Everyone who comes to Taiwan eventually falls in love with its flavors. They are neither flashy nor complicated, yet carry a warmth and familiarity that lingers long after the last bite. Whether it’s the aroma of fried snacks drifting from a night market or the comforting scent of soy milk wafting from a breakfast shop, Taiwanese food is not an art form meant to be admired from afar — it is a part of everyday life, gently woven into the island’s rhythm.
This time, I wanted to rediscover Taiwan through taste. From north to south, from cities to mountains and seas, I followed my appetite and began a heartfelt conversation with the island. And along the way, my companion was not only the array of traditional street food that dazzled me, but also a modern convenience that made my journey even sweeter — Uber Eats. During this trip, it became my culinary compass, helping me find comfort, flavor, and a sense of happiness wherever I went.
1. Taipei: From Morning Soy Milk to Midnight Braised Delights
In Taipei, food is the city’s heartbeat. You can hear the hum of soy milk machines in the morning and smell the fragrance of braised snacks drifting through the alleys at midnight. This city never sleeps, because someone, somewhere, is always preparing the next meal.
Each morning, I wake up to the scent of breakfast. Taipei’s breakfast culture is astonishingly diverse — from the famous Yonghe Soy Milk King to the humble street stalls tucked in every corner, there’s always something delicious waiting. Sometimes, I enjoy lining up with the locals, feeling the buzz of the morning crowd. Other times, I simply open Uber Eats, place an order in a few taps, and enjoy my hot meal in the comfort of my hotel room. One morning, I ordered sesame flatbread, fried dough sticks, and soy milk. When the delivery rider handed me the bag with a smile, the warmth and aroma of freshly made food filled the room — it felt like the city itself was welcoming me.
Lunch in Taipei is equally abundant. Beef noodles in Zhongshan, braised pork rice in Wanhua, crispy fried chicken in Shilin — every dish seems to represent the soul of this city. I still remember one rainy day in Yangmingshan; I didn’t feel like going out, so I opened Uber Eats and ordered a bowl of traditional braised beef noodles. The broth was rich and aromatic, the beef tender, the noodles perfectly chewy — one bite was enough to chase away the chill. That was when I realized that convenience and good taste don’t conflict; they make travel even more enjoyable.
2. Taichung: A City That Understands Sweetness
The sunshine in Taichung always carries a soft sweetness, just like its food — unhurried, comforting, and deeply satisfying. Some say Taichung is “the stomach of Taiwan,” because it brings together flavors from across the island.
My first meal in Taichung was bubble milk tea. Many people don’t know this drink actually originated here. Chun Shui Tang, Gong Fu Tea, Wu Tong Hao — each brand has its own character. That afternoon, under the shade of trees along Calligraphy Greenway, I sipped my milk tea and watched the world move slowly by. The sweetness came not only from the caramelized pearls but also from the calm rhythm of life. Later, I used Uber Eats to order milk teas from different stores — my little “research project” on the go. Impressively, every cup arrived promptly, with the right temperature and sugar level. Uber Eats in Taichung feels remarkably precise, reflecting the city’s attention to detail and warmth.
For lunch, I tried Taichung’s famous sun cakes and meatballs. The sun cakes were flaky and fragrant, the meatballs soft yet juicy — the perfect embodiment of local flavor. In the evening, I wandered through Fengjia Night Market, where creativity thrives in every stall: giant chicken steaks, cheesy potatoes, flame-seared sushi — the list goes on. When I finally returned to my hotel, still craving something sweet, I opened Uber Eats once more and ordered Taichung’s signature fruit shaved ice. Sitting by the window, watching the city lights shimmer as I tasted the chilled dessert, I thought to myself: Taichung truly knows how to blend happiness into its food.
3. Tainan: History and Humanity in Every Bite
Tainan is the culinary capital of Taiwan — a place where eating is almost a sacred ritual. Every alley hides decades of tradition, and every food stall tells its own story.
My first impression of Tainan was a steaming bowl of beef soup. At five in the morning, the market was already bustling. The vendor sliced fresh beef and poured boiling broth over it — the aroma alone was enough to wake me up completely. One sip, and I understood why people say, “If you haven’t eaten in Tainan, you haven’t truly tasted Taiwan.”
