Food Adventure in Taiwan: Looking for the Best Seafood

You might already know Taiwan as a food paradise, but did you know that Taiwan has a reputation as one of the best places in the world to enjoy seafood? Because Taiwan is surrounded by ocean from all sides, it has a rich fishing heritage and seafood street food to fine dining. Now, for seafood lovers, be ready for a mouth-watering trip! Here is your ultimate seafood guide. 

Go to a fine seafood restaurant for dining in Taipei 

1. Addiction Aquatic Development 上引水產

Often regarded as a paradise for seafood lovers, this is a modern seafood market with many dining areas under one roof: a sushi bar, standing sushi counters, a hot pot restaurant and a seafood grill area. Located right next to the Taipei fish market, you can expect a fresh and authentic seafood experience. 

Address: 

No. 18, Alley 2, Lane 410, Minzu East Rd

2. Shin Tung Nan Seafood Restaurant 新東南海鮮餐廳

Opened in 1979, Shin Tung Nan is one of the oldest and best-known seafood restaurants in the city, big enough to seat banquets, though booking ahead is still a good idea. Apart from the signature seafood dishes, it offers dishes from Taiwanese cuisines to all kinds of Asian cuisines. Shin Tung Nan Seafood Restaurant is definitely the place to go for a taste of true Taiwanese seafood.  

Address: 

No. 105, Section 1, Tingzhou Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City 

3. Haijiu Penghu Seafood 海九澎湖海鮮餐廳

Named after Penghu, the island group where its seafood comes from, it serves fresh, simply cooked seafood. At the restaurant, you pick live seafood straight from the tanks (priced by weight), and the chef will prepare your dishes based on your personal preferences. With an elegant, modern design and private rooms, it is a good choice for a special dinner. 

Address: 

Section 2, Chang’an East Road, Zhongshan District, Taipei

4. Have some seafood on a stick and seafood snacks in night markets

The night market is where you go for great street food, some fun games, and its where most Taiwanese go for a night out. At almost all the night markets, you can find some tasty seafood treats: squid balls, barbecued squid on a stick with barbecue sauce, fish ball soup and oyster or shrimp omelets. 

Addresses: 

Shilin Night Market, 101 Jihe Road, Shilin District, Taipei City, Taiwan

Raohe Street Night Market, Raohe Street, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan

5. Visit Taipei fish market

Taipei fish market was originally a traditional fish market. However, in recent years, it has developed into a modern fish market attracting both locals and tourists. Local markets are where you see the real lives of the locals and feel authentic Taiwanese friendliness. This modern seafood market is fresh, clean and a feast for the eyes. You will find some delicious seafood to go for example cooked shrimp, scallops, and fish, which can be taken away or enjoyed at the standing tables nearby. Also, there is a small but fancy wine bar on the market. Since you can’t eat at the wine bar, it is suggested to take your wine glasses to the tables outside if you are having some takeaway seafood. Nothing goes better with fresh seafood and a glass of white wine! Go to the Taipei fish market for Seafood to-go, sampling, a casual walk, or simply as a visual symposium would be real fun!

Taipei fish market:

Minzu East Road, Lane 410, Alley 2#18

6. Go shrimping: catch your own dinner tonight! 

“If you want to eat, you got to earn it yourself” is the art of shrimping in Taiwan. You might have gone shrimping before, and you were mostly on a boat or a seawall. Yet, in Taiwan, shrimping might come as a culture shock for you. Shrimping in Taiwan happens indoors, at covered pools full of freshwater prawns, and it is a popular mix of food and recreational sport. Many shrimping venues stay open late into the night, and some are open around the clock, so you can go anytime during the day, or even after a party! When you are done, the staff will grill your catch with salt right there. 

Price: 

Shrimping is usually charged by the hour, roughly NT$300–400 per hour, including a fishing rod, a net, and some chicken liver or dried baby shrimp for bait. 

Where to shrimp: 

Shrimping venues (釣蝦場, diào xiā chǎng) are found on the edges of most Taiwanese cities, for example along Zhishan Road in Shilin, Taipei. Ask a local or your guide for one nearby, and check recent reviews before you go.

Eating like a local is always one of the best ways to embrace the culture and to enjoy your trip thoroughly. With abundant marine resources, seafood has become an essential food culture in Taiwan. Whether you are a seafood lover or not, put shrimping, night markets and decent seafood restaurants in your itinerary for your next trip in Taiwan.

Cover photo: Oliver Propst, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons