Shilin Night Market 士林夜市 (Taipei, Taiwan)

fruit stall

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Oh yes, we haven't finished posting about our trip from several months ago!

Taiwan is famous for its night markets. So, while in Taipei, we thought to go to the most famous of them all, it seems: Shilin Night Market (士林夜市).

That above is a photo of one of the numerous fruit stalls at the market. Look at all those fruits, all cut up and prepped for one's enjoyment!

We had been snacking on guavas for a bit a couple of days before this, but were happy to discover that one stand had small unripe mangoes!

Big-time drool!

Unfortunately, the kind stall-owner insisted on sprinkling sour plum powder on the sliced green mango pieces instead of sticking to the coarse salt like we asked. =(

I don't have anything against "dried sour plum" or sour plum powder (they're great when you feel nauseous or dizzy), but not on my unripe mangoes!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_hing_mui

More sweet things

Shaved Ice Dessert stall


Candied Fruit on Sticks
I think it's an Asian/Chinese thing (not just in Taiwan), but you'll see the person or owner manning the store sitting down for their meal. That doesn't really happen in "Western" (North American) establishments.

Huge Taiwanese Sausage


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We tried this. It tasted like sausage; a Chinese sausage. (So descriptive, I know.)



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I was a little disappointed that they cut up the sausage! I had to go back and take a picture of the sausages at the stall. But, it obviously makes for an easier time eating.

Offal


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We didn't really try a lot of the different foods on offer. We're only human, after all!



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So, I didn't try to be a hero. I didn't bother getting anything from this offal stand. I'm a wimp, offally-speaking.

Although, I don't count those chicken feet as "offal." Nor pig's ear. I guess I should be more specific and say that I'm a wimp, innardly-speaking.

Random Buns


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I don't remember what kind of buns these are, just that one has a meat filling and the other, cabbage filling. I liked the vegetable one better.

Bun Assembly Line


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This stall had an assembly line going! Above is the person making all the dough and shaping them into little balls.

(Look, the other person working is having her dinner!)



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That dude above (white T-shirt) stuffs all those little dough balls. I think the two people place those filled buns onto the cooktop, then, in the picture in the right, that sleeveless dude flips them and/or takes care of them when they've finished cooking.


Finished product

"Roti"


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We didn't get to try these "rotis". Apparently, you choose a filling. Among the choices: chicken, beef, or even chocolate! That domed apparatus is the griddle.



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This guy would roll out the dough, then start flipping, slapping and tossing the round until it was paper thin. Then, he would throw the paper-thin round on the domed griddle.

Hot Star Large Fried Chicken


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How can one go wrong with fried chicken? Or, should I say, Large Fried Chicken?



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These fried chicken had the usual Taiwanese "salty-peppery" flavor with which we were familiar. ("Salty Peppery" is usually how it's transalted into English on menus.)

So, how big is this LARGE fried chicken?


This big.


view from the Metro platform

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We couldn't really take more of the night market, leaving after only about an hour. Off we went to go have dinner! Taiwan Beef Noodle!

Links
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shilin_Night_Market
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Night_markets_in_Taiwan

Taiwan trip 2009
Taiwanese Bakery Goods (including ChiaTe Bakery)
Dan Shui 淡水, Taiwan (including food)
Taipei Quick Eats: Mos Burger, Hong Ya Breakfast, Ay Chung Flour-Rice Noodle
Taipei Convenience Store Foods
Shilin Night Market 士林夜市 (Taipei, Taiwan)
Breakfast Buffet at the Shangri-La (Taipei, Taiwan)
Taiwan Beef Noodle Soup, 4 versions (Taipei, Taiwan)
Yehliu 野柳 Geopark; Dried Seafood (Taiwan)

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