Shilin Night Market, Taipei City

Despite coming from HK, this place was pretty amazing to say the least. Cheap food, lots of local specialties like the mouth watering sausages, "frogs eggs" (really a cooling sweet drink, not dissimilar to pearl tea), and Chinese bao in dozens of weird and wacky flavours, including pork floss, coconut and Chinese dates. Great food, the people I went with seemed to know all the great-back-of-the-alley-places. However, entertainment wise, it was a little tacky, with most of places their to nick your cash. Nevertheless, there are so many food places that you really shouldn't feel the need to go buy stuff. Definitely an original place; have been to various destinations throughout East Asia and have never seen one with the same vibrancy, friendliness and culture. Note- don't eat too much of one thing, there are literally hundreds of stuff to try.

There's ton of places like that in China. It's overhyped, only cause Taiwan is that small, so a market that size sounds like a big deal.

This is the biggest and best night market in Taipei. For an average American from an average US city the sight of a night market such as this can be quite amazing. So many people and smells packed into so little space. The food is cheap and delicious. My favorites are the smelly tofu, guava with powdered salt, and pudding tea. The shopping is fun and interesting. There are always interesting finds and great haggling.

This was an experience I was not prepared for, not for everyone, but for me it was terrifically stimulating. This place is why I like to travel, real deep culture, everywhere one looks. However, some may not feel comfortable with all the scenes-from snake charmers, disabled sad case beggers, to a gigantic black African King in a long starched sparkling white robe, escorted by small Tiawanese officials and businessmen in suits(in extreme heat). One can find anything here, a feast for the senses of the true traveller!

Love the color, variety, good quality merchandize. Clothes, accessories...lotsa vintage stuff. Wonderful smell of food everywhere. Love fact that it's buzzing with live until wee hours of the morning. A must visit place in Taipei.

I'll never tire of this night market! The food stalls are incredible, a true testament to the culinary and business creativity of the Taiwanese people. (Be warned the black cubes are not pudding... they're steamed pigs blood)

Could not be easier to get to this night market (get off on the Shihlin MRT stop)