Taiwan's Night Market Culture

The Taiwanese believe food is so important that the most common greeting used is "Have you eaten?" and an old Taiwanese saying says, "Eating is even more important than the Emperor." The culture of the night market is proof of this belief by the row upon row of food stalls available.

Bubble Tea

The Shilin market in the city of Taipei is the largest night market in Taiwan and offers public transportation to and from the market. Shilin offers Taiwanese gourmet snacks such as Bubble Tea, a milky tea that has pearls of tapioca added after boiling them in black sugar.

Night Market Game

Shops at night markets sell high-quality products of almost any kind at reasonable costs, making them an excellent shopping experience for tourists and locals alike. People frequently socialize during shopping or while playing games--for example, catching goldfish in nets in the Shilin market.

The concept of food in a night market compares somewhat to what the West views as "fair foods" sold at concession stands. The Taiwanese call night market foods "Xiaochi" food, which translates to "small food," meaning anything easily carried is sold in the food stalls.

Generally, night markets begin at sunset when vendors begin setting up shops and stalls. Depending on which night market it is, they close at between 11:00 p.m. and midnight.