Raohe Street Night Market is Taipei's oldest night market — a single 400-metre street in the Songshan district that many Taipei residents prefer to Shilin for the quality of its food and the more manageable scale. The market entrance, through an ornate gate next to the Ciyou Temple (a Mazu sea goddess temple whose elaborate roof carvings are worth a visit independently), sets the tone: this is a food market first, shopping market second.
The black pepper bun (hújiāo bǐng) stall at the market entrance — where the buns are baked in a tandoor-style clay oven and emerge with a crispy, flaky exterior and a juicy pork-and-pepper filling — is the most famous street food stall in Taiwan, and the queue that forms before the market officially opens is a daily testament to its reputation. The stinky tofu (chòu dòufu), medicinal herb stewed ribs, and the flame-torched beef cubes served on hot stones are Raohe's other signature dishes.
The market's single-street format makes it more navigable than Shilin's labyrinthine layout, and the food concentration is higher — virtually every stall sells something edible, and the ratio of excellent to mediocre is better than at any other night market in the city. Raohe is accessible by MRT (Songshan station) and is best visited on weekday evenings when the crowds are manageable.
Verified Facts
Raohe Street Night Market is Taipei's oldest night market
The market runs approximately 400 metres along a single street
The entrance is adjacent to the Ciyou Temple
The black pepper bun stall at the entrance is the most famous in Taiwan
Get walking directions
135–185 Raohe St, Ciyou, Songshan District, 105058, Taiwan
