Taiwan Airport Shopping: Best Buys Before Your Flight

Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport offers a wide range of products and services for travellers to enjoy. From luxury goods to unique souvenirs, there's something for everyone. The EVERRICH Taipei Duty-Free Shop, for example, offers a variety of cosmetics, perfumes, wine, spirits, tobacco, and Taiwanese treats like pineapple cake and tea. The airport also boasts themed lounges, landscaped rest areas, and a variety of local Taiwanese arts and cultural activities. For those with a sweet tooth, the airport's duty-free shops offer creative edible souvenirs, such as dehydrated guava strips, cherry blossom nougats, and even pineapple cake brownies.

Taiwanese pineapple cakes

Pineapple cakes are considered a symbol of good luck in Taiwan. In Hokkien, a widely spoken Chinese dialect in the country, pineapple has the same pronunciation as "luck arrives". This is likely one of the reasons for the immense popularity of these cakes in Taiwan.

When buying pineapple cakes in Taiwan, you may come across different variations, such as those made with melon, strawberry, or oolong tea. Some cakes also include egg yolk, adding a hint of saltiness to the sweet dessert.

If you are looking for the best pineapple cakes to buy in Taiwan, several brands are frequently mentioned, including ChiaTe, Leechi, Pan's Cake, and SunnyHills. These brands offer traditional pineapple cakes with a mix of pineapple and winter melon, as well as pure pineapple varieties.

• ChiaTe: This bakery, established in 1975, is considered by many to be the epitome of pineapple cakes in Taiwan. Their cakes have the perfect balance of texture and sweetness, attributed to their "golden ratio" of 80% winter melon and 20% pineapple. You can find their iconic packaging in their bakeries or some 7-Elevens.
• Leechi: With a longer history dating back to 1894, Leechi is another highly regarded bakery for pineapple cakes. Their cakes are very similar to ChiaTe's, with a perfect balance of ingredients and a slightly less sweet taste. They also offer a "gourmet" pineapple cake made with pure local pineapple, which has a darker, tarter, and more fibrous filling.
• Pan's Cake: This bakery, with two locations in Banqiao District, is a favourite among locals. Their classic pineapple cakes are made with pure winter melon, resulting in an extremely chewy and sweet treat. If you prefer sweeter desserts, Pan's Cake may be the ideal choice.
• SunnyHills: SunnyHills is a relatively new brand that has quickly gained popularity for its pure pineapple cakes. Their cakes have a unique, longer shape and come in beautifully designed packages. However, their cakes are on the drier and more fibrous side, which may not appeal to those who prefer a sweeter dessert.

Taipei's duty-free edible souvenirs

Taipei's duty-free shops offer a delightful range of edible souvenirs, showcasing the creativity and innovation of Taiwan's food industry. Here is a selection of treats you can find at Taipei Taoyuan International Airport:

Pineapple Cakes

Pineapple cakes are Taiwan's most famous snack. These rectangular treats consist of pastry baked around a thick pineapple jam, sometimes with added winter melon to reduce the tartness. You can find pineapple cakes at most duty-free shops, including well-known brands such as ChiaTe, Taipei LeeChi, and SunnyHills.

Creative Twists on Traditional Treats

For a modern twist on the traditional pineapple cake, try the Pineapple Cake Brownies from Taipei Sweet. These combine the fruitiness of pineapple with the rich, chocolatey goodness of a brownie. Another innovative treat is the Red Quinoa Pineapple Cake.

Taiwanese Classics

Try the San Tai Zi Crispy Seaweed Pork Rolls, a popular snack in Taiwan. These paper-thin pork jerky sheets, embedded with slivers of almonds, are sure to delight. For a classic Taiwanese experience, sample the Taro Biscuits or the Scallion Pancake Crispy Rolls.

Tropical Treats

Indulge in the tropical flavours of Taiwan with treats such as Dehydrated Guava Strips, Cherry Blossoms Nougats, and Chocolate Covered Dried Longans. Or, for a true taste of the tropics, try the Neko-leine Mango Madeleine Cakes, buttery and light cakes with diced mango bits inside.

