This guide covers the best restaurants, street food, and dining experiences in Taiwan.
For more recommendations, see the full guide.
When it comes to Yilan, beyond its beautiful mountains, scenic waters, hot springs, and culinary delights, be sure not to miss the local night market culture filled with warm hospitality! Unlike Taipei's large-scale, chain-dominated night markets, Yilan's night markets retain their distinctive local character, with each market possessing its own unique personality and signature treats. Whether it's the Dongmen Night Market near the train station or the Luodong Night Market—Cuisine Battlefield—each market deserves your careful exploration.
The standout feature of Yilan night markets lies in their fusion of authentic local ingredients and creative street food. Yilan is famous throughout Taiwan for its Sanxing scallions, and various scallion dishes can be found throughout the night markets. Additionally, Yilan is the birthplace of the lamb hot pot, and the aroma of ginger-infused lamb soup has become the most comforting taste memory for many market-goers. Furthermore, since Yilan is near the coast, the freshness and quality of its seafood snacks are also highly regarded. Overall, dining at Yilan night markets is relatively affordable, with an average of NT$200-300 allowing you to sample offerings from multiple stalls—an excellent choice for budget-conscious travelers.
When discussing Yilan's most representative night market, "Dongmen Night Market" is a must-mention. Located on Shenghou Street in Yilan City, it's only a 5-minute walk (approximately 400 meters) from Yilan Station, making transportation extremely convenient. Situated under the elevated bridge, Dongmen Night Market operates from 5 PM to midnight daily, year-round. Peng's Scallion Pancake is a must-visit popular spot—an egg scallion pancake costs NT$35, with its crispy exterior paired with the sweet fragrance of Sanxing scallions, often leaving people reaching for one after another. The 30-year-old Longfeng Chicken Leg is another classic, with chicken steak and chicken skewers at NT$10 each—nostalgic flavors at pocket Change prices. Shanmei Grass Jelly's grass jelly and eight-treasure ice dessert costs NT$30-50, serving as the perfect rest stop when you're tired from shopping, operating from 3:30 PM to 11:30 PM, though it's closed on Wednesdays—don't miss it! Capital BBQ's pork and chicken skewers cost NT$15 each, with chicken wings at NT$25, making it the top choice for late-night cravings.
If you're a culinary explorer, don't miss "Luodong Night Market." Located in Luodong Township, Luodong Night Market is Yilan's busiest culinary hub, with crowds flooding in every weekend. Its operating hours are more unique—closed on Wednesdays, and open from 4 PM to 10 PM on other days, extending to 10:30 PM on weekends. A-Zhuobo's Ginger-Infused Lamb Soup can be considered the signature spot of Luodong Night Market—a bowl of lamb soup costs NT$70, paired with stinky tofu at NT$50—a classic combination that many tourists must-try. However, local foodies privately recommend "Yangpuzi," offering the same ginger-infused lamb soup at NT$70-80, but with richer herbal notes and more complex broth depth. A Three-Scallion Pancake costs NT$35, or three for NT$100—the葱四溢 scallion flavor leaves one craving more. Xiao Chun's Gai Zha Bu Rou costs NT$10-40 per skewer; Gai Zha Bu Rou is Yilan's specialty crispy meat strips, crispy outside and tender inside—a delicacy you won't find elsewhere. Shi Zhi Ming Gui's Oil Rice with Melted Cheese and Soft-Boiled Egg costs NT$50-60—a perfect fusion of rich cheese and soft-boiled egg yolk—this has become a rising internet celebrity food in recent years.
"Qinggou Night Market," open only on Wednesdays, is Yilan's hidden gem. This market is quite extensive, with stalls stretching about 1 kilometer and over 200 vendors serving customers throughout the night. Golden Pork Burger is a must-try popular spot, offering seven flavor options—from classic original to creative sweet varieties—priced at NT$40-60. Kou Kou Donuts are freshly fried creative desserts, costing NT$25-35—a crisp texture that children absolutely love. Although Qinggou Night Market is located in a more remote area, it's precisely because fewer tourists visit that you can experience the more authentic Yilan night market atmosphere.
If you're planning to combine Jiaoxi Hot Springs with night market Cuisine, the "Jiaoxi Hot Springs Night Market," open only on Sundays, is the best choice. After soaking in the warming hot springs, strolling through the night market to enjoy snacks makes for the most relaxing evening in Yilan. Golden Station Fried Chicken's chicken wings and legs cost NT$30-50—crispy outside and juicy within—perfect for late-night snacking. A night market steak costs NT$100-120, offering an oversized steak—quite exceptional value.
Getting to Yilan night markets is quite convenient. Drivers can take National Highway No. 5 to reach Yilan—the route is clear and easy to follow. Travelers taking the train can walk to the night markets from Yilan Station or Luodong Station. Yilan Station is only a 5-minute walk from Dongmen Night Market, while Luodong Station is about a 10-minute walk from Luodong Night Market. For bus services, Guoguang Bus routes 1745, 1795, and 1796 all stop at Luodong Night Market. For parking, Yilan City offers options such as Yixing Road Section 2 roadside parking, Liangxin Parking Lot, and Yilan City Central Parking Lot. Luodong Township立体 Parking Lot costs approximately NT$30-40 per hour.
To help you enjoy your visit to the fullest, I'd like to share a few tips. First, popular stalls typically require queuing—I recommend placing your order, then browsing other stalls while waiting for your number to be called—this can save considerable waiting time. Second, Dongmen Night Market is located under the elevated bridge, so the air can be rather stuffy—visiting during the evening hours offers the most comfortable weather. Third, Luodong Night Market gets quite crowded—if you want to enjoy the cuisine at a leisurely pace, I recommend visiting on weekdays or during earlier time slots. Fourth, Peng's Scallion Pancake must be eaten hot—that crispy texture is what delivers the best flavor, and you can adjust the sauces to your personal taste. Fifth, if you want to try ginger-infused lamb soup, tourists mostly go to A-Zhuobo, but locals recommend Yangpuzi—if you want to experience the authentic flavor, follow the locals' lead.
Yilan's night markets are not only great places to savor delicious food, but also the perfect windows into experiencing local culture and warm hospitality. When planning your next Yilan itinerary, be sure to add the night markets to your must-visit list—explore on foot, taste with your mouth, and experience the unique charm of Yilan's night markets!
