To help you track our food map, here is the chronological, story-by-story narrative of every place and restaurant we visited, along with the typical prices for each delicious bite!
Also check out Everything We Ate in Boracay
Total Food Expenditure: $4,753 NTD (approx. ₱8,500 - ₱8,700 PHP, depending on exchange rates).
Average Cost Per Day: $1,584 NTD per day for the two of you.
The Heavy Hitter: Day 1 accounted for more than 65% of our total budget. This is completely normal because it included our massive $1,600 NTD all-you-can-eat dinner crawl at Mala Hot Pot and sit-down cafe stops.
The Tour Day Savings: Day 2 was incredibly budget-friendly because you focused heavily on street food snacks like the chicken wings and peanut ice cream rolls rather than expensive sit-down tourist traps.
The Local Advantage: Our third day proved how affordable Taiwan can be when you lean into local breakfast stalls (like Pang Niu Niu) and classic roadside stir-fries!
Day 1: Mountain Cravings and Ximending Neon Lights
1. FamilyMart (MRT Ximen Station)
Our adventure started early in the morning. Bleary-eyed but buzzing with excitement, we stepped off the train at MRT Ximen Station. Needing some quick fuel before heading out to the mountains, we ducked into a FamilyMart. We grabbed a simple Chiffon Bread (~NT$35). It was surprisingly soft, airy, and the perfect light bite to kickstart our morning commute.
@themutucs If there's one reason why we would want to go back to Taiwan, this is it! 🇹🇼🍴
♬ Slowly Getting Joyful - LoFi Siberinyan
2. Street Stall at Wulai Old Street (Before the Log Cart)
By 9:00 AM, we arrived at the beautiful, misty streets of Wulai. Because it was so early, the mountain air was crisp and most of the shops were still tightly shuttered. Luckily for us, one solitary stall was up and running just before the ascend to the Wulai Log Cart. |
| Wild Boar Sausage |
We couldn't resist the aroma and ordered their Taiwanese Grilled Boar Sausage (~NT$35) and Millet Mochi (~NT$20).
Millet Mochi
The sausage was incredibly savory, juicy, and snapped perfectly with every bite, while the mochi was delightfully chewy with a beautifully toasted, sweet exterior.
3. Wulai Yun Sien Resort
After riding the cable car and making our way up to the resort grounds, we treated ourselves to some Ginie Ice Cream (~NT$50–NT$80) for an afternoon snack. It was cool, creamy, and exactly the refreshing pick-me-up we needed after walking around the property. |
| Genie Ice Cream |
4. Treasure Island Nostalgic Eatery (Wulai Old Street)
Heading back down to the old street for lunch, we stumbled upon this cozy restaurant featuring stunning, uninterrupted views of the turquoise Nanshi River. We managed to snag a great table and eagerly ordered the chef’s top recommendations: Dried Radish Egg (~NT$150), Bamboo Rice (~NT$80), and Pork Ribs (~NT$200). |
| Lunch at Treasure Island Nostalgic Eatery |
The egg was incredibly fluffy and packed with traditional savory flavor, the bamboo rice was aromatic and perfectly steamed inside the stalk, and the pork ribs were beautifully tender.
5. Souvenir Shop (Wulai Old Street)
On our way back to the bus station, a sweet scent drew us into a local souvenir shop where the staff offered us a free taste of Dried Strawberries. They hit the absolute perfect balance of tart and sweet, so we immediately bought a few packs (~NT$150 per pack) to snack on for the journey back to Taipei. |
| Dried Strawberries on yogurt |
6. inn cafe (Lane 27, Chengdu Road, Ximending)
By mid-afternoon, we were back in Ximending hunting for the famous bubble tea chain, Xing Fu Tang. However, the massive, winding line completely tested our patience. Rachel and I decided to ditch the queue and just stroll around the alleyways instead. We ended up finding this cozy hideaway along Chengdu Road to relax a bit. |
| inn cafe |
We ordered a Sicilian Coffee (~NT$130), a Mocha (~NT$140), and a plate of Chocolate Banana Waffles (~NT$180). The Sicilian coffee was sharp and citrusy, the mocha was rich, and the waffles were beautifully crisp on the outside—turning a skipped line into a total win.
7. Mala Hot Pot (2F of Wenting Hot Pot, Xining Road, Ximending)
We headed over to Taipei 101 later that afternoon, but decided to skip the food there to save room for a grand dinner. We ended up back in Ximending on the second floor of Wenting Hot Pot along Xining Road. |
| Mala Hot Pot |
At Mala Hot Pot, for NTD$ 800 per head (inclusive of dinner rates and service charge), we got an all-you-can-eat, unlimited hot pot feast. The broths were deeply complex, the meat cuts were premium, and boiling everything at our table was the ultimate, comforting way to close out our first day.
