【食記】台中 - 忠孝夜市大蒐集 @ il Giardino Romantico

Night market is one of the first things that come to mind when people think of Taiwan. People travel from across oceans just to take a peek at what all the fuss is about. In an ordinary night market, you can find all sorts of things, from your everyday necessities, to strange and unusual items. But the most attractive aspect of it to the locals, is actually the food. A plethora of Taiwanese local delicacies can be found in any night market. However, only the experts know which stall to go to, and which ones to avoid. But do keep in mind, that night market food is not always made for the light-hearted.

[本段無翻譯]

This is a night market close to where I live. The unique thing about this particular one, is that you can only find food here. You won't be able to find clothes or other items here. Nonetheless, the various stalls sometimes offer the same things. How can people choose which one to go to? Well, perhaps this article may help.

忠孝夜市就位在我家附近。整條夜市裡就只有賣吃的。玲瑯滿目的招牌，許多店家都是賣雷同的東西。萬一你第一次來，或是不常來，要如何挑選該光顧哪一家呢？或許這篇可以幫你先行了解一下。

This stall sells a dessert call 'douhua', which is made from soft tofu. It's sweet, and you can have it either hot or cold. My family has this quite often.
這家豆花我們常吃～

This stall sells only veggie stuff. They boil the food in a special soup, and in Mandarin, it's called 'Louwei'.
這家素食滷味超好吃！連吃葷的人都覺得好吃！

This is another veggie place that I often visit. I like their noodles. However, their sesame oil veggie chicken contains too much mock meat...
這家也是我常光顧的素食店。我很喜歡吃他們的炒麵。雖然他們有賣素麻油雞，可是我嫌素肉太多，所以還蠻少吃的。

This stall sells oyster omelette. It tastes quite different from other types of oyster omelettes I've had before. (Yes, I've actually had this.)
這家的蚵仔煎很特別。我覺得醬料是重點。（我有吃過）

This is my all-time favourite stall. They sell fried mushrooms and fried tofu. I've talked to the owner once, and she was kind enough to share with me the secret behind frying the tofu. There is no wonder I love their tofu so much!
這家是我最愛的炸豆腐、杏鮑菇攤位。某次有機會跟老闆娘聊天，因為我跟他說他們家的豆腐無論冷、熱都好吃。他就跟我分享他學習到的炸豆腐經驗。真的很好吃！我覺得是來忠孝夜市最不能錯過的一攤了！

The fried tofu.
真像

And, of course, the notoriously popular stinky tofu! Their tofu is also very special, in that the longer you wait till you take a bite, the better it actually tastes! This delicacy, though not for everyone, is the most beloved Taiwanese delicacy of all!
當然，每個夜市必備的臭豆腐攤也有！這家特別在於他們家的豆腐放越久會越好吃。剛炸好的反而不入味。（好奇怪！）有一次還因故放冰箱隔夜，結果熱來吃ㄧ樣美味！

This place sells all kind of juices. If you ever come to Taiwan, you must try 'papaya milk'. I hate papayas, but papaya milk is something even I wouldn't say no to.
這家果汁也不錯。（雖然我只喝過木瓜牛奶）

And lastly, the fried chicken stall! They don't sell just fried chicken. From chicken breast, to chicken anus(yes!), and other very interesting delicacies, can all be found here. The special thing about this particular stall, is that they have this machine that literally shakes off all the excessive oil from the food!
這家特別的地方就在他們有大家可能從廣告上有見過的＂拖油機＂。在享受美食同時也不用擔心吃下過多油脂。不過他們的炸豆腐就沒那麼好吃了。（冷掉就變硬）

And this, me mates, is a glimpse of the night market culture in Taiwan. Keep in mind that as night markets are ubiquitous, this is only one tip of a very, very large ice berg. I hope this allows you to grasp an initial idea of what night market culture is like, though!