Come find out why Wanhua, Taipei, is a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts. Home to the renowned Longshan Temple, this historic district has garnered international attention for its Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded street food. From humble street food stalls to time-honored establishments, Wanhua offers a delightful blend of traditional Taiwanese flavors and international influences. With insights from local experts, we’ll guide you through the best spots to savor authentic Taiwanese flavors near Longshan Temple, the wonderful Wenhua neighborhood.
History of Wanhua
Source: taipei.travel
Wanhua 萬華, once known as “Māngjiá,” 艋舺 has a rich history dating back to the Qing Dynasty. As one of Taiwan’s earliest developed areas, it has served as a bustling commercial hub for centuries. Its strategic location at the confluence of the Tamsui, Xindian, and Dahan rivers facilitated commerce and cultural exchange. This district’s unique blend of historical significance and culinary heritage has made it a popular destination for both locals and tourists. With its iconic Longshan Temple as a focal point, Wanhua has witnessed the growth of a diverse food culture, influenced by various ethnicities and traditions.
Night Markets near Longshan Temple
Source: taipei.travel
To savor tasty Taiwanese food, you should not hesitate and head straight to the two night markets near Longshan Temple: Wanhua night market and Huaxi Street night market.
Guangzhou Street 廣州街夜市, Wuzhou Street 梧州街夜市, and Xichang Street 西昌街夜市 night markets were once separate entities but have since merged to form the Wanhua Night Market. Located nearby is the the older Huaxi Street Night Market 華西街夜市. These two markets are the twin night markets of Wanhua. Or you can think of them as one huge night market as well.
Together, these night markets offer a vibrant and diverse culinary experience, making them a popular destination for both locals and tourists. Many food stalls and restaurants we recommend in this post are located in one of these night markets.
Map of Wanhua and Longshan Temple
The Longshan Market Food Court 龍山商場美食廣場
Source: 素食美食 FB Group
The Longshan Market Food Court is a hidden gem for food lovers in Taipei. Located right by Longshan Temple MRT Station (Exit 2; turn right after the escalator), this food court is a treasure trove of affordable and delicious Taiwanese dishes. With 19 vendors, each with its own unique specialties, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.
With a wide variety of options, including hearty bento boxes with fried chicken or pork chop, savory braised pork rice, roasted duck, beef noodle soup, dumplings, fried rice, fried noodles, and even vegetarian dishes, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings. The market boasts several decades-old establishments, each with its own rich history and loyal following.
Source: GOMAJI, OPEN!news
Experience the local atmosphere and savor delicious meals at incredibly affordable prices. The portions are generous, offering great value for money. This will be a great place in summer especially, where you can enjoy comfortable air-conditioned setting, surrounded by friendly locals. If you want to escape Taiwan’s humid summer, we highly recommend National Palace museum or Taipei 101 as your next stop!
Huaxi Night Market
Source: travel.taipei
Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market, once renowned as “Snake Alley,” remains a unique and historic night market in Taipei, Taiwan. While it was once famous for its exotic foods, particularly snake and turtle dishes, these offerings have significantly diminished in recent years. However, the market continues to offer a diverse range of Taiwanese street food, seafood, and traditional Chinese medicine.
Wang’s Broth 小王煮瓜
Source: Uber Eats
Wang’s Broth is a must-visit for anyone exploring the culinary scene around Longshan Temple. This iconic eatery has been delighting customers since 1975, earning a well-deserved reputation for its delicious and affordable dishes. Notably, it received the Michelin Bib Gourmand award for four consecutive years!
Source: Wang’s broth FB Page
The star of the show is undoubtedly Wang’s Broth‘s signature braised pork rice. Is it often called “black gold” due to its rich, dark color. Despite its intense hue, the flavor is surprisingly balanced and not overly salty. The tender, sticky braised pork is the perfect complement to the fragrant, slightly sticky rice. This mouthwatering combination has made Wang’s Broth a local favorite and a must-try destination for food tourists.
