Located about a five-minute walk from the south exit of JR Kurashiki Station, Achi Terrace Kurashiki has a grassy area on its grounds where a variety of events are held on weekends.
The event that caught the attention of this writer, who loves Asian cuisine, was “Taiwan Night Market,” featuring a gathering of Taiwanese food vendors. It has been held several times before as an event where you can enjoy high-quality Taiwanese cuisine.
Wanting to try Taiwanese food that I rarely get the chance to eat, I went along with a friend.
Here’s a look at the event that day, filled with the aromas of Taiwan.
The information presented was current when this article was published in April 2025. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What Is Taiwan Night Market?
Taiwan Night Market was an event held at Achi Terrace Kurashiki on Saturday, March 29, 2025.
Eight food vendors from inside and outside the prefecture gathered, offering authentic Taiwanese cuisine. In addition to food, there was also a Taiwanese-style foot reflexology massage booth and Taiwanese goods for sale.
The venue was a small space in the middle of town, but with Taiwanese vendors lined up and colorful lanterns and decorations, it felt like enjoying a little trip to Taiwan.
I heard that “all the vendors would be there from around 4 p.m.,” so I went with a friend in the early evening.
Enjoying Taiwanese Food
It had turned cold again, with winter temperatures on the day of the event, but the venue was bustling with people.
There were a few shops with lines, and some menu items had already sold out early. It showed just how popular Taiwanese food is.
We quickly got some Taiwanese food that caught our eye.
Taiwanese-Style Scallion Pancakes from Kurashiki Food Truck Taiwan Meshi
The first thing to catch my eye was a food truck called “Taiwan Meshi,” set up near the venue entrance.
The menu included Taiwanese-style scallion pancakes and Taiwanese hamburg steaks, dishes whose flavors I couldn’t quite imagine.
The catchphrase “A new texture you’ve never tried before” sealed the deal, and I ordered a Taiwanese-style scallion pancake. It seemed they made them fresh to order, so I waited a few minutes in front of the food truck.
Peeking inside the food truck, I saw a small noren (traditional shop curtain) decorated with the character “福” (“good fortune”). It was a lucky decoration typical of Taiwan.
A few minutes after ordering, I got a piping-hot scallion pancake. The illustration of a girl on the paper bag was so cute that my friends and I couldn’t help exclaiming, “This picture is so cute!”
I expected it to be crispy since it was a pancake, but it had an interesting combination of textures: a crisp, fragrant exterior and a chewy, mochi-like texture similar to a Korean pancake. The thick, sweet-and-salty soy sauce was a flavor that Japanese people would likely enjoy.
It was a great Taiwanese snack, perfect not only as a treat but also as a drink accompaniment.
Peach Oolong from Lamp-ya, a Taiwanese Tea Specialty Shop
While eating the scallion pancake, we looked around at the other shops.
Next to catch my eye was “Lamp-ya,” a Taiwanese tea specialty shop visiting from Kagawa. They sold Taiwanese teas that you don’t often see, as well as bagels made with tea leaves.
The shop staff recommended the peach oolong. They said, “We use tea leaves from Taiwan, so I think it tastes completely different from peach oolong made with bottled tea,” so I decided to order one.
I don’t usually drink many sweet alcoholic drinks, but I thought Lamp-ya’s peach oolong was delicious. The oolong tea flavor came through clearly, and I was surprised by its crisp finish. The slight astringency was also nice, keeping it from being too sweet.
It was a cocktail that paired well with strongly flavored snacks, too.
Lu Rou Fan from Shodoshima Taiwanese Cafe agon
Perhaps my appetite had been whetted, because next I wanted something more substantial, like a rice dish.
Taiwanese Cafe agon was a vendor from Shodoshima. Apparently, a Taiwanese Indigenous person and their Japanese spouse make authentic Taiwanese cuisine, so I decided to order lu rou fan here.
Lu rou fan is one of Taiwan’s soul foods: finely chopped pork simmered in a sweet-and-savory sauce and served over white rice with the cooking liquid. The rich flavor of the pork fat and the thick sauce make it easy to keep eating rice.
The aroma of spices like star anise is also characteristic of Taiwanese cuisine, and I enjoyed the authentic flavor.
Various vendors were selling lu rou fan at Taiwan Night Market, so it could be fun to compare different versions with friends.
agon also sold Taiwanese beer. Both beers were refreshing and paired perfectly with the richly seasoned Taiwanese dishes. Their packaging designs, rarely seen in Japan, were a refreshing change.
While waiting for the lu rou fan to be served, I was curious about the large light-blue pot. When I asked one of the staff, they told me, “It’s an electric cooker that everyone in Taiwan uses. You can heat the dishes in it, so the soup and sauces don’t cook down.”
I looked it up and found that it was made by TATUNG (Tatung), a long-established Taiwanese appliance manufacturer. I saw them on display at other stalls, too, so they may be a common cooking appliance in Taiwan. It’s fun to discover so many things you don’t see in Japan.
A Taiwanese comfort food you can buy at convenience stores: tea eggs from “Yang Yang Taiwan”
Next, drawn in by their striking appearance, I bought tea eggs from “Yang Yang Taiwan.”
Tea eggs are hard-boiled eggs simmered in tea and Chinese herbs, and apparently they’re a popular snack in Taiwan that you can find at convenience stores and elsewhere. It was my first time seeing tea eggs, and I was shocked by the pitch-black cooking liquid.
When you order, they hand them to you in a plastic bag, just like they do in Taiwan. Apparently, at convenience stores in Taiwan, you put the tea eggs in a plastic bag yourself and take them to the register. Is it like oden at a convenience store?
When I peeled one, the white was thoroughly stained brown. Judging by the color, I wondered, “Will it be salty?” but it was delicious, with just the right amount of salt. The subtle tea aroma went well with the egg’s mild flavor.
Eating them straight from the plastic bag gives you a nice taste of local food culture.
A huge hit with a long line! Shumai and steamed buns from “RAN BAO”
Now that I was feeling full, I decided to join the ever-present line at “RAN BAO” as my last stop.
At this shop, you can enjoy freshly made shumai and steamed buns. Fragrant steam drifted from the bamboo steamers stacked in neat rows.
The shumai, topped with crushed peanuts and chili oil, had a spicy kick that went well with drinks. The chewy wrappers and crunchy peanuts made for a fun combination. The juicy filling was satisfying, too.
The steamed red bean bun I ordered for dessert was pink and adorably springlike. Steamed in a bamboo steamer, the dough was fluffy, and both the filling and the dough itself were sweet.
It was just the right amount of sweet and a perfect dessert to finish with.
From the Writer
The Taiwan Night Market was a feast of Taiwanese food. From classic dishes everyone knows by name to local favorites loved by residents, the event offered a chance to try all kinds of food.
The people at every stall were friendly and easy to talk to, and their love for Taiwan really came through.
When I took a quick look around the venue after dark, the colorful lanterns were lit, making it feel even more like a trip to Taiwan.
The next Taiwan Night Market is scheduled to be held on Saturday, June 14, 2025, at Yakage Nishimachi Event Plaza in Yakage Town. I recommend going with an empty stomach.
Taiwan Night Market details
| Name | Taiwan Night Market |
|---|---|
| Date | Saturday, March 29, 2025 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. |
| Location | 3-9-1 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Website | Taiwan Night Market Instagram |
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