Beef Noodle Soup
Often eaten: Lunch or Dinner
Known for: Gangshan in Kaohsiung, where Taiwan's famous modern style was shaped by Sichuan-influenced veterans
FestivalsFamily Gatherings
Photo: Connie Ma (fickr user "ironypoisoning") (CC BY-SA 2.0)
3 dishes to discover
Food of Taiwan
Taiwan is a beautiful island known for its delicious and diverse food. Taiwanese food combines flavors from different cultures, creating unique dishes that are fun to try. Whether it's the bustling night markets or family get-togethers, food is a big part of life in Taiwan.
Featured Dishes
Meal Culture
In Taiwan, meals are a time to enjoy tasty food with family and friends. People often share many dishes during one meal. Food brings joy and is important in celebrations like weddings and festivals.
Eating Etiquette
It's polite to wait for older family members to start eating first. People often say 'thank you' to the cook after finishing a meal.
When People Eat It
Oyster Omelette
Often eaten: Often eaten as a snack or light meal at night markets, especially in the afternoon or evening
Known for: Coastal western Taiwan, especially oyster-farming towns such as Lukang and Tainan
Night Markets
Taiwanese Pineapple Cake
Often eaten: Dessert or Snack
Known for: Taiwanese bakeries islandwide, especially popular as a Taipei take-home souvenir
GiftsSpecial Occasions
Make It Yourself
๐ฉโ๐ณ Cook together! Always ask a grown-up to help with hot or sharp steps.
Beef Noodle Soup็่้บต
Makes 4 servingsIngredients
- 1.5 lb (680 g)Beef shank or stew meat
- 4 servingsWheat noodles
- 1/3 cup (80 ml)Soy sauce
- for the brothGinger, garlic, star anise
- 2 tomatoesTomatoes
- 2 cupsBok choy and green onion
How to Make It
- 1Ask a grown-up to brown the beef chunks in a pot.
- 2Add the ginger, garlic, star anise, soy sauce, tomatoes, and about 8 cups of water.
- 3Simmer gently for about 1.5 hours, until the beef is very tender.
- 4Cook the noodles in a separate pot, then drain.
- 5Blanch the bok choy in the hot broth for a minute.
- 6Pile noodles in bowls, add beef and broth, and top with greens and green onion.
Oyster Omelette่ตไป็
Makes 2 servingsIngredients
- 1 cup (150 g)Small oysters
- 3 eggsEggs
- 3 tbspSweet potato starch
- 1/2 cup (120 ml)Water
- 1 cupLeafy greens
- to serveSweet chili sauce
How to Make It
- 1Stir the sweet potato starch into the water to make a thin batter.
- 2Ask a grown-up to heat an oiled pan and add the oysters.
- 3Pour the starch batter over the oysters and let it set a little.
- 4Crack the eggs on top and add the greens.
- 5Cook until the edges are crisp and the egg is set, then fold.
- 6Drizzle with sweet chili sauce โ a famous Taiwanese night-market dish.
Taiwanese Pineapple Cake้ณณๆขจ้ ฅ
Makes 12 cakesIngredients
- 1 1/2 cups (190 g)Flour
- 1/2 cup (115 g)Butter
- 1/3 cup (40 g)Powdered sugar
- 1 eggEgg
- 1 cup (320 g)Pineapple jam
How to Make It
- 1Beat the butter and powdered sugar until creamy, then mix in the egg.
- 2Stir in the flour to make a soft dough and chill it for 30 minutes.
- 3Roll the pineapple jam into 12 small balls.
- 4Wrap a piece of dough around each jam ball and press into a small rectangle mold.
- 5Ask a grown-up to bake at 350ยฐF (175ยฐC) for about 18 minutes, until lightly golden.
- 6Cool fully โ a buttery Taiwanese gift cake with a chewy fruit center.
Vocabulary
Taiwan's food is as loved as Italy's pizza or Japan's sushi, with famous dishes like bubble tea and beef noodle soup that people enjoy all over the world.