Day 2: Coastline, Flying Lanterns, and a Shared Table
8. 7-Eleven
Day two was all about exploration, as we availed of a classic day tour to Yehliu, Shifen, and Jiufen. To get an early start, Rachel and I fueled up with a quick convenience store breakfast. We grabbed hot Coffee (~NT$45), a Salmon Onigiri (~NT$35), and a Clubhouse Sandwich (~NT$45). Taiwan’s 7-Elevens are truly elite, giving us a fresh, easy start before meeting our tour group.
9. Yay Cafe (Yehliu Geopark)
Our first official stop was the otherworldly coastline of Yehliu. As we walked among the unique rock formations, our awesome tour guide treated the group to smooth, creamy Milk Tea (~NT$60, though free for us!). Holding a cold, classic milk tea while feeling the ocean breeze was pure bliss.
10. Shifen Old Street
By midday, we reached our second stop for a street food brunch before flying our sky lantern. We hit the tracks and tracked down two legendary items: Rice-Stuffed Chicken Wings (~NT$65) and a Peanut Ice Cream Roll (~NT$50).
The chicken wing, deboned and stuffed to the brim with seasoned fried rice, was an absolute flavor bomb. The ice cream roll—which combines shaved peanut brittle, ice cream scoops, and fresh cilantro wrapped in a thin crepe—sounded bizarre on paper, but was an incredible mix of sweet, salty, and fresh.
Note: While there were plenty of tempting food options lining the path to the Shifen Waterfall, we held off to save room for the mountains.
Note: While there were plenty of tempting food options lining the path to the Shifen Waterfall, we held off to save room for the mountains.
11. Local Eatery (Jiufen Old Street)
When we reached our final tour stop in the mountain town of Jiufen, the alleys were packed. Ducking away from the dense crowds, we found a small, welcoming local diner.
We ordered a comforting spread of Shrimp Fried Rice (~NT$100), a Scallion Omelet (~NT$100), and a plate of plump Dumplings (~NT$80). The fried rice had that perfect wok hei (breath of the wok), and the hot dishes were exactly what we needed to re-energize.
12. Local Noodle Stall (Emei Street corner Lane 133 Chengdu Road)
Exhausted but happy, the tour dropped us back in Ximending. For a late-night meal close to our hotel (the Ximen Citizen Hotel), Rachel and I stopped at a small roadside eatery right on the corner. We ordered a steaming, comforting bowl of Noodle Soup (~NT$90). |
| Emei Street corner Lane 133 Chengdu Road |
Because the place was packed, we ended up sharing a table with a lovely German expat couple who had been living in Taiwan for years working for a tech company. Warm soup, rich broth, and unexpected global connections—the perfect end to day two.
Day 3: Rainy Comforts and a Double Dinner Finale
13. Pang Niu Niu (Section 2, Guiyang Street)
Our third day was our designated free day, and it greeted us with a gloomy, rainy morning. Looking for a hearty brunch to warm us up, we walked over to Guiyang Street and found this humble local food stall.
 |
| Scallion Pancakes and Hot Soy Bean Milk |
We ordered our absolute favorite—Scallion Pancakes (~NT$40)—which were beautifully crispy, flaky, and golden. We also decided to try Hot Soy Bean Milk (~NT$25) for the very first time. It was incredibly comforting and the perfect antidote to the rainy weather outside.
14. Mister Donut (Carrefour Guilin Store)
With the rain still coming down, we headed over to the massive Carrefour Guilin store to do some souvenir shopping. Before hitting the grocery aisles, we spotted a Mister Donut kiosk and just had to stop. We tried their famous Pon de Chocolate (~NT$39).
 |
| Mister Donut |
The texture of their Pon de Ring style is uniquely wonderful—chewy like mochi, and coated in a rich chocolate glaze.
15. Lao Shan Dong (Michelin Old Noodle House)
By afternoon, our friend suggested a legendary, Michelin-recommended old noodle house hidden away in the basement of the Wan Nian Building. We went straight for their famous Beef Noodle Soup (~NT$180), which features thick, handmade noodles.
 |
| Lao Shan Dong Handmade Noodles |
To be totally honest, the noodles themselves were a bit too thick for my personal taste, as I usually prefer thinner strands. However, the broth was an absolute masterpiece—deep, rich, complex, and packed with umami, and the beef was incredibly tender.
16. Roadside Fried Rice Store (Lane 82, Section 2 Wuchang Street)
You can't leave Taiwan without pushing your stomach to its absolute limits, so the full gang gathered for "Dinner Part 1" at a humble roadside store right across from the Kicks Center along the alleyroad. We ordered plates of their local Fried Rice (~NT$90). It was simple, expertly tossed, and hit the spot perfectly when eaten on low plastic stools by the roadside.
