1. Stinky Tofu
Fried stinky tofu, a common sight at Taiwanese street food stalls, is a culinary delight when paired with Taiwanese-style pickled cabbage. Describing it as "not scary in appearance, but the smell of it can reach your nose even before you see it," this dish may not leave a pleasant first impression for those trying it for the first time. However, once you take a few more bites, you might just fall in love with it. If you can handle fried stinky tofu, you can take it to the next level by trying boiled stinky tofu, which is even smellier. However, we believes that the stinky tofu at Taiwanese street food stalls is relatively mild in terms of its pungency, and the real challenge comes when you visit specialty stinky tofu shops.
2. Iron Eggs
During winter, many people in Taiwan love to have a bowl of preserved egg and lean pork congee. However, the truth is that there are also many people in Taiwan who are afraid to eat preserved eggs. "Traditionally made with duck eggs, but nowadays chicken eggs are also commonly used. Preserved eggs are processed with a mixture of lime, rice bran, salt, and other ingredients, and they have a unique smell reminiscent of musk. First-time eaters often find them quite peculiar."
3. Pig’s Blood Cake
Having a skewer of pig's blood cake dipped in peanut powder is a popular afternoon tea snack for many in Taiwan. it as "a food made from pig's blood and glutinous rice, boiled and then dipped in peanut powder and cilantro before eating. You can almost see pig's blood cake everywhere in the streets and alleys of Taipei, and it's also quite popular in night markets. It's a convenient snack that you can eat on the go."
4. Chicken Feet
Foreigners often feel intimidated by the realistic appearance of this dish, and the fact that chicken feet have little meat on them. Essentially, you are eating the "skin" and sucking on the bones when consuming them.
5. Duck Tongue
Duck tongue, commonly found in braised dishes, is often intimidating to foreigners due to its appearance and location. However, the taste is slightly spicy but delicious, and it is considered worth trying.
6. Cock Comb
As a Taiwanese, it is not common to see people eating chicken comb. it as "a bit tough to chew, but very chewy with a gelatinous texture. It's worth trying, but not everyone may like it."
7. Chicken Butt
Whether it's barbecue or salt and pepper chicken, many people in Taiwan enjoy chicken butt as a snack. However, foreigners often find its realistic shape a bit scary. Moreover, it is described as "meat taken from the bone part of the chicken's tail, and you can almost always see chicken butts at roadside barbecue stalls, usually skewered in sets of 3 to 4, glazed with sweet sauce before eating. The meat from this part is fatty, with some soft cartilage inside. It's a unique food experience, and in fact, it tastes quite good."
8. Duck Blood
As an essential ingredient in Taiwanese spicy hot pot, duck blood is viewed differently by foreigners. They often think, "While there is a tradition of eating duck blood in Thailand, the duck blood in Taiwan is unique. It has a jelly-like texture when eaten, and it's usually used as an ingredient in hot pot or mixed with noodles."
Comments