Taipei is a city that comes to life at night and there is truly no experience more quintessential than checking out a night market. Today I’m going to take you on a little food tour to Ningxia Night Market（寧夏夜市)which is one of THE most popular night markets in Taipei for locals and tourists
It is also home to FIVE Michelin Bib Gourmand eats and that is exactly what we will be checking out today!
In this blog I will be including some special tips such as the names of the dishes at each of these Michelin stalls in English, Chinese and chinese phonetics so that you can order despite any language barriers!
I will also include information such as how to get to Ningxia night market, when it opens and also what is the best day of the week to go
Yes – none of these michelin rated stalls are open 7 days a week so there are only certain days you should go if you want to try out all five in one go
Basically by the end of this you will be navigating yourself through Ningxia Night Markets, Michelin style, like a seasoned pro!
By the way this article is basically an excerpt of my youtube video which you can watch below instead if you prefer your information in video form (dont forget to subscribe while you’re there!)
What to know about Ningxia Night Market
Ningxia Night market is home to over 200 stalls and is open everyday from 5pm right up to 1am. Not everything will be open right on the dot at 5pm but I would recommend getting there at that time anyway as the stalls can get really crazy busy
You want to bring cash and in particular lots of small change as most if not all of these stalls are CASH only
How to get to Ningxia Night Market
Taipei has one of the best public transportation systems in the world and it is super easy to get to Ningxia Night Markets
however if you wish to take a cab I have also included the google map location link in the description box
Ningxia is located in the Datong district, If you are taking a train the closest station would be Shunglian (雙連) station which is located on the red Tamsui Xinyi line
Once you get there you need to locate Exit 1 and turn left onto Minsheng West Road (民生西路) heading west
the Ningxia Night Markets is roughly an 8 minute walk from there
You will need an Easy 悠遊 card to ride the trains, if you’re not sure what that is don’t worry as I have previously covered it in my what you need to know before going to Taipei video.
1. Yuan Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette (圓環邊蚵仔煎)
And the first store we are going to is located right next to the main entrance of the market
I love oysters omelettes so I when I tell you how fast I ran towards this first stall you best believe it
I got there at 5pm and there was already a medium sized queue at the front of the store
Oyster omelette aka 蚵仔煎 (Hezai Jian) is a taiwanese night market favorite and Yuan Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette 圓環邊蚵仔煎 (Yuán huán biān hézaǐ jiān) has been serving up this tasty treat since 1965!
Unlike the other spots we will be checking out in this video Yuan Huan Bian has its own store front, hot tip, they are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
If you’ve never had it before the dish is well, an omelette mainly consisting of small oysters, Yuan Huan Pien uses oysters from Tainan
Sweet potato starch is added in with the egg batter to give the final omelette a thicker consistency
And a sweet hot sauce is then added over the top to give the omelette a nice spice kick
Watching the omelette being made is also seriously fascinating, I mean the speed at which this guy is making and serving them up is out of this world!
This plate of oyster omelette cost just 85 TWD or 4 aussie dollars! Once you’ve placed your order you will be directed to their dining area right next to the store front
The omelette came out pretty quickly and guys this was seriously good – Highly recommend you eat it while its hot, you get the oysters while they’re still creamy and there were so many of them in the omelette too!
Guys, we are off to a great start!
2. Fang Chia Shredded Chicken on Rice (方家雞肉飯)
It was very easy to spot this next Michelin stall, just look at the queue.
方家雞肉飯 (Fang Jia Ji Rou Fan) is located at stall 60 and when you see it IMMEDIATELY join the queue
You are here for this very simple looking bowl of shredded chicken on rice
Yes I know what you’re thinking, what? that’s it? that’s what I’m here for?
But guys the queue was crazy – do remember that this made it to the Michelin bib gourmand list out of the over 200 stalls at Ningxia
I did finally get a seat after a roughly 20 minute wait and the good news is that the comes out real quick after you get a seat
This bowl of chicken rice costs 50 TWD or 1.63 Aussie dollars
I could already smell how good this was when it was served, the chicken was so tender and I dont know what they put in the sauce that they drizzle over the rice but it made the entire thing so addictive to eat
I seriously polished off the whole thing in less than 5 minutes! My only regret was not trying out their other dishes which has made this stall now a must try again
In my opinion, totally worth the wait!
