Kaohsiung Culinary Perfect Guide — Beef Noodle Soup, Gua Bao, Cijin Seafood, Night Markets 2026
Everything about Kaohsiung's cuisine — Taiwanese beef noodles, danzai noodles, gua bao, seafood from Cijin Island, mango shaved ice, and bubble tea. A personal guide to southern Taiwanese food from a Korean traveler's perspective.
🤖 Translated automatically by AI (GPT-4o-mini). Reviewed periodically.
From a Korean traveler's perspective, departing from Seoul/ICN.
Kaohsiung is the largest city in southern Taiwan, renowned for its vibrant night markets and fresh seafood. It's more laid-back and affordable than Taipei, making it perfect for a food trip. Personally, I love sampling various street foods at Liuhe Night Market and finishing off with seafood on Cijin Island. To sum it up: enjoy Kaohsiung's culinary delights in the order of night market street food → Taiwanese noodle dishes (beef noodles, danzai noodles) → harbor seafood and desserts for a fulfilling experience.
Overview
- Noodle Dishes: Beef Noodles, Danzai Noodles (Shrimp Noodles)
- Street Food: Gua Bao (Taiwanese Hamburger), Taiwanese Sausage, Stinky Tofu
- Seafood: Fresh Seafood from Cijin Island, Seafood Congee
- Desserts & Beverages: Mango Shaved Ice, Bubble Tea (originated in Taiwan)
- Food Hotspots: Liuhe Night Market, Ruifeng Night Market
Kaohsiung's Signature Dishes
Beef Noodles & Danzai Noodles — Taiwanese Noodle Dishes
Beef Noodles (牛肉麵) is a beloved Taiwanese dish featuring thick slices of beef and bok choy in a rich beef broth. You can choose between the soupy beef noodle soup or the dry version. There are also renowned old shops in Kaohsiung, like Xiangyuan Beef Noodles. Danzai Noodles originated in southern Taiwan and are light shrimp noodles, perfect for a quick meal.
Gua Bao — Taiwanese Hamburger
This street food consists of braised pork belly, pickled vegetables, and crushed peanuts stuffed in a steamed bun. The combination of soft bread and savory meat makes it a popular choice at night markets.
Cijin Island Seafood
Being a harbor city, Kaohsiung offers incredibly fresh seafood. On Cijin Island (旗津), you’ll find a row of seafood restaurants where you can enjoy freshly caught fish, shrimp, and squid grilled or steamed right before your eyes. Near the harbor, there are also specialty congee shops serving seafood congee loaded with milkfish, shrimp, and clams, which is a delightful treat.
Enjoying at the Night Markets
Kaohsiung is a paradise for night markets.
- Liuhe Night Market (六合夜市): The representative tourist night market in Kaohsiung, famous for its seafood stalls that cook crabs, shrimp, and clams on the spot.
- Ruifeng Night Market (瑞豐夜市): A large night market popular with locals.
- Be sure to try Taiwanese sausage, stinky tofu, oyster omelets, and pepper buns at the night markets.
Desserts and Beverages
- Mango Shaved Ice: A Taiwanese-style shaved ice topped with large chunks of mango, a perfect treat on hot days.
- Bubble Tea (珍珠奶茶): The original milk tea from Taiwan, featuring chewy tapioca pearls.
- Pineapple Cake (鳳梨酥): A popular souvenir.
Where to Eat
- Liuhe Night Market: A central tourist night market in the city.
- Ruifeng Night Market: A large night market with a local atmosphere.
- Cijin Island: A seafood street accessible by ferry.
Kaohsiung is great to combine with visits to the Pier-2 Art Center and Lianchitan. You can find the full itinerary in the Kaohsiung 4-Day Travel Course.
Where to Stay
If you're focusing on food, staying near Liuhe Night Market or MRT Meilidao Station is convenient. Check out the card below to compare hotels in Kaohsiung.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What food must I try in Kaohsiung?
I highly recommend Taiwanese beef noodles and street food from the night markets (gua bao, Taiwanese sausage). Don’t miss the seafood from Cijin Island, as it's a harbor city.
Q2. Is the food different from Taipei?
While common Taiwanese foods (beef noodles, bubble tea) are similar, Kaohsiung, being in the south, has a stronger emphasis on danzai noodles and harbor seafood, and the prices are generally lower.
Q3. When is the best time to visit the night markets?
They come alive in the evening after sunset. Liuhe Night Market is great for tourists, while Ruifeng Night Market is ideal for those wanting a local vibe.
Q4. Can I have mango shaved ice anytime?
It's best enjoyed in summer (May to September) when mangoes are in season. Many places use frozen mangoes in other seasons, but you can enjoy it year-round.