As any visitor to Taipei discovers, one of the cities main attractions are its many night markets. On my previous trip I covered some of the big ones – Shida, Shilin, and Ximending, but on a recent trip to Taiwan I paid a visit to one of the smaller and more traditional ones, namely Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市).
Visiting on a Sunday evening, I was expecting it to be quiet (or even closed), but on the contrary, was teeming with people enjoying snacks from the vendor’s carts which line both sides of the street.
Although Ningxia night market is small in comparison to others, you’re still spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding what to eat. The great thing is you can try a bit of everything you fancy such are the small portions and low prices.
Everything is displayed in abundance beneath the brightly glowing fluorescent lighting of each stall. Between some carts were small tables where you could sit down and eat before moving to the next tasty treat.
Despite the crowds and tight spaces, everything looked safe and sanitary with vendors all being licensed and regulated.
Although the market is mainly only for food, in the middle is a bookstall selling a random assortment of titles.
Brightly coloured candied fruit brings out the inner child in everyone.
This young woman looked somewhat lost in her work, perhaps wishing she was elsewhere.
How about some BBQ pig intestines on a stick?
Or an encounter with the Taipei equivalent or Gordon Ramsay – this guy was in the zone with his noodle skills!
Others were far less enamoured and opted to sit out all the hustle and bustle!
Behind the stalls are more traditional restaurants which are also open during the daytime. This baker looked a little suspicious of my camera!
Overall Ningxia is a great night market for a more local experience away from the crushing crowds of the larger ones. More info and good directions can be found here.
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