Located about a 5-minute walk from the south exit of JR Kurashiki Station, Achi Terrace Kurashiki features a grassy area where various events are held on weekends.
The event that caught the attention of the author, who loves Asian cuisine, is the "Taiwan Night Market" (台湾夜市). It has been held several times in the past as an event where high-quality Taiwanese gourmet food can be enjoyed.
To taste Taiwanese gourmet food that is not often available, the author decided to participate with friends.
Here is an introduction to the event, wrapped in the aroma of Taiwan.
What is the Taiwan Night Market?
The Taiwan Night Market is an event held at Achi Terrace Kurashiki on March 29, 2025 (Saturday).
Eight restaurants from inside and outside the prefecture gathered to offer authentic Taiwanese gourmet food. In addition to food, there were also booths for Taiwanese-style foot massage and sales of Taiwanese goods.
The venue was a small space in the city, but with Taiwanese booths lined up and colorful lanterns and decorations, it felt like enjoying a small trip to Taiwan.
Having received information that "all vendors will gather around 4 PM," the author decided to visit in the evening with friends.
Enjoying Taiwanese Gourmet Food
On the day of the event, it was cold again, returning to winter temperatures, but the venue was bustling with many people.
There were a few shops with long lines, and some menus had already sold out early. This shows the popularity of Taiwanese gourmet food.
Without delay, the author and friends decided to grab some intriguing Taiwanese gourmet food.
Taiwanese-style Green Onion Pancakes from Kurashiki's Kitchen Car "Taiwan Rice"
The first thing that caught my eye was the kitchen car called Taiwan Rice, which was set up near the entrance of the venue.
I was curious about the menu items like Taiwanese-style Green Onion Pancakes and Taiwanese Hamburgers, which I couldn't quite imagine the taste of.
The catchphrase "A new texture you’ve never tasted" convinced me to order the Taiwanese-style Green Onion Pancakes. It seemed they would provide them fresh, so I waited a few minutes in front of the kitchen car.
Peeking inside the kitchen car, I saw a small noren (traditional shop curtain) with the character "福" (fortune) written on it. It was a lucky decoration typical of Taiwan.
A few minutes after ordering, I got my hot Green Onion Pancakes. The illustration of a girl on the paper bag was cute, and I couldn't help but get excited with my friends, saying, "This illustration is cute!"
I thought it would be crispy since it was a pancake, but it had an interesting texture combining a crispy, fragrant part and a chewy texture like a Korean pancake. The thick, sweet and salty soy sauce dip is a flavor that Japanese people would likely enjoy.
It was excellent as a snack and also a great accompaniment to drinks.
Peach Oolong from Taiwanese Tea Specialty Store "Lampya"
While eating the Green Onion Pancakes, I decided to check out other shops.
Next, I was interested in the Taiwanese tea specialty store Lampya, which was set up from Kagawa. They were selling Taiwanese tea that is not often seen, as well as bagels made with tea leaves.
The staff recommended the Peach Oolong. They said, "Since we use authentic tea leaves, I think the taste is completely different from the Peach Oolong made with bottled tea," so I decided to order it.
Although I usually don't drink sweet alcoholic beverages, I found Lampya's Peach Oolong to be delicious. The flavor of Oolong tea was strong, and I was surprised by its crisp aftertaste. The slight astringency was also pleasant, not overly sweet.
It was a cocktail that paired well with rich snacks.
Lu Rou Fan from Taiwanese Cafe "agon" in Shodoshima
Perhaps ignited by my appetite, I next craved something hearty.
The Taiwanese Cafe agon was set up from Shodoshima. It seems that a Taiwanese indigenous person and a Japanese couple are making authentic Taiwanese dishes, so I decided to order Lu Rou Fan here.
Lu Rou Fan is one of Taiwan's soul foods, consisting of finely chopped pork simmered in a sweet and spicy sauce, served over white rice with the sauce. The richness of the pork fat and the thick sauce make it a perfect match for rice.
The aroma of spices like star anise is also unique to Taiwanese cuisine, allowing me to enjoy authentic flavors.
At the Taiwan Night Market, various shops were selling Lu Rou Fan, so it would be fun to compare Lu Rou Fan with friends.
agon also sold Taiwanese beer. Both beers are refreshing and perfectly suited to the rich flavors of Taiwanese cuisine. The packaging design, which is not often seen in Japan, is also fresh.
While waiting for the Lu Rou Fan, I was curious about the large blue pot. When I asked the staff, they told me, "This is an electric rice cooker that everyone uses in Taiwan. It can heat the dish directly, so the sauce or broth doesn't reduce."
Upon researching, I found out that it is made by TATUNG (大同), a long-established electrical appliance manufacturer from Taiwan. Since it was also displayed at other stalls, it might be a common cooking device in Taiwan. It's fun to discover many things that are not seen in Japan.
Convenience Store Soul Food: "Yang Yang Taiwan" Tea Egg
Next, I was drawn to the appearance and purchased the tea egg from Yang Yang Taiwan.
A tea egg is a boiled egg simmered in tea and Chinese herbs, and it is a familiar snack sold in convenience stores in Taiwan. I was shocked to see the tea egg for the first time, with its pitch-black simmering liquid.
When I ordered, they handed it to me directly in a plastic bag, just like in the original place. In convenience stores in Taiwan, it seems that you put the tea egg in a plastic bag yourself and take it to the register. It might be similar to convenience store oden.
When I peeled the shell, the egg white was thoroughly dyed brown. From the color, I thought, "Is it salty?" but it was just the right amount of saltiness and delicious. The faint aroma of tea matched the gentle flavor of the egg.
Eating directly from the plastic bag gives a nice local gourmet feel.
Long Lines and Popular! "RAN BAO" Shumai and Chinese Buns
Feeling full, I decided to line up at the ever-popular RAN BAO.
At this shop, you can enjoy freshly made shumai and Chinese buns. A pleasant aroma wafted from the stacked steamers.
The shumai had a spicy flavor topped with crushed peanuts and chili oil, perfect for pairing with drinks. The chewy skin and the crunch of the peanuts made it an enjoyable dish. The filling was juicy and very satisfying.
The anman I ordered as a dessert was pink and cute, reminiscent of spring. The dough steamed in the steamer was fluffy, and both the filling and the dough had a hint of sweetness.
It was a dessert with just the right amount of sweetness, perfect to finish off the meal.
Conclusion
The Taiwan Night Market was a feast of Taiwanese cuisine. It was an event where I could enjoy a variety of dishes, from well-known gourmet foods to local favorites loved by the locals.
Everyone at the stalls was friendly, and the love for Taiwan was clearly conveyed.
When I peeked into the venue after dark, colorful lanterns were lit up, enhancing the feeling of being on a trip to Taiwan.
The next Taiwan Night Market is scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at the Yakage West Town Event Square in Yakage Town. I recommend going with an empty stomach.
Taiwan Night Market Data
| Name | Taiwan Night Market |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, March 29, 2025 From 11 AM to 8 PM |
| Location | 3-9-1 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Taiwan Night Market Instagram |
