Taiwan Airport Shopping: Best Buys Before Your Flight

what to buy at taiwan airport

Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport offers a range of edible souvenirs, including pineapple cakes, tea leaves, dehydrated guava strips, cherry blossom nougats, boba milk candies, and pineapple cake brownies. The airport also features duty-free shops with globally renowned brands, restaurants, a 24-hour convenience store, and beautiful public artworks. If you're looking to purchase last-minute gifts or simply want to indulge in some Taiwanese snacks, the airport provides a variety of options to explore and enjoy.

What to buy at Taiwan Airport

Characteristics Values
Food Pineapple cakes, tea leaves, pineapple cake brownies, madeleines with diced mango, dumplings, beef noodles, meat pies, pork chop rice, ginger duck stew, and more
Drinks Alcohol, tea
Other Edible Souvenirs Dehydrated Guava Strips, Cherry Blossoms Nougats, Handmade Boba Milk Candies, peanuts with various coatings, pork jerky
Non-Edible Souvenirs Taiwan EasyCard or similar iPass/iCash
Other Amenities Free WiFi, shower rooms, restaurants, observation decks, convenience stores, public artworks

shunhotel

Taiwanese pineapple cakes and other edible souvenirs

Taiwanese pineapple cakes are a popular edible souvenir to buy at Taiwan's airports. They are rectangular pastries filled with a thick pineapple jam and are considered a symbol of Taiwanese hospitality and gifting culture. The cakes are often quite dense and compact, with a buttery, flaky crust and a sweet finish. Popular brands include Chia Te, Taipei Leechi, and SunnyHills.

In addition to pineapple cakes, there are several other edible souvenirs available at Taiwan's airports. These include tea leaves, dehydrated guava strips, cherry blossom nougat, handmade boba milk candies, chocolate-covered dried longans, scallion pancake crispy rolls, taro biscuits, and various flavoured peanuts inspired by Taiwan's night market food, such as beef noodles, fried chicken cutlet, and spicy mala.

For those with a sweet tooth, the pineapple cake brownie is a popular choice, combining the fruit flavour of the traditional pineapple cake with a chocolate brownie base. These can be found at duty-free shops in Taiwan's airports.

If you're looking for something savoury, paper-thin pork jerky sheets with embedded slivers of almonds are a popular snack in Taiwan and can be purchased at the airport.

So, whether it's the iconic pineapple cake or something more unique, Taiwan's airports offer a variety of edible souvenirs to choose from.

shunhotel

Quirky packaging and innovative designs

The edible souvenirs at Taipei Airport Duty-Free shops showcase quirky packaging and innovative designs, making them fun and creative foodie gifts. The packaging is bright and colourful, with eye-catching graphic designs that reflect the creativity of Taiwan's food industry.

One example of these unique treats is dehydrated guava strips, which offer a convenient and portable way to enjoy the tropical flavour of guava. Cherry Blossom Nougats are another option, with a delicate floral flavour and a soft, chewy texture. For those who enjoy tea, there are Handmade Boba Milk Candies, which combine the flavours of Taiwanese bubble tea into a sweet treat.

Pineapple cakes are a classic Taiwanese treat, and while they are commonly found at the airport, some brands stand out for their unique twist on this traditional delicacy. For instance, the Pineapple Cake Brownies combine the fruit with a chocolate brownie base, resulting in a rich and luxurious treat. Another brand offers a Strawberry Brownie, which appears to be a strawberry cake and brownie with strawberry jam in between, creating a fruity and indulgent experience.

For savoury options, look out for the uniquely flavoured peanuts, inspired by Taiwan's night market food. These peanuts come in Beef Noodles, Fried Chicken Cutlet, Scallion Oil, and Spicy Mala flavours, providing a variety of flavours that represent Taiwanese cuisine. Each box contains 20 mini packets, making them perfect for sharing with friends and family.

shunhotel

Dehydrated Guava Strips, Cherry Blossoms Nougats, and Boba Milk Candies

Dehydrated Guava Strips offer a convenient way to enjoy the sweet and tangy flavour of guava on the go. They are an excellent option for those who want a taste of Taiwan's tropical fruits without the hassle of fresh produce. The strips are packaged to be lightweight and easy to carry, making them perfect for travellers.

Cherry Blossoms Nougats capture the essence of spring in Taiwan, when cherry blossoms paint the island in shades of pink. These nougats are not only a delicious treat but also a celebration of the country's iconic flower. The delicate flavour of cherry blossoms is combined with a soft and chewy nougat base, creating a unique texture and taste that is sure to delight.

Boba Milk Candies are a fun twist on Taiwan's famous bubble tea culture. These handmade candies offer a burst of creamy milk tea flavour with a chewy texture, mimicking the experience of sipping on boba pearls through a wide straw. They are a perfect choice for those who want to savour the taste of bubble tea even after leaving Taiwan.

