After living in Taiwan for a few years, I've had plenty of opportunities to introduce Taiwanese snacks to my friends and family in Poland. Every time I visit, my suitcase is packed with snacks instead of clothes. Some disappear almost instantly, while others receive confused looks and the classic polite response: "It's interesting..."
It made me wonder: which Taiwanese snacks could actually become popular in Europe, and which ones would struggle to find fans?
Of course, Europe is a huge continent with many different tastes and food traditions. I can only speak from my own experience as a Polish girl living in Taiwan and from the reactions of my family and friends back home.
Bubble Tea – Already a European Success Story
This one is easy. Bubble tea has already conquered Europe.
When I first came to Taiwan, bubble tea felt like something uniquely Taiwanese. Today, I can find bubble tea shops in many Polish cities, shopping malls, and tourist areas. Even people who have never visited Taiwan know what boba pearls are.
The variety of flavors is probably one of the reasons for its success. Whether someone likes milk tea, fruit tea, brown sugar milk, or something less sweet, there is usually an option for everyone.
Taiwan can proudly claim this victory because bubble tea may be one of the country's most successful food exports.
Pineapple Cakes
Pineapple cakes would probably do quite well in Europe.
Europeans generally enjoy cookies, biscuits, and pastries, so the concept itself is very familiar. The buttery pastry combined with sweet fruit filling feels approachable and not too exotic.
That said, my family had mixed reactions when they first tried them.
Some loved them immediately, while others felt they were a little dry. Personally, I think a lot depends on the brand. Over the years I've tasted pineapple cakes that I absolutely loved and others that I would never buy again. Some have a rich buttery crust and a flavorful filling, while others can feel dry and overly sweet.
If the best Taiwanese brands were introduced in Europe, I think pineapple cakes could become a popular gift item similar to Danish butter cookies.
Egg Rolls
Taiwanese egg rolls remind me of some wafer-based sweets that are popular in Poland.
They are light, crispy, and satisfying without being overly heavy. Their delicate texture makes them easy to enjoy with tea or coffee, which is exactly how many Europeans like to eat sweets.
I can easily imagine them becoming popular during holidays or as gifts.
The only problem might be that they are so fragile. Half of the box often arrives as crumbs after traveling in my luggage!
Taiwanese Nougat
Taiwanese nougat surprised me.
Before coming to Taiwan, I imagined nougat as something hard, sticky, and difficult to chew. Taiwanese nougat is completely different. It is softer, creamier, and often filled with nuts, dried fruit, or crackers.
I think many Europeans would enjoy it because it is not overwhelmingly sweet compared to some Western candies.
Whenever I bring good-quality Taiwanese nougat to Poland, it usually disappears very quickly.
Sweet Potato Chips and Other Vegetable Chips
Europeans love potato chips, so vegetable chips feel like a natural extension.
Sweet potato chips would probably be the easiest to introduce because sweet potatoes are already becoming more popular in Europe.
I also think Taiwanese radish chips and other vegetable-based snacks have potential. They offer something different from traditional potato chips while still providing the crunchy texture people enjoy.
Many Europeans today are interested in trying snacks that feel slightly healthier or more unique, so these products could find a market.
Taro Products
This is one category that I think Europe is seriously missing.
Taro is still relatively unknown in Poland, yet it appears everywhere in Taiwan. Taro drinks, taro cakes, taro buns, taro ice cream, taro pastries - the possibilities seem endless.
The first time I tried taro, I wasn't sure what to think. Now I genuinely enjoy its subtle sweetness and creamy texture.
In particular, I think sweet taro fillings could become a hit in Europe. They are sweet without being overwhelming and have a pleasant texture that works well in pastries and desserts.
If Europeans can fall in love with chestnut cream, I don't see why they couldn't fall in love with taro.
Sweet Popcorn Flavors
One thing that always surprises me in Taiwan is the variety of popcorn flavors.
Growing up in Poland, popcorn meant one thing: salted popcorn.
Maybe other flavors existed somewhere, but in my family we only ever ate plain salted popcorn. The same was true for most people I knew.
In Taiwan, however, I have seen all kinds of popcorn flavors, especially sweet ones. Caramel, chocolate, milk tea, strawberry, and many others.
I think some of these flavors would become popular in Europe, particularly among younger consumers. Sweet popcorn is still relatively unusual in Poland, which makes it feel novel and interesting.
What I Think Wouldn't Become Popular
Not every Taiwanese snack would be an easy success.
Some foods require an acquired taste and can be difficult for first-time visitors.
Pig Blood Cake
This is one of those foods that many Europeans struggle with before they even take the first bite. The name alone is enough to scare some people away. Although we have blood sausage and duck blood soup in Poland, I think the texture of pig blood cake is what puts many people off.
Stinky Tofu
I love stinky tofu now. In fact, I often crave it.
But I still remember my first encounter with it. The smell hit me before I even saw the stall.
Many Europeans would never get past that first impression.
Iron Eggs
The intense chewy texture and concentrated flavor can be challenging for people who are unfamiliar with them.
Century Eggs
Century eggs are another food that tends to shock newcomers.
The dark color and jelly-like appearance can be intimidating, even though the taste is much milder than many people expect.
Interestingly, I am completely used to eating century eggs now and actually enjoy them (I hate the soft tofu that comes with it).
Mala Flavor
Mala-flavored snacks might also struggle.
Taiwanese people are generally much more accustomed to spicy food than most Polish people. While there are certainly Europeans who love spicy foods, the average person in Poland eats much less chili and pepper than people in Taiwan.
The numbing sensation from Sichuan pepper is especially unusual for European palates and might take some getting used to.
My Verdict
If I had to predict which Taiwanese snacks would become successful in Europe, I would bet on the sweet ones.
Bubble tea, pineapple cakes, nougat, egg rolls, sweet potato chips, taro desserts, and flavored popcorn all have qualities that feel familiar enough for European consumers while still offering something new.
Savory snacks are a different story. Foods like stinky tofu, pig blood cake, century eggs, and iron eggs are deeply connected to local tastes and traditions. They may gain small groups of enthusiastic fans, but they are unlikely to achieve the same mainstream success.
That being said, if someone had told me years ago that I would one day happily eat stinky tofu and century eggs, I probably wouldn't have believed them.
So perhaps Europeans might surprise us too.
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