Raohe Street Night Market has over 400 stalls, including Michelin-recommended spots. Read on to decide if it’s worth visiting.
I’ve lived in Taiwan and visited Raohe Night Market more than 10 times. Here, I’ll share recommendations and tips to help you decide if it’s worth your visit.
Is Raohe Night Market Worth Visiting?
Yes, Raohe Night Market is definitely worth visiting. It’s harder to reach compared to most Taipei night markets but has the best food and atmosphere.
The best time to visit is when it opens at 5 PM. The crowds are smaller, and lines are shorter.
As an expat, this is one of the few markets I’ve returned to repeatedly. But beware, it’s crowded, and tourists flock here.
How does it compare to other famous night markets?
Shilin vs. Raohe vs. Ningxia
Raohe has better food, is cheaper, and easier to navigate than Shilin. I also prefer Raohe’s food to Ningxia’s.
Taste is subjective, though.
If you have time, try all three. With Taipei’s excellent metro system, you can easily visit all three in one night — if your stomach can handle it.
If not, I recommend visiting any of these based on your itinerary:
- Raohe: Visit if you’re nearby, have time, or are returning from Eastern Taiwan in the evening.
- Shilin: Go after a day at the National Palace Museum or Children’s Amusement Park.
- Ningxia: Perfect if you’re only in Taipei for one night and want a market near Taipei Main Station.
If you choose Raohe, what should you eat?
Must-Eats at Raohe Night Market
Here are some of the best foods at Raohe:
| Food | Restaurant/Stand | Address |
|---|---|---|
| Black pepper bun | Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun | No. 253號, Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105 |
| Mochi and tsai yen | Mochi Baby | Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105 |
| Stinky Tofu | Hsia Kang Ming Peng Stinky Tofu | No. 189, Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105 |
| Stinky tofu | Shi Boss Spicy Tofu | No. 166號, Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105 |
| Oyster vermicelli | Dong Fat Hao | No.94, Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105 |
| Ribs stewed in traditional Chinese medicine | Chen Dong Pork Ribs Medical Herbs Soup | No. 160, Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, 105 |
1. Fuzhou Black Pepper Bun:
- Not vegetarian
Black pepper buns, or hujiao bing, are crispy pastries filled with seasoned pork and black pepper. The dough is baked in a clay oven, which gives it a crispy, golden crust.
The pork filling is juicy, slightly spicy, and mixed with scallions.
This Michelin-recommended stand has long but fast-moving lines. Don’t let the lines scare you — just wait your turn. Once, someone tried cutting in line, but I stopped them.
That doesn’t happen much in Taiwan, but it’s good to be aware.
Fuzhou was a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2018, meaning great food at a reasonable price. It’s the first stall you’ll see from the Ciyou Temple entrance.
Here’s an interview they did with the owners:
It’s the first stand you’ll see when entering from the Ciyou Temple entrance.
2. Chen Dong Pork Ribs Medical Herbs Soup:
- Not vegetarian
Also a 2018 Bib Gourmand, this soup is made with pork ribs and traditional Chinese herbs. Avoid it on hot days — it’ll warm you up too much.
3. Mochi Baby:
- Vegan
For dessert, try mochi and tsai yen here. Mochi is NT$50 for a small amount or NT$70 for a large. The mochi was the best I’ve had — not too chewy.
Tsai yen, made of wax gourd and traditional Chinese herbs, costs NT$30. If frozen, it has a unique taste and texture.
Mochi is a rounded cake made from glutinous rice flour, while tsai yen is a gelatinous treat.
The booth has a sign that reads not to take pictures. Thus, I won’t post a picture here. It’s easy to find, though. You’ll see a horde of people surrounding a tiny cart.
4. Stinky Tofu:
Stinky tofu is a fermented tofu dish known for its strong, pungent odor. The tofu here is deep-fried and served with pickled vegetables and a dipping sauce, which balances its crispy exterior and soft interior.
The strong smell might deter some, but the flavor is milder than expected — salty and slightly tangy.
If you don’t like deep-fried foods, consider trying stewed or steamed stinky tofu at other stands.
All stinky tofu tastes similar to me, but Shi Boss Spicy Tofu is another Michelin Gourmand spot. Choose the stand with the longest line — longer lines usually mean fresher food in Taiwan.
I can’t guarantee these are vegetarian, as Taiwanese tofu brines sometimes use beef or shrimp. I’ll provide resources on chef cards for allergies later.
5. Dong Fat Hao:
- Not vegetarian
This stall serves oyster vermicelli, a mix of pork bone broth, oysters, and vermicelli. Another Michelin Gourmand, and one of my favorite lighter Taiwanese dishes.
6. Vegetarian/Vegan Options:
Vegetarian or vegan options are limited. Fried mushroom stands are your safest bet. They sell only mushrooms, so there’s no risk of cross-contamination.
7. Other Foods I Recommend Trying:
If Raohe is your only night market visit in Taiwan, try these other local dishes:
- Tofu pudding
- Beef noodles
- Chicken sausage
- Deep-fried milk stick
- Deep-fried potato spiral
Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble tea and beef noodle soup. However, I wouldn’t recommend getting either at Raohe.
Ximending has a great beef noodle soup restaurant that’s easy to reach and affordable. The name’s Fuhong Beef Noodles (富宏牛肉麵).
Here are other restaurants around Ximen to check out while you’re there.