Yuan Fang Gua Bao 源芳刈包
Source: TVBS
Yuan Fang Gua Bao is a must-visit for anyone exploring the culinary delights of Huaxi Night Market. Located just a seven-minute walk from Longshan Temple Station, this popular eatery has earned a well-deserved spot on the Michelin Bib Gourmand list, joining other renowned local favorites like Chang Hong Noodle Shop and Hsiao Wang Zhu Gua.
Specializing in gua bao (steamed buns) and four-herbs soup, Yuan Fang Gua Bao offers a simple yet satisfying menu. Their homemade gua bao buns are soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet, providing the perfect base for the flavorful fillings. The pork belly is cooked to perfection, tender but not overly so, with a slightly chewy skin. The combination of the savory pork, crunchy pickled cabbage, and nutty peanut powder is simply irresistible.
Chang Hong Noodle Shop 昶鴻麵點
Source: ifunny.blog, Michelin Guide
Chang Hong Noodle Shop is a long-standing institution in Huaxi Night Market that has consistently been recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand. Established over seven decades ago, this humble eatery has maintained its traditional charm with simple outdoor seating on wooden tables and metal chairs.
The menu is straightforward. They offer a variety of noodle dishes such as dry noodles, soup noodles, rice noodles, and flat rice noodles. Their signature dish is the “chrysanthemum pork” noodle soup. The pork tail noodle soup and the house special noodle soup are also popular choices. The cold cuts are equally delicious, with the poached chicken and golden eggs being particularly noteworthy. This no-frills eatery offers a taste of old-school Taiwanese cuisine that has captivated locals and tourists alike.
Yosen Mian Xian (Thin Noodles) 悠鱻麵線
You Xian Mian Xian offers a variety of creative seafood noodle combinations. Beyond the classic large intestine and oyster noodles, they also have unique beef and preserved egg noodle options. Their “Mai Ge Wen Mian Xian” (loosely translated as “Don’t Ask What’s in the Noodles”) features a daily changing selection of fresh seafood, ensuring that each bowl is unique and satisfying.
The basic classic large intestine and oyster noodles are already delicious, with the owner carefully selecting plump, fresh oysters. The noodles are handmade and sun-dried, resulting in a sturdier texture that holds up well, even when taken home. The broth is also special, simmered with a generous amount of seafood and pork skin for a rich and flavorful base. Unlike traditional noodle soups, You Xian Mian Xian’s broth is thick but not overly starchy, making it a refreshing and satisfying meal.
Source: You Xian Mian Xian FB Page
Their most eye-catching dish is the “Gout Noodles Plus,” a seafood lover’s dream packed with various types of seafood, including shrimp, abalone, squid, and more. While this indulgent dish is only available to regular customers by reservation, it offers an unforgettable and affordable seafood experience. If you love seafood, we are sure you will love the seafood in Cijin Island, Kaohsiung as well.
Wanhua Night Market
Wanhua District, Taipei’s historic heart, is home to several vibrant night markets. Guangzhou Street, Wuzhou Street, and Xichang Street form a bustling network, offering a diverse range of Taiwanese street food, from savory snacks to sweet treats. These markets are known for their authentic local flavors, affordable prices, and lively atmosphere.
Dingtop1 Tempura 頂級甜不辣
Source: dingtop1.com.tw
Dingtop1 Tempura is a renowned tempura shop in Wanhua’s Guangzhou Street night market. For over three decades, this family-run establishment has captivated the taste buds of countless food lovers with its unwavering commitment to using the freshest ingredients and a secret, time-honored dipping sauce.
Known for its fresh ingredients and secret family dipping sauce, this old institution has a loyal following. The broth, made with Lishan turnips, is clear and flavorful, while the fritters are made with high-quality fish paste. Other ingredients like pork blood cake and fish balls add depth to the dish.
Liang Xi Hao Squid Thick Soup 兩喜號魷魚焿
Source: TVBS
Liang Xi Hao Squid Thick Soup has been a beloved neighborhood institution near Longshan Temple in Wanhua for nearly a century. Founded in 1921 by Chen Liang Xi, who originally sold oyster omelets and fried rice from a shoulder pole. This nearly century-old flavor is a must-try for anyone visiting Wanhua.
