Taiwanese breakfast
Taiwan eats breakfast out, and almost every street has a shop. Hours vary a lot: traditional shops open around 5–6am and sell out by late morning, chains often run into the afternoon, and some 豆漿店 never close at all.
Searching “breakfast” on Google Maps mostly returns the handful of famous shops that foreign visitors have already reviewed. Searching 早餐店, the Chinese word for a breakfast shop, brings up the everyday shops near you as well — including the one locals queue at down the street.
Search these words on Google Maps
- 早餐店
breakfast shop — egg crepes, rice rolls, toast, soy milk
- 豆漿店
soy milk shop — soy milk, fried dough sticks, savoury soy milk soup
What to order for breakfast
When do breakfast shops open in Taiwan?
It depends on the shop. Traditional ones open between 5 and 6:30am and close between 10am and noon — go before 10am if there is something specific you want. Chain breakfast shops often serve until mid-afternoon, and some 豆漿店 are open 24 hours. Every shop lists its hours on Google Maps, so check there before you set off.
What is 鹹豆漿?
Warm soy milk set into soft curds with vinegar, topped with dried shrimp, pickles, spring onion and fried dough — a savoury soup, not a drink. Ask for 甜豆漿 if you want the sweet version.
How do I order if I don’t speak Chinese?
Point at the food, or show the Chinese name on your phone. Most breakfast shops have a paper menu you tick. 內用 means eat in, 外帶 means take away.