17. Alleyway Food Market (Lane 50, Section 2 Wuchang Street)
To cap off the entire trip, as Rachel and I were walking back to our hotel room, we stumbled upon a small evening food market in the area.
 |
| Taiwanese Chicken |
The aroma of spices was too good to pass up, so we bought a bag of classic Taiwanese Fried Chicken (~NT$70–NT$100) to bring back to our room. Eating crispy, five-spice seasoned chicken in our room was the ultimate, delicious final note to our journey.
Budget Breakdown (for a Couple)
Day 1: Mountain Cravings & Ximending Neon Lights
| Stop & Location | What You Ordered (For 2 Pax) | Estimated Price (NTD$) |
| FamilyMart (MRT Ximen) | 1x Chiffon Bread (Shared) | $35 |
| Street Stall (Wulai Old Street) | 1x Grilled Boar Sausage, 1x Grilled Mochi | $55 |
| Yun Sien Resort (Wulai) | 2x Ginie Ice Cream | $120 |
| Treasure Island Eatery (Wulai) | Dried Radish Egg, Bamboo Rice, Pork Rib Pops, Beef Black Pepper, 1x Coca-Cola | $710 |
| Souvenir Shop (Wulai) | Dried Strawberries (A few packs) | $300 |
| inn cafe (Ximending) | 1x Sicilian Coffee, 1x Mocha, 1x Chocolate Banana Waffle | $450 |
| Mala Hot Pot (Ximending) | 2x Unlimited All-You-Can-Eat Hot Pot | $1,600 |
| DAY 1 SUB-TOTAL | $3,270 NTD |
Day 2: Day Tour Street Eats & Comfort Bowls
| Stop & Location | What You Ordered (For 2 Pax) | Estimated Price (NTD$) |
| 7-Eleven (Taipei) | 2x Coffee, 1x Salmon Onigiri, 1x Clubhouse Sandwich | $160 |
| Yay Cafe (Yehliu Geopark) | 2x Milk Tea (Compliments of our tour guide!) | $0 |
| Shifen Old Street | 1x Rice-Stuffed Chicken Wing, 1x Peanut Ice Cream Roll | $115 |
| Local Eatery (Jiufen Old Street) | Shrimp Fried Rice, Scallion Omelet, 1x Order of Dumplings | $280 |
| Local Noodle Stall (Emei St.) | 2x Bowls of Noodle Soup | $180 |
| DAY 2 SUB-TOTAL | $735 NTD |
Day 3: Rainy Comforts & Double Dinner Finale
| Stop & Location | What You Ordered (For 2 Pax) | Estimated Price (NTD$) |
| Pang Niu Niu (Guiyang St.) | 2x Scallion Pancakes, 2x Hot Soy Bean Milk | $130 |
| Mister Donut (Carrefour Guilin) | 2x Pon de Chocolate Donuts | $78 |
| Michelin Noodle House (Wan Nian) | 2x Beef Noodle Soup bowls | $360 |
| Roadside Wok (Wuchang St.) | 1x Fried Rice (Shared at the gang dinner) | $90 |
| Alleyway Market (Wuchang St.) | 1x Large Taiwanese Fried Chicken (Room snack) | $90 |
| DAY 3 SUB-TOTAL | $748 NTD |
Grand Summary for the Couple
Total Food Expenditure: $4,753 NTD (approx. ₱8,500 - ₱8,700 PHP, depending on exchange rates).
Average Cost Per Day: $1,584 NTD per day for the two of you.
Quick Takeaways
The Heavy Hitter: Day 1 accounted for more than 65% of our total budget. This is completely normal because it included our massive $1,600 NTD all-you-can-eat dinner crawl at Mala Hot Pot and sit-down cafe stops.
The Tour Day Savings: Day 2 was incredibly budget-friendly because you focused heavily on street food snacks like the chicken wings and peanut ice cream rolls rather than expensive sit-down tourist traps.
The Local Advantage: Our third day proved how affordable Taiwan can be when you lean into local breakfast stalls (like Pang Niu Niu) and classic roadside stir-fries!
Conclusion
Three days in Taiwan flew by in a beautiful blur of stunning scenery and unforgettable flavors. Looking back at our May 2025 trip, what made the food so incredibly special wasn't just the taste of the local dishes, but the memories baked right into them.
I’ll always remember shivering in the mountain air of Wulai with a warm boar sausage in hand, laughing with our friends over roadside fried rice, and sharing a table with strangers over midnight noodles. Taiwan completely captured our hearts and our appetites, and Rachel and I are already planning what we’re going to order on our next trip back!
Also in Taiwan
- TAIWAN TRAVEL GUIDE: How to Travel from Manila to Taipei (For First Timers)
- Understanding Taipei Districts: A Complete Guide to the Taiwan's Soul
- Understanding Taipei Metro: Guide to Taiwan's MRT (Stations and Map)
- Guide to Daan District, Taipei: Parks, Food, Culture & City Life
- A Tourist's Guide to Public Transportation and Commuting in Taiwan
- Ultimate Guide to Riverside and Urban Parks in Taipei and Nearby Areas
