If you're heading to Taiwan with kids and wondering how to make the most of your time (and appetite!), then Shilin Night Market should absolutely be on your itinerary. It’s chaotic, colourful, delicious — and yes, a little overwhelming — but with the right prep, it becomes one of the most fun food experiences your family can have together.
We recently explored this bustling market with our crew (four adults and three kids), and it turned into an unforgettable night of flavour, discovery, and just the right amount of messy fun.
What Is Shilin Night Market?
Shilin is Taiwan’s largest night market, with over 530 food stalls and shops in the main building alone. And that’s just the beginning — the market sprawls across countless alleyways and side streets, each bursting with street food vendors, game arcades, fashion finds, and flashing neon lights.
It’s noisy, lively, and packed full of locals and tourists alike — which is why we knew we needed a little help navigating it all…
Why We Hired a Guide (and Why You Should Too)
Because we don’t speak Chinese, we decided to book a guide through the Viator website — and we were so glad we did. Our guide Mavis was friendly, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful.
Menus at the market are almost all in Chinese, so unless you’re fluent or a seasoned night market expert, having a guide is a game-changer. Mavis explained what each dish was, answered all of our questions, and best of all — she ordered everything for us so we could just enjoy the food.
💰 Cost: Approximately $300 AUD for our group of 7 — absolutely worth it.
🧭 Want to book the same guide?
We used Viator and found it super easy. Here is the link. (THIS IS NOT AN AD!)
What We Ate (And What the Kids Loved!)
There is so much to try at Shilin, including several Michelin-rated stalls tucked among the chaos. But without a guide, finding those gems is tough.
Our favourite bite of the night?
🥟 Fresh steamed buns — juicy, piping hot, and incredibly tasty.
We tried both the pork and veggie versions, and at about $1 USD (or $1.50 AUD) each, they were a total bargain. Just be warned: they are hot and messy! Let them cool down a bit so you don’t end up wearing them.
The Smells of Shilin — A Cultural Adventure in Itself
One thing to prepare for? The smells. Taiwan’s street food scene is famous for its rich, bold aromas — and the Shilin Market delivers them in full force.
From sizzling grilled meats to sweet fried treats and bubbling broths, every turn brings a new scent. One of the most iconic (and yes, intense) smells comes from stinky tofu — a fermented delicacy that’s beloved in Taiwanese cuisine. Let’s just say it’s not called stinky tofu for nothing!
While it might seem confronting at first, encouraging kids to explore these new smells and flavours helps them broaden their horizons. Food is one of the most powerful (and delicious!) ways for children to connect with different cultures — they begin to understand how people around the world live, cook, and celebrate through taste.
Even if they don’t love every dish, the act of trying something new builds open-mindedness, curiosity, and respect for cultural differences — lessons that last long after the trip is over.
Tips for Visiting Shilin with Kids
Shilin Night Market is exciting but can be intense for younger travellers. Here are a few tips to make your visit smoother:
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⏰ Start early: We arrived at 7 PM and it was very crowded. If you're traveling with kids, aim for 5 PM when it’s a bit quieter.
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👟 Expect to walk: The tour runs for about 2 hours and we didn’t sit down once. A stroller is a must for little ones.
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💵 Bring cash: Small bills and coins are essential — most vendors don’t accept cards.
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🧻 Wet wipes are your best friend: Things get sticky fast.
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🛍️ Pack a few plastic bags: Bins are rare, so you’ll need somewhere to stash trash.
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👗 Check out the fashion stalls: Taiwan’s style scene is seriously cool, and there are some great hidden gems tucked behind the food vendors.
Final Thoughts
If your family loves food, adventure, and cultural discovery, Shilin Night Market is a must-do. It’s busy, it’s bright, and it’s bursting with flavour — just come prepared and hire a guide to get the most out of the experience.
And remember: come early, come hungry, and come with a sense of fun and curiosity. Your kids might just come home with a new favourite dish — and a new appreciation for the world around them.
