Taipei Breakfast Recommendations! Top 10 Must-Try Brunch Spots in Taipei | Fu Hang Dou Jiang, Zhen Fang Grilled Toast, E Restaurant

Taipei Breakfast Recommendations! Taipei has a huge variety of breakfast shops, whether you prefer soy milk stores, traditional rice cake stores, or Western-style breakfast shops, there are many options near where you live. But have you really tried the truly amazing ones? This time we've compiled 10 must-try breakfast shops in Taipei, telling you what items are most famous and why people are willing to queue up early in the morning!

The first recommendation is Run Tian Gong Station's Soft Force, a restaurant with a Chinese-style minimalist decor that serves innovative traditional dishes. This unique combination is not common, which explains why there are always long queues outside. The signature dish here is the classic soft egg cake. Their egg cakes are made from flour batter and differ from those mass-produced frozen crusts found in factories. Each bite offers a slightly crispy yet remarkably thick texture! The rice ball is also a must-try. Although the portion size is a little smaller, the filling flavors perfectly complement each other. Other popular snacks like fried sweet potato balls and fried glutinous rice balls are also frequently ordered.

Next up, this shop offers incredibly authentic and high-value traditional breakfast options. Looking at its exterior, you might wonder if it's a popular breakfast spot? The storefront is simple and run by only one owner. Most customers place orders online in advance. This shop’s first highlight is the abundance of handmade ingredients, such as pork cutlets, egg pancake skin, and soy milk toast, all made with generous portions at incredibly affordable prices! Their signature dish, the "leek egg pancake," is so delicious that even those who don't usually like leeks will find themselves enjoying it. Coupled with the owner's homemade “dried fish chili sauce,” it offers a fragrant flavor without being overly spicy— truly approachable for everyone.

Themed around whales, this store uses blue and white decor, paired with wooden and stone tables. The whale logo also makes it popular with young people; prices are a bit higher, but the ingredients and dining atmosphere reflect its value. For those with big appetites, the "Feed Me Big Breakfast" is recommended - one meal includes fried chicken, stir-fried mushrooms, potato pancakes, creamy corn, toast, and eggs, all very filling. Their "King of Pop Sandwich", "Feed Me Acai Bowl", and "Sweet Berry Shredded Chicken Croissant" are also must-try items for many customers.

Hongjiaozi is a chain breakfast shop with numerous branches. For their store locations, please refer to the provided link. Their signature dish is the "Thousand-Layer Burger," featuring thousand layers of burger buns that are slightly sweeter and creamier than regular burger buns. They're incredibly crispy, and the Crispy Skin Chicken Leg Egg option is highly recommended. The chicken is exceptionally thick and juicy. Another must-try is their Cat Face Toast. It's adorable in appearance and comes in a resealable bag for takeout. Depending on your storage method, it has varying shelf life. Follow the store's provided instructions to reheat it.

Located near the Guanghua Station MRT, this eatery's name clearly indicates its focus on brunch. The portions are larger and the menu leans more towards lunch offerings, with prices reflecting this. However, their "Breakfast Hunting" and "Little Joys of Life" series are truly impressive in variety. Their cheesy scrambled eggs are savory and smooth, while the pan-fried chicken breast is tender and juicy! They also offer pasta and steak, with a wide selection ensuring you'll need to visit multiple times to try everything you crave.

Ding Yuan Doujiang, located near Zhongshan Memorial Hall MRT station, has been featured on food programs and even gained popularity in Japan and Korea. It's considered one of Taipei's top few doujiang (soy milk) shops. With its early opening hours, it's perfect for those pulling an all-nighter or starting their day very early. The steamed pork soup dumplings are highly recommended – affordable and with thin skin filled generously with flavorful broth. Another must-try is the traditional Chinese breakfast of scallion pancake wrapped around deep-fried dough sticks. The textures and flavors of these local delicacies are delightful. If you have more room, try the crab roe wonton. The generous use of scallions adds a touch of authenticity.

Among all the recommended breakfast spots, this one takes the crown. Since 2018, it has been consecutively featured in Michelin's Bib Gourmand list for five years running. The queue is always impressive, and on weekends, you might be waiting for over an hour. It's a favorite among both locals and tourists. Their thick-baked pancakes are made with fermented old dough and traditionally oven-roasted. They boast a crispy exterior and a chewy, flavorful interior. Whether you pair it with fried dough sticks or an egg, it's delicious. Their soy milk is also highly praised. Some rave about its rich bean flavor, while others swear by the salty version. The sweet soy milk has just the right amount of sweetness for most palates.

If you don't want to wait in line and happen to be staying near Fuhang, we recommend ordering takeout! You can even have it delivered directly to your hotel, which is very convenient and fast. Online reviews say that the food is still hot when it arrives, so you don't have to worry about the taste being affected. This is perfect for those who don't want to queue or wake up early!

While this shop isn't in the city center, it's just a three-minute walk from Taipei Bridge MRT station. They are very careful about their ingredients: they use high-quality Lin Hua Tai tea leaves, cherry duck meat, and fresh milk from Xiannui Fang. These choices cost them more than other breakfast shops, but their star dish is the Double Cheese Egg Toast. The egg, cooked to about 80%, combined with the cheese, makes everything incredibly moist. They also have a thick, flavorful marinated pork cutlet inside. The steamed toast is perfectly matched after being treated in a steamer oven. Their black tea and fresh milk tea are also must-tries! However, this shop is often closed, so be sure to check their Facebook page for updates before you go!

Chosen as one of Taipei's top ten must-try chain breakfast spots, Zhenfang boasts a minimalist, artistic decor. With high value for money and popularity, it has even expanded to convenience stores in Taipei, proving its excellence. Their signature "Zhenfang Sandwich," available in limited quantities daily, is a testament to their quality ingredients. This sandwich features a charcoal-toasted bun filled with mashed potato, pumpkin puree, steak, peanut butter, and lemon-infused mayonnaise. It's best enjoyed early as it often sells out! Their "Cheese and Cheese Egg" is another unique offering, using both cheddar and mozzarella cheese – a must-try for any cheese lover. Finally, their fresh milk tea with the perfect balance of sweetness and a hint of bitterness is highly recommended.

Located near Taipei's Guo Ting Station, "Taipei's Strongest Traditional Rice Ball" is a high-value, popular queue shop. With over 20 rice ball flavors, each one is very substantial. Their purple rice balls stand out, with their sticky texture and chewy consistency making them the most popular choice and often selling out early! If you want to try them, arrive early. The crispy fritters inside are fragrant yet not dry, adding an extra layer of flavor.

Choose Your Sweetness Level

Drinks sold for breakfast in Taipei generally have sugar added, even hot drinks which are usually prepared with sugar directly added by the vendor, especially when ordering to go. So if you mind this, you can ask the vendor beforehand if they can adjust the sweetness level!