Gourmet Guide
Taichung, a vibrant and productive city, is not only rich in culture and history, but also a paradise for gourmets, who are looking for traditional old-timey flavors or innovative high-end cuisine, there are choices for you.
You can enjoy discovering the traditional local cuisine, the diverse night markets for eating, drinking and playing, the various must-buy gifts, and the international Michelin Guide restaurants, and if you taste carefully, you will find the beauty of Taichung in every bite.
Join us on this journey of delicious discovery!
Michelin Guide
Want to experience the finest flavors with international influence? “The Michelin Guide” is considered by gourmets as one of the culinary indicators of the city.
The food map of Taichung not only features well-known starred restaurants: one-star restaurants for “quality food worth visiting”, two-star restaurants for “excellent food worth a visit”, and three-star restaurants for “one of the best food worth a special visit”, but also popular and affordable restaurants that are recommended by Bib Gourmand, so you can enjoy a good meal at an affordable price. Last but not least, the selected restaurants have the potential to be recommended or starred by the Bib Gourmand, so it's worth a try! Plan a “Michelin Guide” culinary journey and discover your own gourmet map in Taichung!
Local Cuisine
Tasting local food is the starting point for getting to know a city, and the traditional market is the place where such food gathers for local people. To know more about Taichung, why don't you start by eating a good meal first? These local delicacies are not only the daily life of Taichung people, but also the taste of home for those who have left their hometowns, and the taste memories that travelers will keep in their hearts at all times.
Second MarketEnjoy a variety of traditional and affordable dishes in a market with more than 100 years of history.Since its operation during the Japanese colonial period, the Second Market in Taichung has contained many traditional restaurants that have been passed down for generations, such as braised pork rice, fried radish cake, black tea, yi noodle, and minced pork rice, all of which offer traditional flavors at an affordable price.- Fifth MarketA traditional morning market that combines snacks and necessities, where you can enjoy a culinary journey with local residents.Located next to the Taichung Literature Museum, the Fifth Market is the first choice of locals for morning shopping and eating. The famous rice balls, thick rice vermicelli soup, oyster congee, frozen taro, and iced black tea not only satisfy gourmets' taste buds, but have also become the delicacies that tourists would like to try out.
- Fourth MarketWith design elements from Taiwan's traditional markets, visitors can experience a new style of coffee and snacks in Taiwan.Brought to a new life, the Fourth Market continues its history and transforms into a cultural experience space, selling coffee and snacks developed from traditional market concepts, preserving the traces of the old days and creating a new look.
- Shuinan MarketDiscover Taichung's hidden culinary treasures and a collection of popular affordable gourmet foods that have created a queue.With a strong gourmet lineup, Shuinan Market is one of the traditional markets in the area, with business hours mainly in the morning, and long lines for many popular snacks early in the morning, including leek dumplings, cold noodles, and pan-fried buns, waiting for you to taste them.
Night Market Snacks
After the morning markets close, the Taichung night markets take over, making for a non-stop food marathon! Nightlife in Taichung must include a visit to the night markets, each with unique snacks to attract you.
Located next to the university, Fengchia Night Market is one of the most famous night markets in Taichung, where you can get energized again with a meal of Chinese omelet, Taiwanese oden, or Takoyaki. Also close to the school district is the Yizhong Street Night Market, where you can enjoy the must-try Fengren 'Crazy Person' Shaved Ice and chicken fillet, as well as many popular clothing stores that will satisfy your shopping cravings at the same time. The Dong Hai Night Market is also popular with the younger crowd. From chicken feet gelatine and pancakes to Taiwanese meatball, you can taste everything at a reasonable price, and enjoy the bustling atmosphere of the night market as you eat and stroll around.
The Zhongxiao Night Market, near the Third Market, is famous for its variety of cuisines, with not only food stalls but also many restaurants to choose from, including the popular Job's tears milk, fried Spanish mackerel thick soup, and savory rice cake, each of which offers you a taste of the rich local specialties. In addition, you can't miss the nostalgic delicacies at the Hanxi Night Market and the Miao Dong Night Market. Through the night market snacks, you can experience the local flavor and delicious food, so you can feel the passion of Taichung while savoring the food! Prepare your appetite and enjoy this delicious feast in the night time!
Must-buy Gifts
There are many specialty gifts in Taichung, ranging from traditional cakes and pastries to modern creative desserts, and the variety of choices is sure to satisfy your taste buds as well as those of your family and friends.
In addition to the most representative “Sun Cakes”, which are popular with customers at home and abroad, “Taro Pastry” is another irresistible delicacy. Dajia taro is famous all over Taiwan, and the unique aroma of taro can be felt in every bite, which has strong local characteristics; classic desserts such as multi-layered egg rolls, nougat cakes, and lemon cakes are the best companions for afternoon tea; and tea gift boxes and lacquer wares are also elegant gift choices with good taste.
Taichung gifts not only carry the culture and flavor of the city, but also provide a beautiful travel memory.
- Sun CakesThe sun cakes are round in shape and have thin multi-layered crusts. With a single bite, the sweetness of the traditional maltose filling blends with the flavor of the cake, leaving you captivated after one taste, and making it a classic must-buy gift in Taichung.
- Taro PastriesTaichung's Dajia is abundant in taro, which is the reason for the birth of the taro pastry in the shape of a round ball. The sweet and creamy taro paste wrapped in a crispy crust makes it an instant favorite, and it has even been selected as a snack for national banquets and as a diplomatic gift!
- Multi-layered egg rollsThe newly popular multi-layered egg rolls are delicate, crunchy, and full of egg aroma. With coffee or tea, you can't help but take a bite after a bite, and the different exquisite shapes make it an excellent choice for gift-giving.
- Nougat Cakes“Nougat Cakes” are a combination of soda crackers and creamy, non-sticky nougat filling, with a salty-sweet mix of crunchy and soft texture, which is absolutely a good companion for afternoon tea.
- Lemon CakesCompared with other desserts, Lemon Cake offers a sweet and sour flavor which is not greasy. The light yellow body of the cake has a soft texture and rich layers, which makes it even more delicious when served cold, popular among people of all ages.
- Tea gift boxesThe high altitude mountains of Taichung are blessed with plenty of mist and sunshine, and the teas produced here are of exceptional quality, with clear broths, rich flavors, and sweet aftertaste. Oolong teas are the most well-known, and are available in a variety of gift boxes.
- LacquerwaresTaichung's Fengyuan is the home of Taiwan lacquerwares. Not only are there everyday items such as chopsticks, cups, and plates, but there is also a gradual development of works of art, such as gourds and ornaments that are worth collecting.