Must-buy souvenirs in Taiwan

Foreigners like many things about Taiwan, mainly focusing on specialty souvenirs (pineapple cakes, nougat, sun cakes, mini cream puffs, Taiwanese tea) and local cultural experiences (night market snacks such as oyster omelets, bubble tea, creative cultural items, eco-friendly bags, etc.), which showcase Taiwan's flavor, innovation, and warmth. Overall, they appreciate the diversity and convenience of Taiwan's food, as well as its warm lifestyle and cultural creativity.

Pastries and desserts:

Pineapple cake, nougat, sun cake, taro pastry, Yi Mei Mini Puffs, egg rolls.

Pineapple cake

Taiwanese pineapple cakes are a classic souvenir, with two main types: native pineapple cakes (sweet and sour, high in fiber, with pure pineapple filling) and traditional winter melon pineapple cakes (a blend of winter melon and pineapple, with a smooth and creamy texture).

Yi Mei Mini Puffs

Popular Taiwanese snacks, featuring a crispy outer shell encasing a rich filling (such as milk, chocolate, strawberry, or thick milk tea flavors), bite-sized for easy consumption, and available in various packaging formats.

The XTRA desktop thermos is perfect for use in homes, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and other similar settings.

Specialty snacks:

Science Noodles, Oyster Omelet Potato Chips, Iron Eggs, Guai Guai (a type of snack), Peanut Brittle.

Science Noodles

"Uni-President Scientific Noodles" has been around for 45 years and is a popular snack that can be considered a national staple. It can be eaten directly or with the noodles crushed and seasoned. It is available in all convenience stores.

"Potato Oyster Omelet Flavor" potato chips are inspired by the classic snack "oyster omelet," perfectly blending a sweet and salty sauce with the umami flavor of oysters.

"Iron Eggs" are a type of snack made by repeatedly braising and baking chicken or quail eggs in a marinade of soy sauce, sugar, and spices for an extended period. They are characterized by their chewy, bouncy texture and dark brown or black color, and are a famous specialty of Tamsui, Taiwan. The process hardens the yolks, resulting in a savory and slightly sweet flavor, making them suitable as a snack or side dish.

"Guai Guai" snacks were launched in 1968, initially including flavors such as curry. Later, in response to market preferences, creamy coconut and five-spice flavors became very popular.

Kuaikuai is a crispy snack made from starchy ingredients such as corn flour or rice flour through extrusion puffing technology.

Peanut Brittle

Peanut brittle is a type of candy made by mixing peanuts, maltose, and sugar, heating it to a thick consistency, cooling it to solidify, and then cutting it into small pieces.

Manchu Han Imperial Feast Beef Noodles

Man Han Quan Xi Beef Noodles is a leader in Taiwan's instant noodle industry, known for its large chunks of tender beef, chewy noodles, and rich, layered broth. The classic series (scallion/premium flavor) features a rich and deep broth, with the concentrated broth in an aluminum foil packet enhancing the taste. You can also enjoy chunks of beef, making it a truly sincere offering.

It's easy to buy at 7-Eleven.

Taiwanese Tea

Taiwanese tea has long been considered among the world's finest. Whether it's high-mountain tea, Tieguanyin, or oolong tea, each variety attracts countless tea lovers with its unique aroma and flavor.

Taiwanese high-mountain tea is renowned for its unique growing environment and processing techniques. Growing in the fresh air and humid environment of the high mountains, the tea leaves absorb the essence of nature, resulting in a rich aroma and a lingering sweetness. High-mountain teas from central and northern Taiwan, in particular, develop an especially intense aroma due to their long-term growth in low temperatures and foggy conditions, with a subtle floral fragrance. This unique flavor makes it irresistible to foreigners.

Whether enjoyed as an everyday beverage or given as a gift, Taiwanese tea offers foreigners a unique experience of Taiwanese culture. Many foreign tourists bring back high-mountain tea or jasmine tea after their trips to Taiwan—not only a precious beverage but also a cherished memory of Taiwan. Taiwanese tea gift boxes are usually meticulously packaged and paired with exquisite tea sets, making them a perfect choice for both gifting and personal enjoyment.