Between many restaurants and Ximending Night Market, there is a ton of food options when it comes to eating in Ximending. And you might need a few days to a few weeks to try everything!
But if you have limited time in Taipei and want to try the delicious food in Ximending, then look no further. Follow my Ximending food guide and learn what to eat in Ximending for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are also Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants that offer excellent food but doesn’t hurt your wallet.
If you are a foodie or someone who enjoys new food experiences, then keep reading and find out what my top picks are.
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Table of Contents
Before you try the best Ximending food in Taipei
Before you dive into my Ximending food guide, take a look at my post on all my best tips for travelling to Taiwan. I included information like getting a Taiwan prepaid SIM card, transportation around the country and more.
And check out more tips on my solo travel guide to Taipei and learn about other attractions in Taipei.
Here are a few additional tips for eating in Ximending:
- Don’t be afraid of the language barrier. Many vendors speak a bit of English, so don’t let that stop you from trying delicious food in Ximending.
- Check the hours of operation before you go. Some Ximending restaurants only serve breakfast and are open during the day, while others have specific opening hours.
- Look for long queues for any Ximending restaurant or food stall. When there is a long queue, it means the food is excellent and worth the wait!
- If you like late-night snacks, Ximending Night Market is the best place to be.
- I always stay near the Ximending area whenever I am in Taipei because I want to be in close proximity to delicious food. No joke – that really is my intention! I included some of the places in my list of places to stay in Taipei.
Where to eat in Ximending Map: top 21 food to try
So without further ado, here are my recommendations for the best food in Ximending.
I pinned all 21 places on the interactive map so you can find each location easily. Click on the individual pin for more information. And I also included a Google Maps link for each of the 21 food to try in Ximending.
Ximending breakfast restaurants
1. Yong He Soy Milk King (永和豆漿大王)
There are many excellent breakfast places in Taipei, but Yong He Soy Milk King (永和豆漿大王)makes the best Taiwanese breakfast! The local restaurant serves traditional Taiwanese breakfasts likeclay oven rolls, rice rolls, egg pancakes, dumplings and soy milk.
I tried almost everything on the breakfast menu. AndI have to say, everything at Yong He Soy Milk is delicious! Whenever I am in Ximending for breakfast, I always go to Yong He Soy Milk.
The restaurant is so popular that there are other locations in Taipei! In fact, there’s one on 30 Hankou Street, which is half a minute away.
Yong He Soy Milk King Address: No. 17, Hanzhong St, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 6am-12pm Monday to Friday; 6-11:30am Saturday to Sunday
Insider tip: Go on a weekday, as the queue for breakfast on the weekends and holidays are incredibly long. If possible, go super early or have a late breakfast.
2. Gan Mei Alley (甘妹弄堂)
Gan Mei Alley (甘妹弄堂) is a small restaurant serving many types of deliciousHakka-style food for breakfast, lunch and dinnerin Ximending.
Between 8am and 11am, they have many breakfast items, includingegg pancakes, rice rolls and dumplings. You can order individual items or combos like their signature iron plate chive soup dumplings, egg pancake and cold tea (what I ordered). It was delicious!
Prices are a bit higher at this Ximending breakfast joint, but the restaurant atmosphere is quite nice.
Gan Mei Alley Address:No. 130, Kunming St, Wanhua District, Taipei City |Hours:8am-9pm Friday to Monday; 8am-2:30pm Wednesday and Thursday (closed Tuesdays)
Insider tip: Make sure you go to Gam Mei Alley before 11am if you want to try their breakfast. Otherwise, the other food items on the menu look good too.
3. Big Sister Fried Bun (大姐水煎包)
大姐水煎包 (direct translation means “big sister fried bun) is a 24-hour restaurant that serves many traditional Taiwanese foods like scallion pancakes, beef noodles, congee and etc. Besides all the savoury food, they also make red bean, black sesame and taro desserts.
What I really like is their fried buns. They are pan-fried buns with different fillings like pork, leek or cabbage and are about the size of your palm. They make an excellent breakfast, especially if you are not too hungry or want a quick snack.
