Shilin Night Market Travel Guide
Taipei's Largest Night Market · Snack World · Cisheng Temple
Shilin Night Market is the largest night market in Taipei, Taiwan, China, with thousands of stalls spanning several streets. From Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken and sausage wrapped in sausage to oyster omelets and bubble tea, almost everything that a Taiwanese night market should have can be found here.
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Destination Details
Shilin Night Market is located in the Shilin District of Taipei, Taiwan, China, with the area around Cisheng Temple opposite Jiantan MRT Station as its core, expanding outward. With thousands of stalls covering several streets, it is the largest and most international night market in Taipei.
Main Highlights
Snacks
Hot-Star Large Fried Chicken is Shilin's signature, larger than a face, freshly fried and cut on the spot; the Large Intestine Wrapped Around Small Intestine slices the sticky rice sausage open and stuffs it with a sausage, served with garlic and sauces; Oyster Omelette is cooked with sweet potato starch batter and fresh oysters, topped with sweet chili sauce. In addition, there are Big Pancakes wrapped with Small Pancakes, Hot-Star Stinky Tofu, Frog Eggs, and more. Trying them all in one visit, two hours is only enough for a light taste.
Cisheng Temple and the Old Market
The night market develops around Cisheng Temple, and the stalls in front of the temple's old market are Shilin's oldest dining cluster. The temple's cut-and-paste decorated roof ridges mixed with the nearby stall signboards form a unique layer of the night market. The nearby underground food street is a later redeveloped section, with a more organized flow.
The Rhythm of the Night Market
It only gets lively after 4 PM, with the most people around 9 PM. The aisles between the stalls are narrow, and when crowded, you can barely move without brushing against others. For photos, around 6 PM is suitable for both lighting and crowds.
Recommended Route
- Classic: Jiantan MRT Station → Cisheng Temple Snacks → Old Market Stalls → Wenlin Road and Jihe Road Stall Area → Danan Road, about 2 hours.
- Combine with the National Palace Museum, Yangmingshan, and Beitou Hot Springs for a full day in Taipei.
Practical Information
A 3-minute walk from Exit 1 of Jiantan Station on the Tamsui-Xinyi MRT Line makes transportation extremely convenient. Most stalls only accept cash, so it's recommended to have small change ready. Pay attention to your personal belongings in crowds, and watch your step for oily spots while queuing.
