🌙 After Dark in Taipei: Hidden Local Flavor in Huaxi & Xichang Night Markets

#summervacay When the sun sets over Taipei, most travelers head straight to Shilin or Raohe — but those in the know? They wander into the gritty charm of Huaxi Street and Xichang Street night markets in Wanhua District. 🏮✨ Just steps from the historic Longshan Temple, Huaxi Street Night Market (aka Snake Alley) may be famous for its more “exotic” history, but today it’s a blend of old and new. Covered in glowing red lanterns, this street is lined with traditional Chinese medicine shops, massage parlors, and classic eats like mullet roe fried rice, eel noodles, turtle soup, and even snake wine for the adventurous. 🐍🍜 Right around the corner, Xichang Street Night Market offers a completely different vibe — local, raw, and authentic. No frills, no fancy tourists. Just real Taipei. Think crispy pork paper rolls, bubbling stinky tofu, grilled rice sausages, and smoky charcoal-fried snacks. It’s the kind of place where grandmas line up for their favorite braised duck wings, and where every stall has a loyal following. ✨ Bonus: Both markets are open late, perfect for a moody night stroll with the smell of incense and sizzling oil in the air. It's less polished, more real — and totally unforgettable. #taipeinightmarkets #huaxistreet #snakealleytaipei #xichangstreeteats #taipeihiddengems #taiwanstreetfood #wanhuanightmarket