Partied a little too hard on New Year’s Eve? We feel you. Which is why we’ve put together a list of Taiwan food to get you through a rough morning. Find these seven local delicacies at Taipei restaurants, night markets, and throughout Taiwan.
So grab some electrolytes, water, and ibuprofen and cure your hangover with Taiwanese food:
Cheesy, Carby Scallion Pancake Goodness
Scallion pancakes consist of a flaky pancake flavored with green onions, then layered with ingredients of your choice (it is strongly suggested you try egg, cheese, ham, and basil *drool*). Think of it like a grilled cheese marrying a burrito. Soak up last night’s bad decisions with this salty, Taiwanese food. Line up at 天津蔥抓餅 Tian Jin Onion Pancake on Yongkang Street in Taipei’s Dongmen area and get the #6.
Warm Up with Beef Noodle Soup
You need to try beef noodle soup, a signature Taiwan food that’s a favorite among locals and tourists alike. Sit down for a big bowl of salty, beef broth to help soothe your stomach, and enjoy braised beef, vegetables, and noodles. You can spot beef noodle joints throughout Taiwan, but head to the highly recommended Yongkang Beef Noodles or Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles if you’re in Taipei. It’s basically the food equivalent of getting a cozy hug from your favorite person.
Taiwanese Breakfast with a Side of Ibuprofen
Traditional Taiwanese breakfasts are an incredible way to jump-start your day, especially when you might be feeling a little foggy headed. Head to popular Yong He Soy Milk King or Fuhang Soy Milk and indulge in soy milk (which comes in sweet and salty variants) accompanied by a fried donut. Add radish cake, a Taiwanese omelette with cheese, or dumplings to round out your order.
Old Faithful: Fried Food
Give that hangover what it wants and feed it greasy, delicious, fried food. Head to a Taiwan night market and find stalls where you can pick and choose your preferred foods to fry. And of course, be sure to stop at any of the Taiwanese fried chicken joints like Hot Star, TKK Fried Chicken or Monga Fried Chicken. No one does fried chicken quite like Taiwan.
Hot Dog!
Try out the Taiwanese version of this all-American dish. Food stalls grill Taiwanese sausages and sticky rice sausages, using the rice sausage as a bun. The meat sausage’s peppery, smoky-sweet taste complements the soft and subtle flavor of the sticky rice. You can also add sauces, garlic, or cilantro to your ‘hot dog’ according to preference
Soups on with Xiao Long Bao
The ultimate Taiwan comfort food! Treat yourself (and that headache) to warm xiao long bao (‘soup dumplings’). Xiao long bao has everything you need in a meal: carbs, tasty meat and salty broth for a light, enjoyable taste. Add some ginger to boost the flavor (also a tasty stomach soother).
For When You Really Just *Can’t*: 7-11 Goodies
Taiwan pretty much has a 7 Eleven on every single block (sometimes two) so you won’t have to go too far to find an amazing assortment of snacks for those extremely hungover mornings. Pick up sandwiches, onigiri, prepared meals, tea eggs, baos, and chips. Replenish your fluids and grab water, juice or soda while you’re at it.
Pro drinking tip: before you head out for New Year’s Eve, eat a meal high in carbs, fat, and protein to help you metabolize alcohol. Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the night and the next morning. Start 2018 off right, without feeling like you’re about to keel over. Nurse your hangover with Taiwan food and some electrolytes.
