Taiwan’s street food has always been famous, with popular items like fried chicken cutlets, sweet potato balls, oyster vermicelli, and bubble tea becoming iconic representatives of Taiwanese food. However, if you’re looking to experience more traditional and refined main courses, these are not something you’ll find on every street corner.
Especially you’re visiting Taiwan with your family, its can bring a unique dining experiences by experience the authentic Taiwanese cuisine.
I’ve handpicked 7 authentic Taiwanese restaurants that’ll give you the true taste of Taiwan in 2024. It’s advisable to make reservations in advance.
So, are you ready for a taste explosion? Let’s take a look and plan your visit!
Table of Contents
Story behind the Taiwanese Cuisine
To taste authentic Taiwanese cuisine, you’ll need to visit restaurants or dining establishments that specialize in this craft. These highly skilled dishes, which require significant time and expertise(they are referred to as”功夫菜”), are not something that can be mastered overnight. Many classic Taiwanese dishes have origins in traditional banquet settings, where a variety of dishes are prepared to serve many guests. Each step, from menu planning and ingredient preparation to cooking and serving, must be executed flawlessly. Failure to do so could damage the restaurant’s reputation, as only establishments with a certain level of skill can undertake such responsibilities.
Additionally, early Chinese immigrants to Taiwan came from regions like Fujian and Hakka areas, bringing their culinary traditions with them. We can still see traces of these influences in modern Taiwanese cuisine. Combined with Taiwan’s rich seafood resources, fresh seafood has become an essential element of Taiwanese dishes. When these traditional culinary cultures meet new ingredients and local customs in this new land, they create a unique and diverse flavour profile in Taiwanese cuisine.
Unlike Western dining, where individual plates are served, Chinese dining usually involves ordering several dishes to share among a group, often accompanied by conversation. Therefore, a large table of dishes is typically ordered during festive gatherings or special occasions (like weddings and birthdays) with family and friends. For smaller groups, it may be difficult to finish all the dishes, or the variety of dishes may be limited. It’s recommended to dine with at least two people to make ordering easier.
Some classic Taiwanese dishes you must try include Crab Rice Cake, Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, Pepper Shrimp, and Three-Cup Chicken. The crab in Crab Rice Cake is at its best in the autumn, so it’s ideal to try it then (though frozen crab is available in other seasons, so you can still enjoy it—just check with the restaurant in advance). Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is a dish that requires a long preparation time, so some restaurants may not have it available at all times and may require advance reservations. Shrimp and chicken are common ingredients available year-round without needing reservations.
Ok, Let’s dive in!
7 Must Try Taiwanese restaurants in Taipei:
1. Umeko Taiwanese Cuisine 梅子餐厅
This long-standing Taiwanese restaurant, established in 1965, features a nostalgic environment and warm service where you can enjoy traditional Taiwanese cuisine. Adapting to modern dining habits, they offer smaller portion options, so two people can comfortably order 3-4 dishes, and even the “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” is served in a single serving size. Recommended dishes include “Steamed Mud Crab with Glutinous Rice” and “Braised Pork Trotter”! The Steamed Mud Crab with Glutinous Rice is best enjoyed by mixing the crab meat and rich crab roe with the sticky rice. Their Braised Pork Trotter focuses on maintaining a certain level of firmness and texture rather than just being overly tender.
- Address: No. 1, Lane 107, Linsen North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
- Reservation Phone: +886 2 2521 3200
- Official Website: Umeko Taiwanese Cuisine
- Recommended: Steamed Mud Crab with Glutinous Rice(红蟳米糕), Braised Pork Trotter(卤猪脚)
*English Menu Available
2. Mingfu Restaurant 明福台菜海鲜
This Michelin one-star Taiwanese restaurant is quite small with limited seating, so it’s essential to make a reservation in advance; otherwise, you won’t be able to get a table. Their signature dishes, “Abalone Glutinous Rice Chicken Soup” and “Supreme Buddha Jumps Over the Wall,” feature rich and flavorful broths that require long hours of cooking, and again, you won’t get to try these without reservation. Additionally, the portions are quite large, so it’s not recommended to visit with just two people; a group of at least four is advisable.
Please take note, this restaurant only accepts cash payments and does not accept credit cards.
- Location: No. 18-1, Lane 137, Section 2, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
- Reservation Phone: +886 2 2562 9287
- Recommended: Abalone Glutinous Rice Chicken Soup(鲍鱼糯米鸡汤), Supreme Buddha Jumps Over the Wall(一品佛跳墙)
*No English Menu
3. AoBa Zhongshan Restaurant 青叶台湾料理
When it comes to Chinese food, white rice is a staple, but this Taiwanese restaurant also offers a traditional option—”sweet potato porridge”, which is one of the traditional culinary cultures of Fujian. The portions of dishes can be adjusted, making it possible to order several dishes for two people or choose from their set menus for two, five, six, or ten people. With over 100 menu options, visitors unfamiliar with Chinese cuisine might find it challenging to choose. Among their recommendations are the “Pan-fried Pork Liver” made with a secret sauce passed down for over 50 years, and the “Golden Money Shrimp Cakes,” which are also a signature dish.
- Location: No. 10, Lane 105, Section 1, Zhongshan North Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
- Reservation Phone: +886 2 2551 7957
- Online Reservation: OpenTable
- Menu: AoBa Menu/https://aoba1964.mystrikingly.com/2
- Recommended: Mullet Roe Fried Rice(乌鱼子炒饭), Golden Shrimp Cakes(金钱虾饼), Pan-fried Pork Liver(香煎猪肝)
*English Menu Available
4. Golden Formosa Taiwanese Cuisine 金蓬萊遵古台菜餐厅
This well-established Taiwanese restaurant has earned a Michelin star for six consecutive years, so be sure to make a reservation in advance, or you might not get a table. While it is possible to dine here as a party of two, it might be a bit tight, as you can only order around two dishes (ordering more may result in wastage). It is recommended to visit with a group of four or more. The dishes here originate from Beitou’s traditional restaurant fare, and they are renowned for their meticulous preparation. The must-try dishes are their signature “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall” and “Crispy Pork Ribs.”
- Location: No. 101, Tianmu East Road, Shilin District, Taipei City
- Reservation Phone: +886 2 2871 1517
- Menu: Golden Formosa Menu (English menu available at the bottom)
- Recommended: Buddha Jumps Over the Wall(佛跳墙), Golden Formosa Crispy Pork Ribs(金蓬萊排骨酥)
*English Menu Available
5. Mipon (Grand Mayfull Hotel) 米香台菜餐厅（美福大饭店）
Located within the Grand Mayfull Hotel, Mipon is quite friendly to international visitors. The Taiwanese restaurant offers both large private rooms for groups and smaller tables for fewer guests, making it suitable for a party of two who can comfortably order three or four dishes. Recommended dishes include “Mouthwatering Chicken,” which features white cut chicken topped with a special sweet and sour sauce, and “Black Date Honey Ribs,” where fried ribs are stewed with a honey sauce made from black dates.
- Address: 3F, No. 55, Lequn 2nd Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City (Grand Mayfull Hotel Taipei)
- Reservation Phone: +886 2 7722 3391
- Online Reservation: Book a Table
- Menu: Mipon Menu
- Recommended Dishes: Black Date Honey Ribs(黑枣蜜汁排骨), Mouthwatering Chicken(口水鸡)
*English Menu Available
6. Mountain & Sea House Restaurant 山海楼
This Michelin one-star Taiwanese restaurant offers the best English menu interface and strives to show that Taiwanese cuisine extends beyond night market street food, with many exquisite dishes available. It is quite friendly to foreign tourists. The restaurant also has seating for two, so it’s suitable for a couple. The decor has a nostalgic style, providing not only a meal but also a pleasant atmosphere.
Dishes like “Buddha Jumps Over the Wall”, “Sea Cucumber” and “Roast Suckling Pig” require a reservation two days in advance. Recommended dishes include the “Shan Hai Deluxe Platter,” which features six different small dishes, “Traditional Fried Rice Noodles,” and “Roast Suckling Pig.”
- Location: No. 94, Section 2, Ren’ai Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City
- Reservation Phone: +886 2 2351 3345
- Online Reservation: https://inline.app/booking/-LOEGOiuX6eKriFBx6i2:inline-live-2a466/-LOEGOjuv4YoLm5tNnI-?language=en
- Recommended Dishes: Shan Hai Deluxe Platter(山海豪华拼盘), Traditional Fried Rice Noodles(古早味炒米粉), Roast Suckling Pig(烤乳猪)
*English Menu Available
7. Mao Yuan Restaurant 茂园台菜餐厅
Unlike the previously mentioned restaurants that focus on sophisticated dishes, this Taiwanese restaurant specializes in homestyle cuisine with warm and friendly service. The dishes come in various portion sizes, so smaller groups can also enjoy smaller servings.
Their “White Cut Chicken” is exceptionally tender, with a thin layer of meat jelly between the skin and the flesh, making it a top choice. The “Braised Cabbage” is cooked with ingredients like cabbage, mushrooms, and dried shrimp, offering a taste of authentic traditional flavors.
- Location: No. 185, Section 2, Chang’an East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei City
- Reservation Phone: +886 2-2752-8587
- Menu: http://www.maoyuan.tw/our-menu/
- Recommended: White Cut Chicken(白斩鸡), Braised Cabbage(白菜卤)
*No English Menu Available
Conclusion
Just a friendly reminder from me: Make sure to reserve your seats or dishes in advance to avoid disappointment. When choosing dishes, don’t hesitate to ask the staff for their recommendations; sometimes you might get the chance to enjoy fresh ingredients that aren’t usually available, which can be a pleasant surprise.
If some dishes catch your eye but the location is inconvenient, reservations are full, or you have a smaller group, don’t worry. Most of the recommended dishes are not unique to any one restaurant; many classic dishes are available at various places. You don’t need to insist on trying a specific restaurant’s Steamed Mud Crab with Glutinous Rice, Golden Shrimp Cakes, or Buddha Jumps Over the Wall—other restaurants serve similar dishes at a high level as well (unless you’re an extremely picky and dedicated food connoisseur).
The recommendations here are just for signature dishes, and other restaurants offer similar dishes with good quality, so there’s no need to worry about not enjoying your meal.
If you don’t speak Chinese or find reservations too troublesome, for convenience, consider choosing a Taiwanese restaurant that offers online booking and has English menus, rather than just pursuing the most authentic place. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you! Don’t forget to share your favourite dishes in the comments below – I’d love to hear about your Taipei food escapades!
