For the most part, the food in Taiwan is derived from mainland Chinese cuisine. It is possible to find all types food and almost every other Chinese cuisine on the island.
Taiwan also has many of its own local specialties. Perhaps because of its long isolation from mainland China and distance from other parts of the world, most cities and towns in Taiwan are individually famous for special foods. Virtually every city has its famous specialties; many Taiwanese tourists will go visit other cities on the island only to try the local foods, then return home.
Taiwanese versions of these cuisines tend to be somewhat oily, though, and completely authentic mainland cuisines are rare.
Here is the list of 12 best foods to try if you are in Taiwan.
1. 100 years egg
Long story short, century eggs are preserved eggs. They are also referred to as thousand-year eggs or millennium eggs, but are not preserved for a millennium, one thousand years, or even a century. The process actually takes anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, and involves soaking eggs in a saline solution. The solution usually consists of clay and salt, but can also include ash, quicklime and rice hulls. It causes the yolk of the eggs to take on a creamy, cheese-like texture, and transforms the whites into a dark-colored jelly.
2. Braised Pork Rice
Lu rou fan, a Taiwanese comfort food classic of braised pork belly over rice, is probably the best recipe to come out of our kitchen this month.
3. Braised Fish Head in Casserole
4. Spring Onion Pancake
A traditional Chinese savoury pancake, which is frequently found in Chinese breakfast shops or on dim sum menus. They are rich, flaky, crispy and totally moreish. Serve on their own or with a dipping sauce.
5. Stinky Tofu
Stinky tofu (chòu dòufu) is Taiwan’s most notorious dish. A form of fermented tofu, it’s similar to blue cheese in that those who like it love it and those who don’t tend to gag on it.
6. Pig’s Blood Rice Pudding
What is pig’s blood cake? It’s what you get when sticky rice gets drenched in pig’s blood, steamed, bathed in a pork soy broth (which is subtly sweet), rolled around in peanut flour, and topped with cilantro.
7. Beef Noodles
8. Steamed Stuffed Rice
9. Taiwan Beer with Peanuts & Dried Fish
10. Tofu Pudding
11. Mango Shaved Ice
12. Bubble Milk Tea
