Are you ready for a delicious adventure? Today, I’m going to take you on a food tour of one of my favorite places in Taiwan: the Keelung Night Market! As a Taiwanese who’s been exploring the island’s food scene for over two decades, I can confidently say that Keelung Night Market is a must-visit for any foodie.
Keelung Night Market (or Miaokou Night Market 廟口夜市) is famous for its amazing street food. From savory snacks like oyster omelets and stinky tofu to sweet treats like bubble tea and shaved ice, there’s something for everyone here. But there’s a secret that many people don’t know about this night market…
Source: foodieteller.com
Did you know that some of the stalls at Keelung Night Market are actually run by different vendors during the day and night? That’s right! It’s not only a “night market” but a “day market” as well. You can often find different kinds of food being sold at the same stall depending on the time of day. So, keep an eye out for the signs to see what delicious treats are in store for you!
In this post, we’ll be covering:
- The best foods to try at Keelung Night Market: I’ll share my top picks and give you some tips on what to order.
- Hidden gems: You won’t want to miss these lesser-known but equally delicious food stalls.
- Tips for navigating the night market: From finding parking to avoiding the crowds, I’ll give you all the info you need to have a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Getting There & Parking
Train is the easiest: Take the train to Keelung Station. It’s just a short 10-minute walk from the station to the night market.
Driving? There are a few parking lots nearby
- Closest: Bo Ai Underground Parking (Entrance is quite narrow, might be tricky for SUVs or bigger cars)
- East Coast Parking Lot
- Xin 2nd 3D Parking Lot
- Xin Yi Elementary School Underground Parking (Personal favorite! Brand new and lots of spaces)
- If these are full: Try parking near the Provincial Hospital or the Xin Er 3D Parking Lot.
Map and Navigation of Keelung Night Market
Keelung Night Market is pretty easy to navigate, but there are a few things to keep in mind. Most of the food stalls are lined up along Ren San Road, starting from the Dajizong Temple and going all the way to Ai Si Road. It’s like a big L-shaped area packed with delicious food!
On Ren San Road, the stalls are numbered, so finding a specific one is a breeze. Just look for the number above the stall. But once you cross over to Ai Si Road, things might get a little less organized. So, if you’re looking for a specific stall on this side, it’s best to look for the shop name or the building number.
Other than Keelung night market, another cool place to eat near a temple is Dadaocheng (Dihua st), check out our recommended restaurants.
Keelung Night Market Top Food Stalls
Without further ado, let’s dive in our recommended food stalls at Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market.
One Bite Sausage 一口吃香腸
📍 Google Maps | Stall No.43
Source: @hana.foodie_
If you’re visiting Keelung Night Market, you absolutely have to try the “One Bite Sausage”! It’s a classic must-eat. I’ve heard they sell over 3,000 sausages a day! Watching the sausages sizzle over the charcoal fire is so tempting. You can usually smell the delicious aroma from far away.
Each sausage is only 8 NT dollars, and they even have a price list posted so you can easily see how much you’re paying. I remember when they were only 5 NT dollars, but even at 8 bucks, it’s still a great deal. The sausages are not too fatty and they’re juicy. I love the slightly burnt bits around the edges – they’re so flavorful! One sausage with half a clove of garlic is the perfect combination.
Xing Ji Ding Bian Sui 邢記鼎邊趖
📍 Stall No.25
Source: mecocute.com
Ding Bian Sui is a specialty in Keelung Night Market and a must-try for any foodie. Ding Bian Sui is a unique type of rice noodle that’s made by pouring rice batter onto the sides of a pot and steaming it. It has a chewy texture that’s unlike any other noodle.
At Xing Ji, the soup is light and flavorful, and the Ding Bian Sui is cooked to perfection. It has a slightly chewy texture and a subtle rice flavor. You can add toppings like meatball or shrimp balls to your bowl, but even on its own, it’s incredibly satisfying. The flavors are all well-balanced, and the overall taste is light and refreshing. If you like to add a little extra kick, try adding a dash of black vinegar. It’s the perfect way to experience a true taste of Keelung!
Wuji Crab Thick Soup and Glutinous Oil Rice 吳記螃蟹羹油飯
📍Google Maps | Stall No.5
Source: angelababy0822.com, menutaiwan.com
Wuji Crab Soup and Rice has become really popular in recent years. The only downside is that it gets really crowded, especially during mealtimes.
Their oil rice looks so good, with each grain of rice separate and shiny. It’s got mushrooms, shrimp, shallots, and meat, and it has a really nice texture. I like to add a bit of their chili sauce to give it an extra kick.