Their fried rice noodles are made with thin rice noodles from Hsinchu and topped with bean sprouts, homemade fried shallots, and a dollop of garlic. It’s moist, chewy, and full of the fragrant flavors of shallots and garlic. The Squid Thick Soup is packed with ingredients like fish cakes, squid, and fish paste. All simmered in a sweet and slightly garlicky broth made with radish. The freshly fried shrimp rolls offer a satisfying crunch and a moist, flavorful filling. The freshly fried burdock tempura, made with burdock strips mixed with fish paste, provides a crispy exterior and a sweet and savory interior.
Shi Jia Crispy Oyster Omelet 施家脆皮蚵仔煎
Source: lordcat.net. bbysmile.pixnet.net
Shi Jia Crispy Oyster Omelet has been delighting customers since 1990 with its large, plump oysters sourced directly from Dongshi, Chiayi. Whether you’re craving an oyster omelet, stir-fried oysters, or oyster soup, this establishment consistently delivers.
So popular is their oyster omelet that it was even featured on a Korean TV show by renowned food critic and chef Baek Jong-won as one of Taipei’s must-try street foods. Their signature dish, the crispy oyster omelet, is made with extra-large, fresh oysters and a unique cooking technique. The edges are crispy and fragrant, while the center remains soft and tender. The use of lard adds a nostalgic flavor, reminiscent of old-fashioned Taiwanese cuisine. Shi Jia’s cooking process involves adding the oysters first, followed by the batter. Once the batter sets slightly, they add the egg to the center, leaving the edges bare to create a crispy crust. The result is a truly exceptional oyster omelet that has become a local favorite.
Tasty Food Near Longshan Temple
Zhou Ji Meat Porridge 周記肉粥店
Source: ifoodie.tw
Zhou Ji Meat Porridge is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Taiwanese comfort food in Wanhua. Located near Longshan Temple, this traditional eatery offers a nostalgic dining experience with its classic pork porridge and an array of delectable side dishes. Their signature deep-fried braised pork is a standout, with its crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior. The perfect balance of meat, fat, and skin creates a truly satisfying bite. Diners often find themselves returning time and again for this iconic dish. The combination of the warm porridge provides a comforting meal that will leave you craving more.
Wan Da Xie Ke Huang 萬大蟹殼黃
Source: Etoday, Lexies’s blog
Wan Da Xie Ke Huang is a local bakery known for its delicious, freshly baked crab-shaped pastries. Sitting at the intersection of Wanda Road and Xizang Road, this popular shop always has a long line of eager customers. Offering both savory and sweet options, each pastry is just around NT$15. Watching the bakers skillfully shape and bake these treats is quite a sight.
Despite their constant efforts, the pastries often sell out quickly. As customers often purchase them in large quantities, sometimes by the boxful. The savory version is generously topped with sesame seeds and is most delicious fresh out of the oven when it’s still warm and crispy. The sweet version contains sweet red bean paste, making it a unique and delightful treat.
Manga 200 Guilin Rice Noodles 艋舺200柳州螺螄粉桂林米粉
Source: Uber Eats
Manga 200 Guilin Rice Noodles is a popular spot in Taipei’s Wanhua district, known for its authentic Liu Zhou River Snail Noodles and Guilin Rice Noodles. While the exact origins of Liu Zhou River Snail Noodles are debated, it’s generally agreed that the dish began to take shape in the 1950s and 1960s in Liuzhou, China. It wasn’t until the 1980s that it truly became a local staple. For many Taiwanese, this spicy noodle soup is a relatively new culinary discovery.
Located near Longshan Temple, Manga 200 has garnered a positive reputation and impressive Google reviews. The restaurant’s staff, primarily from mainland China, adds to the authentic atmosphere. With reasonable prices, Manga 200 primarily serves Liu Zhou River Snail Noodles, Guilin Rice Noodles, Spicy Hot Pot Noodles, and the traditional Guangxi dessert, Tortoise Jelly.
Xiao Nan Wanguo 小南鄭記台南碗粿
Source: WalkerLand, Tainan Xiao Nan Wanguo FB Page
Xiao Nan Wanguo is a traditional Taiwanese establishment that has been serving up delicious bowl cakes since 1949. Originally located near the old South Gate of Tainan City, the shop has since expanded. With the current location being a branch started by the eldest son. With over six decades of history, this third-generation family business remains committed to offering a simple yet satisfying menu featuring only two items: bowl cakes and floating fish soup.
