How to Experience Taipei Like a Local

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If you’d like to add some local experiences to your tourist itinerary, this blog post is for you.

I’m a native of Taiwan living overseas and return at least once a year to visit family. This gives me a unique perspective—I know the city like a local, yet I still experience it with fresh eyes each time I return.

Some of my most memorable moments in Taipei come from the simple, everyday things—grabbing breakfast at a no-frills corner shop, shopping for produce at a wet market with my mom, walking through an underground street to escape the scorching heat, and treating myself to a seasonal soft-serve ice cream from 7-Eleven.

It’s in these moments that you get a real sense of what life in Taipei is actually like.

In this blog post, I will show you some things you can do to experience Taipei like a local. Please read on.

How To Experience Taipei Like A Local

1. Appreciate The Convenience Stores

In Taipei (as well as the rest of Taiwan), convenience stores are everywhere—you can’t walk a few blocks without spotting a 7-Eleven or FamilyMart.

But these aren’t just places to grab a drink or snack. Locals rely on them for everything from sending/receiving packages and paying bills to printing documents and getting train tickets.

You can take advantage and utilize the following services during your stay in Taipei:

  • Use their bathrooms
  • Top up EasyCards
  • Top up prepaid SIM cards
  • Withdraw money from ATM
  • Purchase train tickets
  • Print or make copies of documents
  • Send or pick up packages (if you make online orders)
  • Eat and relax in the seating area
  • Browse for souvenirs

Grab a bento box, pick up a tea egg (茶葉蛋), or enjoy a cup of City Café coffee from 7-Eleven. FamilyMart often has seasonal drinks and desserts worth trying, and in the summer, you’ll find unique soft-serve ice cream flavors.

Take a seat in the store’s dining area and enjoy your food like a local!

7-Eleven (or just “Seven” as locals call it) is also a great place to try different brands of pineapple cake. They sell them individually, so you can mix and match to find your favorite. It’s something I do every year before leaving Taiwan—this way, I get to enjoy a little bit of each brand without having to buy big packs.

You’ll also find larger packs from popular brands like ChiaTe and Pan’s. They may cost a tiny bit more than buying directly from the brand’s own store, but the convenience makes it worth it!

2. Browse Around at a Wet Market

Visiting a wet market in Taipei is a great way to experience local life up close. Don’t worry—many markets have been renovated and are now clean, well-organized, and easy to explore. You’ll find vendors selling everything from fresh fruits and meats to handmade dumplings and specialty snacks.

Nanmen Market (南門市場) is just a short walk from Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂), making it easy to visit both on the same day.

Yongle Market (永樂市場) is right along Dihua Street (迪化街）, so you can seamlessly add it to your itinerary while exploring the area.

Here are some of the wet markets and their links to Google Maps.

But there’s more than just food. Walk around and you’ll see stalls selling fabrics, home goods, kitchenware, and apparel.

If you’re hungry, many markets also have food stalls serving freshly made local dishes, so you can grab a bite while soaking in the lively atmosphere.

3. Eat Like A Local

Besides the night markets, there are other ways to enjoy Taiwanese cuisine like a local when in Taipei.

Din Tai Fung (Not Just The Taipei 101 Location)

To be honest, locals love Din Tai Fung too!

While the Taipei 101 location is the most famous, there are plenty of other branches to choose from. Just pick the location that’s most convenient for you—the food and experience are the same at every location. Be prepared to wait, but it’s always worth it!

Seasonal Food and Drinks

In addition to famous treats like bubble tea (珍珠奶茶) and red bean wheel cakes (紅豆餅), Taiwan has plenty of seasonal specialties that locals look forward to every year.

If you’re visiting in the winter, here is a list of food to warm yourself up:

  • 薑母鴨 (Ginger Duck Stew) – A hearty, warming dish made with duck, ginger, rice wine, and Chinese herbs, popular during the colder months.
  • 麻油雞 (Sesame Oil Chicken) – A nourishing soup with chicken, sesame oil, and ginger, believed to improve circulation and keep the body warm.
  • 羊肉爐 (Mutton Hot Pot) – A rich, herbal lamb hot pot enjoyed for its bold flavors and warming properties.
  • 燒仙草 (Hot Grass Jelly Soup) – A mildly sweet and comforting dessert soup, often topped with taro balls, mochi, and peanuts.
  • 湯圓 (Glutinous Rice Balls) – Soft, chewy rice balls filled with sweet paste (peanut/red bean/sesame…etc), served in a warm broth, especially popular during the winter solstice (冬至）.

