How to spend a few hours wandering around Yongkang Street
Food, shopping, and sweet treats in one of Taipei’s liveliest neighborhoods
Strolling around Yongkang Street is an easy way to spend a few hours in Taipei. Just a few minutes’ walk from Daan Forest Park and Dongmen MRT Station, the area is packed with restaurants, cafes, shops, and dessert spots.
This Is Taipei recommends starting with a meal at one of the many restaurants, before wandering around the alleys to browse for gifts or relaxing in a nearby park, and then rounding off the experience with mango shaved ice, a coffee, or a draft beer — whatever takes your fancy.
#1: Eat
Start out with a tasty meal
We recommend getting there around lunch or early dinner, just as your appetite is starting to build.
There are almost too many options, regardless of whether you want a quick snack, a proper sit-down meal, or somewhere to sit a while and sip a beverage.
For something fast, grab a Tian Jin onion pancake and keep walking. For other classic Taiwanese options, head to Dongmen Dumplings or Yongkang Beef Noodles.
It is not all Taiwanese food. Yongkang Street has a good mix of international options — for example, Hong Kong Xin Hua Restaurant is fast-paced, and the menu is packed with tasty, affordable Cantonese classics.
There's also Vietnamese noodles at Thanh-Ky, Turkish wraps at Mosaic Art & Cafe, brunch at Muko Brunch, pasta and pizza at Angel Cafe, and Mediterranean-leaning Western food at Toasteria.
Din Tai Fung’s original Xinyi Road branch is also nearby, if you want the full xiaolongbao experience.
But, do not overthink it and there's no real need to plan. The area is very international with menus in multiple languages, and you'll be spoiled for choice.
#2: Explore
Next, browse the shops and side streets
After lunch or dinner, slow things down with a wander through Yongkang Street and the narrow alleys nearby.
Lai Hao is one of the best-known shops in the area, with Taiwan-themed gifts, stationery, homeware, snacks, and souvenirs on offer. It's located on Yongkang Street Lane 6, and it's worth checking out the other shops on the road, many of which also sell trinkets, postcards, ceramics, accessories, and small gifts.
For more classic edible souvenirs, head to the Sunmerry Dongmen store to pick up pineapple cakes and other Taiwanese bakery items.
This is a good area to browse, especially if you are looking for small gifts to take home.
After shopping, give yourself some time to continue strolling.
Yongkang Park is the obvious place to head, but the surrounding lanes are also worth exploring, with quiet residential streets, leafy corners, and some delightfully lovely houses tucked between restaurants and cafes.
If you want a longer walk, Daan Forest Park is five or so minutes away and makes an easy add on, especially if you want to escape Yongkang Street's crowds.
#3: Treat
Finish with dessert, coffee, or beer
After eating, shopping, and wandering, Yongkang Street is also a very good place to sit down with something sweet.
Mango shaved ice is the obvious choice, especially in summer. Yongkang Street is home to Smoothie House, which is known for giant bowls of mango, shaved ice, and condensed milk. For ice cream, we recommend checking out KaKaZan Ice Club.
If you would rather have coffee, there are plenty of cafes in the area. Buzi is a good option on a nice day and if you can grab a window seat, while Yomotoohana has outdoor seating as well as a cozy interior if the weather is less cooperative.
If your few hours on Yongkang Street are drifting toward evening, Zhangmen Brewery is nearby and has a solid range of draft beer from Taiwan and further afield.