Savoury Snacks

If you're looking for something savoury, the San Tai Zi Flavoured Peanuts offer a range of flavours inspired by Taiwan's vibrant night market food, including Beef Noodles, Fried Chicken Cutlet, Scallion Oil, and Spicy Mala.

So, the next time you're at Taipei's airport, be sure to explore the duty-free shops and discover these delicious edible souvenirs for yourself!

Food recommendations after security

In Terminal 1, there is a small food court on the fourth floor, with options like ramen, fresh juice, Korean food, and Taiwanese food. There are also a few restaurants before security, including Mos Burger, Hanlin Tea Room, Hakka Restaurant, and Starbucks. After security, there are about half a dozen food options, including fried chicken and cafes. The main highlight is Sunmai Bar, a Taiwanese craft beer bar near Gate B7.

In Terminal 2, there is a food court at B2, with a 24-hour McDonald's and options like curry, Taiwanese food, ramen, and Korean food. On the ground floor, there is a small dim sum place called Chengmeng. On the fourth floor, there are more food options, including Starbucks, Mos Burger, Burger King, and ramen. There are also two 24-hour convenience stores on the fifth floor, near the North and South Airplane Observation Decks, which sell snacks, meals, liquor, and other daily essentials.

Some specific food recommendations include:

• Lin Dong Fang Beef Noodles in Terminal 2, a branch of one of Taipei's most famous beef noodle shops.
• Chun Shui Tang in Terminal 2, the chain that invented bubble tea in Taichung.
• Xiao Nan Men in Terminal 2, which serves tofu pudding and braised pork rice.
• Wang's Broth in Terminal 2, a Michelin-rated meat soup vendor from Huaxi Night Market.
• Smart Fish in Terminal 2, a Chiayi restaurant featured on Netflix's Midnight Asia series.
• VegeCreek in Terminal 2, a DIY vegetarian noodle bowl restaurant, one of the author's favourite vegetarian restaurants in Taipei.

In addition, there are duty-free edible souvenirs available at Taipei Airport, including:

• San Tai Zi Flavored Peanuts, inspired by Taiwanese night market food.
• San Tai Zi Crispy Seaweed Pork Rolls, paper-thin pork jerky sheets with embedded slivers of almonds.
• Neko-leine Mango Madeleine Cakes, buttery and light with diced mango bits inside.
• Taipei Sweet Pineapple Cake Brownies, a combination of fruit and chocolate.

Luxury goods from international brands

When it comes to luxury goods from international brands, Taiwan Airport has a lot to offer. The airport is divided into two main terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, with Terminal 2 being the place to go for high-end luxury brands and designer boutiques.

In Terminal 2, you'll find an exclusive selection of designer stores, including the latest in high-fashion Italian leather goods from Gucci, sophisticated styles from Valentino, and a range of signature American handbags and apparel from Michael Kors. These boutiques offer the perfect opportunity to indulge in some luxury shopping before your flight.

For sportswear enthusiasts, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 both feature flagship stores from Adidas and Puma, offering a wide range of athletic apparel and accessories.

In addition to the designer boutiques, Taiwan Airport also offers a variety of cosmetics, perfumes, wine and spirits, and tobacco from international brands. The EVERRICH Duty Free Shop in Terminal 1 provides a range of luxury goods, perfumes, cosmetics, apparel, bags, and accessories from international brands. So whether you're looking for high-fashion clothing, accessories, or duty-free items, Taiwan Airport has something to offer for those seeking luxury goods from international brands.

Local Taiwanese arts and cultural activities

Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2 offers a wide range of local arts and cultural activities for travellers to enjoy. The airport features a bright, new boutique selling luxury goods from international brands, as well as unique Taiwanese souvenirs.

The EVERRICH Taipei Duty-Free Shop offers a collection of cosmetics, perfumes, wine and spirits, and tobacco from Taiwan and abroad. The shop also provides professional shopping services, themed lounges, landscaped rest areas, and massage chairs.

In addition to shopping, travellers can enjoy freshly cooked egg rolls, pineapple cake, and Taiwanese tea. There are also various local Taiwanese arts and cultural activities available at the airport, providing travellers with an enjoyable and relaxing experience while waiting for their flights.

Frequently asked questions