Also hot tip, according to Google this store doesn’t open on Mondays
3. Liu Yu Zi (Liu yu Zai fried taro balls) - 劉芋仔芋餅
This next stall is arguably the most popular out of the five michelin stalls covered, just google Ningxia Night market and I can guarantee you will see pictures this stall featuring their egg yolk and pork floss
劉芋仔芋餅 (Liu Yu Zai Yue Bing) Liu yu Zai fried taro balls is located at stall 91
They only have TWO items on their menu
the classic deep fried taro balls and the version with salted egg yolk and pork floss
As with any of the other Michelin stalls there is always a queue but it moves fast
It took me only about 15 minutes to get to the front of the line and as the queue inches closer to the front you also get to witness the taro balls being made up close and I can’t help but be amazed at how effortlessly quick he is churning out the taro balls
The balls are then deep fried before served to you piping hot!
The size is very generous, I got 2 of each and really felt I overdid it after finishing the first plain taro one
The warm creamy taro was so good though!
But if you’re like me and love anything salted egg then the second flavor here is made for you, it is also made from the same taro but stuffed with salted egg yolk and pork floss
I mean, if I had to choose just one this would be it
Although the original taro ball cost just 25 twd or 80 us cents whilst the version with salted egg cost 35 twd or 1.14 us dollars so why wouldn’t you get both?
Hot tip – they are closed on Thursdays
This one is a must try!
4. Lin Zhen Zhao Mochi（林振櫂燒麻糬）
And located right next to Liu yu Zai is the next Michelin destination serving up one of my favorite sweet treats, Mochi!
Lin Zhen Zhao Mochi（林振櫂燒麻糬) Lin Zhen Zhao Shao Mashu is open Tuesdays to Sundays, they serve up made to order mochi paired with ground sesame seeds and peanut powder
You also get the option of getting it served on shaved ice and condensed milk but as I was here alone I could only pick one
Went with the fresh mochi and a side of peanut soup, another Taiwanese street food classic!
The fresh mochi cost 50 twd or 1.60 us dollars and the peanut soup was just 1.80 us dollar
You’re meant to roll the sticky mochi piece in either the peanut or black sesame powder before consuming, or both at the same, life a little you know?
The mochi was still warm, soft and stretchy – it was DIVINE!
The peanut soup was also good but I visited right at the start of summer so honestly this is definitely something I’d recommend in the colder seasons, it is still good tho!
5. Rong's Pork Liver (豬肝榮仔)
But this next stall had by far the longest queue out of all the michelin rated stalls I went to in this tour
Rong’s Pork Liver **豬肝榮仔 (**Zhū gān róng zaǐ) is located right near the main entrance at stall 8 and 10
Apart from long queue you will also spot a small crowd around the shop mascot
It took roughly 30 minutes for me to get to front of the queue and you are here for their best seller, this bowl of liver slices in a rich peppery broth.
This cost me 65 TWD or slightly over 2 US dollars and Hot tip- you can always ask for extra broth
They also recommended me to get their shallot taro cake which cost 55 TWD or 1.80 US (1.79 USD) so I figured no harm and guys it was delicious!
The weather was so hot but the soup was so delicious that i finished the entire bowl including the broth!
I dont know about you but I am DEFINITELY coming back for a visit in winter!
They are also closed on Mondays.
Best Day to go to Ningxia Night Market
Which bring me to the question -what is the best day of the week to visit Ningxia night market if you want to try out all five of these stalls?
Have you been paying attention? =)
Let me lay this out for you
- Yuan Huan Pien Oyster Egg Omelette is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
- Fang Chia Shredded Chicken on the Rice? Closed on Mondays
- The Liu Yu Zi taro balls stall is closed on Thursdays while
- Lin Zhen Zhao Mochis are closed on Mondays
Which means that Fridays to Sundays are the best days to visit this Ningxia Night market!
Outro
If this little food tour has got you night market curious I’ve also covered a total of NINE michelin rated stalls at Ningxia Night Market and Taiwans LARGEST night market, Shilin – you can check them out next!
If you have any further questions or anything else you wanna say dont forget to leave me a comment in the comment section of the YouTube video or follow me on Instagram and Tiktok!
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