LIUHE NIGHT MARKET KAOHSIUNG CITY
A highlight of Kaohsiung City and a greatly anticipated experience for us was a visit to the traditional Liuhe Night Market (also spelled Liouhe Night Market) in the Xinxing (also spelled Sinsing) District.
Liuhe Night Market is a smaller night market than we’d experienced in Taichung’s Feng Chia Night Market.
But it’s just as well known throughout Taiwan and has an interesting history as the oldest night market in Kaohsiung.
Table Of Contents
- LIUHE NIGHT MARKET KAOHSIUNG CITY
- LIUHE NIGHT MARKET STREET FOOD
- POPULAR STREET FOOD AT LIUHE NIGHT MARKET
- WHICH AREA TO STAY IN KAOHSIUNG
- NEXT – NORTHBOUND TO TAIPEI
In the 1940’s the market was known as ‘Dagangpu Night Market’ but as it grew and grew it became known as Liuhe Night Market. It’s also known locally as Liuhe Tourist Night Market.
The market is in the heart of Kaohsiung and flanks both sides of Zhongshan Road.
It is pedestrian friendly and has around two hundred stalls selling street food.
And, with Kaohsiung being a port city, we were looking forward to eating fresh and tasty seafood.
LIUHE NIGHT MARKET STREET FOOD
The Liuhe Night Market is famous for oyster pancakes, fish balls, squid, fresh crab, shrimp, and even lobsters.
It’s also renowned for its Papaya Milk drink and Tiger Milk Tea.
I was particularly looking forward to trying the Bird Egg Shrimp balls (quail egg with a whole shrimp in each) and an oyster omelette!
Plus lots more tasty morsels of authentic typically Taiwanese street food featuring barbeque sausages, soy braised duck, and dumplings straight from the grill or the wok or the steamer!
Street food is an integral part of Taiwanese culinary culture, and the vibrant night markets scattered throughout the island are renowned for their diverse and delicious offerings.
Taiwanese street food is known for its unique flavours, bold combinations, and affordability.
POPULAR STREET FOOD AT LIUHE NIGHT MARKET
Oyster Omelette (蚵仔煎 – Ò ài jiān): My favourite! This popular street food item features a crispy omelette with fresh oysters, vegetables, and a savoury sauce.
Braised Pork Rice (滷肉飯 – Lǔròu fàn): A simple yet satisfying dish, braised pork rice consists of flavourful minced pork served over a bowl of steamed rice. It’s often garnished with pickled mustard greens and sometimes a boiled egg.
Gua Bao (割包): The backpacking husband’s favourite! Also known as “Taiwanese hamburger.” Gua bao consists of a steamed bun filled with braised pork belly, crushed peanuts, cilantro, and pickled vegetables.
Stinky Tofu (臭豆腐 – Chòu dòufu): I’m not a fan but despite its strong odour, stinky tofu is a beloved Taiwanese snack. It is deep-fried fermented tofu and is often served with pickled cabbage and a spicy sauce.
Grilled Squid (烤魷魚 – Kǎo yóuyú): Fresh squid is marinated, skewered, and grilled to perfection, often brushed with a savoury soy-based sauce. It’s a popular and tasty seafood option.
Scallion Pancake (蔥油餅 – Cōng yóu bǐng): A second runner to the oyster omelette! A savoury and flaky flatbread, scallion pancakes are made by folding layers of dough with chopped scallions and pan-frying until crispy.
Taiwanese Sausages (香腸 – Xiāngcháng): These sweet and savoury sausages are often grilled and served on a stick. The flavours can range from garlic to Chinese five-spice. Delicious!
Taiwanese Fried Chicken (鹽酥雞 – Yán sū jī): Deep-fried chicken chunks, seasoned with a flavourful mixture of spices, are a popular street food choice. They are often served with fried basil leaves.
Dan Bing (蛋餅): Dan bing is a thin, savoury pancake rolled with a variety of fillings such as eggs, cheese, ham, and sometimes crispy crullers (you tiao).
Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶 – Zhēnzhū nǎichá): See my post on our visit to The Original Bubble Tea Shop in Kaohsiung because bubble tea originated in Taiwan and has become a global phenomenon. It consists of sweet milk tea with chewy tapioca pearls. Variations may include fruit flavours, different types of milk, or even blended ice.
When visiting Taiwan, exploring the bustling night markets and trying these amazingly diverse street foods is a must for any foodie.
Each Taiwanese region and each market will have its own specialties so be sure to sample the local delights wherever you go.
WHICH AREA TO STAY IN KAOHSIUNG
We’d actually chose our hotel in the central Xinxing District of Kaohsiung city because of its location in the very next street to the Liuhe Night Market!
We stayed for three nights at (affiliated link) The Cloud Hotel (we paid $41 USD per night).
We booked this hotel near Liuhe Night Market with (affiliated link) Booking Dotcom.
The Cloud Hotel was very nice and a perfect location not only for the Liuhe Night Market but it’s only a short walk from Formosa Boulevard MRT Station.
The Formosa Boulevard MRT station where you can see The Dome of Light – the world’s largest glass artwork!
From there, walk towards to Zhongshan 1st Road to Liuhe Night Market.
We found it really easy to get around Kaohsiung and to travel extensively around the city and to all the popular tourist sites using public transport and using The Easy Card. See my post on Should I Buy An Easy Card for travel in Taiwan,
NEXT – NORTHBOUND TO TAIPEI
Next on our 12 Day Taiwan Itinerary is Taipei – the capital of Taiwan – and we had big adventurous plans!
After our fabulous few days exploring Kaohsiung we were taking the northbound Taiwan Bullet Train (THSR) all the way back up to Taipei.
Over the next six days and five nights we intended to fully explore this so far unknown to us city.
From the top of the 101 Taipei Tower to the length of the most famous of Taiwan’s street markets – the Ningxia Market – with its coveted Michelin Star Street Food!
THEN on the 15th day of the first lunar month – to mark the grand finale of the Chinese New Year celebrations – the Taiwan Lantern Festival will be taking place in Taipei for the first time in twenty-three years!
Join me on my travels through Taiwan culminating with the Lantern Festival!
Are you planning to visit Taiwan?
Will you go south to Kaohsiung?
Let me know in the comments!
