What to Buy at Taiwanese Supermarkets? Must-Try Snacks, Instant Noodles, and Souvenirs Recommended by Locals

Whenever you visit a new city, it’s always fun to explore the local supermarkets. By looking at the food and household products locals buy, you get a glimpse of daily life in that region.

Supermarkets in Taiwan mainly fall into two categories: large hypermarkets and medium-sized supermarkets.

• Large hypermarkets include Carrefour, A.mart, and MEGA PXMART

• Medium-sized supermarkets include PX Mart, Carrefour Market, and Funcom Supermarket. In tourist-heavy areas, these stores often carry popular souvenirs such as pineapple cakes.

1. Large Hypermarkets

Branches are fewer and usually located on the outskirts of city centers. Besides daily necessities, they also sell fresh produce, home goods, clothing, electronics, books, and even have ready-to-eat and bakery sections.

• Carrefour : A French hypermarket brand. Prices are slightly higher, but many home brand products are cheaper than branded ones. They also sell imported items like French cookies and jam.

• MEGA PXMART : A Taiwanese hypermarket brand with the second-largest market share. Generally cheaper than Carrefour.

• A.mart : Another local hypermarket brand, ranking third in market share, with fewer branches.

2. Medium-Sized Supermarkets

More common in city areas. They mainly sell groceries, fresh food, and beverages. Some branches even serve budget-friendly coffee.

• PX Mart : Taiwan’s largest supermarket chain. Affordable prices and a wide range of exclusive items.

• Carrefour Market : A smaller-format store under Carrefour. Prices are slightly higher, but some home brand products are only available here.

For travelers, the best picks are snacks and drinks. Taiwan, known for its diverse food culture, offers plenty of fun finds at supermarkets.

1. Snacks, Biscuits, and Desserts

• I-Mei Cream Puffs & Wafers: A famous Taiwanese food brand. These two items are its bestsellers. The mini cream puffs have a crispy shell filled with creamy milk or chocolate filling—highly recommended.

  

• Newman’s Wafers (新貴派): Chocolate-coated wafer biscuits with strawberry, caramel, or other fillings—a more premium snack option.

  

• Ko-Ko Naiz (可口奶滋): A classic Taiwanese biscuit, available in coconut and sweet-salty original flavors. Recently launched a new Guanyin Tea flavor—tea-infused snacks are popular in Taiwan and worth trying.

  

• Kuai Kuai (乖乖): A legendary Taiwanese snack. Locals place the green version on electronic devices (computers, ATMs, coffee machines, even TSMC machines!) to “prevent malfunctions.” The snack itself is coconut-flavored and tasty—though people often only eat it once it’s expired and “lost its protective power.”

  

• Rich Milk Pudding (PX Mart Exclusive): PX Mart’s in-house dessert, popular for its premium taste at a budget price.

  

• Tea Jelly: A supermarket dessert made with jasmine green tea and paired with creamer for a refreshing, lightly sweet taste.

  

• Ice Popsicles: Unique Taiwanese flavors include Brown Sugar Bubble Tea, Red Bean & Rice Cake, and Taro—made with local ingredients and worth trying.

  

2. Savory Foods

• Frozen Scallion Pancakes: A Taiwanese street food classic. Can be pan-fried, steamed, or baked without defrosting. Not as good as freshly made, but a convenient option for breakfast or late-night snacks.

  

• Pork Jerky (肉乾): Made from lean cuts like ham or loin, marinated and roasted for long-term storage. A popular gift during Lunar New Year.

  

• Instant Noodles: Taiwanese instant noodles are famous for rich broths and generous toppings, making them a tourist favorite.

  • Wei Lih Jah Jan Mien (維力炸醬麵): One of Taiwan’s most beloved instant noodles. The dry version (blue pack) is drained after cooking, then mixed with a signature soy-sauce-based paste. Comes with a separate soup seasoning pack for a side broth.

    

  • Man Han Feast (滿漢大餐): Perfect for beef noodle lovers. Comes in Original, Scallion-Braised, and Spicy flavors, each with real chunks of beef inside.

    

  • Huadiao Chicken Noodles (花雕雞麵): A unique instant noodle flavored with Huadiao rice wine and real chicken pieces—a one-of-a-kind taste experience.

    

3. Beverages

• Fruit-Tea Drinks: Taiwan is famous for both tea and fruit. Supermarkets sell refreshing blends of tea with mango, passionfruit, or other fruits—fragrant but not overly sweet.

  

• Taiwan Fruit Beer: Local fruits turned into light beers. Mango flavor is highly recommended.

  

• KAVALAN Whisky: Taiwan’s world-renowned whisky brand, also available at supermarkets.

  

• Kaoliang Liquor: A strong sorghum-based spirit unique to Taiwan.

  

4. Other Local Finds

• Seasonings: Great for home cooks.

  • Salt & Pepper Mix (鹽酥雞椒鹽): A blend of pepper, sea salt, star anise, licorice, cardamom, and more. Perfect for fried foods or meats

  • Five-Spice Powder (五香粉): A mix of cinnamon, fennel, and other spices. Commonly used for stir-frying, marinating, barbecue, and braised meats to remove odors and enhance flavor.