In the summer, you’ll want to cool down with something refreshing:

  • 芒果冰 (Mango Shaved Ice) – Shaved ice with fresh mango chunks, and condensed milk. You can top it with a scoop of ice cream or flan.
  • 冬瓜茶 (Winter Melon Tea) – A naturally sweet and refreshing tea made from slow-cooked winter melon, often served iced.
  • 仙草凍 (Herbal Grass Jelly Drink) – A chilled black jelly drink, often mixed with milk or lemon juice.
  • 酸梅湯 (Sour Plum Juice) – A smoky, slightly sour drink great for cooling the body in hot weather.
  • 便利商店霜淇淋 (Soft-Serve Ice Cream from Convenience Stores) – Seasonal flavors like sweet potato, tieguanyin tea, and lychee.

Breakfast

Classic options include shao bing (燒餅 sesame flatbread) with egg, youtiao (油條 fried dough sticks), and a warm bowl of salty or sweet soy milk. Local favorites like Mei Er Mei （美而美）and Yonghe Soy Milk King （永和豆漿大王） are great places to start.

If you prefer a more Western-style breakfast? Many locals grab a sandwich and coffee from Dante Coffee, 85°C, or Louisa Coffee, making these chains another authentic way to start your morning.

Enjoy a Hot Pot Feast

Taiwanese people love hot pot year-round—even in the summer, thanks to restaurants blasting the AC.

Whether you prefer spicy mala hot pot (麻辣鍋), Japanese shabu-shabu, or a Taiwanese-style broth (such as Stone hot pot 石頭火鍋 or milk hot pot 牛奶鍋）, you’ll find plenty of options to match your taste.

Several popular chains are: 鼎王 (Din Wang), 海底撈 (Haidilao), and 涮乃葉 (Syabu-Yo).

Quan Alley (寬巷子）

One of the most upscale hot pot restaurants I’ve been to is Quan Alley (寬巷子). The atmosphere was fantastic, and the food was absolutely delicious—it was a truly memorable experience. If you’d like to try it, you can find their details on Google Maps here.

Taiwanese Stir-Fry Restaurant （熱炒店）

For a lively, no-frills dining experience, head to a 熱炒店 (re chao dian), a Taiwanese stir-fry restaurant where locals gather for affordable, shareable dishes.

Menu highlights include three-cup chicken (三杯雞), clams in basil sauce (塔香蛤蜊), and deep-fried oysters (酥炸蚵仔). No meal here is complete without an ice-cold Taiwan Beer, the go-to drink for a casual night out.

4. Attend a Baseball Game

Baseball is Taiwan’s national sport, and the energy at a game is unlike anything else.

There are currently 6 professional teams in the league. Popular teams like the Rakuten Monkeys (樂天桃猿), CTBC Brothers (中信兄弟), Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions (統一7-ELEVEn獅) have passionate fan bases, with coordinated chants, drumbeats, and non-stop excitement.

You can visit the league’s official website to check the schedule and access individual team websites for ticket information.

5. Sing Your Heart Out at A KTV

KTV (karaoke in a private room) is a popular pastime, especially among young people. Chains like PartyWorld (錢櫃) and Holiday KTV (好樂迪) offer rooms of various sizes, where you can spend hours singing and enjoying food/drinks.

6. Go Shrimp Fishing (釣蝦)

Shrimp fishing is a fun and uniquely local experience in Taipei, where you can catch, cook, and eat fresh shrimp all in one place. Indoor shrimp fishing venues are open late—some even 24/7—making them a popular nighttime activity.

You’ll rent a fishing rod, bait your hook, and patiently wait for a bite in a laid-back setting. Once you’ve caught enough shrimp, you can grill them on-site, seasoning them with just salt for a simple but delicious meal. It’s a great way to experience a slice of local life while enjoying fresh seafood!

Check out my in-depth article about shrimp fishing!

7. Massage Or Vietnamese Shampoo

After a long day of walking, there’s nothing better than a traditional foot massage or acupressure therapy at a massage parlor. This one is in Zhongshan District. It is close to my mom’s apartment and is very popular ：不老松足湯. Check out more info on Google Maps.

In recent years, Vietnamese shampoo services(越式洗頭） have become increasingly popular in Taiwan. The experience combines hair washing with services like foot baths, massages, and ear cleaning. If you are interested, Rosa Vietnamese Shampoo Servies is one of the most popular. you can find more info on Google Maps.

Final Thoughts

Experiencing Taipei like a local isn’t about where to go, but it’s about how you experience the city. It’s in the little things—grabbing breakfast at a no-frills shop, wandering through a wet market, stopping by a convenience store just because, or ending the night with hot pot and Taiwan Beer.

Whether you’re trying seasonal food, watching a baseball game, shrimp fishing, or getting a foot massage, these experiences give you a glimpse into local life.

I hope this guide helps you add a local touch to your trip. Enjoy Taipei!

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