Visiting Nanmen Market in Taipei: What to Expect and What to Try (南門市場）
The locals of Taipei have loved Nanmen Market (南門市場) for generations. It is famous for its prepared festive foods, specialty foods, and ready-to-eat snacks.
You might picture a traditional market as dark, wet, and a little smelly.
Well, Nanmen Market used to feel that way. However, in 2023, after years of renovation, it reopened in a brand-new building that’s bright, clean, and well-organized.
Though the building is new, many long-time vendors from the old Nanmen Market are still here. You’ll find stalls that locals have trusted for years and keep people coming back again and again.
Are you ready to explore Nanmen Market?
Hi, I’m Grace, a native of Taiwan now living in the United States. Every year, I return to my hometown of Taipei to visit family, and when I’m back, I enjoy rediscovering familiar places as well as finding new experiences.
In the summer of 2025, I visited Nanmen Market at its new location and was impressed by how clean and modern it felt. I had a wonderful time sampling many of its well-known foods.
In this post, I’ll share helpful info about Nanmen Market, including how to get there and the famous foods that you must try.
Let’s go!
Visiting Nanmen Market in Taipei(南門市場）
Here is everything you need to know before visiting Nanmen Market.
“The Rich People’s Market”
Nanmen Market is sometimes nicknamed “the rich people’s market” (有錢人的市場) because prices here tend to be higher than in other traditional markets.
Still, many people think the quality justifies the price. Vendors are known for selling unique items such as prepared foods from mainland Chinese traditions, Lunar New Year’s dishes, sauces, and all kinds of dried goods.
My mom says that, even though the prices are higher than in other markets, she still enjoys going there occasionally to pick up prepared foods from her favorite stalls.
In addition, the market’s modern atmosphere, organized setup, and convenient payment options make it an attractive shopping spot even if it’s a little more expensive.
Location & Operating Hours
Here is the link to Google Maps: Nanmen Market
If you plan to take the MRT, take either the Red Line or the Green Line to Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station (中正紀念堂站 R08 or G10) and use Exit 2. Once you are above ground, Nanmen Market is inside this beautiful glass building right in front of you.
The market is located across 3 levels:
- B1 sells fresh produce, seafood, and meats.
- 1F is where you’ll find dried goods, sauces, prepared foods, and traditional snacks.
- 2F is where the food court is located. There are also clothing and jewelry shops.
In terms of operating hours,
- The market is closed on Mondays. It opens from Tuesday to Sunday.
- Doors open at 7:00 a.m., stalls start full operations from 9:00 a.m.
- The second-floor food court opens at 9:30 a.m.
- Vendors start cleaning up at 6:00 p.m., and the market closes at 7:00 p.m.
Browsing Around the Stalls
It is fun to browse around the stalls and see what they offer.
Even if you’re not planning to cook during your trip, it’s still interesting to check out the varieties of vegetables, meats, and seafood to see what Taiwanese families buy for their daily meals.
You will also see plenty of stalls selling prepared foods. These are cooked dishes that take time and effort to make, and they’re meant to be reheated before eating. Many people buy them for festive holidays, when hosting guests at home, or when they’re too busy to prepare special dishes on their own.
And of course, you’ll come across plenty of traditional snacks that you can eat right away. From traditional rice cakes to savory jerky, these are perfect for nibbling as you explore the market or for taking upstairs to the seating area.
In the next sections, I’ll share more about the prepared food stalls and the ready-to-eat stalls, so you’ll know exactly what to look out for when you visit.
Ready-To-Eat traditional Snacks
Be sure to check out these famous stalls. You can grab a small portion and either snack as you walk around or bring it to the seating area on the second floor.
Hoshin (合興糕糰）
This family brand has been around since 1947, and their Nanmen stall has served customers for more than sixty years. You’ll find it near the entrance on the first floor, and it’s hard to miss because there’s usually a steady line of people waiting for their famous steamed rice cake (鬆糕）.
They are best known for their steamed rice cakes, or 鬆糕. Soft, fluffy, and lightly sweet, these come in flavors like original, osmanthus, and red bean, with fillings such as black sesame or jujube.
You can also find a selection of ready-to-eat buns, including red bean, taro, and black sesame.
My husband is a big fan of the steamed rice cakes. At the end of my most recent visit, I brought back three boxes (18 pieces), packed in an insulated bag with ice. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 30 days, and we sure enjoyed them once we were back in the U.S.!
By the way, Hoshin also has a branch in Dihua Street (with a very nice storefront, see Google Maps), but I’ve noticed that the products sold at the Nanmen Market location are packaged more simply and the prices are lower. It feels a little less polished than their Dihua Street shop, but you still get the same freshly made rice cakes and buns at a better value.
King Long Jerkey (金龍肉乾）
If you like beef or pork jerky, this is the place to try. Their jerky is grilled fresh and comes in a variety of flavors, from the classic sweet-and-savory style to black pepper or spicy versions. The smell alone will probably tempt you as you walk by.
Just like the steamed rice cake from Hoshin, you can also grab a small pack of jerky here and nibble on it while walking around the market. It makes a tasty snack on the go, and it’s also something you can easily bring home as a souvenir.
J-Sweetie Bakery
If you’d like to grab a cup of coffee, or are craving something sweet, stop by J-Sweetie in the basement level.
They’re known for stuffed croissants with flavors like strawberry custard or mocha coffee custard. The line can get long on weekends, but if you’re patient, you’ll be rewarded with a fun dessert to enjoy.
Prepared Foods
Keep in mind that even though these are called “prepared foods,” most of them are meant to be reheated before eating.
They’re especially popular with busy working people who don’t have time to cook but still want a tasty meal. Customers take the dishes home and warm them up in a steamer or microwave before serving.
These dishes are especially popular right before Lunar New Year, as people come to buy festive dishes that take time and effort to make.
Here are some photos of popular prepared food that you’ll see:
Food Court
On the second floor of Nanmen Market, there is a food court that brings together a mix of local favorites: noodles, fried rice, dumplings, boba teas, and more.
The most popular stall is 合歡刀削麵 (knife-cut noodles). You will see a long line starting from the outside of the food court.
There are also stalls selling dumplings, rice dishes, and light snacks. Last time I was there, I had a bowl of douhua (豆花) and it was so refreshing on a hot summer day!
Final Thoughts
Nanmen Market has changed a lot from its old days, but it’s still full of the flavors and traditions that locals love. The new building makes it easy and comfortable for visitors, and the long-time vendors keep the market’s history alive.
CKS Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂） is just a short walk away, so it is perfect to visit both places on the same day.
I hope this article is helpful to you!