In addition to these three treats, Taipei Airport's duty-free shops offer a range of other creative snacks, including Crispy Pork Jerky Sheets, Pineapple Cake Brownies, Chocolate-Covered Dried Longans, and Scallion Pancake Crispy Rolls. These edible souvenirs are not only delicious but also showcase the diversity and ingenuity of Taiwanese cuisine. So, whether you're looking for a tasty treat for yourself or a unique gift for friends and family, Taipei Airport's duty-free shops are definitely worth exploring.

shunhotel

Flavoured peanuts and pork jerky

Taiwan is famous for its innovative and creative food industry, and the Taipei Taoyuan International Airport showcases this well through its edible souvenirs. Flavoured peanuts and pork jerky are two such examples of popular edible souvenirs from Taiwan.

Flavoured peanuts are a fun snack to try, with flavours inspired by Taiwan's vibrant and classic night market food. These include Beef Noodles, Fried Chicken Cutlet, Scallion Oil, and Spicy Mala. Each box contains 20 mini packets, making it a great snack to share with friends and family. While some may find the flavourings underwhelming, the peanuts themselves are export quality and a good snack to have on hand.

Pork jerky is another beloved Taiwanese snack, and you can find it in duty-free shops in Taipei Airport. Paper-thin sheets of pork jerky embedded with slivers of almonds are a popular choice, with a modern twist on a classic snack. The jerky comes in a variety of flavours, such as the original flavour, as well as Almond Crispy Jerky and Black Pepper Dried Pork Jerky. The jerky is so thin that it shatters with each bite, and it is often enjoyed with seaweed.

Meat paper, or meat jerky, is a common snack in Taiwan, and it can be found in most major cities and even at the Taoyuan International Airport. It is usually made from pork or beef and comes in various forms, such as chunks, sticks, or cubes. Dried seafood is also a popular snack in Taiwan, with dried squid, cuttlefish, and squid stripes being especially common.

If you are looking for a unique, creative, and delicious snack to buy at the Taiwan airport, flavoured peanuts and pork jerky are excellent choices. They are not only fun to try but also make great souvenirs to share with loved ones.

shunhotel

Alcohol and other duty-free shopping

Taipei Airport in Taiwan has a range of duty-free shopping options for alcohol and other products. The airport's duty-free shops offer a variety of unique and creative edible souvenirs that showcase the innovation and creativity of Taiwan's food industry.

For alcohol, travellers can purchase their favourite spirits, wines, and beer at duty-free prices. This is a convenient option for those who want to stock up on alcoholic beverages before their flight. The duty-free shops at Taipei Airport typically carry a wide selection of international brands, providing a good opportunity to save money on alcoholic drinks.

In addition to alcohol, Taipei Airport duty-free shops offer a diverse range of snacks and treats. One notable option is the famous Taiwanese pineapple cakes, which come in various forms, including traditional cakes, brownies, and even strawberry variations. These pineapple cakes are often mentioned as a must-buy item at the airport. For those with a sweet tooth, there are also options like Cherry Blossoms Nougats, Dehydrated Guava Strips, and Handmade Boba Milk Candies. These treats not only taste delicious but also showcase the vibrant and diverse flavours of Taiwan.

For those looking for savoury options, the airport offers unique snacks such as peanuts coated in flavours inspired by Taiwan's night market food. These peanuts come in flavours like Beef Noodles, Fried Chicken Cutlet, Scallion Oil, and Spicy Mala. Crispy pork jerky sheets embedded with slivers of almonds are another popular savoury choice.

The duty-free shops at Taipei Airport provide a convenient and enjoyable shopping experience for travellers. With a range of unique food items and alcoholic beverages, travellers can explore and discover new tastes and flavours that reflect the creativity and diversity of Taiwanese cuisine.

Frequently asked questions

The edible souvenirs at Taipei airport used to be mostly pineapple cakes, tea leaves, and other pineapple cakes. Nowadays, there are many more options, including dehydrated guava strips, cherry blossom nougats, handmade boba milk candies, and pineapple cake brownies.

You can buy a small towel at FamilyMart, which is located in the 24-hour waiting area.

At the duty-free shops, you can find globally renowned brands offering professional and attentive service. You can also buy alcohol, but only during opening hours, which are typically from 9 AM to 10 PM.

You can find peanuts coated in flavours inspired by Taiwan's night market food, such as beef noodles, fried chicken cutlet, scallion oil, and spicy mala. You can also find paper-thin pork jerky sheets with embedded slivers of almonds.

You can ride the mechanical horse/core trainer, visit the indoor and outdoor observation decks, and check out the public artworks throughout the airport.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment