Voted by our readers as the best food destination in the world, the culinary philosophy here is eat often and eat well. — CNN, 40 of the best Taiwanese foods and drinks
Like most outlanders working abroad, I miss the food at home. It’s been 5 years after leaving Taiwan. I’ve created a must-eat-list whenever going back to Taiwan. Especially around Gong Guan, Taipei, where I spent 7 years of my student life, and where two of the popular universities, NTU and NTUST were beside. With a big crowd of students, the area has a lot of affordable and great places to snack on. And here’s some vegetarian street food I must eat :
Vegan Sweet Potato Balls
Sweet potato ball (地瓜球, digua qiu) is a very popular food, you would find it in almost every Night Market. This Vegan Sweet Potato Balls stall, though, provides the crispiest ones.
These table-tennis like balls are made with sweet potato, potato or tapioca starch, and sugar. They are crispy on the outside, chewy on the inside. It is a big thing in Taiwan, simple yet delicious, great as snack time treat.
// Dietary: Vegan, gluten-free
// Address: 素食地瓜球, № 8–1, Lane 108, Section 4, Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100
Fresh Veggie Rolls
After having some guilty yummy snacks, I’d always crave for something fresh. Grace Fresh Veggie Rolls (恩典養生活力生菜捲) food stall is in the same lane as the Vegan Sweet Potato Balls.
The veggie rolls taste crunchy and refreshing. You’ll find loads of good stuff in the rolls, — alfalfa sprouts, carrot slices, cucumber, purple cabbage, raisins, apple slices, peanut powder, topped with egg-free mayonnaise, and finally wrapped whole wheat flatbread. Feel free to ask for customising with your heart desires if don’t like any of them.
// Dietary: Vegan, gluten-free (without mayonnaise)
// Address: 恩典養生活力生菜捲, №2–3, Lane 108, Section 4, Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100
Everything braised, Lu Wei (vegetarian)
Everything braised (Lu Wei) is everywhere in Taiwan. It’s one of the options that people are able to control the budget based on what you order for an assorted dish. I’d always add a lot of vegetables in mine, including cabbage, broccoli, tomato, radish, and glass noodles.
This food stall is very affordable, and most importantly, not overly seasoned. If you’re like me, a light dieter, you should find this braised dish tasty.
// Dietary: Vegetarian
// Address: 公館加熱滷味, №12, Lane 286, Section 3, Luosifu Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100
Smoked Cheese Pizza (vegetarian)
Vegetarian pizza? How could it be called pizza if without any meat? That was my first impression several years ago when I first visited this pizzeria and they proved me wrong. So free Pizzeria is — one of the rare kiln baked pizza, and also — one of the rarest vegetarian pizzeria in Taipei. The pizza base is Italian style, thinly baked and tastes super crispy and yummy.
You’ll find loads of unusual flavors on their menu, like Three-cup Mushrooms, Korean Kimchi, or Ginger Superman. They also serve for those who look for sweet flavors, like Apple Cinnamon and Banana Almond. I always order the classic — Smoked cheese, its simply topped with tomato paste, smoked cheese chunks, and shredded mozzarella. The smoked cheese is so rich in the smoky flavor, that you’ll forget its a meatless pizza. I can easily finish an 8-inch pizza there by myself. If I have an accompany with me, I’d also order a Cinnamon apple as a sweet ending. What a meal!
Try So Free’s pizza, you’ll find pizza is surprisingly delicious and satisfying even without any meat.
// Dietary: Vegetarian
// Address: So free Pizzeria, №19, Lane 86, Section 3, Xinsheng South Road, Da’an District, Taipei City, 106
Red Bean Wheel Pies (vegetarian)
Look at these cute round shaped pies! They taste as wonderful as they look.
Wheel Pies, also known as imagawayaki (車輪餅), they were originally from Japan. Growing up, it has been a popular street snack for all kids in Taiwan. It’s a waffle-like biscuit pie with fillings inside. Most common sweet fillings are red bean paste and custard. Sometimes savory fillings, like shredded radish, is quite popular as well.
晴光 wheel pies are famous for its thinly baked crust and extra soft fillings. You’ll have to be careful of each bite because the abundant filling might come out and make you a mess. Well, pros and cons when you encounter this delicious little pie.
// Dietary: Vegetarian
// Address: 晴光紅豆餅, № 255, Section 3, Tingzhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City, 100
Street food is serious and respected. I’m very proud to introduce you some of the best street food in Taipei.
What about you, what street food in your country you’re in love with?
