5 Best Places to Shop for Groceries In Taipei
Taipei is full of great dining options, but if you have special dietary needs or have access to a kitchen and want to cook during part of your trip, this post will guide you to the best places to get groceries.
If you enjoy browsing grocery stores and markets while traveling as a way to experience the local culture, this post is for you, too.
From high-end supermarkets with imported goods to traditional wet markets with fresh produce, I will share the best places to shop for groceries in Taipei.
Hi, I’m Grace. I’m a native of Taiwan now living in the United States. I return to my hometown of Taipei often to see family and friends, and I enjoy discovering new things in Taiwan each time I am back. I am excited to share my experiences and insights with you!
Where To Shop For Groceries In Taipei
Here are five categories of grocery shopping options:
- Supermarket chains
- Hypermarkets
- High-end supermarkets
- Traditional markets
- Specialty stores
I’ve highlighted the store names in bold. You can search for them on Google Maps to find the location most convenient for you.
1. Supermarket Chains
Examples: PX Mart (全聯）； Wellcome （頂好）； Carrefour (家樂福）
For busy working people in Taipei, supermarkets are the easiest and most convenient way to shop for groceries.
PX Mart is hands-down the best choice if you’re looking for affordable groceries. It’s the most common supermarket chain in the city, just search Google Maps and you’ll likely find one only a few minutes’ walk from your hotel or Airbnb.
Prices are reliably low, and they run frequent promotions on all kinds of products. Most stores are open from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The photos below show the fruit section at the PX Mart near my parents’ apartment in Taipei.
A few things to know before you shop:
Taiwan has a no-free-bag policy, so plastic bags come with a small charge. Bringing your own shopping bag will save you a bit of money, and it’s better for the environment.
You’ll also need to bag your own groceries. The cashier will scan your items and place them in a separate basket. After paying, you’ll move to a nearby counter to pack your own bags. This is very different from the United States, but I think it helps keep the lines moving faster.
Before the end of every stay in Taipei, I make a trip to PX Mart to stock up on my son’s favorite snacks to take back to the U.S. You’ll find popular local brands like pineapple cakes, nougat, or dried fruit at much lower prices than in convenience stores. So if you love Taiwanese snacks, this is the best place to get them!
There are two other supermarket options:
- Wellcome – Smaller chain with fewer branches, but still a decent option if there’s one near you.
- Carrefour – Many Carrefour locations operate in smaller, supermarket-style formats rather than full hypermarkets（量販店）.
2. Hypermarkets (量販店)
Examples: Carrefour (家樂福), RT-Mart (大潤發)
If you’re staying in Taipei for an extended period, you might need to shop for more than just groceries. Hypermarkets (think Walmart and Target in the US) make it easy to shop for all of these in one place.
These large-format stores carry a wide range of products: fresh produce, meat, seafood, dairy, and pantry staples, along with clothing, electronics, kitchenware, bedding, and even seasonal items. Many also have bakeries, ready-to-eat food counters, and small food courts so you can grab a meal before or after shopping.
Prices are competitive, and there are often bundle deals or seasonal promotions. Many branches are open 24 hours, which is especially handy if you find yourself awake in the middle of the night with jet lag.
3. High-End & Imported Goods Supermarkets
Examples: CitySuper, Jasons, Breeze Super, Mia C’bon
If you’re looking for imported brands, premium ingredients, or specialty items you can’t find in regular supermarkets, Taipei’s high-end grocery stores are the place to go.
These stores are perfect if you want premium cuts of meat like wagyu beef or Iberico pork, fresh oysters, or organic produce.
The shopping experience here is more upscale, with wider aisles, neatly displayed produce, and a greater focus on quality and presentation. Prices are higher than those in regular supermarkets, but the variety of imported goods makes it worth the visit if you’re after something specific.
I enjoy visiting these high-end supermarkets whenever I’m in Taipei. Since many of these supermarkets are located in the basement floors of shopping malls, I often stop by to check out what they have as part of my retail shopping experience.
Even if I only end up buying a few things, I enjoy browsing the aisles and checking out products you don’t usually see in other supermarkets. It’s also interesting to get a glimpse of how the more affluent locals shop.
4. Traditional Wet Markets
Examples: Nanmen Market (南門市場), Dongmen Market (東門市場), Shidong Market (士東市場)
If you want to experience grocery shopping the way locals have done for generations, a visit to a traditional wet market is a must.
You might picture a wet market being dirty and smelly( and it was like that when I was small). However, over the years, conditions have improved a lot. Many wet markets are now indoors, bright, and organized, making them much more pleasant to visit.
For example, Nanmen Market (南門市場), one of the most popular markets in Taipei, was renovated recently. It’s right next to CKS Memorial Hall (中正紀念堂), so it’s easy to visit both in one trip.
I visited Nanmen Market this past summer and was impressed by how clean and well-organized it is. The stalls cover everything from produce, meat, and seafood to dried goods and prepared foods like zongzi (粽子), pastries, and pickled vegetables. The atmosphere is lively but easy to browse, making it an enjoyable stop even if you’re just looking around.
There’s also a food court on the 3rd floor. One of the most popular stalls is Hehuan Sliced Noodles (合歡刀削麵), which always has a long line. I opted for a bowl of douhua (tofu pudding, 豆花) instead, and it was a refreshing treat.
Prices are usually lower than in supermarkets, and the quality is hard to beat. You can also find specialty items like freshly made tofu, pickled vegetables, handmade dumplings, and dried goods. In the summer, I like to get aiyu jelly (愛玉), grass jelly (仙草), or almond tofu (杏仁豆腐).
You might wonder if bargaining is common at the wet market. Well, from my experience, I’ve only had little success unless it’s late in the morning and vendors are eager to wrap up for the day. But it’s definitely fun to interact with vendors and gather information about their products before choosing the items you want.
5. Specialty Stores
Examples: Leezen (里仁), Santa Cruz (聖德科斯)
If you have dietary needs such as organic, gluten-free, or plant-based products, Taipei has specialty stores that focus on health-conscious shopping. Two of the most well-known chains are Leezen (里仁) and Santa Cruz (聖德科斯).
Leezen offers a wide range of organic produce, packaged snacks, sauces, and seasonings, along with eco-friendly household products. Santa Cruz carries a similar selection, including imported gluten-free items, plant-based dairy alternatives, and natural supplements.
Prices are higher than in regular supermarkets, but you’re paying for certified quality and specialty products that can be hard to find elsewhere. The staff is knowledgeable and can help you choose products to match your dietary needs.
Final Thoughts
Knowing your grocery shopping options not only makes it easier to find what you need but also gives you the chance to explore a different side of local life in Taipei.
For me, grocery shopping in Taipei is part errand, part adventure. PX Mart means affordable snacks to take home, high-end supermarkets are a window into an upscale lifestyle, and wet markets are full of lively conversations with vendors.
I hope this guide makes your grocery runs in Taipei both useful and enjoyable!
