TAIPEI – NINGXIA NIGHT MARKET
I’m in the Taiwan capital city of Taipei in search of Michelin starred street food at one of the most famous street food markets in Taiwan – The Ningxia Night Market!
With its moniker of ‘Taipei’s Stomach’ the Ningxia Night Market in Datong District, Taipei, is one of the oldest markets in the city.
It’s also one of the most popular with locals and tourist alike.
I’m told on authority that the oyster omelette (O-a-chian) here is the very best in Taiwan.
And not only does it have the secret and delicious signature sweet and tangy Taiwanese sauce drizzled over it – it also has a Michelin Star to its name – wow!
Having already sampled this delightful Taiwanese special oyster omelette in both the Feng Chia Night Market in Taichung and the Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung, I can hardly wait to find out if ‘The Best in Taiwan’ claim is true!
NINGXIA NIGHT MARKET OYSTER OMELETTE
The oyster omelette in my sights is the Yuen Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette.
I find it not in the line of street stalls on Ningxia Road but as an open-fronted shop (booth #46) where giant omelette pans have been dressed in whisked egg batter and succulent fresh oysters since 1965.
We wait in line for quite a while before it’s our turn.
But where in the world can you eat Michelin Star food for so little cost?
Verdict: Amazing – did you see my video!?
Cost: 85 $NT or approx. USD $2.70
MICHELIN STAR STREET FOOD
Ningxia Night Market is in a narrow street and has a busy ‘traditional Taiwan’ vibe which I really liked.
But, of course, I was there to try for the Michelin Star Street Food.
In The Michelin Guide these vendors come under the section known as Bib Gourmand which, in France, is a distinction that guarantees a quality meal in an establishment where you can treat yourself even on a small budget.
I could easily guess which food carts were the Michelin Star vendors.
And, I didn’t have to see the proudly displayed certificate, because I could tell just by the length of the lines of people patiently waiting to be served!
Liu Yu Zai’s Taro Balls (stall #91): We waited in line for so long we were hungry again.
Michelin recognized Liu Yu Zai for his now famous deep-fried salted egg and pork meat taro balls.
Watching the Taro Balls being made – in the hundreds – was fascinating.
Verdict: Crispy and chewy and delicious!
Cost: 110 $NT or approx. USD$3
Rong’s Pork Liver Soup (stall #10): Another Michelin market stall has been serving his Pork Liver Soup for over 60 years and was listed in the Michelin Guide Taipei selection in 2019.
Verdict: Rich nourishing and meaty flavour with warming ginger and strips of tender liver – no blood taste.
Cost: 100 $NT or approx. USD$3
Fang Chia Shredded Chicken on Rice (stall #60): Michelin Star Tender shredded chicken in soy sauce with rice.
Verdict: The best of the best chicken and rice. What’s not to love!?
Cost: Cost: 100 $NT or approx. USD$3
WHAT TO EAT AT NINGXIA NIGHT MARKET
At Ningxia Night Market there are around 180 food stall vendors and 20 ‘booths’ or open fronted shops selling food every night of the week.
Most street food vendors here are well established and have been trading at Ningxia for over 50 years.
Here are just a few more (from a choice of 200) suggestions for foods you might try!
Nui Mama (#44) for delicious beef dishes with noodles.
Zhi Gao (#034) for fragrant rice dishes.
Xiao Chun Lao (#161) for steamed buns and braised dishes.
Qiu Yun Run Bing (#043) for savoury pancakes.
Hong Ji (#85) for scallion pancake rolls and fusion snacks.
Signs are also written in English making the market particularly tourist friendly.
Taiwan Today says: “Tasting a nation’s food is the easiest way to get close to its culture.”
My verdict: If you haven’t eaten street food in Taiwan – can you really say that you’ve experienced Taiwan?
HOW TO GET TO NINGXIA NIGHT MARKET
By MRT: Red Line. Shuanglian (R12) MRT Station and Zhongshan(R11) MRT Station are the closest to the Ningxia Night Market. At Shuanglian walk out Exit 1 and head west down Minsheng Road for ten to fifteen minutes until you reach Ningxia Road. Take a right into the night market.
By Bus: You can take one of the Taipei City buses to Minsheng Chongqing Rd. Intersection station.
WHERE TO STAY IN TAIPEI
In Taipei we stayed at a hotel that we booked using (affiliate link) Booking Dotcom called Inhouse Hotel.
The Inhouse Hotel is in a great central location in the Wanhua District. A short walk from Xining MRT Metro station.
Our four nights stay cost the equivalent of USD $378.
Are you planning a trip to Taiwan?
Do you want to try street food?
Let me know – I’d love to hear from you!
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