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A Day in Kaohsiung: Local Food, Hidden Views, and Everyday Life

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What does an ordinary day in Taiwan's Kaohsiung look like? Our local contributor Isla takes us through the places she knows and loves, from neighborhood shops and her favorite Taiwanese foods to a peaceful sunset by the sea and a lively night market. Having once worked at National Sun Yat-sen University, she shares a personal side of the city, including quiet viewpoints, local traditions, and little experiences that visitors might otherwise miss.

By Isla - Local Contributor, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Hi! I'm Isla, and today I want to show you a day around National Sun Yat-sen University in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

I used to work at this university, so I know the area quite well. Instead of visiting only famous tourist spots, I want to share some places that local people enjoy in their daily lives.

Spend a day with Isla exploring Kaohsiung, from local shops and Taiwanese street food to beautiful harbor views, hidden viewpoints, and a lively night market.

Shopping at a Local Store

Our first stop is Ying Shi, a local general store near the university. This store sells almost everything, including food, stationery, clothes, electronics, and daily supplies. I often find interesting things in stores like this.

Today, I want to look for some Taiwanese gifts for my friends. First, I found Kinmen herbal pain relief patches. These are a famous product from Kinmen and are used to help with muscle pain. Next, I found I-Mei Mini Puffs, one of Taiwan's popular snacks. They come in different flavors and are great gifts for friends and family.

On the second floor, I saw some suitcases at good prices. If you visit Taiwan and buy too many things, this could be a useful place to find an extra suitcase.

I also found traditional blue-and-white slippers and colorful Taiwanese shopping bags. These are simple things, but they are part of everyday life in Taiwan. The shopping bags even come in smaller sizes for carrying drinks!

A narrow street lined with traditional jewelry shops and hanging Chinese signs in Kaohsiung.
A narrow street lined with traditional jewelry shops and hanging Chinese signs in Kaohsiung.

A Local Favorite: Shuangfei Milk Tea

After shopping, I went to Shuangfei Milk Tea. This shop is popular with local people because the drinks are cheap and delicious.
One special thing is that they don't add ice to the milk tea. This means the drink won't become watery after some time. You can also add tapioca pearls for free!

My favorite is the classic milk tea, made with black tea and fresh milk. It tastes simple but really good. For me, this is a great place to stop for a drink before lunch.

Lunch at Dan Dan Burger

For lunch, I chose Dan Dan Burger, a fast-food chain that you can only find in southern Taiwan. It is different from American fast-food restaurants because it serves both Western-style and traditional Taiwanese food.
My favorite is Combo Number 11. It includes thick noodle soup and crispy fried pork ribs. The noodle soup tastes a little sweet and salty. It also has some pork inside. I like to try the soup first, then add the chili sauce. The sauce gives it a little spicy taste, which I personally enjoy. The fried pork ribs are also delicious, especially with some black pepper.
Although Dan Dan Burger is a fast-food restaurant, it feels very local to me. It is one of the places I would recommend to someone visiting southern Taiwan. After lunch, I took my drink with me because I was already full!

A busy street with local businesses, including a dental clinic and Dan Dan Burger, a southern Taiwanese fast-food favorite.
A busy street with local businesses, including a dental clinic and Dan Dan Burger, a southern Taiwanese fast-food favorite.

Sunset at National Sun Yat-sen University

Next, I went into National Sun Yat-sen University to enjoy the sunset. One of my favorite places is near the College of Marine Sciences. From here, you can see the ocean and the beautiful evening sky. I think this is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Kaohsiung. Sometimes, you don't need to do anything special. You can just sit with your friends, enjoy the sea breeze, and watch the sun slowly go down.

There is also a beach nearby, but it was closed when I visited. Even so, the view was still amazing. This is one of the reasons I love this area so much.

A staircase decorated with blue and white marine-life artwork on the university campus.
A staircase decorated with blue and white marine-life artwork on the university campus.
A view of National Sun Yat-sen University's hillside campus, surrounded by green mountains and the sea.
A view of National Sun Yat-sen University's hillside campus, surrounded by green mountains and the sea.
The 85 Sky Tower and ships silhouetted against the golden evening sky over Kaohsiung Harbor.
The 85 Sky Tower and ships silhouetted against the golden evening sky over Kaohsiung Harbor.
The evening sun reflects across the sea as cargo ships sit on the horizon off Kaohsiung.
The evening sun reflects across the sea as cargo ships sit on the horizon off Kaohsiung.

A Hidden Night View Near Sizihwan

After watching the sunset, I went to another place near the university. Sizihwan is a famous tourist area, but there are also some quieter places nearby. On the hill behind the university, there is a beautiful viewpoint. You can follow a small path and walk up a short set of stairs to see the city from above.

I especially love coming here at night. You can see the lights of Sizihwan, the harbor, and downtown Kaohsiung. You can even see the famous 85 Sky Tower in the distance. There are also some light-up signs where you can take photos.

I like this place because it is usually quieter than the main tourist spots. It is a nice place to relax, talk with friends, and enjoy the city lights.

