'Snappy but not tough': Zermatt Neo thinks this street food is Michelin star-worthy

'Snappy but not tough': Zermatt Neo thinks this street food is Michelin star-worthy
PHOTO: YouTube/Zermatt Neo

Taipei is one of Singaporeans' favourite travel destinations for food. 

Thanks to the slew of night markets and eateries dotted around the city, it isn't hard to find something delicious to eat at any time of the day. 

If you're planning on visiting Taipei soon though, here's a cheat sheet to what you must try while in the Taiwanese capital city. Competitive eater Zermatt Neo was visiting the legendary Rao He Night Market, and he shared his top food recommendations in a YouTube video uploaded on June 28.

He did so with Taiwanese foodie and aspiring competitive eater Xiao Hui, better known as Yahui0215, who is no stranger to the country's bustling food scene. 

Armed with NTD 3,000 (S$130), the duo jostled with the crowd to secure their food. 

Pepper pastries, tang yuan and more 

First on the list were pepper pastries, which Xiao Hui revealed is filled with white pepper pork. 

Before chowing down on it, Zermatt broke it open to reveal the generous pork filling encased within. 

Hitting the right spot, the pair both let out a satisfied "mmmm" as they took their first bite. 

"It opens up your appetite, right?" said Xiao Hui. 

Zermatt likened it to the typical pork buns found in Singapore except that this was a roasted version with a pastry-like exterior. 

To wash it down, they got papaya milk drinks, which Zermatt admitted he's never tried before. 

Upon taking his first sip, he noted that the consistency of the drink was "super thick". 

But, he was pleased to find that the drink wasn't too sweet. 

Next up, they had chee cheong fun from a famous stall that had a snaking long queue. 

Opting for the pork and shrimp option, Zermatt pointed out that this rendition of chee cheong fun is pretty different from the Singaporean version. 

"The ones in Singapore are very flat. This one is not flat, it looks like noodles, curled up noodles," he elaborated. 

Zermatt enjoying his chee cheong fun. PHOTO: YouTube/Zermatt Neo

"The fillings are all so fresh," he said, adding that he found it interesting that the Taiwanese chee cheong fun had eggs in it. 

After the savoury dish, Xiao Hui suggested they get something icy for their next dish. 

Surprisingly, by that, she meant tang yuan (glutinous rice balls). 

Icy isn't the first word that comes to mind when Singaporeans think of tang yuan which is usually served as a hot dessert. But apparently, there is a cold version in Taiwan. 

The interesting-looking tang yuan. PHOTO: YouTube/Zermatt Neo

While the dessert bowl came filled with ice, Zermatt realised, to his surprise, that the tang yuan itself was hot. 

"I like the contrast because the ice is cold but the balls are hot," he said. 

Next on the list was another savoury dish — cuttlefish. 

Describing it as "snappy but not tough", Zermatt said the seafood dish had a "bonito" flavour. 

He also admitted that when he initially saw the cuttlefish on display outside the stall, he was worried that the texture would have been "extremely tough and hard". 

"But in reality, it's the contrary," he shared. 

In fact, Zermatt liked it so much that he said it deserved a Michelin star. 

Does this cuttlefish deserve a Michelin star? PHOTO: YouTube/Zermatt Neo

After that satisfying dish, they went to get their hands on the renowned beef noodles featured in the Taiwan Michelin Guide. 

Upon receiving their food, they noted that the stall was very generous with various cuts of beef provided. 

"There's a good ratio of tendon and meat, thus, a superb texture in the mouth," Xiao Hui described.

"Beef noodles are a must if you're here in Taiwan!" she exclaimed. 

The beef noodles. PHOTO: YouTube/Zermatt Neo

They paired the noodles with some dumplings as well, which Zermatt described as "extremely well-seasoned". 

"The fillings in the dumplings, the texture is good, there is a good ratio of lean and fatty meat," Xiao Hui added. 

Final thoughts 

Despite how chaotic the night market was, Zermatt had a good time. 

"Actually I enjoyed it, the whole ambience and everything," he confessed. 

Zermatt and Xiao Hui also listed out their favourite dishes. 

For Xiao Hui, it was the cuttlefish and tang yuan. 

And Zermatt chose the cuttlefish (of course!), tang yuan and papaya milk. 

"Actually, everything [Xiao Hui] recommended were all hits, there were no misses at all. Everything was good," concluded Zermatt. 

ALSO READ: Competitive eaters Zermatt Neo and Raina Huang down 100 egg tarts in 25 minutes

melissateo@asiaone.com 

No part of this story or photos can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    'Exceeding acceptable thresholds': World Aquatics event at Sentosa postponed over poor water quality
    We drive the new BYD Sealion 6 across Malaysia and (try to) answer your questions
    'My grandma and mum's recipe': Li Nanxing collaborates with Nan Yang Dao for hae bee hiam dishes
    Japan launches government body to address concerns over foreigners
    1 taken to hospital, 60 evacuated in Toa Payoh HDB flat fire
    Malaysian watch brand pays tribute to king of fruits with durian-inspired timepiece
    Medical practitioners must record Kpod cases, seize vapes: MOH, HSA
    'To a lifetime of side quests together': Chen Xi marries non-celeb Japanese girlfriend
    Knife attack at Kallang Wave Mall: Man to be charged with attempted murder of woman
    Toto snowballs to $10m after 4 draws with no winner
    Little red dot, big bold ideas: 60 Singapore innovations shaping our future
    Texas flood death toll rises to 131 as new storms loom