For lunch, I embarked on a small “snack pilgrimage”: danzai noodles, shrimp rolls, honey toast, and the famous coffin bread. That afternoon was particularly hot, so I stayed in and ordered via Uber Eats. Within 30 minutes, a bowl of warm Anping tofu pudding arrived at my door — silky, fragrant with black sugar syrup, and filled with nostalgia. Later, I ordered the coffin bread: thick toasted bread fried until golden, filled with creamy chicken stew. Crispy on the outside, savory on the inside — I couldn’t help but smile halfway through eating. Happiness, I realized, is something you can literally taste.
4. Kaohsiung: The Taste of Passion and Sea Breeze
Kaohsiung is a city built for sunlight and sea breeze. Its food, just like its people, carries an undeniable energy.
My first stop was the Pier-2 Art Center. After walking for hours under the sun, I opened Uber Eats and ordered papaya milk and seafood pasta. In less than twenty minutes, the delivery rider appeared by the harbor, smiling as he handed me my meal. I sat on a bench by the water, eating as ships slowly glided past, the air filled with salt and freedom.
As evening approached, I headed to Liuhe Night Market. Fried tofu, braised snacks, grilled skewers — the aromas merged into one grand celebration. Taiwan’s night markets are unique in how they bring people together: strangers chatting over food, laughter echoing through the warm air. Later that night, I returned to my hotel and, as usual, opened Uber Eats to order milk tea. Outside, the harbor lights shimmered, and in the quiet of my room, the sweetness of the tea felt like home.
5. Hualien: Nature’s Gift and the Balance of Flavor
Hualien is Taiwan’s gentlest corner, where mountains and ocean meet and the air smells of salt and grass.
My morning began with a simple bento. Sitting on the balcony of my guesthouse, watching the waves, I used Uber Eats to order a local specialty — fried flying fish bento. The crispy fish, steaming rice, and golden sunlight combined into a picture of perfect simplicity. Hualien’s food doesn’t try to impress; it moves you with its honesty.
That afternoon, I wandered through Dongdamen Night Market and bought mochi and peanut ice cream rolls — chewy, sweet, and full of joy. In the evening, back in my guesthouse, I opened Uber Eats once again and ordered sea salt coffee and dessert. Outside, the mountains were silent; inside, the scent of coffee filled the air. I realized then that real travel isn’t about rushing — it’s about slowing down, and food is the most natural rhythm of all.
6. Taitung: The Taste of Wind and Rice Fields
Taitung is the slowest city in Taiwan, where the sky is as wide as the sea and the air smells faintly of rice.
One morning, I was awakened by birdsong. I opened the window, greeted by sunlight and breeze. Using Uber Eats, I ordered breakfast — a savory pancake and an iced latte. The delivery rider rode through the rice fields and handed me my meal, still warm. At that moment, I felt a deep sense of peace, as if I belonged there.
Lunch was a simple bento, each dish fresh and vibrant. In the evening, I went to Tiehua Music Village, listened to indie bands, and sipped a handmade drink. The freedom in the air was intoxicating. On my way back, I opened Uber Eats again and ordered fried chicken and beer. Sitting on the balcony, watching the stars and hearing the ocean’s rhythm, I thought — this is what travel is about: enjoying life in its purest, most effortless form.
7. Taiwan’s Flavors Are Never Just One
From Taipei to Taitung, from the fast pace of the city to the quiet of the countryside, I have recorded Taiwan’s flavors with both my heart and my stomach. Some say Taiwanese cuisine is “fusion,” blending Hokkien, Hakka, Japanese, and Southeast Asian influences. Others say it’s “life itself,” because it’s part of everyone’s everyday story. To me, Taiwanese food is a gentle culture — unpretentious, genuine, and full of emotion. Every bowl of soup, every bite of rice, carries sincerity and care.
Throughout my journey, Uber Eats was like an invisible thread linking all these experiences together. It saved me from long queues in busy Taipei and helped me find meals in quiet Hualien. Wherever I was, I could always count on it for a good meal. It’s not just convenience; it’s a way of traveling — one that is effortless and deeply connected to real life.
