SHILIN MARKET is the premier night market in Taiwan for bargain goods, clothes, accessories and yummy street food. It’s our favorite night market and one of the reasons why we fell in love with Taiwan.
The Shilin Night Market in Taipei is one of the largest, most popular night markets in Taiwan with regard
to food, and also one of the most popular points of Taipei’s night life among visitors. Located in Taipei’s
Shilin District, a mere 70 metres from MRT Jiantan Station between Dadong Rd, Danan Rd, Wenlin Rd,
and Jihe Rd. The maze of alleyways is filled with a variety of local, traditional, and international
merchandise that attract locals and foreigners alike.
The night market consists of two major elements: general merchandise and local cuisine. Along the
western edge of the market is the Shilin Night Market Food Court (士林夜市B1美食區), an underground
food paradise.
Many of Taiwan’s traditional foods can be found and bought for reasonable prices from the friendly
locals who are eager to let you taste the unique flavours of their traditional recipes such as Giant Fried
Chicken Steak, Tempura, Bubble Tea, Oyster Vermicelli Oyster Omelet, Fried Buns and of course, the
most notorious Taiwanese goodie, Stinky Tofu.
The most popularly recommended food in Shilin Night Market is the Oyster Omelet (蚵仔煎),
pronounced by everyone in Taiwanese as é ā jiān.
“The dish consists of an omelet with a filling primarily composed of small oysters. Starch (typically
potato starch) is mixed into the egg batter, giving the resulting egg wrap a thicker consistency. Pork lard
is often used to fry the omelet. Depending on regional variation, a savoury sauce may then be poured on
top of the omelet for added taste. Spicy or chili sauce mixed with lime juice is often added to provide an
intense taste.”
Although the market usually begins bursting with activity every day in the late evening and doesn’t stop
until past midnight, most food vendors will have left by midnight. So if you want to get a taste of this
unique dish, get there early!
The market showcases Taiwan’s culture with its vivid colours and general atmosphere, along with
friendly shop keepers and plenty of delicious food and cheap clothes!
Visitors looking for a hotel close by to Shilin Night Market should check out Les Suites Grandee, located
right along the eastern edge of the market rated highly by Singaporean guests.