizzled with soy sauce, finally topped with pickled cabbage for crunch and sour balance against the salty sauce.

This is certainly a traditional food in Taiwan’s night markets that carries a strong scent but embodies large amounts of vitamin B. Travelers have mixed reviews about it, locals love it. Try it, then decide for yourself.

Honestly, Lemon Aiyu Jelly 檸檬愛玉 is the best treat on a hot summer day. Especially when it comes with sugar water and lemon slices. The plant and jelly were named after a Taiwanese tea entrepreneur’s daughter during the 1800s.

If you’re confused by what is Tube Rice Pudding 筒仔米糕, think of sticky rice and mushrooms fried together. Then stuff them in a bamboo tube to steam with pork and an egg. It’s served without the bamboo but topped with coriander and sauces. The scent is intoxicating.

Popcorn chicken won’t be the same after indulging in Taiwanese Fried Chicken 鹹酥雞. Fried, bite-size, salty, peppered and typically added with fried basil (which is a tasty gem.) BAM! It’ll be difficult not to crave for this snack everyday.

In most stalls, chickens are served as the base ingredient. For an order, customers can also select a large variety of items to be fried: yams, taros, squid, rice blood sausage, mushrooms…and much more.

Hail to the Taiwanese Hamburger 刈包! It juicily blends savory and sweet. Inside the buns – shaped like a pita bread with a fluffier dough – is typically a piece of ultra juicy and fatty pork belly with coriander, pickled Chinese cabbage sprinkled with peanut powder.

In addition to being a staple in Taiwan’s night markets, Taiwanese hamburgers are also devoured during festivals and special celebrations. Today in Western countries, Taiwanese Hamburgers are having a moment as even Michelin chefs are also creating their own flavorful versions.

Peanut Ice Cream Roll 花生捲冰淇淋 might sound strange, but it’s a treat which speaks to the quirkiness of Taiwan. Peanut ice cream itself is a traditional Taiwanese snack that used to be sold on old tricycles where the drivers/sellers honked on babu horns.

These rolls comprise of peanut ice cream wrapped in a crepe, sprinkled with peanut brittle and cilantro. Each bite consists of crunch, cream, herbal, sweet and nutty fragrance.

Oyster vermicelli 蚵仔麵線 is a dish all about textures. Smooth and thin vermicelli work against a dense yet slurpy soup. Oysters are fresh and tender while cut up intestines are chewy and flavorful. Sprinkled with coriander, this noodle soup is another outstanding choice at Taiwan’s night markets.

Rice Cake in a Bowl 碗粿 is a specialty derived from Tainan, a city in southern Taiwan. Ingredients include: mushrooms, pork, egg yolk and dried shrimp. Steamed over high heat, then topped with garlic soy sauce is a bowl of culinary gem. Some people even love it with dabs of wasabi.

Grilled Taiwanese Sausage 烤香腸 is synonymous with Taiwan’s night markets, simply because many are stationed at the beginning or end of the main street. The ingredients include pork, liquor and spices. Each is grilled as the orders are taken, and sizzles with sauce of choice: garlic, wasabi, basil, ginger…and more.

Big Sausage Wrapped in a Little Sausage 大腸包小腸 is basically a Taiwanese hot dog and comes in the form of two types of sausages: one grilled with sweet pork (see above,) the other is made of sticky rice. Squeeze the little one between the larger, shower some thick soy sauce on top, and it becomes the best sausage mashup any foodie has ever encountered!

Oyster Omelette 蚵仔煎 is the ultimate snack at Taiwan’s night markets that you’ll see everywhere. Little oysters scrambled in eggs and sweet potato starch create a nice chewy texture. Sweet and spicy sauce glazed on top completely defines this dish as an absolute food heaven. Other countries in Asia also serve their own versions, like in the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia.

If you’ve been to Japan and fell in love with “oden” (おでん,) then Tien Bu La 甜不辣 is Taiwanese version of fish paste molded in different elongated shapes. Fried in high temperature then boiled in broth for hours. Served in medium-sized bowls with chunks of radish (and sometimes pieces of rice blood sausage,) finally glazed with a muted rouge sweet sauce.

For the perfect bite-sized snack, try Fried Sweet Potato Balls 地瓜球 made from yams and rice flower fried in a giant pan of oil. Yams are often consumed in Taiwan since they’re also shaped like the island.

Once the dough transforms into fried balls and they float to the top of the pan, they’re ready to be eaten. For lovers of mochi, these delightful balls offer a similar chewy taste. Some vendors serve them with additional sauces, like chocolate.

Love a hot pocket? Try Pepper Pork Bun 胡椒餅, made in a hot clay pot. The buns are stuffed with steamy pork seasoned with flavorful black pepper. This is a must-eat at Taiwan’s night markets, especially at the famous stand inside Shilin Night Market.