Create meetup in Kaohsiungchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Kaohsiung Guides
First Time in Kaohsiung: Complete Guide 2026
bianka
Kaohsiung Nightlife Guide (2026)
sophia
Best Day Trips from Kaohsiung (2026)
marlit
Kaohsiung Airport to City Center (2026)
luciasaur
Kaohsiung Hidden Gems (2026)
rohanj
Kaohsiung on a Budget: Tips 2026
siskaschlesinger
Where to Stay in Kaohsiung (2026)
karstaorlowski
3 Days in Kaohsiung: Itinerary 2026
kaeteeisenmann
Things to Do in Kaohsiung (2026)
amaliafischer
Best Food in Kaohsiung (2026)
annelie
bar_chart Trends in Kaohsiung
Best Food in Kaohsiung (2026)
Kaohsiung is famous for its seafood, danzai noodles, and papaya milk. The city's night markets offer an incredible variety of street food, from grilled squid to oyster omelets.β¦ π Must-Try Dishes
Kaohsiung is famous for its seafood, danzai noodles, and papaya milk. The city's night markets offer an incredible variety of street food, from grilled squid to oyster omelets. Don't miss the local specialty: a bowl of beef noodle soup with tender braised beef.
πͺ Liuhe Night Market
Liuhe Night Market is the most famous food destination, open daily from 5 PM to midnight. Try the grilled shrimp at stall 88-1, priced around NT$100 for a skewer. The papaya milk from Zheng's Papaya Milk is a must, costing NT$60 per cup.
π€ Ruifeng Night Market
Ruifeng Night Market is a favorite among locals, located at 105 Yucheng Road. The fried chicken cutlet from the popular stall costs NT$80 and is incredibly juicy. Arrive early to avoid long queues, especially on weekends.
π Danzai Noodles Origin
For authentic danzai noodles, visit Du Hsiao Yueh at 42 Xinle Street, open 11 AM to 9 PM. A bowl costs NT$60 and comes with minced pork and shrimp. The restaurant has been serving this Tainan-style noodle since 1895.
π₯ Breakfast Spots
Start your day at Xing Long Ju at 316 Zhonghua 4th Road, open 6 AM to 11 AM. Their scallion pancake with egg costs NT$35 and is perfectly crispy. Pair it with a warm soy milk for NT$20.
π° Sweet Treats
For dessert, try the taro balls at Chun Shui Tang in the Pier-2 Art Center, priced at NT$80. Another option is the shaved ice at Hai Pai Ice Shop at 35 Wufu 3rd Road, where a mango shaved ice costs NT$120.
π Getting Around
Kaohsiung's MRT is efficient for reaching food spots; take the Red Line to Formosa Boulevard for Liuhe Night Market. For Ruifeng, exit at Kaohsiung Arena Station (Red Line) and walk 5 minutes. Taxis are affordable, with most rides under NT$200.
π° Budget Tips
Most street food items cost between NT$50 and NT$150, making it easy to eat well on a budget. Bring cash, as many stalls don't accept cards. A typical meal for two at a night market runs around NT$500.
This guide's pretty thorough. One thing I'd add is the scallion pancake wraps at the stand right outside the Cijin ferry terminal. It's not in a night market but it's like NT$45 and they roll it up with egg, ham, and a sweet sauce that's hard to find elsewhere. Grab one before you take the ferry across, it's a solid breakfast move.
Also, if you're hitting up Ruifeng, skip the drink stalls and walk two minutes to the tea shop on Yucheng Road. It's called Yi Fang and their brown sugar pearl milk is NT$55, way better than the sugary stuff inside the market. The pearls are chewy and they use real milk instead of powder.
One thing the guide doesn't touch on is the seafood hot pot scene near the harbor. Head to Hai Bo Xian at 56 Qijin 3rd Road around 6 PM, it's a no-frills place where you pick your own fish and shellfish from the ice display. They charge by weight, usually around NT$400 for two people, and you get a bubbling pot of broth with ginger and goji berries that brings out the sweetness of whatever you grab. It's a completely different experience from the night market stalls and worth the trip across the bridge.
For drinks, I'd add that the papaya milk at Zheng's is solid but if you want something less sweet, try the sugarcane juice from the cart on the south end of Liuhe. The guy presses it fresh and adds a squeeze of lime, NT$40 for a cup, and it's way more refreshing on a hot night than the heavy milky stuff.
honestly the guide is solid but i gotta say the fried chicken cutlet at Ruifeng is overrated imo. the line is always insane and it's good but not wait-40-minutes good. instead try the pepper buns at the stall near the entrance, they're like NT$50 and the crust is flaky with that charcoal fire taste. also for breakfast Xing Long Ju is fine but if you're near the harbor, Yong He Soy Milk at 178 Zhongzheng 4th Road has better scallion pancakes and they're open 24 hours so you can go whenever. one thing the guide misses is the oyster omelet situation - go to the stall at the back of Liuhe near the seafood section, the old lady runs it and she uses way more oysters than the ones up front. costs NT$70 and she adds a bit of basil which makes it different from the standard version
First Time in Kaohsiung: Complete Guide 2026
Pick up a prepaid SIM card at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) upon arrival; Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile both have counters in the arrivals hall. A 7-day unlimited daβ¦ π± Stay Connected
Pick up a prepaid SIM card at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) upon arrival; Chunghwa Telecom and Taiwan Mobile both have counters in the arrivals hall. A 7-day unlimited data plan costs around NT$500 and includes free Wi-Fi at major tourist spots. Alternatively, rent a pocket Wi-Fi device for about NT$150 per day, but a SIM is cheaper for solo travelers.