大姐水煎包 Address: No. 44, Section 2, Hankou St, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 24 hours
Insider tip: Here is a quick guide: 豬肉包 (pork bun), 韭菜包 (leek bun), and 高麗菜 (cabbage bun).
Local food you can only find in Ximending
4. Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (阿宗麵線)
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle (阿宗麵線) only makes one thing: soup! It is a flavourful thick soup broth with flour rice noodles, soy-braised pig intestinesand cilantro.
I typically eat nothing weird, including animal innards, organs, offals, etc. But I have to say, this soup was delicious, and it does not taste “organ-y.” It tastes rather good!
Perhaps, it might be the chilli sauce and black vinegar they put on top? Or maybe it is cooked with secret seasonings?Who knows?! All I know is I want more!
Ay-Chung Flour-Rice Noodle Address: No. 8-1, Emei Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 8:30am-10:30pm Monday to Thursday; 8:30am-11pm Friday to Sunday
Insider tip: There is always a long queue, but don’t be intimidated by everyone waiting; the queue moves quickly. You can eat on the spot or ask for a lid for take-away.
5. Simon Tian Bu La (賽門甜不辣)
Simon Tian Bu La (賽門甜不辣)is one of the oldest restaurants in Ximending, and they serve tianbula (Taiwanese tempura).It s a typical Taiwanese snackderived from the Japanese one-pot dish called Oden. Basically, tianbula is a bowl full of deep-fried fish paste folded into various shapes served with a homemade tangy-sweet sauce.
When at Tian Bu La, order甜不辣 (tianbula) for a small bowl of deep-fried goodness. Make sure to drink the soup too! It is so good!
If you really want tianbula and want a quick fix, 7-Eleven’s in Taiwan sells really good tianbula too.
Simon Tian Bu La Address: No. 95, Xining Rd, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 10:30am-10pm
Insider tip: There is a menu on the wall near the entrance, and I ordered by pointing to 甜不辣. I mistakenly paid right away, whereas locals paid after they finished. Either way is fine.
6. Chengdu Star Fruit Ice (成都楊桃冰)
Operating since 1966, Chengdu Star Fruit Ice (成都楊桃冰) only sells pineapple ice and starfruit ice.Locals love this place and the shaved ice treats! And I can see why – the drink is so refreshing and thirst-quenching.
I ordered the pineapple ice in a cup. It has chunks of sweet pineapple inside. If you like a sweet and sour flavour, try the starfruit ice!
The retro cafe is no longer around. But the new and improved location is just around the corner.
Chengdu Star Fruit Ice Address: No. 144-1, Section 1, Zhonghua Rd, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 12-10:30pm Wednesday to Monday; 1-10:30pm Tuesdays
Insider tip: It was super helpful that the person behind the counter speaks English because I had no idea what I would try. The drink comes in either a bowl or a cup, and I ordered the pineapple ice based on his suggestion.
Ximending Night Market food
7. J&G Fried Chicken (繼光香香雞)
J&G Fried Chicken (繼光香香雞) is one of the staple fried chicken food outlets in Taiwan. They serve the best bite-size crispy boneless fried chicken!
Order asignature popcorn chicken. Taste thetender and juicy pieces of chicken breast meat flavoured and fried to perfection.Or try their fried squid. They are both made to order. So watch out – it is piping hot!
J&G Fried Chicken Address: No. 121, Section 1, Hanzhong Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 12-10pm Monday to Thursday; 12-11pm Friday to Sunday
Insider tip: This Ximending food stall is just a food counter with no seating. But you can eat and walk around Ximending at the same time.
8. Monga Fried Chicken (艋舺ㄟ雞排)
Monga Fried Chicken (艋舺ㄟ雞排) specializes in fried chicken filet, wherea piece of the chicken filet is flattened into a 2cm thick steak and deep-fried. It is thick enough to keep the chicken moist and thin enough to fry without drying the inside.
Try the original flavour if you have never had fried chicken in Taiwan. But if you feel adventurous, try the seaweed flavour chicken fillet or the chilli flavour chicken filet.
Monga Fried Chicken Address: No. 110, Section 1, Zhonghua Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 2-10:30pm
Insider tip: It takes a few minutes to fry the chicken filet. If there is a long queue, the wait might be longer. They will call your number when your food is ready. You can sit on one of the plastic stools in front of the restaurant while you wait.
9. Shi Yun Crispy Salted Fried Chicken (師園鹽酥雞)
I know I already have two fried chicken places on my Ximdending food list, but you can never get enough fried chicken, right?
I walked by Shi Yun Crispy Salted Fried Chicken (師園鹽酥雞), and knew I had to try something there because I really like the retro vibe of this restaurant.
So I studied their English menu, ordered fried chicken and tempura (fish cake), and waited a few minutes. Wow! They were both so good! Fried basil was added to the mix, adding an extra flavour layer.
Shi Yun Crispy Salted Fried Chicken Address: No. 28, Chengdu Rd, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 12pm-12am
Insider tip: There are many fried food items on the menu. If you cannot decide, check out the ones with a thumbs-up symbol for recommendations.
10. Lao Tian Lu (老天祿滷味)
At Lao Tian Lu (老天祿滷味), they specialize in braised duck and chicken, including wings, kidneys and other funky parts that you may or may not want to know. And they also have braised eggs and tofu for takeaway.
There are long queues most days, especially in the evening. This store has been around for 60 years. Pop in and see if there is anything that you would like to try. Pick the specific items, and they will put them in a bag for you.
Lao Tian Lu Address: No. 55, Section 2, Wuchang St, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 9am-10pm
Insider tip: Some braised parts are not for the faint of heart! If you are curious, order the braised chicken or duck wings to start.
11. Xing Fu Tang (幸福堂)
You can’t visit Ximending and not have bubble tea! This classic Taiwanese drink is a must-try!
And one of the best places to drink bubble tea is at Xing Fu Tang (幸福堂). They are famous for their hand-crafted brown sugar boba milk and milk tea. Their Ximending outlet is central and has an open kitchen where you can watch how they prepare the boba.
Xing Fu Tang Address: No. 101, Hanzhong St, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 10am-10pm
Insider tip: I counted at least 15 other bubble tea shops in Ximending besides this popular bubble tea shop. Look for 50 Lan, Milkshop, Coco, Tenrens, Presotea and Kungfu Tea.
Michelin Food in Ximending
12. Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles (老山東牛肉麵)
There are several Michelin-recognized restaurants in Ximending, and Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles (老山東牛肉麵) is one of them. They received a Bib Gourmand status which means the restaurant is recognized for its good food at an affordable price.
And rightfully so; the beef noodle is pure perfection! I especially love the handmade ribbon noodle. The noodle is so chewy and tasty. And the broth and beef were both spectacular as well. This is a must-eat food in Ximending!
The staff at this Ximending restaurant does not really know much English. But they have an English menu. Phew!
Lao Shandong Homemade Noodles Address: No. 70 B1 Room 15, 108 Xinxing Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 10:30am-9:30pm
Insider tip: This Michelin restaurant is a bit hard to find. You will see a shopping plaza when you arrive at the southwest corner of Xinxing Road and Emei Road. Take the escalator to the basem*nt level and look for the noodle shop. When you arrive at your table, order your food by checking off your preferred items on the menu, eat and pay at the cashier.
13.Niu Dian Beef Noodles (牛店牛肉麵)
Niu Dian Beef Noodles (牛店牛肉麵) specializes in beef noodles. The restaurantuses the best cuts of beef from Australia and New Zealand, where the beef shank is braised for many hours and served in a complex beef broth.
Choose from various cuts of beef and customize the spiciness level.I had a small classic beef noodle (without green onions). The beef was really tender and soft, and the broth was super tasty!
No wonder the restaurant was highlighted on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list for several years (it is no longer part of Michelin, but I think it is still worth trying, so I’m leaving it on this list).
Niu Dian Beef Noodles Address:No. 91, Kunming Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours:11:30am-2:30pm and 5-7:30pm (closed Mondays)
Insider tip: During peak hours, you may have to wait for a seat. Give your name to the waitress at the door so she can put your name in the queue.When it is almost your turn, the waitress will bring you an English menu so you can order your meal before you sit down. And bring cash!
