Food Etiquette and Customs

Taiwanese dining etiquette blends Chinese traditions with local modifications and a generally relaxed approach that forgives most foreign faux pas. Nevertheless, understanding basic customs shows respect and helps you navigate social eating situations more comfortably.

Shared Eating Customs

Family-style sharing dominates traditional Taiwanese eating culture. At restaurants with round tables, dishes arrive in the centre and everyone serves themselves using communal spoons or chopsticks.

When serving yourself from shared dishes, take reasonable portions that leave enough for others. Don’t dig through dishes searching for premium pieces; take what’s accessible. If you’re eating with Taiwanese hosts, they’ll often serve you directly, particularly choice pieces: accept graciously rather than protesting, as this gesture expresses hospitality.

Chopstick Etiquette

Basic chopstick rules apply: never stick chopsticks vertically in rice (resembles funeral incense), don’t use chopsticks to point at people, and don’t pass food directly chopstick-to-chopstick (resembles funeral customs). Beyond these taboos, Taiwanese chopstick etiquette is fairly relaxed. If you struggle with chopsticks, most establishments can provide forks without judgment.

Resting chopsticks across your bowl or plate between bites is acceptable. Some restaurants provide chopstick rests; use them when available. After finishing, place chopsticks together on the table or plate rather than leaving them in bowls.

Drinking Etiquette

Tea or water appears automatically at most restaurants; this is standard service rather than a charge in most cases (though some finer establishments may charge).

When drinking alcohol socially, particularly in business or formal contexts, observe that Taiwanese drinking culture involves toasting and the concept of gan bei (乾杯, literally “dry glass,” meaning to drain your drink). However, the actual practice is less extreme than in some East Asian countries; token sips often suffice. If you don’t drink alcohol, simply declining is increasingly acceptable, particularly among younger Taiwanese.

Paying the Bill

Traditional Taiwanese custom involves one person paying the entire bill rather than splitting, with implicit reciprocity (I’ll pay this time, you’ll pay next time). When eating with Taiwanese acquaintances, expect potential disagreement or even mild “fighting” over who pays: this ritual demonstrates generosity and hospitality. Foreign visitors shouldn’t feel obligated to participate in this custom, but understanding it prevents confusion. But in everyday life, splitting the bill is very common.

For splitting bills among foreigners, casual restaurants usually accommodate separated payments if you ask. Self-service buffets and some chains explicitly allow individual payment. Tipping doesn’t exist in Taiwan; prices are final and service charges (usually 10%) are included in prices at restaurants that charge them (typically indicated on menus).

Table Manners

Taiwanese table manners are relatively casual. Making noise whilst eating noodle soup is acceptable and natural. Using provided napkins or tissues to wipe your mouth is normal. Reaching across the table for items is fine in casual settings, though in formal contexts, asking someone to pass items shows better manners.

Mobile phone use at tables has become ubiquitous, particularly photographing food. This behaviour is completely normalised; don’t feel self-conscious about taking photos. However, photographing other diners without permission remains intrusive.