Night markets in Taiwan 台灣夜市

Night markets in Taiwan

Night markets in Taiwan are street markets in Taiwan that operate in urban or suburban areas. They are similar to those in areas inhabited by ethnic Chinese, such as Southeast Asia. A few such as Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market (or Snake Alley) utilize purpose-built marketplaces but most occupy either sidewalks (pavements) adjacent to streets or entire streets that are normal thoroughfares by day. Some night markets in smaller side streets or lanes feature retractable roofs. Most of the markets operate daily and feature a mixture of individual stalls hawking clothing, consumer goods, xiaochi (小吃：snacks or fast food), and specialty drinks. The atmosphere is usually crowded and noisy with hawkers shouting and fast-paced music playing over loudspeakers.

Night markets in Taiwan today

Night markets in Taiwan have become famous for offering xiaochi foods (xiaochi literally translates as "small eats"). Served in portions much like Spanish tapas, these dishes are often taken as carry-out, though some sellers provide a few small folding tables with chairs. These dishes are offer at low prices, usually around 30 to 50NTD (around $1 to $1.75). If visitors are expected to be full from one trip at night market, they usually spend around 250 to 300 NTD ($ 7 to $10). Most night markets also have small restaurants provide simple courses that allow people to finish one meal without walking through the market.

Though some of the foods offered will change from year to year with passing fads, certain staples such as oyster omelettes (蚵仔煎 ô-á-chian), chicken shawarma (沙威馬 shāwēimǎ), and stinky tofu(pronounced tso-dofu) (臭豆腐 chhàu tāu-hū) persist. Sometimes, the night markets in one city, or even one particular market, become famous for a certain type of food. For example, Tainan has become known for its noodles (擔仔麵 tà?-á-mī) and "coffin cakes" (棺材板 guāncáibǎn), bread in the shape of a coffin which has been hollowed out and stuffed.In Taipei, Shilin night market featuring fried chicken breast from a particular store for its taste and size for low price. There is also tei-egg (鐵蛋:steel egg) from Danshui.

In recent years, few of the night markets have became one of the sightseeing places for foreign travelers. It’s common to see many travelers carry a camera capturing the crowds within the streets. Few of the night markets, such as Shilin (at Yuanshan, Taipei) and Shida night markets (next to National Taiwan Normal University) are the first place that Taiwanese students would bring international students to.

Besides food, night markets also feature numerous other products for sale, including clothes, bags, shoes, trinkets, kitchen items, etc. In addition, carnival-style games are typically available to play for the price of a few coins. The night market in Dan-shui especially features some traditional carnival games. Such as balloons shooting, net fish, shoot marbles and many mini games that can only been seen years ago. They offer really low price for playing and give out prizes to the kids.

Common Taiwan Snacks

Prelude OF Taiwan Features

There is abundance of special fascinations in Taiwan. Some of them are bustling, some are placid. I said so not only because I am a Taiwanese.  They are really charming for everyone who ever has seen them in person.

Unfortunately, some of them , especally the tranditional part, are ignored by public gradually in this modern age. Even numerous Taiwanese people never try to appreciate such beauty. The precious succeeding culture of Taiwan is fading away. That's why I attempt to help more people see them. Of course,I will introduce the lively part as well.

I am not one of the professionals of  Taiwanese custom. But I will still try my best to present the  beauty of  Taiwanese features for new friends.

Chinese New Year 春節

Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It is often called the Lunar New Year, especially by people in mainland China and Taiwan. The festival traditionally begins on the first day of the first month (Chinese: 正月; pinyin: zhēng yuè) in the Chinese calendar and ends on the 15th; this day is called Lantern Festival. Chinese New Year's Eve is known as Chúxī(除夕). It literally means "Year-pass Eve".Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese Calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is itself centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Ancient Chinese New Year is a reflection on how the people behaved and what they believed in the most.Within China, regional customs and traditions concerning the celebration of the Chinese New Year vary widely. People will pour out their money to buy presents, decoration, material, food, and clothing. It is also the tradition that every family thoroughly cleans the house to sweep away any ill-fortune in hopes to make way for good incoming luck. Windows and doors will be decorated with red color paper-cuts and couplets with popular themes of “happiness”, “wealth”, and “longevity”. On the Eve of Chinese New Year, supper is a feast with families. Food will range from pigs, to ducks, to chicken and sweet delicacies. The family will end the night with firecrackers. Early the next morning, children will greet their parents by wishing them a healthy and happy new year, and receive money in red paper envelopes. The Chinese New Year tradition is a great way to reconcile forgetting all grudges, and sincerely wish peace and happiness for everyone.

Tale According to tales and legends, the beginning of Chinese New Year started with the fight against a mythical beast called the Nian or "Year" in Chinese. Nian would come on the first day of New Year to devour livestock, crops, and even villagers, especially children. To protect themselves, the villagers would put food in front of their doors at the beginning of every year. It was believed that after the Nian ate the food they prepared, it wouldn’t attack any more people. One time, people saw that the Nian was scared away by a little child wearing red. The villagers then understood that the Nian was afraid of the color red. Hence, every time when the New Year was about to come, the villagers would hang red lanterns and red spring scrolls on windows and doors. People also used firecrackers to frighten away the Nian. From then on, the Nian never came to the village again. The Nian was eventually captured by Hongjun Laozu(鴻鈞老祖), an ancient Taoist monk. The Nian became Hongjun Laozu's mount.

"Its body is bigger than elephant, its head is like lion, with strong power , its roar can shake the earth." by Shan Hai Jing(山海經)

(There are too many things about Chinese New Year, I will try to make it more clear with more details recently.)