Singapore

Singapore
    • Fatal crash at Geylang pasar malam: Driver, passenger arrested
    • PCF holds family day event to celebrate SG60, sets new Singapore record
    • 'Like a ghost town on some days': Some JB shops hit by drop in Singaporean visitors after VEP enforcement
    • 'Can we have a date?' DPM Gan Kim Yong invites Punggol North residents to dinner
    • Joss paper burning allegedly sparks corridor fire in Chai Chee; 7 received medical aid
    • Up 4.3%: Singapore's economy grew in Q2 despite US tariff fears
    • Thousands turn up in Punggol for 3rd anniversary of Jack Neo's walking group Pa Pa Zao
    • Organised crime groups pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia including Singapore: UN
    • I lost my daughter to Kpod addiction: Father of 19-year-old shares heartbreak and lessons
    • Missing registration plates, non-working brakes: LTA impounds 151 active mobility devices in last 2 months

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • 'Wow, who is this girl?' Pierre Png and Cynthia Koh recall first time they met at water park as teens
    • 'It feels like a dream': F4 reunite for first time in over 10 years during Mayday concert finale
    • 'I was so excited I wanted to cry': Fans spend up to $50k in auction to experience a day with Jackson Wang
    • Who doesn't forget easily and who doesn't gossip? Hong Huifang, Cynthia Koh and Pierre Png, cast of new Singapore-Thai thriller, talk people politics
    • Richard Gadd reveals why an entire episode of Baby Reindeer was dropped
    • Gina Rodriguez is pregnant
    • 'How long can I continue to sing for?' JJ Lin diagnosed with heart condition in 2024
    • Michael Jackson's daughter Paris 'concerned' about payments made by his estate

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Kaya toast, extra cute please: Breakfast-themed plushies with a local twist at Marina Square pop-up
    • Singapore coffee brand Alchemist debuts 2 outlets in Japan, marking first overseas venture
    • Now you can get Springleaf prata in a cup - with curry - from a vending machine
    • Orh Gao Taproom, popular bar by night and kopitiam by day in Serene Centre, to shutter
    • I thought childbirth was painful. Then I caught my baby's hand, foot and mouth disease
    • How a mother's warmth shapes a child's mental health, according to science
    • A first-time condo buyer's guide to evaluating property developers in Singapore
    • Things to do in Nagoya: A food lover's guide to Japan's underrated metropolis
    • Where $4m semi-Ds sit next to $40m GCBs: Touring First Avenue in Bukit Timah
    • Best buffet dining promotions in Singapore: Carousel, Colony, Edge, Peppermint, The Line buffet prices (July 2025)

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • 'Give a positive review': Hidden AI prompt found in academic paper by NUS researchers
    • 'Report 1 shop, another 10 appear': Hoyo Fest artists on copyright struggles
    • NTU penalises 3 students over use of AI tools; they dispute university's findings
    • Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool

Money

Money
    • China suffers $9.7b in losses from natural disasters in H1 2025
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (July 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (July 2025): 50% cashback on public transit with Amex, win Business Class flights with HSBC and more
    • 9 best personal loans in Singapore with lowest interest rates (July 2025)
    • Temasek sees $45b rise in net portfolio value to record high of $434b amid global uncertainties
    • 'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid
    • Japan, South Korea hit with 25% tariffs as Trump ramps up trade war in letters to leaders
    • Trump says alignment with BRICS' 'anti-American policies' to invite additional 10% tariffs
    • Regulators warned Air India Express about delay on Airbus engine fix, forging records
    • Higher seller's stamp duty a 'light touch' to curb property flipping: Experts

Latest

Latest
  • Indonesia rescues 11 who swam for hours to survive boat capsize
  • Taiwan's president to visit Paraguay in August
  • Trump says he is 'not done' with Putin, BBC reports
  • Australia and China call for more dialogue, cooperation at leaders' meeting
  • Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes Luzon, Philippines, GFZ says
  • Ukraine's Zelenskiy proposes PM Shmyhal as new defence minister
  • Global childhood vaccination shows slight improvement but challenges remain
  • Rescued crew of Greek ship sunk by Houthis taken to Saudi Arabia
  • More than 100 migrants freed in Libya after being held captive by gang, officials say

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Malaysian man strikes $4m lottery after betting on his, girlfriend's IC numbers for 3 years
  • Singaporean who defaulted on NS obligations used fake Malaysian passports at checkpoints over 800 times
  • JB mum forgets baby in car during shopping trip; cops, locksmith rescue infant
  • Lurid tale of China's cross-dressing 'red uncle' goes viral online
  • Climbers battle torrential waters after flash floods hit Mount Kinabalu; all 155 persons safe, says park
  • Jail for ex-auxiliary police officer who loaded 1 bullet and accidentally discharged revolver
  • Woman injured on SMRT bus after bottle thrown at vehicle shatters window
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.