The crab soup might look small, but it’s packed with ingredients like cloud ear fungus, bamboo shoots, enoki mushrooms, and of course, crab meat. There are usually about 5-6 pieces of crab meat in each bowl, and they’re always fresh, tender and juicy. The soup itself is thick and flavorful
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Large Intestine Ring 基隆大腸圈
Source: yukigo.tw, yuki.tw
This might not be for everyone. But if you want to try something a little different, Keelung’s large intestine rings are waiting for you! These chewy, flavorful treats are a local specialty. The intestines are cleaned and stuffed with glutinous rice and fried shallots. They’re often served with other pork offal, making them a hearty and satisfying meal. They also have other pork offal like pig skin, heart, and lungs.
The No.2 stall at Keelung night market is a convenient place to try. Otherwise, the most famous one is Keelung Xiao San Large Intestine Ring. They’ve been around for over 50 years!
Chen Ji Shaved Ice 陳記泡泡冰
📍 Google Maps | Stall No.41
Source: bigpipi.tw
Keelung Night Market used to have two famous shaved ice shops: Chen Ji and Shen Ji. It’s hard to say which one is better because it really comes down to personal preference. Chen Ji is more popular due to its location. It’s always packed with people, especially on weekends.
It’s one of the oldest shaved ice shops in the market and still makes their shaved ice by hand, the old-fashioned way. I really like their peanut shaved ice. It’s so creamy and has a strong peanut flavor. It’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot day. The texture is so smooth and soft, it almost feels like love!
Still having a sweet tooth? Our best bubble tea will serve you right!
Pork Thick Soup King 天一香肉羹順
📍 Google Maps | Stall No.31
Source: TVBS
Pork Thick Soup King is Keelung Night Market’s tourist favorites! People say it has the best braised pork rice in Keelung. Even though many locals love it too, tourists seem to go crazy for it. I have a friend who goes there like four times a month! Most people get a set with both the braised pork rice and the meatball soup. The braised pork is piled high on the rice and it’s so flavorful. The meat is tender and the sauce is flavorful but not too greasy. The meatball soup is also really good, with a clear broth and a hint of garlic.
Love braise pork rice? Then you definitely cannot miss 8 Best Braised Pork Rice in Taipei.
Charcoal-grilled Oyster Omelet 基隆廟口炭燒蚵仔煎
📍 Google Maps | Stall No.36
Source: wkitty.tw
Have you ever tried a charcoal-grilled oyster omelet? If you visit Keelung Night Market, you absolutely have to try the one at stall 36. Their oysters are huge and plump, and they look so delicious you’ll want to start drooling!
The best part is that they cook everything right in front of you on a big, hot griddle. And guess what? They use real charcoal to cook it! That’s why their oyster omelets have such a smoky, rich flavor. Once it’s cooked, they pour on a special sweet and spicy sauce that really brings out the flavor of the oysters. The oysters themselves are super fresh, and you can taste the ocean in every bite. It’s no wonder this place has been around for so many years.
Miao-kou Tasty Salt Water Chicken 廟口好吃鹽水雞
Source: keelungplay.com
Have you ever tried salt-water chicken? It’s a popular Taiwanese snack that’s usually sold at night markets. The chicken and vegetables are boiled in salty water, then tossed in a special sauce. At Miao-kou Tasty Salt Water Chicken, they really take salt-water chicken to the next level! Their stall is always packed with so many different kinds of food, from juicy chicken to crunchy vegetables. It’s like a colorful buffet of healthy and delicious snacks.
I love how they season their food. The sauce is a bit saltier than other places, but it really brings out the sweetness of the vegetables. The corn is especially good – it’s so crisp and refreshing. And the chicken? It’s so tender and juicy! It has just the right amount of chewiness. The combination of the salty sauce and the tender chicken is really satisfying.
The night markets near Longshan Temple also has salt water chicken, check it out on your way!
Keelung Temple Grilled Sandwiches 炭烤三明治
Source: weieat.tw
Keelung Temple Grilled Sandwiches used to be the famous No. 9 Grilled Sandwich stall at Keelung Night Market. Back then, it was just a small stall with no seats, but now it’s moved to a cozy little shop in an alleyway. The place is bright and clean, and they even have tables for you to sit down and enjoy your sandwich.
Their menu has a lot of options like ham and cheese, peanut butter, and pork cutlet with egg. Everything sounds so good! The bread is grilled to perfection, crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It’s filled with lots of yummy stuff. If you ever visit Keelung Night Market and crave sandwich, go into the alleyway and try Keelung Temple Grilled Sandwiches! It’s a local favorite. These type of food stalls are also extremely popular near Xingyi Taipei 101.
