Taipei
Taiwan
How do I write an introduction to Taipei? It’s home. As a Taiwanese American, I’ve visited almost every year of my life, collecting memories from childhood, from awkward teenage years, and from the few years I lived there after college — studying Mandarin, teaching English, spending time with family, and (just maybe) going out a bit too much. These days, I mainly roam around the city in pursuit of the perfect bowl of beef stew noodles (niu rou mian) and braised pork rice (lu rou fan).
If you ask me how to spend three days in Taipei, I’m going to try to convince you to stay longer. But if that fails? Here’s a guide.
Where to stay in Taipei
Taipei isn’t huge, and if you stay within Taipei City, you can get pretty much anywhere by metro — or MRT, as it’s locally known. The system is easy to navigate, with English translations on every map and every station sign. Not in the metro mood? Ubers and taxis are affordable and readily available at all hours. (Bring cash for taxis, though!)
Here are my favorite places to stay:
When it comes to location, you can’t beat the Kimpton Da An. But despite being in a popular area and right around the corner from an MRT station, it’s a peaceful place to stay. The lobby alone feels like it was designed to immediately decrease cortisol levels. The rooms are cozy and luxe in a minimalist way, and the staff is great.
One quirk: the bathroom counters are so, so low — and this is coming from someone who barely clears the 5-foot mark. Perhaps not the best for those with back problems. Bathroom counter aside, the Kimpton Da An is an easy recommendation.
The Mandarin Oriental is the opposite of the Kimpton Da An. Unapologetic opulence instead of understated luxury. Spacious rooms with walk-in closets instead of compact, functional design. A 15-minute walk instead of a 1.5-minute walk to the nearest MRT station.
Slight inconvenience aside, we loved our stay. The service is exactly what you’d expect from a hotel of this caliber, the rooms are immaculate, and the beds — oh my god, the beds. I slept like a milk-drunk baby, and I’m usually an insomniac.
If you don’t mind a few extra taxis to get around, the Mandarin Oriental is your spot. And before you head out for the night, stop by M.O. Bar: dark, sexy, elegant, and everything you want with a chilled glass of Champagne.
The W is my recommendation for Taipei first-timers. Not just because everyone speaks English (that’s true of Mandarin Oriental and Kimpton, too) but because of its location in the heart of the Xinyi District: surrounded by about 10 malls, countless restaurants and food courts, English-friendly bars and clubs, and plenty of outdoor space to relax and people-watch. And if you want to venture further, the MRT is right around the corner.
True to the W Hotel brand, the rooms are modern and slightly kooky. I was pleasantly surprised by how spacious ours was — though there was also a direct sightline from the bed straight into the shower. Like I said: kooky.
What to do in Taipei if you only have three days
Are you sure you can’t stay longer? No? In that case…
Visit a Night Market in Taipei
Did you even go to Taipei if you didn’t squeeze your way through the crowds of a night market, scarfing down one local delicacy after another and spending way too many NT10 coins on claw machines? Whenever I’m back in Taipei, a night market visit is non-negotiable. And it’s not just fun; it’s practical. You get to sample an enormous variety of food in one place: pan-fried dumplings (生煎包), all kinds of noodles, Taiwanese fried chicken (鹽酥雞), Taiwanese sausages and sticky rice sausages, oyster omelettes, braised pork rice (滷肉飯), crispy fried sweet potato balls… I could go on. And if you’re a fan of stinky tofu, there’s plenty of that, too.
Raohe Night Market is my current favorite. It’s packed with everything you could want — and sometimes more people than you would like — but it’s not as overwhelming or touristy as Shilin Night Market. It’s also home to the famous Fuzhou pepper buns (胡椒餅): buns stuffed with juicy pork, black and white pepper, and tons of green onion — slapped against the side of a hot tandoor-style oven until the bottoms get satisfyingly crispy. Don’t be deterred by the line; these guys are efficient. Just have cash ready and know your order (basically, how many you want).
Sing Your Heart Out at Karaoke (a.k.a. KTV)
In Taiwan, it’s common to refer to karaoke as KTV, short for “karaoke television”. Whatever you call it, it’s a must. This isn’t your dive bar karaoke experience; instead of nervously singing to a room of strangers, you get to croon unabashedly in your own private suite — some even come with a private bathroom. Order food and drinks, and three hours will fly by before you know it. My favorite KTV spot in Taipei is PARTYWORLD Sogo, open 24 hours a day. Do like the locals do and cap off a night out at PARTYWORLD, then grab some Taiwanese breakfast (perhaps at Yong He Dou Jiang) before crawling home to bed.
