Hanxi Night Market — Attraction in Taichung

Taichung Hanxi Night Market Visit

A Night Market Full of Local Vibes

Taichung Hanxi Night Market is a place mostly visited by locals rather than tourists. Because of this, you’ll hardly see any foreigners. It’s located near Taichung Train Station, but the transportation options aren’t the most convenient. We drove there and were able to park for free inside the market, which was very convenient. Since the market is quite large and crowded, taking a taxi or driving yourself is a better option than relying on public transportation.

A Surprise Encounter with Durian at the Entrance

As soon as we entered the market, we saw a huge display of durians. Our child, a true durian lover, widened their eyes in excitement. In Korea, durians are not easy to find, and even if they are available, it’s hard to tell if they are ripe, and the price is quite high. So whenever we traveled to Southeast Asia, we made sure to eat a lot of durian. But this was our first time discovering it at a night market. The durians were completely peeled and vacuum-sealed, so we could easily check their ripeness, and it was also very convenient to take them home and eat them later.

Exploring the Night Market with a Child

Since this is a typical Taiwanese night market, there were plenty of food stalls, games, and activities. However, there weren’t many games specifically for kids. Most of them were traditional Taiwanese games, such as mahjong. The only activities suitable for children were coloring and drawing. We ended up buying a lot of coloring books and art supplies. Since the prices were very low, we could buy several items without hesitation. It was a great experience to enjoy the market while letting our child engage in fun activities.

Delicious Local Street Food

There was a wide variety of typical Taiwanese street food. This time, we tried mala duck skin, sausage burgers, and kebabs. The sausage burger, in particular, was surprisingly delicious and worth recommending. Last time, we only had oyster omelets and felt quite full afterward. But this time, we were able to try a wider range of foods. Some popular stalls had long lines, but since the food was affordable, we could sample many different items without spending too much.

A Few Downsides of the Market

There were a few things that made the visit slightly uncomfortable. Some people were smoking inside the market, which was unpleasant, especially in crowded areas. The market is also quite large, so walking around can be tiring. Bringing a stroller would make the experience much more convenient. Even though the market was crowded, the walkways were wide enough, so using a stroller wasn’t too much of a hassle.

Things to Keep in Mind Before Visiting

Hanxi Night Market is only open four days a week, so it’s best to check the schedule before planning your visit. The market is large and offers a variety of food and activities, making it a great place to experience the local atmosphere. Fengjia Night Market is the most famous one among tourists, but personally, I would recommend Hanxi Night Market instead. The prices are lower, and you can get a closer look at local life. If you’re looking for a more authentic night market experience, this is definitely a place...

[2/1/2025] My family 1st try to Hanxi Night Market. We had been to 台中 a few times. Last few trips, the night market was not opened on the days of stay. It opens only on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We were there early, most stalls were yet ready. We had grilled squid. We chose a big which entitled us to 2 flavors of topping. The stall owner contained to grill the half cooked squid to cooked state before splitting into 2 bowls. It was good. My family liked 👍. It cost TWD 280. We continue our eating journey from deep fried beef stick 😋 (TWD 70) to kueh in nearby stalls. We also tried 臭豆腐，水饺 and 萝卜汤. As we strolled through the stalls, we came across the roasted pork which I couldn't resist. Bought a small box (TWD 100) and finished in no time, yummy. It was delicious 😋. Next, we had sweet potato balls, my son favorite. We had 2 rounds. Lastly, we had pineapple drink and no sugar jasmine tea. Overall, Hanxi night market was really a good place for food and games. Due to previous night heavy rain, some stalls were not opened. It will be better if all stalls are opened for business. My personal comment: do go early, it is...

I like that this night market is contained within a rectangle and open air. You can walk easily with rather wide paths, and some stalls have seating which is wonderful especially for those with kids! The churros at the stall at the fringe was amazing, likewise the fried chicken stall along the same stretch. Inside, the stall with seating available selling meatballs and Dumplings is a must try! Line up and place your orders, pay, and someone will help you find a table to wait for your food (sent to your table). You can also consume food from other stalls here. I did keep a lookout if any staff would tell us otherwise, but they seemed okay! Of course, do keep in mind if there are people waiting for tables, then perhaps it wouldn't be nice to do so. We did also clear up our own trash when we left, though I also saw staff doing so!

I do recommend this night market more than the more...