While tourists head to Fengchia Night Market and Yizhong Street, all the locals know that Hanxi Night Market is where the real deal is.
Many tourists coming to Taichung automatically head for Fengchia Night Market or Yizhong Street. While those two are ones that I enjoy going to myself, they’ve been popularized to the point where they really don’t feel as traditional anymore.
Hanxi Night Market is one that I’ve been hearing Taichung locals rave about since my first year of uni, so I’m surprised it took me that long to visit!
I love that it is structured like all the night markets that I used to go to as a kid- a ‘closed-style’ night market with all the food stalls lined up in a huge vacant parking lot. I’ll never understand those open-styled night markets along the streets that allow scooters and cars to freely pass by.
After spending a night binging at Hanxi Night Market, I can confirm that this night market does live up to the hype. So without further ado, let’s get eating!
Everything to Eat at Hanxi Night Market
Pineapple Slushie 正豐原祖傳鳳梨冰
This pineapple slushie is arguably the most popular stall of Hanxi Night Market. There’s always a huge crowd waiting in line from the moment they open. And after trying for myself yesterday, I definitely get why. This pineapple slushie feels like heaven in a cup on a hot summer day, and even more so if you’re a pineapple lover.
If you want to avoid the long line at peak hour (legend says customers have waited up to an hour and a half), come just before the sun sets. We waited for only 10 minutes.
Rating: 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌝
Garlic Marinated Dougan 方臉師傅豆干
If you’re not completely new to Taiwanese cuisine, then you might know that dougan is a form of dried tofu eaten all across Taiwan. This marinated dougan stall is another favorite of locals coming to Hanxi Night Market.
I personally am not a big fan of dougan. I much prefer tofu and the other soybean counterparts. Nonetheless, I was completely surprised at how flavorful the marinated dougan tasted, made even better with the copious amount of garlic and chili on top. If I enjoyed this dougan, then you most definitely will as well.
Rating: 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌜
Indian Naan 印度阿三甩餅
I actually only tried this because there were a lot of people lining up for it, so I figured it must be good. It’s a stall run by an Indian couple selling naan in various flavors. I really wanted to try the curry flavored ones, but at that point I was already too full for another bite of anything savory. I could only stomach desserts so I got the chocolate and condensed milk flavored naan. While it was nothing extraordinary, it was still very good. Will definitely be back to try the curry naans next time!
Rating: 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌜
Stinky Tofu
Stinky tofu is something you couldn’t possibly miss out on at a night market in Taiwan! Love it or hate it, you gotta give it at least one shot. This time we got our stinky tofu from this stand shown in the photo- it was very standard stinky tofu. Nothing special but still really tasty!
If you’re in Taichung, you might also want to check out my favorite stinky tofu restaurant here.
Rating: 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌝
Scholar Cake 狀元糕
Scholar cake is a very traditional Chinese pastry dating back ancient China. It gets its name scholar cake because the shape of it looks like a hat of a scholar, and many students eat it before exam day as a sign of good luck. It is usually filled with sesame and peanut fillings.
Believe it or not, it’s actually my first time trying scholar cake. Now it is up there with all of my favorite desserts, it is very traditional and I love the taste of the fluffy yet slightly sticky cake.
Rating: 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌝 🌝
Hanxi Night Market is open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. If you’re planning a visit, be sure to plan it around these nights.
Night markets are the soul of Taiwan, it’s where everything comes alive after the sun’s gone down. You can’t say you’ve been to Taiwan if you haven’t visited at least one night market before!
What are some of your favorite night market foods? Let me know in the comment section!
Until Next Time,
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