14. Yi Jia Zi (一甲子)
I couldn’t leave Yi Jia Zi (一甲子) off this Michelin Bib Gourmand list because their food is so good. The local restaurant is located south of the main Ximending area but is worth the 5-minute walk.
There are only a few things on their menu. Try their popular stewed pork rice, braised pork rice, fish ball soup, pig’s blood soup, Taiwanese burger and rice pudding. Not only does the food taste good, but it is also very affordable.
Yi Jia Zi Address: No. 79, Kangding Rd, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 9am-7pm Tuesday to Saturday; closed Mondays and Sundays
Insider tip: there is always a queue, but it moves quickly. While waiting, you can look at the English menu taped to the wall. One of the girls at the counter speaks English too.
Best Ximending restaurants
15. Tiantian Limei Restaurant (天天利美食坊)
Tiantian Limei Restaurant (天天利美食坊) has to be the busiest restaurant in Ximending. The restaurant always has a queue no matter when you are in the area. Everyone is waiting to try their signature marinated meat rice with a fried egg (apparently, it is the best in Taipei!).
Besides their famous dish, they are known for turnip cake and oyster omelette. Their serving size is small (typical in Taiwan), which is excellent for solo diners. English menu is available.
Tiantian Limei Address: No. 32 Hanzhong St, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 10:30am-10:30pm (closed Mondays)
Insider tip: Even though there is always a queue, the wait is never long. And don’t expect any fantastic ambience inside – this local Taiwanese restaurant values food over the environment.
16. Xi Men Gin Fong (西門金鋒魯肉飯)
Xi Men Gin Fong (西門金鋒魯肉飯) has all the classic Taiwanese dishes like braised pork with rice, braised pork belly, turkey rice, braised tofu, stir-fried vegetables, dry noodles, homemade soup, etc.To me, these are all Taiwanese comfort foods.
And best of all, the food portions are quite small, which means you can try many things in one sitting. I ordered four dishes for dinner. I don’t usually eat that much, but I finished all four plates comfortably.
Xi Men Gin Fong Address: No. 89, Kunming Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours:11am-8pm (closed Tuesdays)
Insider tip: Xi Men Gin Fong is a sit-down restaurant. First, ask for a table, and the waiter will bring you a menu where you check off the items you want to order. The menu is in Chinese and English. When you finish your meal, bring the bill to the cashier and pay for your meal.
17. Yong Fu Fish Ball Shop (永富魚丸店)
Yong Fu Fish Ball Shop (永富魚丸店) has been around for more than 40 years. People who grew up in this area in Taipei are familiar with the smell and taste of their Fuzhou fish balls, mushroom balls, squid soup, and signature thick soup.
I got the signature soup (which comes with meat, mushroom ball, fish ball and fish cake) and a small braised pork rice. It was so good! Next time when I go back, I’ll get the soup with either noodles or vermicelli.
If you are looking for authentic flavours of Taiwanese food, you must eat at this well-known restaurant in Ximending.
永富魚丸店 Address: No. 47, Neijiang St, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 8:30am-9:30pm Monday to Saturday; 8:30am-7pm Sundays
Insider tip: Grab an order sheet at the counter, find a table, pick your items and hand the order sheet back to them. They will bring your food when it’s ready. Then pay on the way out.
18. Fong Da Coffee (蜂大咖啡)
Fong Da Coffee (蜂大咖啡) is one of the original coffee shops in Ximending. Opened in 1956, the cafe didn’t change much. It still has a vintage interior and retro coffee roaster (which they still use to roast coffee beans).
I read somewhere that Fong Da Coffeeintroduced iced coffee to Taipei back in the day. It doesn’t seem like a big deal today, but it was huge back then. Try theiriced coffee made from the special coffee maker and see what the fuss is all about.
They also sell coffee beans and other coffee-related products.
Fong Da Coffee Address: No. 42, Chengdu Road, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 8am-10pm
Insider tip: The breakfast menu looks good (but I would rather eat breakfast in other places in Ximending, like Yong He Soy Milk). But the Taiwanese cookies in the big jars are really good too! It goes really well with a cappuccino!