π΅ Cash and Cards
The New Taiwan Dollar (NT$) is the local currency, and you'll find ATMs at the airport and throughout the city; they accept international cards with a PIN. While credit cards are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants, and department stores, many night market stalls and small eateries are cash-only. Exchange currency at Bank of Taiwan branches for the best rates, and always carry small bills for street food.
π Getting Around
Kaohsiung's MRT (metro) is efficient and covers most attractions; a single ride costs NT$20-60, and you can use an EasyCard or iPASS for seamless transfers. The city also has an extensive bus network, but the MRT plus walking is often easiest for first-timers. For scenic views, rent a YouBike from one of the many docks; the first 30 minutes cost NT$10.
π Cultural Etiquette
When visiting temples like the Confucius Temple or Fo Guang Shan, dress modestly and remove your shoes before entering inner sanctums. It's polite to offer both hands when giving or receiving money, and avoid pointing at statues or deities. Tipping is not customary in Taiwan, so don't feel obligated to leave extra at restaurants or for taxis.
πΊοΈ Must-See Sights
In 3 to 5 days, prioritize the Lotus Pond with its Dragon and Tiger Pagodas, the Pier-2 Art Center for creative vibes, and the historic Cijin Island, reached by a short ferry ride (NT$30). Don't miss the Liuhe Night Market for dinner, and take the MRT to Formosa Boulevard Station just to see the Dome of Light, the world's largest glass work. For a panoramic view, ride the Kaohsiung Eye Ferris wheel at the Dream Mall.
π Food Essentials
Start your culinary tour with a bowl of beef noodle soup at Lao Wang Beef Noodles (No. 17, Linsen 1st Rd) or try the famous papaya milk at a stall in Ruifeng Night Market. Seafood lovers should head to Cijin Island for fresh oysters and squid grilled right on the pier. For a sit-down meal, visit the Liuhe Night Market for Taiwanese classics like oyster omelets and stinky tofu, all under NT$200 per dish.
π Evening Strolls
As the sun sets, walk along the Love River, where the Love Pier offers a romantic view of the city lights; you can also take a river cruise for NT$150. The Pier-2 Art Center transforms into a lively night spot with pop-up bars and street performances, especially on weekends. For a quieter evening, climb the Shoushan (Monkey Mountain) trail for a night view of the harbor, but bring a flashlight and watch for monkeys.
ποΈ Shopping and Souvenirs
For unique gifts, browse the shops at Pier-2 Art Center, where local artisans sell handmade crafts and quirky postcards. The Liuhe Night Market also has stalls selling pineapple cakes and sun cakes, perfect for taking home. If you're looking for electronics or cosmetics, head to the New Juejiang Shopping District, where prices are often lower than in Taipei.
yo this guide is solid, especially the sim card tip. i grabbed a chunghwa one at the airport and it saved me, google maps was my best friend the whole trip. one thing tho, don't sleep on the ferry to cijin, it's like a 5 min ride and the grilled squid right off the boat is way better than anything you'll get at liuhe, plus it's cheaper. also if ur into night markets, skip liuhe on weekends, it's a tourist zoo. ruifeng is more local and has this amazing stinky tofu spot near the back, just follow the smell lol. and for the love river walk, go a bit past the pier, there's a quieter stretch near the music hall that's way more chill for photos.
the guide's spot on about the dome of light but go at like 10am on a weekday, not rush hour. the station's a hub so it gets packed, but early morning you can actually stand under it and look up without getting bumped. also for the youbike thing, make sure you download the app before you land, the registration needs a taiwan phone number and it's a pain to set up on the spot. i fumbled with that for 20 mins at the dock near the love river. oh and if you're near the cijin ferry terminal, grab the peanut ice cream roll from the old lady stall by the ticket booth, it's like nt$40 and way better than the ones at liuhe.
Solid guide, and the EasyCard tip is the one I'd echo the most. I'll add that if you're planning to hit both Kaohsiung and Taipei, don't buy separate cards, the same EasyCard works on the MRT up north too, and you can top it up at any 7-Eleven. For the night markets, I'd actually steer you toward the smaller Jin-Zuan night market near the MRT station of the same name; it's got a fraction of the crowds and the oyster omelet there is fluffier than the ones at Liuhe, plus the vendors don't try to upsell you on drinks you didn't order.
One thing the guide skips is the cultural tip about air conditioning. Kaohsiung is brutally humid in summer, so every mall, MRT car, and cafe cranks the AC to a level that feels like a fridge. If you're coming from a cooler climate, pack a light jacket or cardigan even in July, you'll be grateful when you step from a 35-degree street into a 20-degree station. Also, for the Love River cruise, skip the tourist boats near the pier and walk to the dock by the Music Hall, the smaller operators there charge the same NT$150 but give you a longer loop and a better story about the old harbor.