For bubble tea, try one of Taiwan’s many sugary drink shops — they’re everywhere and usually better than market stalls.
You might not want to eat anything here. What else is there to do?
Is There Anything Else to Buy at Raohe?
On our last visit to Raohe, my wife and I found a bakery named Yu Jan Shin (裕珍馨), a chain originally from Taichung. It’s a great spot to buy famous Taiwanese pastries — though not pineapple cakes.
For those, I recommend Chia Te. You can find Chia Te pineapple cakes at most convenience stores or at the Chia Te Bakery, which is a 24-minute walk from Raohe.
Anyway:
Yu Jan Shin offers some of the best Sun Cakes I’ve ever had — better than most in Taichung, where they originate. My favorite pastry is their lemon cake, so try it if you enjoy that flavor.
If you’re in Taiwan during the Mid-Autumn Festival, their mooncakes are a must-try. They had a large variety when I visited.
Apart from pastries, there aren’t many unique souvenirs at Raohe.
But here are other souvenirs to get while you’re in Taipei.
However, you’ll find a fortune-telling stall where birds predict your future. For NT$300, the bird will draw a card with your fortune.
As shown in the video, the bird will draw a card that has your future:
Let’s cover ways to get to this night market.
How Do I Get to Raohe Night Market
Whether you take the MRT, bus, TRA, or YouBike, I recommend using an EasyCard. Taiwan’s public transport is fast, and the card saves time.
Here’s a guide that’ll help you get started with this card.
And here are the transport options:
1. MRT / Subway:
Take the Taipei Metro Green line to Songshan Station. Exit at Exit 5, turn right, and walk until you reach the temple.
Signage in the stations and on trains is in English, and the station staff speaks English too.
2. Bus:
Take a bus to one of these stations:
- Songshan Rail Station
- Songshan Station
- Yucheng VIllage
Use the Bus+ app or Google/Apple Maps for navigation. Bus information may or may not be in English. I usually avoid buses because they’re slow, and the drivers can be unpredictable.
3. YouBike:
If the weather is nice, rent a YouBike and dock it at one of the many stations nearby:
Raohe is next to the Keelung River, and there’s a bike path along the river — a great way to burn off calories.
4. Uber / taxi:
Taxi fares vary based on your location. Download these apps to book a ride:
- Find Taxi (English): Pre-book taxis and check driver ratings.
- 55688 (English): Similar to Find Taxi but with a reward point system.
Both apps require you to have a Taiwanese phone number. Here’s a guide that’ll help you get a SIM card in Taiwan.
5. Taiwan Railway Association (TRA):
If you’re coming from Eastern Taiwan, take the TRA to Songshan Station. Though slower, it’s affordable.
Exit via Songshan Road, turn right, and walk until you see the temple mentioned earlier.
You might want to stay near Raohe Night Market. What’s available?
Hotels Near Raohe Street Night Market
What’s There to Do Nearby?
While in the area, head to the riverside for sunset views. You can also walk across Rainbow Bridge, a steel cable suspension bridge. Although there’s nothing special across the river, it’s a good place to exercise and enjoy fresh air.
If you’re up for a 30-minute walk north, you’ll find an IKEA and Costco in Neihu.
Raohe is ideal as a stop on the way back from somewhere else.
Consider visiting it in the evening after a day trip to one of these places:
- Beaches in northwestern Taiwan: Take a bus back in the evening.
- Jiufen Old Street and Jinguashi: Return by bus.
- Houtong Cat Village: Return by train.
If the weather isn’t too hot, you could walk to and from Taipei 101. My wife and I did this once — it was a long walk, but a pleasant adventure.
Or, come to Raohe on a whim. You probably won’t regret the trip, especially for the food.
Now you know whether it’s worth visiting. What tips should you know?
Traveler Tips & Considerations
- Inform vendors of allergies. Use translation cards with allergen details.
- Food stall hours vary, so check when specific stalls open.
- Most vendors only accept cash, but some might accept LINE Pay.
Important information regarding food allergies.
Most Taiwanese people cannot read Simplified Chinese. Don’t make chef cards with Simplified characters.
I suggest hiring someone to help you make allergy cards in Traditional Chinese. Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) also offers interactive chef card templates.
Always carry an Anapen or EpiPen if needed.
If you require such a pen in Taiwan, ask for an “艾筆腎上腺素注射筆” at a pharmacy. You’ll need a doctor’s prescription, and it costs NT$4,200 – 4,500 (2021 prices).
How did this night market come to be?
Raohe’s History
During the Qing Dynasty, Raohe — then known as Xikou — was a key transportation hub. Goods flowed through the Keelung River from northern cities. As sediments built up, the river became less useful.
By 1987, the Taipei City government converted this former hub into the nation’s second tourist night market.
At the market’s eastern end is Ciyou Temple, founded by monks in 1753. The temple is dedicated to Matsu, the Goddess of the Sea. Every year, there’s a major pilgrimage across Taiwan in her honor.
Quick Facts
| Is It Worth Going to? | Yes |
| Operating Hours (As of 2024) | 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM daily |
| Number of Stalls | 400+ |
| Cost to Enter | Free |
| Opening Date | May 11th, 1987 |
| City Located | Taipei City |
| Address | Raohe St, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105 |
| Local Name | 饒河街觀光夜市 (Ráo hé jiē guānguāng yèshì) |
| Wheelchair-Accessible? | Yes |
| Free Wi-Fi | iTaiwan or Taipei Free |
