Hualien Food Guide in Taroko Gorge
Part of the Taroko Gorge travel guide — see every topic in All Taroko Gorge Guides.
Hualien is the base for most visits to Taroko, and it has a lively and good-value food scene. The city is known for its large night market, its wonton soup and its mochi. It also has many Indigenous restaurants, especially Amis, which serve wild mountain greens, river fish and grilled meats. After a day on the coast or in the valley, an evening of eating in Hualien city is one of the simple pleasures of the trip.
Dongdamen Night Market
Dongdamen Night Market, in the centre of Hualien city, is one of the largest night markets on the east coast. It opens in the evening and has many rows of stalls. You will find grilled meats and seafood, fried snacks, noodles, bubble tea and fruit drinks. One section focuses on Indigenous food, with grilled skewers and sticky rice cooked in bamboo. Prices are low, and you can share many small dishes. It is busiest on weekends and holidays. Bring cash, although more stalls now accept mobile or card payment.
Wontons and noodles
Hualien is known for its wonton soup, called bianshi locally. The wontons are small and thin-skinned, filled with pork, and served in a clear broth with a little celery and fried shallots. Several old shops in the city centre specialise in it, and locals eat it at any time of day. Simple noodle shops are also everywhere, serving beef noodles, dry noodles with sauce and small side dishes. These meals are quick, cheap and filling, and they are good for breakfast or lunch before a day trip.
Mochi and sweets
Mochi, soft rice cakes with sweet fillings such as red bean, peanut or sesame, are a classic Hualien souvenir. Many shops on the main streets sell boxed sets to take home, and you can usually buy single pieces to try. Hualien also grows good fruit, and stalls sell papaya, pineapple and other tropical fruit in season. On hot afternoons, shaved ice with fruit or sweet toppings is popular. Many cafes in the city serve local coffee and cakes, and some are in renovated old houses near the city centre.
Indigenous cuisine
Hualien County is home to several Indigenous peoples, including the Amis and the Truku. Many restaurants in and around the city serve their food. Typical dishes include wild greens gathered from the mountains, river fish and shrimp, grilled pork, and rice cooked in bamboo tubes. Flavours are often simple, using salt, wild herbs and a peppery leaf called maqaw, also known as mountain pepper. A meal at an Indigenous restaurant is a good way to learn about the region's people and land. Ask staff to explain the dishes; many are happy to do so.
Hualien Food Guide at a glance
| Getting there | Dongdamen Night Market is a short taxi ride from Hualien station |
|---|---|
| Hours | Night market opens in the evening; noodle shops from morning |
| Cost | Street food and noodles are cheap |
| Must try | Bianshi wontons, mochi, bamboo rice, wild greens |
| Best time | Evenings; weekdays are less crowded |