[New Taipei/Tamsui] Food in Tamsui 淡水好吃

Good food at Tamsui Old Street (淡水老街)

Tamsui (淡水), formerly Danshui, is located at the northern end of Taipei, overlooking the South China Sea. The Tamsui Old Street and waterfront (淡水老街), which is excellent for its street food and local specialties, is right next to the Tamsui MRT station, a short 5 minutes stroll away. This post summarizes all the interesting and good food we found at Tamsui Old Street!

Getting to Danshui (Tamsui) from Taipei
Take the MRT to Tamsui station, which is the north terminal station on the red Tamsui line. Tamsui Old Street is a short 5-minutes walk from the MRT station.

Agei or Ah Ge (阿給) - A local specialty unique to Tamsui. The name Ah Ge was translated from its Japanese name Aburage. It is a fried beancurd with vermicelli noodles (mung bean noodles/tang hoon) filling, served with a sweet and hot sauce.

Here you can see the vermicelli noodles clearly. The noodle is firm to the bite and the sauce complements the bean curd nicely.

Iron eggs/tie dan (铁蛋) are another specialty snack that originated from Tamsui. It is a dried braised egg. Even though there are many other brands selling cheaply in the area now, the original brand from Ah Po (阿婆) is still most popular. For a more comprehensive write-up, refer to this post: Ah Po Iron Eggs.

Ah Po Iron Eggs 阿婆铁蛋
Address: 135-1 Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui district (Click here for Google Maps location)
地址: 台北縣淡水鎮中正路135-1號
電話/Telephone: (02) 2625-1625, 2621-1432, (02) 2629-2838, 2621-1563
Getting there: From the main entrance nearest Tamsui MRT station at Tamsui Old Street (Gongming Street 公明街), walk about 10 mins until the intersection of Zhongzheng Road (中正路), make a left turn and continue walking for another 5 mins. The shop will be on your left.  (Click here for walking directions on Google Maps)
Note: Close proximity to Keko Fish Balls

Keko fishballs is an eatery in Tamsui with a long history, popular for its fishballs stuffed with meat. A must-visit if you are in Tamsui. The fishballs are very delicious and taste different from the usual plain fishballs. What to order: fish ball soup (魚丸湯) NT$30, fish ball + wonton soup (綜合湯: 魚丸2顆+餛飩3粒) NT$30 and meat bun/bao (肉包) NT$10.

Keko Fish Balls 淡水可口魚丸專賣店
Address: 232 Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District (Click here for Google Maps location)
地址: 淡水鎮中正路232號
電話/Telephone: 2620-9666, 2625-3777
Getting there: See above directions on how to get to Ah Po Iron Eggs. Continue walking for about 3 minutes, this stall will be on your right. Click here for walking directions on Google Maps.
Note: Close proximity to Ah Po Tie Dan

We found bullhorn bread, or bread made in the shape of a pair of bull’s horns. Very cute but kinda plain-tasting. Comes in several flavours such as chocolate and coffee.

Bullhorn Bread (珍奇順牛角專賣店)
Address: 142 Zhongzheng Road, Tamsui District (Click here for Google Maps location)
地址: 淡水鎮中正路142號
電話/Telephone: 0800-888-359

A random fruit juice stall. Very refreshing and value for money as many oranges (the amount you see in the picture above!) were used to make a single cup of orange juice.

“Frog eggs” drink (青蛙下蛋) – These are actually made of tapioca flour and are the same type as the “pearls” found in bubble tea. When cooked, the centre takes on a solid colour while the surrounding remains translucent, resembling tadpole or frog eggs and hence the name. This beverage is a Taiwanese speciality and can be found in other night markets such as Shilin Night market.

Fermented smelly tofu (臭豆腐) NT$20. The Taiwanese version comes with pickled cabbage. We find that the Hong Kong version has a stronger taste and is more flavourful.

Spiral potato chips/tornado chips/101 Tower chips NT$35. This is a novelty snack and you get to select the type of condiment (pepper, chilli or seaweed powder) to be sprinkled on it. Eat by plucking individual chips starting from the bottom. It was really yummy.

Tall Soft Serve Ice Cream NT$25 – A treat to eat and a treat to watch it being served!

Note: Besides Tamsui Old Street, several attractions can be found in this district, including the Tamsui Fisherman’s Wharf (淡水漁人碼頭) and Fort San Domingo (紅毛城), both of which you need to take red bus 26 from Tamsui MRT station.

Related Articles: Ah Po Tie Dan, Tamsui

This article is written by contributing writer, B.

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