Night markets are a must when you come to Taiwan. With many stalls serving a variety of dishes, some even awarded with Bib Gourmand distinctions, you can't go wrong when you go to a night market.
Some tips before I go into my recommendations. Night markets can be overwhelming; there are many foods, many people, and many sights, so prepare for that. Here are some important things to know about night markets.
I always make sure to do my research to understand what was popular or good at that specific night's makret. Some stalls serve better foods than others, and knowing which ones you want to go to will keep you from getting distracted and encourage you to try the best that the night market has to offer.
Walk around and get familiar with the surroundings, seeing a good chunk of all the stalls, so you don't get too full at the opening of the market. If it is possible to share, I would definitely do so, as you can try more foods that way.
Night markets are also cash only, so prepare to bring your cash!
Don't be afraid to wait in lines! Most of the time, they go by relatively quickly.
If you don't speak Chinese, make sure to have a translator app handy. While some stalls have English menus, this is not guaranteed everywhere.
Now onto my favorites from the night markets I have been to:
Raohe: pepper buns, Taiwanese hamburger, squid, Aiyu jelly, peanut shaved ice cream
Shilin: mushrooms, papaya milk, sesame noodles, big and little sausages, oyster noodles
Ningxia: shaved ice
Chiayiʻs Wenhua: taro milk
Kaohsiungʻs Ruifeng: mochi, fishballs, scallion pancake
Some other food items that are a must-try are:
stinky tofu, corn, aiyu jelly, sausage, buns, and more!
Night markets are fun and filling. Stop by if you have a chance, even if it's just for a small bite!