Share this tour
Offered languages
- English
Skip the food courts to hunt down the lunchtime hustle of Yongkang Street and Ximending, two districts that define two faces of Taipei. An epic food tour with 15+ tastings at local eateries ranging from Michelin-rated institutions to decades-old foodie gems.
We’ll uncover the flavours of the island, exactly as they were meant to be tasted. Formosa proving that Taiwan's "beautiful" namesake is best experienced with a pair of chopsticks and loose trousers. This isn't just a tour; it's a deep-dive into the legendary hotspots that prove the city's best views are found at the bottom of a noodle bowl.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet your guide at Exit 5 of Dongmen Station outside the Information Center. You will see a Cosmed Shop nearby the meeting point. Guests may use the bathroom facilities before the tour starts.
The tour ends at XImen metro station near the Red House. It is a convenient place to either walk back to your accommodation, take a metro train, or your guide can assist you for a taxi.
Itinerary
-
1Taipei
Between the seasoned kitchens of Ximending and morning pulse of Yongkang Street lies the true, unedited flavours of Taiwan, the 'Beautiful Island'. We're here to show you why the spirit of "Formosa" is found in the clatter of chopsticks and the deep secrets of a master-stock noodle bowl. Our lunchtime feasting tour of 15+ tastings invites guests on a culinary experience around the backstreets of Taipei led by our team of professional foodie guides. Before we get started, your tour reflects the local cuisine and the limitations of street food vendors means we unfortunately cannot cater for every dietary restriction. Here's an honest appraisal for the tour so no-one is disappointed: ✖️ Vegetarians have 2-3 less tastings due to limited alternatives at some vendors. ✖️ Unsuitable for severe allergies, halal and celiac diets due to risk of traces and cross-contamination. If you are feeling adventurous for a foodie journey, read on!
15 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Yongkang Street
Begin in the heart of the city at vibrant Yongkang Street - recently dubbed one of the coolest streets in Asia by Time Out magazine. This isn't just a trendy thoroughfare; it is the ground zero of Taipei’s culinary discovery, and lunchtime is when the neighborhood unleashes its hungry spirit. Kicking off at a Michelin-rated institution to witness the art of the fold, tackling the holy trinity of dim sum: xiǎo lóng bāo pork soup dumplings that burst with savory broth, juicy xiā shāomài prawn siew mai, and the golden crunch of a fried mantou bun. Witness the mesmerizing rhythm of the street-side masters slapping and swirling the dough of Taiwanese flaky scallion pancakes.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3Taipei
All culinary roads lead back to the south, and at storied Tainan outpost, we pay homage to the heritage from the island’s ancient food capital. We’re here for the glutinous meatballs, a translucent, chewy treasure. To cut through the salt, jiāng zhī fān qié tomatoes with ginger sauce, a strange Southern specialty that sounds wrong until you taste it. Hopping onto the MRT subway system - tickets included - to bridge the gap between Taipei’s refined east and shooting over to the wilder west.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
4Ximending
Emerging into the energy of Ximending district, we grab a refreshing beverage to reset the palate before diving into a bag of Taiwanese popcorn chicken - basil-scented, addictive, and unapologetically fried. At the 300-year-old Taipei Tianhou temple, we’ll find a dragon pillar carved from a single, seamless stone. It's a quiet moment of reflection before we head back into the fray for the city’s highlight: niú ròu miàn beef noodle soup, at a Michelin-rated shop where the noodles are hand-pulled in the back kitchen. The broth is a decades-old secret, closely guarded by the family owners. In total, there are 15+ tastings and plenty of surprises to feast upon, led by our seasoned foodie pro. Come hungry.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
5Ximen Red House - Ximending
Hunt down the next street-food heroes showing a masterclass in the ô-á-tsian oyster omelet, where gooey starch and briny oysters meet the intense sear of a flat-top grill. Cool off by spoon-diving into tofu herbal pudding with grass jelly—a silky, wobbling dessert that defines the Taiwanese sweet menu. We conclude our journey at the Red House, the century-old octagonal market that has survived fires and wars to become the beating heart of Taipei’s creative scene. From the polished hipster lanes of Yongkang to the subcultural grit of Ximending, taste the two faces of Taipei in the daytime - a sensory collision of steaming broths, ancestral recipes, and the relentless lunchtime hustle. This is the real Taipei 101: a tower of flavor over the city’s most legendary kitchens.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- See 'What to Expect' section and 'What's Included' for info on dietary restrictions
- We recommend comfortable walking shoes. Bring rain gear/umbrella, if rain looks likely. There's lot of tastings to try, come hungry!
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Your guide to the flawless travel experience
Popular Countries
Company
Get our app
