Taipei’s Outdoor Grocery Store-Dihua New Year’s Market

Dihua Market-Taipei, Taiwan. These women were handing out food samples during the market that supplies traditional food for Lunar New Year festivities

Dihua market, for most of the year is Dihua Street-a center in Taipei for traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, fabrics, incense, and Taiwanese tea processing. First constructed in 1850, it’s original name was Center Street.

This is the busiest time of year for Dihua street, with extra food stalls and vendors using all kinds of tactics to get your attention. Most of which are pretty friendly.

All kinds of traditional foods and snacks are available and if you gain weight, they can help you with that too!

Sampling is big here and many people come just to load up on the freebies. If you’re new to the food of Taiwan it’s a great place to learn about some of the traditional snacks and newer items with ingredients that can range from peanuts to dried fish.

It’s Taiwan, so of course there’s always someone cooking food around the corner.

The southern portion of Dihua is the oldest street in Taipei, dating back to Dutch rule from 1624-1661.

In Taiwan many markets were built around temples and Dihua is no exception with worshippers getting in their last wishes for the year, or perhaps a good start to the new year.

It is definitely one of the liveliest places in the city with sellers getting into a yelling match for attention. Some, just smile and where bow ties.

I was getting pretty hungry looking at all of this food so it was my turn to sample. A little nap then onto the fish course.

Yes I’ll admit my enthusiastic taste look needs work. At least I remembered not to chew with my mouth open.

Dihua market was a really a fun place to hang out. The food, the night market atmosphere, the quirky costumes, the energy from the anticipation of the new year were all world-class but mostly I loved the super friendly Taiwanese people and their hospitality that instantly made me feel at home.

Hey don’t forget to like the Facebook Far East Adventure Travel Page with daily images posted from my travels all over Southeast and East Asia. Get your free subscription to Far East Adventure Travel Magazine-download the app from the iTunes Store for your iPhone or iPad. All the links are at breezy-size.flywheelsites.com. Watch for more from Lunar New Year festivities in Taiwan. Until then this is John Saboe, thanks so much for joining me, safe travels and Namaste!