Regional Specialties

Taiwan’s compact size belies its regional culinary diversity. Whilst you can find most Taiwanese dishes anywhere, certain specialties remain intrinsically linked to their places of origin, reflecting local history, available ingredients, and distinct cultural influences.

Northern Taiwan

The north, as Taiwan’s political and economic centre, showcases the full range of Chinese regional cuisines brought by post-1949 migrants whilst maintaining distinct local traditions. Keelung’s harbour heritage makes it particularly renowned for seafood preparations, with the Miaokou Night Market featuring specialties like oyster omelettes and cuttlefish soup that exemplify the port city’s character. The greater Taipei area became the crucible where mainland Chinese regional cuisines adapted and evolved, making it the best place to explore beef noodle soup variations or to find relatively authentic Sichuan, Hunanese, or Shanghainese restaurants. It is easy to find various styles of food from other countries since it is the most international region in Taiwan. Besides, lots of high-end restaurants sit in the northern Taiwan, suitable for formal occasions.

Northern specialties also include foods reflecting Japanese influence more heavily, given this region’s role as the colonial administrative centre. The breakfast culture here, with its profusion of Western-Taiwanese hybrid breakfast shops, demonstrates this legacy most clearly.

Central Taiwan

Central Taiwan developed somewhat independently, with stronger links to traditional Fujianese and Hakka communities. Taichung claims several iconic dishes, most notably sun cakes (a flaky pastry with maltose filling) and bubble tea, which allegedly originated here in the 1980s. The region’s xiaochi culture emphasises simplicity and robust flavours, evident in dishes like Changhua meatballs (bawan), which differ notably from versions found elsewhere.

The central region also benefits from agricultural abundance. Nantou’s mountainous interior produces exceptional tea, particularly oolongs, whilst the coastal areas provide fresh seafood. This combination of mountain and sea ingredients characterises many central Taiwanese specialties.

Southern Taiwan

Tainan, Taiwan’s oldest city, claims the most distinctive regional food culture and generates the most passionate culinary debates. As the first major Chinese settlement, Tainan preserved Fujianese culinary traditions with particular purity whilst developing unique local variations. The city’s food runs noticeably sweeter than northern Taiwan, reflecting both Fujianese preferences and the historical sugar industry.

Tainan specialties include coffin bread (a hollowed-out toast filled with creamy seafood), danzai noodles (a delicate shrimp and pork noodle soup), and shrimp rolls. The city’s breakfast culture deserves special mention; Tainan takes morning eating seriously, with many famous establishments serving only breakfast and closing by noon. Dishes like beef soup (available only in morning hours when the meat is freshest) and savoury congees represent a breakfast culture quite different from northern Taiwan’s Western-influenced offerings.

Eastern Taiwan

Eastern Taiwan’s relative geographic isolation and strong indigenous presence created a food culture distinct from the west coast. Aboriginal influences appear more prominently, particularly in preparations using wild plants, traditional preservation methods, and particular proteins. Hualien’s proximity to the Pacific makes it exceptional for seafood, whilst both Hualien and Taitung benefit from pristine agricultural conditions that produce outstanding rice, vegetables, and fruit.

Eastern specialties include foods that rarely travel well and are thus worth seeking specifically when in the region: certain aboriginal preparations, ultra-fresh fish preparations, and items showcasing the area’s exceptional raw ingredients. The slower pace and less commercialised food scene mean that finding outstanding eating experiences requires more research and local guidance than in major western cities.