Growing up in Taipei during the ’90s, Shilin Night Market wasn’t just a tourist hotspot – it was my playground. Back then, before the tourist buses and Instagram crowds, Shilin was pure, unfiltered Taiwanese food culture at its finest. After two decades of eating my way through every alley and corner of this sprawling food paradise, I’ve witnessed its evolution from a local haunt to an international sensation. Some things have changed – new vendors have moved in, bringing fresh interpretations of street food classics. But what hasn’t changed is the soul of Shilin Night Market: that intoxicating mix of sizzling sounds, enticing aromas, and the warmth of vendors who still remember their regulars. In this guide, I’m taking you through my personal picks of Shilin’s absolute best eats – from the legendary stalls that have been serving the same perfected recipes for generations to exciting newcomers who are breathing…
