Tonghua Street Night Market: Taipei’s After-Dark Flavor Playground
Skip the tourist crowds and head where the locals go. Tonghua Street Night Market(通化夜市) aka Linjiang Street Night Market (臨江街觀光夜市)— tucked in Taipei’s Da’an/Xinyi District — is a food lover’s dream with no fluff, just flavor. Less flashy than Shilin or Raohe, but every bit as delicious (arguably more), it’s the kind of place where generations of street food legends quietly serve up some of the best bites in the city.
🍽️ Let the Feast Begin: Must-Eats You Can’t Miss
You’ll want to come hungry — and possibly with stretchy pants — because the lineup here is serious.
Luo Ji Stir-Fry(駱記小炒)
This spot is a hidden gem for lovers of bold, wok-fired flavor. Luo Ji specializes in quick, high-heat stir-fries that bring serious street food energy to your plate.
Top picks? Stir-fried lamb with water spinach — the lamb is marinated to perfection, tender, and packed with umami, while the greens add a fresh, crunchy balance. If you’re feeling adventurous, go for the stir-fried sea snail meat tossed with Thai basil — fragrant, chewy, and totally addictive. Their clams are also a must, juicy and flavorful, cooked just right in a garlicky sauce that begs to be mopped up.
Bonus: you can choose your spice level, from mild to mouth-numbing heat. Whether you like it easy or 🔥🔥🔥, they’ve got you covered.
Hu Ji Rice Vermicelli Soup(胡記米粉湯)
This spot is a local favorite for a reason — comforting, flavorful, and full of classic Taiwanese soul. The star here is the rice vermicelli soup (米粉湯), made fresh daily using soft, silky rice noodles simmered in a light yet savory pork bone broth. The soup is clean but deeply satisfying, often garnished with a touch of crispy fried shallots and celery leaves for an extra aromatic kick. It’s humble, nostalgic, and goes perfectly with the real showstopper: the black-and-white cut (黑白切).
Here, the black-and-white cut isn’t just a side — it’s an art form. Assorted pork offal and sides are gently warmed in hot broth before being sliced and served up with style. Top recommendations?
The black-and-white cut (黑白切) selection here is where Hu Ji truly shines. Highlights include pork cheek meat (嘴邊肉) — tender, juicy, and packed with rich pork flavor — and Pork liver (粉肝) — always soft, buttery, and perfectly cooked at Hu Ji, with that melt-in-your-mouth texture locals love.For a bit of texture, try the crunchy intestines (脆腸) with their perfect bouncy bite, or the uniquely chewy fallopian tubes (卵管), a favorite among true offal fans. Pair it with braised tofu (滷豆腐) or braised daikon (滷蘿蔔) — both of which soak up the savory broth like flavor sponges. It’s a perfectly balanced plate of texture, taste, and tradition.
Everything is served with a Taiwanese thick soy paste–based dipping sauce, elevated with Hu Ji’s own special touch — a perfectly balanced blend of sweet, salty, and just the right kick of heat. It’s the ideal pairing for every cut in the black-and-white platter.
At Hu Ji, it’s all about freshness, balance, and texture. Whether you’re an offal lover or just curious, this is one of the best places in Taipei to try a true local classic — simple food done with care and tradition.
Ying Jia Mushrooms | Deep-Fried Mushrooms(炸香菇)
Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside. These battered golden mushrooms are addictive, especially with a shake of pepper salt. Perfect night market snacking.
Hanji Sweet Potato Balls(地瓜球)
Taiwan’s iconic chewy, puffy snack. Slightly crisp on the outside, soft and stretchy inside — Tonghua’s version is hot, fresh, and bounces with sweet potato flavor.
Grilled Taiwanese Sausage(烤香腸)
Juicy, smoky, and just a little sweet — you’ll smell them before you see them. Some stalls even offer the famous sausage-in-a-sausage (大腸包小腸) combo, where sticky rice wraps around the grilled sausage for an ultra-satisfying bite. The pro move? Eat it with a clove of fresh garlic — bold, punchy, and unapologetically delicious. It’s the night market — who cares about garlic breath when the flavor’s this good?
Liang Chi Lu Wei（梁記滷味）
This is Lu wei done right — a beloved street food classic where you pick exactly what you want from a vast selection of slow-braised delights. Liang Chi offers at least 50 plus choices, ranging from tender beef shank (牛腱) and rich pork liver (豬肝) to an array of other flavorful cuts. For the full experience, be sure to try duck wings (鴨翅), duck tongues (鴨舌), chicken or duck feet, seaweed (海帶), firm tofu (豆乾), crunchy intestines (脆腸), and chicken gizzards (雞胗) — all simmered to perfection in a fragrant herbal soy broth that infuses every bite with deep, satisfying flavor.
Pork Blood Cake(豬血糕)
Not for the faint of heart, but beloved by locals. Steamed, rolled in peanut powder and cilantro, and drizzled with sweet soy — chewy, rich, and uniquely Taiwanese.
Fresh-Cut Fruit(現切水果)
After all that savory goodness, reset your palate with beautifully arranged, ultra-fresh fruit. Watermelon, guava, pineapple — sweet, juicy, and a great way to feel a little less guilty.
🧃 Wash It All Down
Sugarcane Mama(甘蔗媽媽)
You can’t miss this popular drink stand. Their freshly pressed sugarcane juice is cool, naturally sweet, and deeply refreshing — the perfect antidote to Taiwan’s humid nights.
Fresh Fruit Juices(新鮮果汁 )
If sugarcane isn’t your thing, go for a tall, icy watermelon juice or mixed fruit blend. Made fresh to order, and perfect with any bite along the way.
🎯 Why Visit Tonghua Night Market?
It’s casual, local, and hits all the right spots. You’re rubbing elbows with students, office workers, and aunties who’ve been loyal to the same stalls for years. Prices are friendly, flavors are bold, and the atmosphere? Real-deal Taipei.
📍 Location: Tonghua Street, Da’an/Xinyi District, Taipei
🚇 MRT: Xinyi Anhe Station (Exit 3) — a 10-minute walk
🕒 Hours: Around 5:00 PM to midnight, daily
💡 Pro Tip: Bring cash, line up where the locals do, and pace yourself — you’ll want to try everything.
Tonghua Street Night Market isn’t just dinner — it’s a deep dive into Taipei’s street food soul. Come hungry, stay curious, and eat your way through one of the city’s tastiest secrets.