Keelung Night Market: The Foodie's Holy Grail

Taipei has Shilin (too big) and Raohe (too crowded). But 40 minutes away by train is the destination for true gourmands: Keelung Miaokou Night Market. "Miaokou" means "Temple Entrance." The market grew around the Dianji Temple, and it remains the heart of the city.

Why it wins

1. Uniformity: Every stall has the same yellow lantern and numbering system. It looks beautiful.
2. Seafood: Keelung is a port city. The seafood is fresher here than anywhere in Taipei.
3. Unique Snacks: You can find things here that do not exist in other markets.

The Must-Eats

1. Tempura (Tian Bu La): Freshly molded fish paste, fried on the spot, served with sweet sauce and cucumber. (Stall 16).
2. Nutritious Sandwich: It sounds healthy. It is not. Deep-fried dough bun filled with ham, egg, cucumber, and massive amounts of mayo. (Stall 58).
3. Crab Thick Soup: Real crab meat in a savory, thick broth. Perfect for a rainy Keelung night. (Stall 5).
4. Bubble Ice: Shaved ice that is beaten until it has the texture of ice cream. Peanut flavor is the OG. (Stall 41).

Pro Tip

It rains in Keelung 200 days a year. Bring an umbrella. The yellow lanterns look even better in the rain anyway.

The Voice of the People (Google Maps Summary)

"Hands down the best night market in Taiwan for foodies. The Crab Thick Soup (Stall 5) is a religious experience. Skip the Nutritious Sandwich if the line is too long (it's basically a donut sandwich), but definitely wait for the Bubble Ice." — Food Vlogger, 2024

"Unlike Shilin, the stalls here are numbered and organized. It feels less chaotic. However, it gets extremely crowded on weekends. Go on a weekday if you can." — Traveler Review