Bowl cakes, originating in Fujian Province, were brought to Taiwan by immigrants during the Qing Dynasty. The Taiwanese version, particularly popular in Tainan, is distinguished by its richer fillings and a sweeter, saltier sauce compared to its Hakka counterpart. Floating fish soup, on the other hand, is a Fujianese dish that was introduced to Taiwan by followers of Zheng Chenggong. Tainan-style floating fish soup emphasizes a clear, flavorful broth and fresh, high-quality fish.
If you have the luxury to travel to the south of Taiwan, do not miss the famous Sun Moon Lake, Alishan or Kenting Beach!
Sunway 三味食堂
Source: Taipei Walker FB
Sunway is a popular Japanese restaurant located on Guiyang Street, right between Ximending and Wanhua. Conveniently situated within a 10-minute walk from both Ximen and Longshan Temple MRT stations, it’s easily accessible by public transportation. Be prepared for a wait, especially on weekends, as this restaurant is always bustling with customers. Sunway is famous for its fresh sashimi, sushi, handrolls, rice dishes, udon noodles, yakitori, tempura, and stir-fries. A must-try is their extravagant “salmon sushi” which is almost the size of a palm! The salmon is incredibly fresh, with an alluring orange hue. For salmon lovers, this is a definite must-try!
Dessert near Longshan Temple
Lin Jian Fa Grass Jelly 萬華林建發仙草冰
Source: TVBS
Lin Jian Fa Grass Jelly in Wanhua has been a local favorite for over 50 years. It has served up refreshing and traditional Taiwanese desserts since 1970. Located on Mengjia Boulevard, just across from Wanhua Station and a short five-minute walk from Longshan Temple MRT station, this beloved dessert shop specializes in various grass jelly treats.
Their most popular item is the “strip-shaped grass jelly ice,” a smooth and refreshing dessert that’s best enjoyed with a dollop of milk. For a more indulgent treat, try their “iced burnt grass jelly”. It is essentially a loaded version of the strip-shaped grass jelly ice, topped with a variety of ingredients such as oats, pearls, red beans, taro balls, longan, and sweet potato balls. If you’re visiting Longshan Temple, be sure to stop by Lin Jian Fa Grass Jelly for a sweet and satisfying treat.
36 Rice Cake Dessert 三六食粑
Source: 36 Rice Cake Dessert FB Page
36 Rice Cake Dessert is a well-known institution among old-time Taipei residents, especially those familiar with the Longshan Temple area. Located directly opposite the main entrance of Longshan Temple, this shop is a popular spot for locals and tourists. Operating within a traditional market, San Liu Shi Ba has been serving up delicious traditional Taiwanese desserts for many years.
While they offer a variety of treats throughout the year, they are particularly famous for their tangyuan (glutinous rice balls). Available in both sweet and savory varieties, the tangyuan at 36 Rice Cake Dessert are known for their smooth, chewy texture and delicious fillings. It’s no surprise that this shop consistently ranks among the top tangyuan shops in Taipei.
Abo Bo Star Fruit Juice 阿波伯楊桃汁專賣店
Source: niniyeh.com
When it comes to star fruit juice in Taipei, a local favorite that’s been around for decades is Abo Bo Star Fruit Juice. Located near the Wanhua Longshan Temple, this 60-year-old shop is a beloved institution among old-time Taipei residents. Especially during the hot summer months, Abo Bo is a popular destination for those seeking a refreshing and nostalgic drink. Their traditional star fruit juice offers a taste of old Taiwan and is the perfect way to cool down on a hot day.
Wanhua, Taipei’s historic food district, offers a captivating culinary journey that blends tradition with innovation. When visiting the iconic Longshan Temple, don’t forget to swing by and grab some tasty Taiwanese food. From century-old eateries to vibrant night markets, this neighborhood is a treasure trove of delicious and affordable Taiwanese cuisine.
If you like our What to Eat series, please also check what to eat at Tamsui, Maokong, Beitou, Yangmingshan, Ximengding and more!
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