This guide covers the best restaurants, street food, and dining experiences in Taiwan.
For more recommendations, see the full guide.
When it comes to Jiaoxi in Yilan, you might think of the misty sodium bicarbonate hot springs, hot springs bathhouses, and the famed scallion pancakes. This is one of Taiwan's rare flatland hot springs areas, with crystal-clear, odorless water rich in minerals like sodium, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. After soaking, your skin feels smooth and delicate without being sticky — no wonder it's also called the "Beauty Soup." In recent years, Jiaoxi has actively developed its hot springs dining culture, ranging from affordable snacks to exquisite teppanyaki, from traditional local flavors to international cuisine, allowing travelers to enjoy a rich culinary feast alongside the warm springs.
The biggest highlight of Jiaoxi's hot springs dining is the "soup and food integrated" experience. Many hot springs hotels feature view restaurants where you can enjoy a meal after soaking; some restaurants cleverly incorporate local ingredients, such as using Sanxing scallions from Jiaoxi and Yilan seafood to create dishes with unique local flavors. Additionally, between 2025 and 2026, several new specialty dining spaces have opened in Jiaoxi, including a newly renovated hotel designed by Japanese architect Akira Ito, as well as an Italian gelato shop and lakeside teahouse popular among young people, making the culinary landscape here even more diverse.
Chuantang Spring Hotel is a long-established landmark for hot springs dining in Jiaoxi. The hotel offers various private bath rooms and public pools, with the most popular "Scallion Bath" themed rooms decorated with Sanxing scallion imagery. After soaking, guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast featuring local ingredients. Double private bath rooms start at approximately NT$1,100, offering excellent value. The hotel is just a five-minute walk from Jiaoxi Railway Station, with a prime location.
For those seeking high-end omakase-style cuisine, Mingshuiran Le — Jiaoxi Yilan Branch is a rising dark horse in recent years. This teppanyaki restaurant has won the "Top 10 Best Value Omakase Teppanyaki" championship for three consecutive years, using same-day catch seafood and local ingredients. Lunch sets range from NT$800-1,200, while dinner sets are between NT$1,500-2,500. The interactive experience of watching the chef cook live at the teppanyaki station makes dining a double delight for both the eyes and palate.
When it comes to the most representative affordable美食 in Jiaoxi, Ke's Scallion Pancake is definitely a must-mention. This popular street food stall on Jiaoxi Road hand-kneads dough daily, adding Sanxing scallions and special sauce before frying. The pancake has a crispy exterior and chewy interior, priced at just NT$30-50 per serving, with an average wait time of 15-30 minutes. Open from 09:00-18:00, closed on Wednesdays — it's a "local favorite" that many tourists make sure to visit.
For a leisurely afternoon tea spot, Herbelle Tea Lakeside Teahouse is the top choice. Located near Tangwei Gou Hot Springs Park by the lakeside, the teahouse offers selected Taiwanese teas and light snacks, with a minimum spend of NT$80. Dining time is limited to 90 minutes, but after enjoying a free foot bath at the hot springs park, you can stroll to the teahouse for tea and relaxation, experiencing Jiaoxi's laid-back vacation atmosphere.
Another recommended spot is Qingzhen Breakfast, a traditional breakfast shop with over 40 years of history — a familiar taste that local residents have grown up with. The shop offers affordable egg cakes, steamed buns, and soy milk, with an average spend of NT$30-50. Open daily from 04:30 to 11:00 AM — travelers wanting to taste authentic Yilan local flavors should go early.
Transportation: Getting to Jiaoxi from Taipei is quite convenient. Driving via National Highway 5 through the Snow Mountain Tunnel takes about 40 minutes. For public transportation, you can take the Kamalan Bus from Taipei Bus Station, with a fare of approximately NT$150 and a travel time of 40-60 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the Taiwan Railway from Taipei Station to Jiaoxi Station, with tickets costing NT$100-200 and a journey of about 1.5-2 hours. Jiaoxi's downtown area is compact, with major attractions within walking distance, and many hot springs hotels offer free shuttle services from the train station.
Costs: Double room rates for hot springs private bath rooms in Jiaoxi range from approximately NT$350-1,500, depending on the time slot and facility tier. Dining is quite affordable, with options ranging from NT$30 street snacks to NT$2,500 gourmet cuisine. The 2026 Yilan Jiaoxi Hot Springs Light Festival is scheduled from 2025/11/28 to 2026/3/4, with lights on daily from 18:00-23:00 — the best season to visit Jiaoxi.
Tips: Jiaoxi hot springs are sodium bicarbonate springs, low in skin irritation and suitable for most constitutions, but it's recommended to hydrate after soaking. When trying Ke's Scallion Pancake, consider pairing it with a cup of soy milk or milk tea; if visiting Tangwei Gou Hot Springs Park, don't miss the free hot springs fish experience. For popular restaurants, it's best to make a reservation in advance to avoid long waits.
