Kaohsiung 高雄
Taiwan's port city is a seafood lover's paradise. Fresher catches, lower prices, and a raw harbor-side energy you won't find up north.
Best for
Fresh seafood, night market grills, harbor dining
Budget
NT$100–400 for seafood; cheaper than Taipei for equivalent quality
Don't miss
Liuhe Night Market, Cijin Island, Zuoying seafood street
What to eat
Kaohsiung's essential dishes
Shrimp Paste Noodles
蝦醬麵
Kaohsiung's most iconic noodle dish. The shrimp paste broth is intensely savory and completely addictive.
Fresh Seafood Grills
海鮮燒烤
Walk up to the tank, point at what you want, and it's grilled within minutes. Liuhe Night Market is ground zero.
Stinky Tofu
臭豆腐
Kaohsiung does a deep-fried version that's crispy outside, custardy inside. The smell is a feature, not a bug.
Sand Pot Congee
砂鍋粥
A Hakka-influenced specialty — thick, rich congee cooked in a clay pot with your choice of seafood or pork.
Taro Balls
芋圓
Chewy, purple, and satisfying. Served hot or cold with red bean, grass jelly, or shaved ice.
Squid Thick Soup
花枝羹
A southern Taiwan staple — thick, starchy broth with squid chunks and glass noodles. Best at Liuhe market.
Insider tip
Take the ferry to Cijin Island (旗津) for the best seafood lunch in Kaohsiung. The crossing costs NT$40 and takes 10 minutes. Once there, walk the main drag — every other storefront is a seafood restaurant and prices are aggressively reasonable. Go before 1pm to avoid weekend crowds.
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