Keelung City’s Miaokou Night Market was named the friendliest venue with the tastiest food in a campaign promoting Taiwan’s night market culture, according to the Tourism Bureau Aug. 24.
Miaokou was among 10 night markets competing for various titles in an online competition organized by the bureau. It was the only one to garner firsts in two categories. “Keelung’s decades-old local specialties and store signs in Chinese, Japanese and English left a good impression on all its visitors,” the bureau said in a press release.
Yilan’s Luodong Night Market was also honored for its friendliness, while Taichung’s Fengjia Night Market, with its fusion-style snacks, shared the title for tastiest with Keelung.
Taipei City’s Shilin and Kaohsiung’s Liuhe night markets tied for most attractive, while Huaxi Street Night Market in Taipei was considered best for shopping.
President Ma Ying-jeou and Premier Wu Den-yih were both on hand when the results of the month-long event were revealed in Taipei.
“Seven out of 10 tourists visiting Taiwan have patronized at least one night market,” Ma said, noting that night markets represent the vitality of Taiwanese culture.
A panel of food experts preselected 10 night markets out of 30 recommended by city and county governments, and over 500,000 votes were cast during the campaign, according to the bureau. (THN)