Enjoy the Hot Springs in Beitou
It’s hard to believe that Beitou — a mountain escape in northern Taipei known for its natural sulfur hot springs — is only about an hour from the city center by MRT (and even faster by car). You can stay overnight at one of the many hotels, or do what we did and make it a day trip. Before diving (or gingerly lowering yourself) into the hot, healing waters, take some time to explore: check out Xinbeitou Historic Station, a beautiful old wooden structure built in 1916 during Japanese rule; browse the Beitou Hot Spring Museum; and walk around Thermal Valley, one of the sources supplying the nearby hot springs.
When it’s time for a soak, you can choose between public or private hot springs. Public options like Long Nice typically have separate areas for men and women, children’s sections, and specific rules around attire. For a more intimate experience, I’d highly recommend booking a private hot spring room at the Grand View Resort. You’ll get 90 minutes to enjoy a clean shower, a snack and cold drink, a soothing soak, and even a little nap on a comfy chaise. The perfect half-day escape.
Shop ‘Til Your Heart’s Content — Or ‘Til You’re Broke
The Taiwanese love to shop, and Taipei is built for it. There are malls everywhere (including a six-story mall dedicated to electronics), shops lining every street, stalls in the night markets, and an entire outdoor shopping district for wholesale clothes. Whether you’re looking for clothes and accessories or electronics and home goods, luxury or budget, you’ll find it in Taipei.
Get a Massage — Any Time of Day
Did you get in on one of those 5 a.m. red eye flights? Good news: there are massage studios and spas all across Taipei that are open 24/7, like Dancing Finger in the Da’an District. Drop your luggage at the hotel and ask the concierge to make you an appointment. You can get a 90-minute massage before breakfast spots even open.
One of my go-to spots (though not open 24/7) is Sakura Spa — luxurious enough to make you feel pampered, but not so much that you’re paying just for ambiance. Short on time or just need a quick break from exploring? Stop by a casual spa that specializes in foot massages, like this spot. Truly heaven after a long day.
Where to eat and drink in Taipei
In Taiwan, you think about what you want to eat for lunch during breakfast, plan dinner during lunch, and dream about snacks in between. Food is integral to the culture. It’s impossible to write a comprehensive list, so here are a few of the spots I always try to hit up when I’m only in town for a few days.
Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles 林東芳牛肉麵
Lin Dong Fang’s noodles are on the thicker, chewier side — think udon with more bite — and their broth is clear and beefy, with just a hint of something herbal. Take a sip of the broth to try it, then dump in a spoonful of their spicy butter (okay, honestly, it’s probably lard). I’m salivating just thinking about it.
Old Friends Chinese Restaurant (老朋友小酌熱炒）
Old Friends is a re chao (熱炒)restaurant, which literally translates to “hot stir-fry”. It’s a casual, lively type of restaurant where the dishes are designed to be enjoyed with ice cold Taiwan Beer. Food comes out fast and hot, and the beer comes out even faster — just grab another from the fridge whenever you’re empty!
Fuhong Beef Noodles (富宏牛肉麵)
For about $4 USD, you can enjoy an incredible bowl of beef noodles at Fuhong — 24 hours a day. It’s a no-frills spot: communal metal tables with little stools, tubs of shared condiments like chili oil and pickled mustard greens, and a handful of oscillating fans cooling everyone down. But you’re not here for the vibes; you’re here for the rich, beefy broth and thick, chewy noodles. Order fast, eat fast, leave happy.
Omakase in Taipei, like in most major cities, is getting expensive. Luckily, you can still get a great omakase experience at Yo Sushi for around $120 per person — and I hear their lunch deal is a downright steal. Fresh ingredients, friendly sushi chefs, and a relaxed environment: that’s all I want in a sushi spot. Special shoutout to our chef, who took the time to explain each course in both Mandarin and English.
Yes, Din Tai Fung seems to be popping up everywhere in Southern California and across the US, but it’s better in Taipei. The food tastes better, the prices are lower, and the lines…are equally as long. Ah, well. There are multiple locations around Taipei, but I recommend the Fuxing Branch inside Sogo Mall so you can shop while you wait. Go wild on basket after basket of XLBs, but don’t sleep on the pork chop fried rice!
All The Street Food You Can Find
Taipei is full of street food, or xiao chi (小吃). Don’t be afraid to try anything that looks good. You don’t have to wait for night markets, either; you can find amazing street eats anywhere, anytime. Walk down Lane 216 in the Da’an District and grab traditional shaved ice from Eastern Ice Store, or wander the side streets of Ximending Walking District and try some Taiwanese oyster vermicelli. And keep an eye out for a few of my personal favorites: sticky rice sausage, oyster omelette, popcorn chicken, pork gua bao with plenty of pickled mustard greens and peanut powder.
Just the beginning…
Three days in Taipei is just enough to fall in love and not nearly enough to do it justice. I’ll be back with more — more neighborhoods, more food, more reasons to book that flight. In the meantime, if you need help planning your trip, you know where to find me.
The Mimi Edit 
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