Three Sisters Dumplings and Pot Stickers 三姐妹水餃大王鍋貼
Source: ifoodie.tw
Three Sisters Dumplings and Pot Stickers is like a mini-restaurant with lots of delicious side dishes, but they’re actually famous for their pan-fried dumplings (guo tie) and regular dumplings (shui jiao).
The pan-fried dumplings are amazing! The bottoms are crispy and golden brown, and they’re filled with juicy meat. You can hear that satisfying “sizzle” when you bite into them. The dumplings are also great – packed with flavor and juicy.
You can order a plate of dumplings and a few side dishes, and it’s like a mini-feast. It’s always busy here, so be prepared to share a table with other people. But trust me, the delicious dumplings and affordable prices make it worth it!
Len Jen Bakery 基隆連珍糕餅店
Source: lenjen.tw
Len Jen Bakery is a popular traditional bakery in Keelung famous for their taro desserts. It’s amazing! The taro flavor is so rich and creamy, and it melts in your mouth. I was really impressed by how smooth and silky the taro paste was. Every bite was filled with this amazing taro flavor.
And the taro burger? It’s a must-try! It’s basically a burger with a thick layer of taro paste in the middle. The taro paste is so good, and you can even taste little bits of taro. The buns are soft and fluffy, and they’re not too sweet. I also tried the taro double layer cake. It was so satisfying! The layers of taro paste were really thick, and the cake was moist and flavorful. I love that Len Jen Bakery has so many different kinds of taro treats to choose from. It’s hard to decide what to get!
Jin Xing Ma Lao 金興蔴粩
📍 Google Maps | Stall No.62
Source: Jin Xing Ma Lao FB Page
If you’re looking for a souvenir from Keelung, you have to check out Jin Xing Ma Lao! Their peanut ma lao is absolutely delicious. They use whole peanuts instead of just peanut powder, which gives it a really nice texture. It’s the perfect gift for any occasion and comes in beautiful packaging. Jin Xing Ma Lao is always my first choice for Keelung souvenirs. During holidays, the shop is always packed with people, especially during Chinese New Year.
Each ma lao is handmade using traditional methods. The inside is soft and fluffy, the middle layer is chewy and sweet, and the outside is coated in crunchy nuts. It’s so tasty, you’ll want to keep eating more and more. It’s a great choice for weddings, gifts, or just as a snack. I personally recommend buying the smaller ones because they’re easier to eat, and they last longer. Every flavor of Jin Xing Ma Lao is unique, but my favorite is the peanut one.
Quanjiafu Sweet Rice Dumplings 全家福酒釀湯圓
Source: DaisyCC.com, popdaily.com
Quanjiafu Sweet Rice Dumplings is a famous snack in Keelung Night Market and has been around for over 50 years! They only have one flavor, but it’s so good that people keep coming back for more.
Imagine watching these big, round, white rice balls being cooked in a pot. It’s so satisfying! You can have them hot or cold. If you choose cold, they’ll pour sweet-smelling osmanthus honey over them. It might look simple, but the taste is amazing! The rice balls are so soft and chewy, and the sesame filling is just the right amount of sweetness. If you like the taste of sweet fermented rice wine, you should definitely give it a try!
Three Brothers Soy Pudding 三兄弟豆花
Source: 他扣的吃喝玩樂誌
Three Brothers Soy Pudding is a local treasure and a must-visit for any dessert lover in Keelung night market. This beloved spot has been serving up delicious treats for over 40 years, and it’s easy to see why they’re so popular.
Their menu is a dream come true for dessert enthusiasts, featuring a wide variety of shaved ice, tofu pudding, and other refreshing treats. You can’t miss their signature A1 set, a delightful combination of bao xing (stuffed glutinous rice balls), chewy taro balls, and black sugar tapioca pearls. The tofu pudding itself is a work of art – incredibly smooth and silky, it almost melts in your mouth.
But the real stars of the show are the toppings. The taro balls and tapioca pearls have the perfect chewy texture, and the sweet red beans add a touch of sweetness. Don’t forget to try their sesame and peanut mochi! The mochi is so soft and chewy, with a rich nutty flavor that will leave you wanting more.
They also have a store in Beitou. Ximending night market has a similar “Three Siblings Soy Pudding”! Seems like a fairly popular name to use!
That’s it! Whether it’s the regular Taiwanese street snacks like sausages and oyster omelette, or something more special like Ding bian sun or large intestine ring, we really hope our list inspired you to go visit Keelung Miaokou Night Market.
If you love our food posts, please check out our other local’s food guides and stay tuned to our other recommendations.
