Shilin Night Market 士林夜市

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.

Shilin night market is one of the attractions that must be visited when in Taipei, the sites, scents and bargains are enough to plan a second visit - you can never get enough!