The taxi driver wasn't totally making it up, but you're not going to find it by looking for a sign. That stall doesn't have one. It's not really on Songshou Rd itself, it's in one of the narrow lanes between Songshou and Songde Rd, closer to the Songshan MRT side. Walk toward the old Songshan train station and look for the alley with the red paper lanterns that aren't lit, about halfway down the block.

The tofu balls there are different because they fry them twice, once to set the shape and once to order, so the outside is almost crunchy while the inside stays soft and funky. They only make about fifty portions a night and they're usually gone by 9pm. If you get there and the line is just two or three people who look like they know exactly what they're doing, you're in the right spot.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly i think that taxi driver was sending you on a wild goose chase but in a good way. songshou rd night market isn't really known for deep alleyway stalls, most of the action is right along the main drag and the few side lanes that are lit up. if you walk past the xinyi sports center end toward the songshan train station side you'll see a few smaller stalls tucked between the old apartment buildings but nothing that feels like a speakeasy for tofu.

the stinky tofu balls thing does ring a bell though, there's a place on the nanjing east rd side of songshan that does fried tofu balls with pickled cabbage, not stinky but more like a savory puffy donut thing. could be what he meant. either way just go with low expectations and you'll prob stumble into something good, the steamed buns from the cart near the mrt exit are way better than any mythical tofu anyway.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

I've tracked that stall down before, took me three tries. It's not on Songshou Rd at all, it's in the alley that runs behind the old police station near Raohe Street, about a five minute walk from the Songshan MRT exit 3. Look for the blue plastic tarp with a single bare bulb hanging from it, that's the only light they use.

The lady running it used to sell from a cart near the train station but moved deeper into the alley a few years back when the rent went up. She starts frying at 7pm sharp and the first batch goes to people who've been waiting since 6:45. The key is the sauce, it's a dark fermented chili paste she makes herself, not the standard sweet stuff most places use. Bring small bills, she doesn't take credit cards and gets annoyed if you hand her a 500.

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

solid breakdown, covers the essentials. for zhongzheng, I'd point out that the area around chiang kai-shek memorial hall is dead quiet after 9pm, so if you want a drink or late snack you're walking 15 mins to guting or dongmen. but staying near nanmen market is a hidden gem, you get fresh breakfast stalls and that old taipei feel without the tourist crowds.

da'an is nice but honestly overpriced for what you get unless you're expensing it. I'd rather stay in zhongshan and walk to the same cafes, plus you get the bonus of those little speakeasies near the fine arts museum that nobody talks about. the mrt from zhongshan to da'an is like 5 stops anyway.

arrow_drop_up 15 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly, this is a solid breakdown. i'd add that if you're into late night eats, ximending is unbeatable but be warned that it gets really crowded on weekends. i stayed near zhongshan once and loved how easy it was to walk to those little alley restaurants around linsen north road, feels more local than da'an which can be a bit sterile.

for beitou, the public hot springs at the beitou public library area are free and way more authentic than the hotel ones imo. just bring a towel and flip flops.

neihu is underrated for families, yeah, but the mrt ride to central taipei is like 20 mins which is fine. my friends rented an airbnb there with a balcony and it was way cheaper than anything in da'an.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

i'd add that for the digital nomad crowd, taipei main station is actually underrated for coworking. there's a spot called q square that has this huge lounge area on the 3rd floor near the food court, free wifi and outlets everywhere, i used to camp there for hours between meetings. beats paying for a cafe in da'an.

if you're on a budget and want something between ximending and neihu, check out wanhua district proper. it's where ximending sits but the older parts around longshan temple have guesthouses for like $25 a night and you get actual temple vibes at sunrise. just don't expect fancy amenities, it's more about the experience.

the guide mentions beitou for relaxation but nobody talks about the hike up to yangmingshan from there. it's a 40 minute walk from the mrt station to the sulfur vents and you can soak your feet in a free stream along the trail. way better than paying for a hotel pool imo

arrow_drop_up 3 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply