If you want to get a taste of old Taipei, there is no better place to visit than Dadaocheng. Historically a trading district for dried goods and textiles, today it’s a bustling district for both locals and tourists alike.
Things to see
Dihua Street is the main artery that runs through Dadaocheng. You’ll find red lanterns strewn from the facades of old buildings, throngs of pedestrians and a steady stream of scooters trying to navigate through the crowded streets.
My favorite part of Dadaocheng are the side alleys that split off from the main Dihua Street. Some of these can be unassuming at first glance, but as you venture down, you’ll find a variety of cafes, home goods shops or vintage stores.
One of the central gathering areas in this district is the Xia Hai City God Temple (城隍廟 | Chénghuángmiào). This temple is particularly well-known as the home of the ‘Love God’, drawing many lovelorn singles hoping to find a match for marriage.
Things to eat
Like any crowded Taipei hub, Dadaocheng has no shortage of excellent street food stalls with specialty snacks. Here are a few of our favorites.
Ancient Cakes
This simple, made-to-order stand sets up shop outside the Hi-life convenience store on Dihua Street. There’s usually a line waiting for the vendor to create hot fluffy cakes (more like a thick crepe with a crusty exterior), filled with your choice of peanut powder, black sesame, or custard.
Meatball Soup Guy
This guy has is known for one thing and he doesn’t mess around. His giant pork meatballs are hearty and delicious and much like the Soup Nazi, he means business when he dishes it out.
Street Bao
We came across this bustling food stand selling steamed pork buns and soup. In Taipei, if you see people lining up for food, it’s generally a good idea to just get in line. In this case, we tried one delicious pork and onion bun and got back in line for another.
Juelin Nuts
The peanut candy (like a brittle) at this store are famous and worth the hype. The Dadaocheng Juelin Nuts store is always crowded with people buying up packs of peanut or cashew brittle, which often makes for great gifts or souvenirs.
Other Noms
Many of these can be found in various street food stalls along Dihua Street.
- Cold Sesame Noodles
- Gua Bao
- Stinky Tofu
- Sweet Beancurd Soup with Taro (from Monkey Mars dessert shop)
- Pig’s blood cake
Things to Shop
Dadaocheng has many shops that have been around for decades, selling a variety of dried goods, snacks and medicinal herbs.
One of our favorite activities is shopping for souvenirs on Dihua Street. There are many modern shops that carry Taiwan-branded merchandise and tchotchkes that celebrate ‘old Taipei’.
If you’re a home goods junkie, Dadaocheng is a great place to shop for pottery, kitchen supplies like bamboo steamers and wooden spoons and other cute but practical goods.
- ArtYard 67
- Mad L Pottery
- Backer House: part coffee shop, part store
- Lohas Pottery
One of my favorite stores is JainJain a textile studio tucked away on an alley off of Dihua street that specializes in fabrics inspired by the urban landscape of Taipei. They sell a variety of tote bags, tissue box holders and seat cushions using their unique prints.
You’ll find some nice clothing stores with a mix of styles, from modern minimalist to vintage inspired.
- Allblack: Modern Taiwanese shoe brand with a women’s and men’s store in Dadaocheng
- Raven Select vintage shop
- Twine Fair Trade
- Exotic Ethnic Zakka
Exploring nearby
We could easily spend an entire day in Dadaocheng, but we usually pair it with another neighborhood close by. Some other sites to see within walking distance:
- Dadaocheng Wharf and YanPing Riverside Park: rent a bike and enjoy the waterside views
- Ningxia Night Market: one of the top night markets in Taipei
- Nanxi Shopping District: filled with a youthful crowd, lots of shopping and, of course, food.
Noms From Mom 
Leave a comment