CAUTION: this next post is a blatant piece of propaganda for the Island of Taiwan. If you don’t want your mouth to get watery, or your eyes to get jealous don’t read this post. You’ve been warned.
I’ve been in Taiwan for a month now. I came like many foreigners to study Mandarin at one of the many university sponsored programs. While here I’ve experienced few of the many culturally diverse activities this island has to offer. I’ve learned that Taiwan’s unofficial pastimes are shopping and eating. I’ve experienced both in Taipei’s popular Night Markets.
Night Markets: a Gastronomical Paradise
In ancient China, markets that operated at night were known as ghost markets. Now called night markets, these markets offer a wide variety of authentic Taiwanese food and drink as well as unique Taiwanese products. Night markets play an important part in the lives of Taiwanese people. According to the Taiwanese Tourism Bureau the night market’s history goes back to when most rural residents purchased goods from travelling salesmen, who gathered periodically to form markets where people could relax and shop. The markets eventually began to offer not only daily necessities but foods, entertainment, medicines, adornments, and anything else that would attract customers and satisfy their needs. The arrival of these travelling merchants was a big event in rural communities. The festive, boisterous markets became popular places to socialize and relax, and they eventually gave rise to the permanent markets that exist today. Today, many of Taiwan’s biggest night markets are located close to large temples, business sectors and universities.
The more than 300 various night markets that operate across Taiwan usually begin operating in the evening and go late into the night (from 6pm-2am). From there the narrow back streets where the markets operate fill quickly with local venders offering practical and inexpensive Taiwanese cuisine as well as various other Taiwanese products. As people begin to fill the streets the narrow streets come alive. Some markets are set up to work so that incoming visitors walk on the right hand of the street while outgoing visitors walk on the left. The markets, though crowded, are not as chaotic and uncontrolled as one may think. There is a general buzz about the environment and the vibe is quite lively. Venders bustle around busily filling orders from hungry tourists and local shoppers.
My first night market was Raohe St. night market followed by ShihLin and Shida night markets. At each I was treated to a variety of food items such as sticky rice cakes, deep-fried squid, bubble tea, oyster omelettes, beef noodles, fried chicken fillets, as well as other non-native dishes like Vietnamese subs, crepes and pizza. My stomach was smiling. So was my wallet. Each item varied from as cheap as $1.50 CAN for a mango-guava bubble tea with lychee pearls to $4 CAN deep-fried squid. For many Taiwanese going to the night markets to find dinner with friends is more practical and fun than buying ingredients to make food at home. These markets have now become some of the top tourist destinations.
The night markets serve both a social and cultural function as well as an economic one. According to the site Taiwanese Food Culture “The culture of night markets is deeply rooted in the common people’s culture, wherein eating is even more important than buying cheap stuff.” Night markets serve the general purpose of gathering people together to enjoy the environment as well as promote the various items being sold by the local venders. Because of its street nature some Taiwanese have critiqued the noise, mess and overall uncontrolled atmosphere these markets promote. But the critique does little to stop these night markets from operating. The government has invested in improving sanitation, zoning and noise.
So far I have come to enjoy visiting these places, mainly because I love trying new foods. Night markets will get you fat! You’ve been warned.
