Night markets in Taiwan
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Taiwanese night markets (
History
Similar markets have existed in Chinese culture, where clusters of hawkers sometimes operated past sunset, but modern night markets did not emerge until after World War II in denser urban areas. To cater to migrant workers in a rapidly-industrializing society, vendors offered traditional xiaochi and inexpensive versions of banquet food.[1]
In the 1960s, mass-produced goods such as shoes, toys, and garments that were produced in Taiwan started being sold in night markets. The recession in the 1970s expanded the presence of these goods in night markets, as manufacturers shifted their attention from international to domestic markets, in their wake displacing the Chinese medicine, handicrafts, and fortune telling that used to occupy these spaces. By the 1980s, night markets' increasing popularity attracted a larger variety of vendors, including gift shops, higher-quality garments, and chain restaurants. Night markets then diverged from traditional wet markets into popular culture. Counterfeit items used to be common in night markets, but more stringent enforcement of copyright laws in the 1990s led to their decline.[2]
Description
Night markets in Taiwan are known for xiaochi, a category of food translating to "small eats". Served in small portions at inexpensive prices, xiaochi is usually eaten in an informal setting, either on small folding tables or while walking.
Though some of the xiaochi foods available change from year to year with passing fads, certain xiaochi foods, such as
Taiwanese night markets have been evolving to suit changing consumer tastes and demographic patterns. This has led to both markets and vendors taking steps to improve their environmental friendliness, entertainment quality, and global food offerings. The Taiwanese Environmental Protection Administration has provided funds to night markets to minimize their ecological impact through reducing plastic use and lowering carbon emissions.[4]
Vendors
Vendors practice a type of small-scale
Notable night markets
Northern Taiwan
Raohe Street Night Market
Running 600 meters from Fuyuan Street to Ciyou Temple, Raohe Street Night Market is located in the Taipei's Songshan District on Raohe Street. In Taipei, it was the second night market to be considered a tourist destination.[6]
Shilin Night Market
Some of the most famous snacks include deep-fried chicken breasts (雞排; jīpái), kebabs, spring onion pancakes, pan-fried dumplings, grilled Taiwanese sausages,
The night market consists of two different sections. The durable goods section is surrounded by the Yang Ming Cinema on Anping Street. The food section consists of food vendors on the opposite side of the Jiantan Metro Station.[6]
Linjiang Night Market
The name "Linjiang Night Market", is unfamiliar to some Taipei residents who better know the night market as "Tonghua Street Night Market", which has been known for some time as a popular shopping area.
Shida Night Market
Located near National Taiwan Normal University, known to locals as Shida, this night market's student presence cultivates a casual and trendy atmosphere. Beyond the usual selection of street food, Shida Night Market is notably more boutique-oriented compared to other popular spots. The night market has shrunk in recent years, though, due to neighborhood complaints and rezoning of the area.[7] Now mostly a place for locals, it can be accessed by the Taipower Metro Station.
Keelung Temple Night Market
The Keelung Temple Night Market (基隆廟口夜市; Jīlóng Miào Kǒu Yèshì) was started to serve the needs of the many worshipers who came to the popular Dianji Temple (奠濟宮; Diànjì Gōng) to pray for fortune, good luck, and health, or to seek answers to their problems. The night market centers on the neighboring area of the temple. Over 60 registered food stalls are here. One of the most famous snacks at the night market is dingbiancuo (鼎邊趖), which is a rice noodle soup made with mushrooms, bamboo shoots, dried tiger lilies, dried shrimp, oysters, and shredded pork. Other famous snacks include butter crabs, eel stew, and Taiwanese tempura. Because Keelung is a port city, fresh seafood is another feature of the night market. A Keelung specialty and particularly popular drink is paopao ice, which is ice shaved and beaten up into fine, smooth, snow-like texture and then flavored with fruity jams and nuts.
Central Taiwan
Fengjia Night Market
Tunghai Night Market
This night market has been known as one of the most prosperous areas, though it is located on the edge of Taichung and about 20 minutes from the city center. It has grown from just a few shops to a whole commercial district that extends from the Tunghai University.[6]
Fengyuan Myaudung Night Market
People once gathered around the local Tzu-Chi Temple, where merchants served the crowds of people who encircled the courtyard and the temple. Room was left on the side of the temple during an expansion project and was leased out to vendors. The Fengyuan Myaudung Night Market was formed and continues to serve the residents and tourists of Taiwan.[6]
Chingcheng Night Market
Chingcheng Night Market (精誠夜市) is located in
Southern Taiwan
Liouhe Night Market
As early as the 1950s, food stalls started to gather in the vacant lot near Dagangpu in Kaohsiung's
The market is best known for its numerous eateries. Due to its location a short distance from
Ruifeng Night Market
Situated in northern Kaohsiung,
Kaisyuan and Jinzuan Night Markets
The two adjacent night markets, Jin-Zuan Night Market and Kaisyuan Night Market, opened in 2013, and were said to be the two largest in Taiwan, but has since shrunk 60% in size. They feature eateries more commonly found in restaurants, such as teppanyaki and conveyor-belt sushi, as well as unique designs such as road signs and a fancy restroom.
Tainan Flower Night Market
Situated in North District, Tainan, at the junction of He-Wei Road and Hai-An Road, the Tainan Flower Night Market is voted one of the best night markets in Taiwan. Open on evening of Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, it has varieties of local and foreign hawker food, attire, and entertainment, among the market's attraction.
Eastern Taiwan
Nanbin Night Market
During the day, the area is crowded with beach goers, but at night, it turns into an active night market. It is located in Nanbin Park, Hualien City. Carnival games go on every night.[6]
Luodong Night Market
Luodong Night Market is known as one of the busiest night markets and is famous for food. Vendors gather around Yilan's Chung-shan Park and sell goods to the masses.[6]
Dongmen Night Market
Once a small area, it has grown around the surrounding area to form a key tourist destination. It is located under the Yilan Donggang Bridge along Hemu Road and Shenghou Road.[6]
See also
References
- ^ Yu 2004, p. 134–135.
- ^ Yu 2004, p. 136–137.
- ^ Yu 2004, p. 140–144.
- ^ Quartly, Jules (22 January 2021). "Night Markets Find Ways to Get with the Times". topics.amcham.com.tw. Taiwan Topics. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- .
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Taiwan's Night Markets". Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on 2012-06-13. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
- ^ "Shi-Da Night Market (師大夜市)". Guide to Taipei.com. Retrieved 14 July 2016.
- Yu, Shuenn-Der (2004). "Hot and Noisy: Taiwan's Night Market Culture". In Jordan, David K.; Morris, Andrew D.; Moskowitz, Marc L. (eds.). The Minor Arts of Daily Life: Popular Culture in Taiwan. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 9780824864866.