Shilin

Shilin Night Market

士林夜市 around wenlin road 文林路 and dadong road 大東路. to really taste the flavor of taiwanese life a trip to a night market is a must, and shilin is one of the largest. the market began in the 19th century as a collection of vendors trading their goods near a small harbor along the keelung river. today the harbor is long gone but the night market has become what is quite possibly the largest collection of vendors and eateries in taiwan. the night market sprawls across several city blocks, and is considered to be one of the "must-see" attractions in taipei. have dinner in one of the eateries in the new food court, then wander north to bargain hunt in a labyrinth of streets and alleys filled with shops and people. businesses in the night market typically open around 4pm and stay open well past midnight. to get there, take the mrt dansuei red line to jiantan station. the food court is located directly across the street from the station with the rest of the night market spreading out to the north. if in doubt, follow the crowds. quick warning to shopping addicts: the last mrt train leaves jiantan station around midnight, though the crowds last well past then. plan ahead. specialty foods and drinks include: fried buns 生煎包, lemon aiyu jelly 檸檬愛玉, peanut candy 花生糖, bubble tea 珍珠奶茶, snow flakes crushed ice 雪花冰, taiwanese sausages 香腸, braised stinky tofu 紅燒臭豆腐 and oyster omelet 蚵仔煎. don't forget the fried chicken.