Taipei's Biggest Night Market Is A Tourist-Friendly Hotspot Full Of Shops And Tasty Food

Taipei's trendiest neighborhoods are perfect for travelers looking to embrace the whimsical. You'll find anything and everything from old-fashioned Japanese toy dispensers to traditional tea houses, and even maid cafés that blend performance with pop culture. Truly, Taiwan's capital city invites exploration at every turn. Sometimes called a budget-friendly travel dupe of Seoul or Tokyo, Taipei's unique culture shines brightest at Ximending Night Market. Here, cafés and quirky shops spill into the streets, creating one of the liveliest neighborhoods in the country.

While Ximending is atmospheric throughout the day, with plenty of cute cafés and buzzing street life, the neighborhood deserves a peek at night (much like these European destinations that deserve a revisit after dark), when the streets truly come alive and the market is in full swing. The first pedestrian zone in Taipei, Ximending was a by-product of Taiwan's Japanese era (from 1895 to 1945), and the influence is still easy to spot: anime stores, conveyor-belt sushi, and even a Hello Kitty–themed 7-Eleven which seems straight out of Tokyo.

Your best bet is to hop on the metro to Ximen station in the early evening, arrive hungry, and plan to linger. The neighborhood is safe and welcoming for solo travelers, and you'll know you've arrived when you step off the train to find a rainbow painted across the street. Ximending is also one of Taipei's proud LGBTQ+ hubs, celebrating Taiwan's 2019 legalization of same-sex marriage with queer-friendly bars and nightlife that carry on late into the night.

Ximending Night Market is the kind of place you could wander for hours and still feel like you've only seen a fraction of it. Start with one of the neighborhood's oldest and most recognizable landmarks, the Red House. Once a theater in the 1940s and '50s, it's now filled with artist booths and small shops selling locally designed trinkets — the perfect spot to pick up something handmade or uniquely Taipei. It's also the center of Ximending's LGBTQ+ scene, where weekend nights hum with energy and music drifts through the open-air bars.

While Ximending has lots of shops that are also available in the U.S., like New Balance and Uniqlo, check out some of the neighborhood's unique local stores for experiences that you won't find at a typical American mall. For example, 7-Eleven stores — they may not sound like tourist hot spots, but in Ximending, you might find yourself stopping by each and every one. The area is known for its themed 7-Elevens — including locations celebrating Hello Kitty, Lay's chips, and Mofusand (also a series of popular illustrated Japanese kitten characters) — all selling nostalgic, branded merchandise.

For a playful detour, head to Tom's World Jinwannian Store — part arcade, part indoor amusement park. Inside, you'll find classic games, sports simulators, and a dance floor straight out of the early 2000s. Continue the nostalgic fun and take your turn at one of the claw-grab machines, packed with everything from quirky toys to tech gadgets. They're everywhere in Taipei and make a surprisingly good way to break the ice with locals, who might just share a few secrets for snagging the perfect prize.

Ximending is a neighborhood to visit when you're hungry — and ready to try everything. Get the most out of your food tourism experience by starting with a visit to Tukuyomi Maid Café. This one's more about the atmosphere than the food: waitresses are dressed in maid costumes, and the café serves as a gathering place for comic book and cosplay fans. Even if Comic-Con isn't your thing, order a dish of aiyu jelly — a beloved, sticky Taiwanese dessert — or a drink that comes with a "spell" cast by one of the performers and enjoy the whimsical peculiarity of this Japanese tradition. For more local flavor, grab a milk tea at Somebody Café, owned by a local artist, and check out the current exhibition. If you're lucky, you might catch a live performance by a dancer or musician while you're there.

Travelers chasing unique flavors will want to sample a few Taiwanese desserts while exploring Ximending Night Market. Star Fruit Ice, a small shop that's gone viral online, serves its namesake treat: fermented star fruit mixed with crushed ice — a sour, salty, and surprisingly refreshing snack. For something even bolder, stop by Snow King for savory ice cream flavors like wasabi or chicken with sesame oil.

For dinner, mala hot pot is a classic choice. The neighborhood has plenty of restaurants specializing in this dish, but it is incredibly popular, so it's best to make a reservation ahead of time. There's nothing quite like ending a day of wandering Ximending's streets by gathering around a bubbling hot pot with your traveling companions, cooking fresh ingredients together, and reliving the night's best finds.