How To Spend An Afternoon In Taipei’s Yongkang Street (永康街）

Yongkang Street (永康街) is one of the most well-known food streets in Taipei, and you’ll see why once you are there.

You’ll find great restaurants, dessert shops, traditional Taiwanese snacks, and historic tea houses all along the street. There are also artist studios, ceramic shops, small boutiques, and creative design stores.

You can spend a few hours here moving from one stop to another, trying different snacks, sitting down for dessert, and browsing shops along the way.

Hi, I’m Grace. I grew up in Taipei and now live in the United States. Every year, I return to Taipei to visit family, and when I’m back, I enjoy rediscovering familiar places, as well as finding new experiences.

In this post, I’ll show you how to visit Yongkang Street, including what to eat and what to look out for while you’re there.

Why Yongkang Street Is Worth Your Time

Yongkang Street isn’t very large, but what makes it stand out is how much you can experience within a short walk.

You can start with a savory dish like beef noodles, stop for shaved ice or tofu pudding, then wander into small shops and cafés along the side streets.

Everything is close together, which makes it a comfortable area to explore without needing a plan.

Visiting Yongkang Street

The most convenient way to get to Yongkang Street is by MRT.

Just take the Red Line or the Orange Line to Dongmen Station (東門, R07 or O06). From Exit 5, walk straight for less than a minute, and you’ll see Yongkang Street on your right.

The main street itself is only a few hundred meters long, but don’t just walk straight through. Turn into the side alleys along the way, and you will see cafés, small boutiques, and restaurants you wouldn’t notice otherwise.

Best Food To Try In Yongkang Street Area

Here are some popular spots in the Yongkang Street area, including several of my personal favorites.

Before you start, it helps to decide whether you want to sit down for a full meal first or begin with snacks and desserts. Both work well here, depending on your pace.

Tianjin Scallion Pancake (天津蔥抓餅)

See it on Google Maps.

This little stall shares the same roof with a Vietnamese restaurant (誠記), which is also a great restaurant, but you won’t miss it because there is always a long line. You can grab one and nibble on it while you walk around the neighborhood.

Smoothie House (思慕昔芒果冰)

See this place on Google Maps.

This is one of the most famous dessert shops on Yongkang Street. The bright yellow sign is hard to miss, and you’ll almost always see a long line outside.

The mango shaved ice here is huge, perfect for sharing. My son and I shared one during our most recent visit on a hot summer afternoon. It’s a refreshing treat and a must-try!

Yongkang Beef Noodles (永康牛肉麵)

See this place on Google Maps.

An old-school shop that has been serving beef noodles since the 1960s. Their braised beef noodle soup is rich and flavorful, with tender beef and chewy noodles.

MATA Tofu Pudding (山海豆花)

See this place on Google Maps.

MATA Tofu Pudding takes the traditional tofu pudding and makes it more creative.

Besides the classic version, they have flavors such as dragon fruit syrup, black sesame, almond, and even a spicy miso style. The tofu pudding is silky and smooth, and the sweetness is just right.

As a tofu pudding lover, I love that this place offers such unique flavors. It makes a familiar dessert feel fresh and exciting. I recommend trying the dragon fruit or sesame flavor.

Bai-shui Tofu Pudding (白水豆花)

See this place on Google Maps.

Compared to MATA Tofu Pudding (mentioned above), which focuses on creative flavors, Baishui keeps things classic and pure.

Their style is very simple, almost minimalist, but the flavor really stands out. The tofu pudding is soft and smooth with a clean soybean taste. You can add toppings like red beans, peanuts, or brown sugar syrup, but even the plain version is good on its own.

Hao Kung Tao Chin Chi Yuan (好公道金雞園)

See this place on Google Maps.

This restaurant is sometimes nicknamed the “budget Din Tai Fung.”

It’s been around for decades and is known for xiao long bao, crab-roe dumplings, and other Jiang-Zhe style dim sum at reasonable prices. Their red bean sponge cake is popular （and my favorite!).

Chi Fan Shi Tang (喫飯食堂)

See this place on Google Maps.

If you want to sit down for a proper Taiwanese meal in the Yongkang Street area, this place is a great option. The restaurant serves classic 台菜 (Taiwanese dishes) in smaller portions, so you can try a variety even if you’re only a few people.

Some favorites include braised pork belly (封肉), pan-fried pork liver (煎豬肝), taro with spare ribs (芋頭排骨), and garlic oysters (蒜泥蚵仔).

The atmosphere is simple but warm, with wooden décor that makes it feel like a modern version of a traditional canteen. It’s popular with both locals and visitors, so it’s best to come early or be prepared for a wait during peak hours.

Fucheng Tainan (府城台南美食)

See this place on Google Maps.

Tainan (台南）, located in southern Taiwan, is often called the island’s food capital and is famous for its rich, slightly sweet flavors and traditional snacks that reflect the city’s long history.

Dishes like rice pudding (碗粿), shrimp meatballs, and braised pork rice are the highlights.

Shops Worth Checking Out

I’ve listed several gift shops that feature creative designs from local Taiwanese artists.

They’re great spots to pick up souvenirs to take home. Each shop highlights different artists, so it’s fun to browse around and see what catches your eye.

LAI HAO (來好)

See this place on Google Maps.

This is one of the better-known gift shops in Yongkang. They carry Taiwanese design goods, honey, snacks, crafts, postcards, and other gifts. What makes LAI HAO stand out is that they try to fuse retro motifs and local aesthetics.

Littdlework (小日刺繡 / Littdlework)

See this place on Google Maps.

If you like embroidery, you’ll enjoy this shop. Littdlework carries hand-stitched patches, jewelry, bags, and other small accessories, each with its own delicate detail.

Some items can even be customized, which makes them feel extra personal.

HOLI (厚里）

See this place on Google Maps.

If you enjoy browsing for unique items made by local artists and illustrators, this is a great shop to check out. You’ll find postcards, stationery, scents, home goods, and accessories created by Taiwanese designers. The staff is friendly, too!

Bao Maison

See this place on Google Maps.

A boutique carrying a variety of Taiwan-made products, including ceramics, textiles, and small home goods. The shop feels modern and minimalist, and it’s a nice stop for design lovers.

I especially love the ceramic tiles (花磚) they sell. These tiles used to be an important part of traditional Taiwanese buildings, and the patterns bring back the nostalgic look of old Taiwan. They also make meaningful souvenirs or décor pieces to take home.

Nearby Attractions

If you’re visiting on a weekend morning, you can stop by the Jianguo Flower and Jade Market before heading to Yongkang Street. It’s a lively place filled with fresh flowers, plants, and unique jade stalls, and it’s only open on weekends.

Rongjin Gorgeous Time is also within walking distance. This small cultural and dining area has cafés, shops, and restored Japanese-era buildings, making it a nice place to explore before or after your meal on Yongkang Street.

Final Thoughts

Yongkang Street is not a big place, but there’s a lot happening within a small area.

It’s where you can move from one stop to another without rushing, with plenty of options for both food and shopping along the way.

I’ve been here many times over the years, and I still find myself coming back. Sometimes it’s for a specific place, sometimes it’s just to walk around and see what catches my attention.

If you’re planning your time in Taipei, this is a spot that fits naturally into a relaxed afternoon.