Xingnan Night Market, Zhonghe
The biggest night market in Zhonghe
For our second night market visit this year, we went down to Zhonghe 中和, one of the most densely populated districts in the world. The Xingnan Night Market 興南夜市 is found at Nanshijiao, Zhonghe's heavily populated area. The name "Xingnan" could be translated as "Prosperous South", but I think the name is a little flattering. Compared to the Lehua Night Market in Yonghe, this one doesn't look as fancy and as clean, but it has a certain indefinable charm. It's meant for locals, but I think as a tourist you could enjoy some good food there, too.
MY IMPRESSION: The night market is very close to the MRT station, which is a big plus, it's impossible to miss it (unlike Lehua). The market covers a big area of two parallel streets and some other small ones, that are connecting them. Aside from that, there's a busy road nearby, which is also full of shops and restaurants. So if you decide to visit, you will need some time to explore the area. The market is not so clean and the scooters are pretty common here, so you need to watch out how you walk. Aside from food, there are many shops selling clothes, shoes and other things, probably cheap Made in China stuff.
WHAT KIND OF FOOD IS COMMON: Same as in the Lehua market nearby, the Xingnan is full of steak shops 牛排 (niúpái). Not sure, why the steak is so popular in the southern part of Greater Taipei, but if you're a steak lover, this is the place to be for you. Aside from the usual night market food (oyster omelette, tofu, salty chicken), you will also find a lot of foreign food, such as Korean and Vietnamese dishes and the famous snack from Osaka takoyaki 章魚燒 (zhāngyúshāo), which are filled with cheese. There's also a Mongolian barbecue 蒙古烤肉 (ménggǔ kǎoròu) restaurant, which we went to. I also spotted the fried sandwich 營養三明治 (yíngyǎng sānmíngzhì, also called "salad submarine") and a Taiwanese styled chicken döner kebab 沙威瑪 (shāwēimǎ).
MUST-TRY FOOD AT XINGNAN NIGHT MARKET: I highly recommend the cheese takoyaki and the roasted chicken parts. The dry tofu together with pig's blood cake are very yummy, too. And the main dish we had was Mongolian barbecue, I highly recommend it, especially if you like vegetables. I think I will have to return and try some other snacks, there's a lot of good food available.
POPULAR SNACK: MARINADE 滷味
POPULAR DISH: MONGOLIAN BARBECUE 蒙古烤肉
This restaurant is interesting. You pay 100 NTD per person and then you can scoop as much as you can on one plate. You can choose from various veggies, tofu and meats. See, my girlfriend grabbed a lot of salad.
POPULAR SNACK: TAKOYAKI 章魚燒
POPULAR SNACK: BARBECUED CHICKEN
HOW TO FIND XINGNAN NIGHT MARKET:
Take the MRT from Taipei Main Station to the Nanshijiao Station (Orange line, last stop, see a detailed map here). Go out at Exit 4, the night market is right there.
IN CONCLUSION: I have to say this night market may not be famous for being famous or for being clean, but it's certainly a decent night market. There's a lot of good food to discover and the accessibility is a big plus (Lehua lacks behind in this regard). I think, if you're pleased with tasty and affordable food and don't mind scooters and general noise, you will like Xingnan very much. If you want a famous touristy night market, I recommend you Shilin or Lehua. The choice is of course yours.
9 KAFKAESQUE COMMENTS:
MKL,
The city looks so vivrant. If I have a chance to visit Taiwan, I'd like to go to this market first, and then the museums.
Also I'm impressed with your policy in commenting. But, the "offtopics" of item 3 made me think because I often do that to some extent just as I'm doing right now. I think I have annoyed some people because of that. But I don't discourage it because we always find coincidences and hidden connections.
February 18, 2011 2:21 AM
@keiko amano: Oh, don't worry about my strict comment policy, I only apply it, when someone is mean spirited. I used to have some real haters on my blog, that's why I wrote it. But nice people can write whatever they want, I would never delete their comments, even if off-topic. You're very welcome to comment here, I would be happy :)
Back to the topic: I think Taiwan is full of great markets and museums, definitely must visit both :)
February 18, 2011 7:42 AM
Both your last topics have been interesting and informative. These night markets seem to be great places. They remind me on Guijie Street (Food Street) in Beijing.
February 18, 2011 4:28 PM
I love night markets! always so fun :P
the food looks so good! Just the other day, I was at the mall and they had the same concept! :P pile on as much food in a small bowl and pay one price for it :P
I want to try the cheese takoyaki! :P What type of cheese was it?
February 19, 2011 12:26 PM
Dried tofu and pig's blood? I have never even heard of that before, let alone encountered it. The thought of it makes my stomach feel queasy. :-) So far from what you have described of the markets, the food in Taiwan seems very different than what I encountered in China. Love your pictures!
February 19, 2011 11:02 PM
Wow! I love the night market! Mainly the variety of the food that can be found there! : D
February 20, 2011 1:55 AM
@Traveling Hawk: I would like to visit some markets in China.
@*~kAy~*: I have no idea, what kind of cheese they used, but it was very soft :) Night markets are really fun, yeah :)
@kristieinbc: Taiwan's food is closer to the one in southern Chinese provinces. If you go to Beijing or Shanghai, the food must be very different there.
@foongpc: Yes, it's very rich in all kinds of food :)
February 21, 2011 10:17 PM
Those night market is one of the biggest reason why I miss Taiwan .. lol Food looks way too delicious. I can feel my tummy says feed me.
February 26, 2011 12:26 PM
@Sarah: I think you'll gain weight, if you come to Taiwan, because food is everywhere here and you'll be crazy about trying it.
February 28, 2011 9:43 PM
Post a Kafkaesque comment!