When I decided to move to Taiwan, one thing I was really nervous about was what I would eat. I wouldn't consider myself a picky eater but I knew that when you move to a new country, your body can experience culture shock much like your emotions do. Taiwan is known for its night markets and I was excited to explore them to try and find the most delicious hidden gems around! The night markets are always full of people and many delicious smells; each one is unique. Let me introduce you to some of my favorite night market delicacies!
A night market staple that you can find at almost every single one is dì guā qiú 地瓜球 (sweet potato balls). They are made by steaming and mashing sweet potatoes, then mixing them with flour to form a dough, rolling the dough into balls, and frying them. My favorite way to eat them is dusted with plum powder. The first time I tried them in Keelung, I actually couldn't fall asleep that night because I was still thinking about them.
Something else that you can find at every night market in one form or another is my favorite type of dumplings called bao. Bao can be made in many different ways: steamed, baked, or fried. They also come with a variety of yummy fillings: pork, vegetables, or red bean are some of the most popular. My favorite bao is in the Shilin Night Market.