19. 3 Siblings (三兄妹雪花冰)
One of the most delightful desserts isthe shaved ice mountain. It is literally what it is – a shaved ice mountain. You can get different flavours in a giant bowl of fluffy shaved ice with various toppings like ice cream, fruits, tapioca, etc.
For3 Siblings (三兄妹雪花冰), the most popular options include mango, strawberry and ice cream. This is the perfect treat for a hot summer day!
3 Siblings Address: No. 23, Hanzhong Street, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 11am-11pm
Insider tip: The shaved ice mountain might look big, but it’s just fluffy shaved ice. During warmer months, the shaved ice mountain melts pretty quickly. So even if you eat solo, you can finish the whole thing! I did! Ha!
Places to eat just outside of Ximending main area
20. Sunway Siokudo (三味食堂)
Sunway Siokudo (三味食堂) is a very popular sushi restaurant in Ximending. It attracts many tourists and is well known for its giant salmon nigiriand big portions of salmon belly sashimi.
Don’t order too much because each sushi is quite big! One sushi could fit half of my palm (but I have small hands), but still. It is not your typical sushi size or portion. That’s for sure!
For dinner, I had one order of salmon sushi, nigiri sushi (not pictured, already devoured) and a sea urchin handroll. It was too much food for me! But I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Sunway Siokudo Address: No. 116, Section 2, Guiyang St, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 11:20am-2:30pm and 5:10pm-9pm (closed Sundays)
Insider tip: GO EARLY! The restaurant opens at 11:20 am for lunch and 5:10 pm for dinner. Go at least half an hour before the opening times. There will already be a lot of people crowding the entrance. Put your name and the number of people on the waiting list. If your name is on the first page, you will get in quickly when the door opens.
21. Yongfu Ice Cream (永富冰淇淋)
Yongfu Ice Cream (永富冰淇淋) has been serving homemade ice cream for 70 years.The retro ice-cream shop makes traditional Taiwanese flavours like red bean, peanut, taro, longan, passion fruit and many more.
I tried the recommended picks: peanut, limei (preserved plum) and red bean. The ice cream texture is light and flavourful. It is a cross between ice cream and sorbet, not too creamy but not too icy either.They also have an interesting chicken egg ice cream flavour…hmmm…
Yongfu Ice Cream Address: No. 68, Section 2, Guiyang St, Wanhua District, Taipei City | Hours: 10am-10pm
Insider tip: I thought a single order had only one scoop of ice cream. But it actually has three scoops, AND you can pick three different flavours! All for only NT$50!
Interested in joining a tour in Taipei, Taiwan?
Which Ximending food will you try?
These are my top 21 food you must try in Ximending. I hope you like my selection and will try it next time you are in Taipei. Whether you are having breakfast, lunch or dinner in Ximending, there is something to try.
You can easily follow my Ximending food guide on your own. But if you want a group experience, join a food tour in Taipei and try new food with a tour guide.
Bookmark this page and come back often. I will add more suggestions to my Ximending food list as I come across more.
Thank you for reading my Ximending food post
You might also like these other posts on solo travel in Taiwan:
Introduction to Taiwan
- Things to know before visiting Taiwan
- How and where to buy a Taiwan prepaid SIM card
- How to spend 3 weeks in Taiwan
- 22 must-eat food in Taiwan
- Top 10 must-try Taiwan 7-11 Food
Northern Taiwan posts
- Things to do alone in Taipei Taiwan
- Where to stay in Taipei for solo travellers
- Dadaocheng Taipei: what to do, buy and eat on Dihua Street
- 9 Places to eat breakfast in Taipei
- 7 Best day trips from Taipei
- A complete beginner’s guide to Beitou Hot Spring
- How to travel from Taipei to Jiufen
- Bitoujiao Trail: short and easy hike from Taipei or Yilan
- Monka Hotel: affordable Taipei boutique hotel
- Kimpton Da’an Hotel: best luxury boutique hotel in Taipei
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