The food on Jiufen Old Street reflects the Hakka and Hokkien roots of Taiwanese culture, layered with influence from the Japanese colonial era. Most of it is street food made to eat while walking — inexpensive, genuinely flavourful, and many recipes passed down across more than 3 generations. One lap of Jishan Street takes roughly 2–3 hours: exactly enough time for your stomach and your schedule.
#1 Taro Balls
The most iconic treat in Jiufen. Steamed taro or sweet potato is mashed smooth, mixed with tapioca starch, then kneaded and cut into small pieces before boiling to a chewy, springy QQ texture. Served hot or cold in clear syrup, or topped with fresh milk. The vivid purple, orange, and green colours photograph beautifully. Lai A-Po's 3-generation recipe is considered the original.
- Order "冷的" (cold) or "熱的" (hot) — your call
- Eat on the spot; the balls harden as they cool and don't travel well
- Lai A-Po usually has a queue — buy your portion before eating anything else
#2 Fish Ball Soup
Zhang Ji has been open since 1946. The balls are made from fresh fish carefully mixed with minced pork, giving them a firm, springy bite. The broth is clear and gently savory — easy to keep sipping. Besides the standard fish ball, there are squid balls, mushroom balls, and Fuzhou-style balls stuffed with minced pork inside. It's a proper meal for a handful of NT dollars, the kind Taiwanese people have eaten their whole lives.
- Order "混合" (mixed) to try several types in one bowl
- Pairs well with minced pork congee — the flavours complement each other
- The shop is small and fast-paced; don't linger long after you finish
#3 Caozaiguo (Mugwort Rice Cake)
A traditional Hakka and Hokkien rice cake from Taiwan. Glutinous rice flour is mixed with ground mugwort herb, producing a deep green colour and a mild herbal scent. Fillings come sweet (red bean) or savory (dried shrimp, mushroom, shredded radish). The texture is soft and chewy. A-Lan makes theirs fresh every day using the traditional method, and they're one of the most popular souvenirs to take home.
- Order one sweet and one savory to compare
- Eat them warm — the flavour is better than at room temperature
- Keeps in the fridge for 2–3 days; steam again before eating
#4 Oyster Vermicelli
A genuine Taiwanese dish eaten every morning since the Japanese colonial era. Fine white vermicelli sits in a thick, starchy broth made from bonito stock and taro flour. Fresh oysters with a gentle salinity rest underneath; a drizzle of fermented soybean sauce and black vinegar goes on top before eating. The result is a mix of sour, sweet, and savory that fits together neatly. It's the breakfast Taiwanese people love.
- Add black vinegar and chilli sauce to taste — it completes the dish
- The oysters are raw-style fresh; eat immediately while hot
- Prices start around NT$60–80 per bowl
#5 Peanut Ice Cream Roll
A local snack made to order right in front of you. Sweet peanut brittle is shaved into thin flakes, laid onto a translucent wrapper similar to a spring roll skin, topped with a scoop of taro or chocolate ice cream, finished with fresh coriander, then rolled into a cylinder. One bite gives you sweet, nutty, creamy, and herbal all at once in a way that genuinely surprises. Don't skip this one.
- If you dislike coriander, just tell the vendor — it's easy to leave out
- Eat immediately; the wrapper goes soggy quickly
- Costs around NT$50–70 per roll — very good value
#6 Braised Pork Rice
Braised pork rice is Taiwan's national comfort food. Minced or roughly chopped pork is slow-cooked with dark soy sauce, cane sugar, garlic, shallots, and five-spice until the meat is falling-apart tender and the pork fat runs fragrant. Spooned over hot fluffy rice and served alongside pickled vegetables and a braised egg. In Jiufen restaurants it almost always comes paired with fish ball soup.
- Order it as a set with fish ball soup — filling and easy on the budget
- Add a braised egg (卤蛋) as a topping — well worth it
- Many shops open from early morning, making this a solid heavy breakfast before a long walk
Where to stay in Jiufen for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Jiufen — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Jiufen Sunshine B&B
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Jiufen Seaside Homestay
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Jiufen Sunny Room
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Jiufen Happyland B&B
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Tours, tickets & activities in Jiufen
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Jiufen — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
Jiufen's food tastes best eaten fresh — on the street or at the stall. You can take some home, but the texture and flavour won't be the same. Try to eat your way through the full list before you leave, especially the taro balls and mugwort cakes, which are at their peak the moment they're made.