Eastern Asia
Food of Taiwan
The 7 most iconic national dishes of Taiwan — real photos, key ingredients and tasty facts behind every plate.
Asia
Beef noodle soup
Taiwan’s signature noodle dish features tender braised beef and chewy wheat noodles in a rich, aromatic broth. It is typically savory, mildly spicy, and deeply beefy.
Did you know?
Taipei hosts an annual beef noodle festival, reflecting the dish’s status as one of Taiwan’s best-known national foods.
Lu rou fan
This beloved comfort food is a bowl of rice topped with finely chopped pork belly braised in soy sauce and spices. It is glossy, fragrant, and intensely savory.
Did you know?
Lu rou fan is especially associated with Taiwan’s everyday home cooking and is a staple in humble eateries across the island.
Oyster omelette
A night-market classic made with small oysters, eggs, greens, and a starch batter that gives it a distinctive soft-chewy texture. It is usually finished with a sweet-savory reddish sauce.
Did you know?
The dish is also popular in Fujian and Chaozhou cuisine, but it is especially iconic in Taiwanese night markets.
Gua bao
Often described as a Taiwanese pork belly bun, gua bao sandwiches braised pork in a fluffy folded steamed bun. Peanuts, pickled mustard greens, and cilantro give it a sweet, salty, and herbal balance.
Did you know?
Because of its bun shape and fillings, gua bao is sometimes nicknamed the “Taiwanese hamburger.”
Bubble tea
Taiwan’s world-famous drink combines sweet milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls. It is creamy, refreshing, and playful in texture.
Did you know?
Bubble tea originated in Taiwan in the 1980s before becoming a global craze.
Iron egg
These dark, chewy eggs are repeatedly braised and air-dried until they become concentrated in flavor and rubbery in texture. They are intensely savory with a slightly sweet soy aroma.
Did you know?
Iron eggs are strongly associated with the old street-food culture of Tamsui in northern Taiwan.
Coffin bread
A thick slice of deep-fried toast is hollowed out and filled with a creamy savory stew, creating a dramatic box-like shape. The contrast between crisp bread and rich filling makes it especially memorable.
Did you know?
Coffin bread is a specialty of Tainan and got its name from its resemblance to a small coffin.