Upgrade: Jiufen Old Street Food Map: Th (1614→4000 characters)

The must-eat specialty snacks include taro balls, fish balls, grass rice cakes, and pig blood cakes. The taro balls from Auntie Mei's Tea House in Jiufen are the most famous, with a chewy texture that pairs perfectly with red bean ice; fish ball soup is sweet and springy, continuing the traditional flavor from Keelung's mountain fishing port.

Snack prices at Jiufen Old Street range from TWD 30-150. Taro balls cost about TWD 50-80 per serving, pig blood cakes around TWD 30-50, grass rice cakes about TWD 40-60, and a budget of TWD 150-300 per person allows you to sample all the major specialties.

Take the TRA from Taipei Station to Ruifang Station (about 40 minutes, fare ~TWD 60), then transfer to a bus or taxi up the mountain. You can also take a bus directly from Zhongxiao Shengjian Station, with a journey time of about 1.5 hours and a fare of ~TWD 110.

Weekdays have fewer crowds and are ideal for visiting. Arriving before 10 AM helps you avoid tour groups; after 3 PM when visitors start to thin out is also a good time. Try to avoid weekends and holiday periods.

Jiufen Old Street mostly has stone step paths, which can be slippery when it rains—wear non-slip shoes. Most vendors only accept cash, so be sure to bring enough change. Some stalls have long lines, so it's advisable to go early to avoid waiting.