Kaohsiung's illuminated buildings and busy streets stretch into the distance beneath the night sky.
Kaohsiung's illuminated buildings and busy streets stretch into the distance beneath the night sky.
A traditional red gateway stretches across a quiet, tree-lined road near Sizihwan.
A traditional red gateway stretches across a quiet, tree-lined road near Sizihwan.
People gather along the waterfront to enjoy the pink evening sky and peaceful ocean view.
People gather along the waterfront to enjoy the pink evening sky and peaceful ocean view.

Dinner at Yanchengpu Night Market

To finish my day, I went to Yanchengpu Night Market. This night market only opens once a week, but many local people come here for their favorite foods. I walked from Penglai Pier-2 Light Rail Station through a small street to reach the market. I enjoy walking through these little streets because they feel like small adventures.

My first stop was a Taiwanese-style steak restaurant. The restaurant was very busy, and many people were waiting for a table.

I ordered a steak with black pepper sauce. Taiwanese-style steak is usually served on a hot plate with noodles, sauce, and an egg. The meal also comes with corn soup and black tea, which are common at Taiwanese steak restaurants. I like my egg fully cooked, so I always cook it a little longer on the hot plate. This is a very different experience from eating steak at a Western restaurant.

Crowds gather around brightly lit food stalls at Yanchengpu Night Market, enjoying a lively evening of local street food.
Crowds gather around brightly lit food stalls at Yanchengpu Night Market, enjoying a lively evening of local street food.
A brightly illuminated traditional Taiwanese temple tucked between residential buildings on a quiet street.
A brightly illuminated traditional Taiwanese temple tucked between residential buildings on a quiet street.

Traditional Drinks and Childhood Memories

After dinner, I bought a cup of iced lemon aiyu. Aiyu is a traditional Taiwanese jelly made from plant seeds and water. It has a soft texture, and the lemon juice makes the drink refreshing.

Then, I found something that reminded me of my childhood: an ice cream lottery! You pay only NT$10 and draw a number to see how many scoops of ice cream you can get. Unfortunately, I only got one scoop this time! I haven't eaten this kind of ice cream for a long time, so it brought back some happy childhood memories.

Fresh limes and large containers of traditional Taiwanese drinks at a night market stall.
Fresh limes and large containers of traditional Taiwanese drinks at a night market stall.

My Favorite Night Market Snack

Before leaving, I had to buy my favorite Taiwanese night market snack: sweet potato balls, also called QQ balls. They are made from sweet potatoes and sweet potato starch. The seller fries them in hot oil and presses them to make the inside light and hollow. They can be yellow or purple, depending on the sweet potatoes used. The outside is crispy, and the inside is chewy.

I really love them!

Besides food, the night market also has games and stalls selling everyday items. It's a place where local people come to eat, shop, and spend time with friends and family.

A vendor prepares QQ eggs at a brightly lit night market stall in Kaohsiung.
A vendor prepares QQ eggs at a brightly lit night market stall in Kaohsiung.
Crispy yellow and purple sweet potato balls, a favorite Taiwanese night market snack.
Crispy yellow and purple sweet potato balls, a favorite Taiwanese night market snack.

A Perfect Day in Kaohsiung

Today was a wonderful day. I enjoyed my favorite local foods, watched a beautiful sunset, saw the city lights, and visited a night market full of memories. These places may not all be famous tourist attractions, but they are part of the Kaohsiung I know.

I believe the best way to understand a city is to experience the everyday life of local people. If you ever visit Kaohsiung, I hope you will explore some of these places too.

Thank you for spending the day with me! See you next time!

※ Disclaimer: This story was created by an independent local contributor and reflects their personal experiences, observations, and opinions. Experio does not independently verify all contributor-submitted information and is not responsible for inaccuracies, opinions, or changes in the circumstances described. If you have concerns regarding the accuracy, privacy, copyright, or appropriateness of any content, please contact support@experio.global.

Images in this Story

  • A peaceful evening at Kaohsiung Harbor in Taiwan, with colorful waterfront buildings, docked boats, and people walking along the promenade beneath a softly glowing sky.
  • A narrow street lined with traditional jewelry shops and hanging Chinese signs in Kaohsiung.
  • A busy street with local businesses, including a dental clinic and Dan Dan Burger, a southern Taiwanese fast-food favorite.
  • A staircase decorated with blue and white marine-life artwork on the university campus.
  • A view of National Sun Yat-sen University's hillside campus, surrounded by green mountains and the sea.
  • The 85 Sky Tower and ships silhouetted against the golden evening sky over Kaohsiung Harbor.
  • The evening sun reflects across the sea as cargo ships sit on the horizon off Kaohsiung.
  • Kaohsiung's illuminated buildings and busy streets stretch into the distance beneath the night sky.
  • A traditional red gateway stretches across a quiet, tree-lined road near Sizihwan.
  • People gather along the waterfront to enjoy the pink evening sky and peaceful ocean view.
  • Crowds gather around brightly lit food stalls at Yanchengpu Night Market, enjoying a lively evening of local street food.
  • A brightly illuminated traditional Taiwanese temple tucked between residential buildings on a quiet street.
  • Fresh limes and large containers of traditional Taiwanese drinks at a night market stall.
  • A vendor prepares QQ eggs at a brightly lit night market stall in Kaohsiung.
  • Crispy yellow and purple sweet potato balls, a favorite Taiwanese night market snack.

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