Taiwan Delicacies 台灣小吃 - Part 1

It's worth making a food pilgrimage to Taiwan. There are numerous street eateries in Taiwan and a trip to the renowned night markets is a must. Night markets are everywhere, they are part of everyday life for the Taiwanese and a unique cultural experience for the tourists. They spring to life in the evening with endless array of fabulous snacks and food, carnival games, a great variety of mobile and electronic gadgets, clothes, shoes, bags and lots more. Night markets are noisy, crowded, hot and buzzing with activities. The sights and sound reflect the energetic and hearty lives of the Taiwanese, adding a whole new perspective to traveling.

Here are some local food that we have sampled on our trip to Taipei last September.

(Clockwise from above)

O-a-jian 蚵仔煎, a fried omelet made from oysters, eggs, vegetables and corn starch, served with a sweet and sour sauce, is a popular local dish that could be found in most eateries and night markets.

Another flavourful local delight - pan fried carrot cake 煎萝卜糕 with traces of carrots and mushrooms in it. They are served with the same tangy sauce used in oyster omelet.

This is my all time favourite – stewed minced pork on vermicelli 魯肉米粉. The minced pork and lard goes very well with vermicelli or plain rice. A simple yet tasty dish.

The famous "Ah Zhong Mian Xian" 阿宗麵線 at Xi Men Ting 西门町 is unlike the usual oyster mee sua 蚵仔麵線. The oysters are substituted with small segments of pig's intestines, cooked with handmade vermicelli in a flavourful rich and thick soup. The queue is long and there are no seats or tables provided. Everyone just stands outside the shop holding a green bowl of piping hot mee sua. I like mine with lots of black vinegar 烏醋. Yummy!