At the end of our half day tour to Rainbow Village and Gaomei Wetlands, the tour coach dropped us off at Fengjia Night Market.
Night markets are an important part of Taiwanese culture and are deeply ingrained in the daily lives of the people. They serve as a hub for socialising, shopping, and dining, and are a testament to the vibrant and bustling energy of Taiwan’s cities.
Fengjia Night Market 逢甲夜市
Fengjia Night Market in Taichung’s Xitun District is one such hub. With its wide variety of vendors, delicious street food, and lively atmosphere, it’s no wonder that Fengjia Night Market has become a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike. As one of the largest and most popular night markets in Taiwan, it provides a glimpse into the heart of Taiwanese culture and offers a unique shopping and dining experience that visitors won’t soon forget.
One of the main draws of Fengjia Night Market is the incredible street food and local delicacies available. From grilled meats and seafood to fresh fruit juices and desserts, there’s something for every palate. In addition to street food, Fengjia Night Market also offers a plethora of shopping opportunities. From clothing and accessories to traditional Taiwanese keepsakes, there is something for everyone at this marketplace.
With so many vendors offering delicious street food, it can be overwhelming to choose what and where to eat.
In this blog post, we will explore Fengjia Night Market and uncover some of the best eats on offer. Whether you have previous night market experience or visiting for the first time, this article will help you discover the delicious offerings of Fengjia Night Market so you can make the most of your visit.
Let’s go!
Sweet Potato Fries 甘梅薯條
These sweet potato fries were the best we’ve had to date. With every bite, we could taste the natural sweetness and fragrance of the sweet potatoes. The plum powder added even more flavour. The exterior was crispy, while the interior was soft and had a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Batter was thin and light, so it didn’t leave a greasy feeling.
Gua Bao 割包
A gua bao is a type of steamed bun filled with a meat of your choice, along with standard ingredients like pickled vegetables, cabbage, and crushed peanuts. We tried the Pork Belly Gua Bao (五花肉割包) and Beef Gua Bao (牛肉割包). The buns were soft and fluffy. Although both meats were braised and tender, we preferred the pork belly one as it had some fatty parts, which added more oomph. The crushed peanuts added a nutty taste as well, creating a great blend of flavours.
Garlic Sauce Dried Beancurd 蒜香豆干
The braised dried tofu had many holes on its surface, allowing it to absorb the sauce well, making it very flavourful. The sauce, which had a prominent garlic taste, was pungent, slightly sweet, and spicy. I’m a fan of garlic so I really love this!
Fresh Watermelon Juice 西瓜汁
The watermelon juice was incredibly sweet and fresh. It was made with pure watermelon, without any added sugar or water. It was the perfect drink to refresh yourself while exploring the market, and we ended up having three big cups in one evening, haha!
Grilled Diced Beef Cubes 炙燒骰子牛
We opted to season the grilled diced beef cubes with only Himalayan pink salt. The beef was cooked to medium rare, preserving its juicy flavour. The meat was a bit chewy, but with a bit more grilling to get a stronger charred flavor, it could have been even better.
Fermented Beancurd Fried Chicken 豆乳鷄
This was made by marinating chicken cubes in fermented tofu and then deep frying them until they were crispy and crunchy. It had a savoury and salty taste, and the meat was moist as well.
Da Chang Bao Xiao Chang 大腸包小腸
Made of a meat sausage wrapped in a glutinous rice sausage. The meat sausage was juicy, and the casing had a satisfying snap when bitten. The glutinous rice was well seasoned, and it reminded me of the filling used in Teochew ‘png kueh’.
Stinky Tofu 臭豆腐
This stinky tofu was much more pungent than the one we tried at Shilin Night Market. We had to wait a bit longer as it was fried to order. It was well-paired with pickled cabbage, giving a slightly sour, salty, and savoury taste. The tofu cubes were fried until they were crispy and crunchy. Althought the sauce that was doused over the tofu was able to conceal the stinky odour slightly, it was still quite noticeable with each bite.
Overall, the flavour of stinky tofu is an acquired taste and may not be for everyone due to its strong odour and unique flavour profile. However, for those who are adventurous and enjoy trying new and unique street foods, this stinky tofu is a must-try.
Takoyaki 章魚小丸子
Takoyaki, also known as octopus balls, are small, bite-sized snacks made from a batter containing diced octopus, spring onions, and seasonings that are fried into round balls. They have a slightly crunchy exterior and a soft, slightly chewy interior. When served hot, the texture is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. While we thought the taste was good, we still believe that Gindaco in Japan makes the best takoyaki. The octopus in this particular version was very tough and chewy.
Papaya Milk 木瓜牛奶
Papaya milk is a drink made by blending papaya and fresh milk. Unfortunately, the shop we chose didn’t offer a sugar-free option and had to add sugar, which led us to believe that the papayas they used were not of the best quality or were not sweet enough. The result was a papaya milk that lacked flavour and fragrance. We would recommend getting papaya milk from a different stall, as this one was not up to our expectations.
Dan Bing or Egg Pancake 蛋餅
This is a popular breakfast food in Taiwan. The combination of a spring onion pancake with eggs and fillings of your choice creates a unique taste and texture experience. The crunchy exterior, soft and chewy interior, along with the fragrance of the spring onions and crunch of the preserved radish, make it a delightful snack.
Final thoughts
From the tantalising smells of sizzling street food to the bright lights and bustling crowds, there’s never a dull moment at this lively market. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or a first-time visitor to Taiwan, a visit to Fengjia Night Market is sure to be an unforgettable experience. So come explore this vibrant night market, sample its delicious food, and discover the many hidden gems waiting to be found. 😉