If there’s one thing to be said about Taiwan, it’s that they have amazing snacks! Built on thousands of years of spice-laden cuisine, Taiwanese snacks are both immensely satisfying and tasty and are the best way to experience the food culture on the go. From the salty and filling to the sweet and delicious, there is something for every taste lining the shelves of Taiwanese corner stores.
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Taiwanese Snacks To Eat In Taiwan
From breakfast to dinner and dessert, Taiwan is a food-crazed country. In the capital Taipei and all around the country, food is everywhere.
This is no surprise because Asia is packed with amazing food destinations. After Malaysian and Korean snacks, Taiwanese snacks are some of our favorites.
You’d be missing out on a huge part of Taiwanese culture if you didn’t try Taiwanese snack food! If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve made a list of 9 must-try Taiwanese snacks for you to eat during your visit – let’s go!
Kuai Che Pork Paper
For those who love their snacks on the go, Kuai Che Pork Paper is one to try! These juicy, salty morsels have been on Taiwanese shelves for over 50 years and are a firm favorite of locals and visitors alike.
There are many different flavors of these meaty Taiwanese snacks – keep an eye out for varieties like Black Pepper, Almond Crisp, and Garlic Soy! If you don’t get a chance to try them in-country, you can also find them on Amazon for delivery to your door.
Hi-Chew Candy
While many countries have a variety of chewy candy, Taiwan’s Hi-Chew is in a league of its own.
Known for its unique flavors and moreish texture, Hi-Chew originated in Japan and made its way to Taiwanese corner stores in the 1990s, where it became a firm local favorite.
There are flavors like strawberry and apple, but try and track down varieties like lychee and mangosteen for a true one-of-a-kind Taiwanese candy.
You can buy Hi-Chew in grocery stores or corner stores around Taiwan, though if you’re in a pinch for time, you can also pick some up at the airport – for a premium, of course!
Sachima
Taiwanese street food is as good as the packaged snacks, and sachima is the perfect sweet-and-salty combo to satisfy your tastebuds!
This Chinese egg pastry is made from layers of pastry bound by thick sugar syrup and is a popular snack for children’s lunchboxes.
While it may be difficult to find Sachima in markets or bakeries, the recipe’s simplicity means that it’s really easy to make your own at home!
Want Want Rice Crackers
If you’ve ever visited an Asian grocery store, you may have seen these interesting Taiwanese snacks on the shelves. Want Want Rice Crackers are a crunchy, savory treat popular with young children in Taiwan.
Made from fermented white rice, these Taiwanese rice crackers have a crispy, umami flavor that makes them incredibly moreish.
While the original flavor is the most popular, variations containing seaweed and soy sauce are also available in Taiwanese grocery stores and online for purchase.
Pork Floss
Don’t listen to the name – pork floss is nothing like cotton candy! Often mistaken for melted brown sugar, pork floss is a deliciously light Taiwanese street food made from dried pork shoulder.
Also known as rousong, the dried shoulder is shredded and then pulled t create light, fluffy strands similar to cotton candy. The result is a melt-in-the-mouth texture that belies the salty, savory taste of the meat.
Pork floss is used to adorn cakes, and buns, or simply eaten on its own with a hot chili sauce – you can find this snack food at many Taipei food markets.
Taiwan Nougat
You may have heard of nougat, but did you know that this sweet treat is popular in Taiwan? Taiwanese nougat differs from its European counterpart in a few ways, the key being its texture.
Instead of a hard, chewy consistency, nougat from Taiwan is more comparable to a soft milk candy. You’ll also find everything from jellybeans to green tea combined in the mix, so don’t be afraid to try different flavors!
Gummy Choco
Watch Taiwanese TV, and you’ll likely come across an advertisement with a singing and dancing chocolate bear. This is Gummy Choco Ball, and it’s one of the most popular snacks in Taiwan!
These chocolate-covered fruit drops come in nine different flavors, including grape, apple, and peach, and make for an exciting sugar hit on a hot afternoon.
You’ll find packets of Gummy Choco Ball everywhere in Taiwan, from grocery stores to street vendors, but your best chance of buying them out of the country is through Amazon.
Tseng Noodles
Famously known as Taiwan’s most popular noodle brand, Tseng Noodles has had a massive resurgence since 2017 and is now sold all over the world.
During its peak, the brand would have a waiting list of around three months for one packet of the chewy, salty noodles – costing almost four times the price of a regular pack of ramen!
What sets Tseng Noodles apart from its competitors is its quality. These delicious Taiwanese snacks have fewer preservatives than other brands, and the texture when cooked is al dente and highly addictive.
Choose from flavors like Sichuan Pepper and Garlic, and add some of the cult Taiwanese food to your snack regimen. While you can order them online, you may be waiting a while!
Taro Cakes
Many Taiwan street foods take inspiration from Chinese cuisine, and common ingredients like soy, taro, and red bean can be found in dishes from both countries.
One of the most famous Taiwanese foods, taro cakes, is also incredibly popular in Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and China – and for a good reason!
These sweet, dense cakes are filled with a sugary, grainy taro paste that will satisfy even the most demanding sweet tooth.
Visit any Taiwanese night market, and you’ll find rows upon rows of bite-sized snacks, fresh out of the steaming dish and ready for hungry customers.
A word of warning – the taro paste’s taste and texture are pretty unusual and unlike anything, you’ll find in Western countries!
While you can buy frozen bags of taro cakes in some Asian grocery stores, the best versions are eaten fresh in-country – don’t miss out during your visit!
Feed Your Belly And Soul With Taiwanese Snacks!
So there you have it – a great introduction to some of Taiwan’s most popular snacks! Whether you sample one or all, we promise that you won’t walk away disappointed.
FAQs – Taiwanese Snacks
Hands down, Xiao Mantou is the King of Snack Food in Taiwan. Difficult to find outside of Taiwan, these pockets of goodness are a favorite of young and older Taiwanese.
While inspired and created by outside influences, beef noodle soup is 100% Taiwanese. Other countries might have their version of beef noodle soup, but make no mistake it’s uniquely Taiwanese.