Top Taiwanese Snacks and Sweets to Buy as Gifts

Whenever I travel back to Poland, one of the most common questions I get is: "What should I bring from Taiwan?"

Taiwan is famous for its tea, but there are also many delicious snacks and sweets that make excellent gifts. Some are traditional, while others have become popular souvenirs among tourists and locals alike.

Pineapple Cakes (鳳梨酥)

If Taiwan had an official souvenir, pineapple cakes would probably be it.

These small pastries are filled with sweet pineapple jam and have a buttery crust. They are easy to transport, have a decent shelf life, and can be found almost everywhere.

Many visitors buy several boxes before leaving Taiwan.

Sun Cakes (太陽餅)

Originally from Taichung, sun cakes have a flaky pastry exterior and a sweet malt filling. They are less well known internationally than pineapple cakes but are a classic Taiwanese treat. 

Nougat Crackers (牛軋餅)

These combine sweet chewy nougat with salty crackers. It sounds unusual at first, but it works surprisingly well. They are one of the snacks I often recommend to friends trying Taiwanese treats for the first time.

Egg Rolls (蛋捲)

Taiwanese egg rolls are delicate, crispy, and buttery. They come in many flavors, including sesame, coffee, and seaweed. Because they are fragile, they need careful packing, but they are usually a big hit with family and friends!

Mochi

Taiwan has many regional mochi specialties. You can find flavors such as peanut, taro, red bean, sesame, and matcha. Soft, chewy mochi often surprises European visitors who may not be familiar with this texture. 

Tea-Flavored Snacks

Taiwan is famous for tea, so tea-flavored sweets make very Taiwanese gifts. You can find Oolong tea cookies, Matcha cookies, Tea candies or chocolates. I personally like Matcha flavours.

Peanut Brittle and Peanut Candy

Traditional peanut sweets are common at markets and specialty shops. They have a rich roasted peanut flavor, but I personally find them too sweet.

Dried Fruit

Taiwan grows excellent tropical fruit, and dried fruit is easy to pack. Some of popular ones are mango, guava, pineapple, pomelo peel. This is a good option for people who prefer healthier snacks.

Tea

Not exactly a snack, but I couldn't leave it off the list. High-mountain oolong tea is one of Taiwan's most famous products and makes an excellent gift for anyone who enjoys tea. I personally don't like the taste of oolong tea, so more traditional options as black tea or green tea are always my first choice.