Liuhe Night Market: What Tourists Wish They Knew

If you’ve never been to Taiwan’s southern half, Liuhe Night Market might not even be on your radar. But if you're planning a trip to Kaohsiung, this is one stop you shouldn’t skip.

Located in the city’s Xinxing District, Liuhe (六合夜市) is one of Taiwan’s most tourist-friendly markets—both in layout and vibe. Unlike Taipei’s more chaotic night market scenes, Liuhe feels spacious, organized, and easy to explore, especially for first-timers.

It’s even listed as a recommended stop by the Taiwan Tourism Bureau, thanks to its accessible setup, classic street food options, and unique blend of local culture and tourist staples.

📚 Table of Contents

1. A Quick Look at Kaohsiung, Taiwan 2. What Time Does Liuhe Night Market Open? 3. How to Get to Liuhe Night Market Kaohsiung Taiwan 4. What to Expect When You Arrive? 5. Best Food to Try at Liuhe Night Market 6. How Much Does Food Cost at Liuhe Night Market? 7. Beyond Food: What Else Can You Buy? 8. Hidden Highlights Tourists Often Miss 9. Is Liuhe Tourist-Friendly for First-Timers? 10. Travel Tips for Visiting Liuhe Night Market 11. FAQ: Liuhe Night Market Kaohsiung Taiwan 12. Would We Go Back to Liuhe Night Market?

A Quick Look at Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung might just be Taiwan’s most underrated city. Located in the southern part of the island, this port city has a population of about 2.77 million, making it the third most populous area in Taiwan. It's also home to the country’s largest harbor and the second busiest international airport.

Founded in the 17th century, Kaohsiung grew from a small trading village into a booming hub for steel-making, shipbuilding, and freight logistics. And yet—it manages to stay chill. The streets feel wide. The pace is relaxed. And the food? Some of the best we had during our trip.

We only spent a day here, but we left saying the same thing: we’ll be back.

What Time Does Liuhe Night Market Open?

By day, Liuhe 2nd Road looks like your typical city street. A few shops, some cars, a bus or two. But once the clock hits 6:00 PM, the transformation begins. Traffic stops. The barriers go up. And the street turns into a pedestrian-only zone lined with food carts, neon signs, and the sound of sizzling seafood.

Liuhe Night Market officially starts at 6:00 PM, but if you arrive around that time, you’ll catch it just as the vendors are warming up—before it gets too crowded. It runs well into the night, usually until 11 PM or later, depending on the day.

This setup is part of what makes it so easy to visit. According to the Kaohsiung City travel site, Liuhe becomes a pedestrian market in the evening, making it more accessible for tourists and families.

How to Get to Liuhe Night Market Kaohsiung Taiwan

Getting to Liuhe Night Market is super straightforward:

➡️ By MRT:

Take the Red Line and get off at R10 (Formosa Boulevard Station) or the Orange Line O5 stop—same station, different line.

From there, take Exit 11, and you’ll find yourself right at the eastern entrance of the night market. This stop is also famous for the Dome of Light, which you’ll want to snap a photo of before heading out.

📍 Follow the sign to Exit 11 at Formosa Boulevard Station—this leads straight to Liuhe Night Market’s entrance.

➡️ By Taxi:

Show your driver this: 高雄市新興區六合二路

That’s Liuhe 2nd Road in Xinxing District.

Prefer not to take the MRT? Taipei taxi terminals like this one offer a colorful ride—just show your driver “六合夜市.”

➡️ By Walking:

For travelers using apps like Klook or Google Maps, simply type “Liuhe Night Market Kaohsiung” and follow the walking directions from Formosa Blvd.

Start your walk to Liuhe Night Market from the Dome of Light—Exit 11 of Formosa Boulevard Station is your gateway.

What to Expect When You Arrive?

The first thing we noticed? It’s spacious. Liuhe Night Market is a straight three-block walk, with no side alleys or confusing turns. You enter from one end and come out the other. And if you get there early enough—say, between 6:00 and 7:00 PM—you’ll enjoy a calmer stroll before the rush hits.

Stalls are lined neatly on both sides, selling everything from sizzling seafood skewers to colorful milk tea. Some even have indoor seating tucked behind them. That surprised us—our beef noodle soup and Xiao Long Bao were ordered from a cart, but we were ushered into a small, air-conditioned restaurant space to eat. This isn’t just a place to eat. It’s a place to wander, people-watch, and snack your way from one end to the other.

Crispy, golden, and addictively seasoned — Taiwan’s famous night market chicken in action.

Best Food to Try at Liuhe Night Market

If you’re here for the food (and let’s be honest, you are), here are the must-try items—according to both locals and travel blogs like Nick Kembel, Ms. Travel Solo, and SkyTicket Travel:

Must-Try Bites:

➡️ Papaya Milk – Especially from Zheng’s Old Brand, one of the most famous stalls

➡️ Blowtorched Beef Cubes – Smoky, tender, and wildly satisfying

➡️ Xiao Long Bao – Steamed soup dumplings with a light broth inside

➡️ Seafood Skewers – Grilled octopus, squid, crab legs, and more

➡️ Oyster Omelet – A Taiwanese street food classic

➡️ Stinky Tofu – If you’re feeling bold

➡️ Boba Milk Tea – Multiple stalls, from famous brands to indie ones

Prices start at NTD 30 and go up to around NTD 250, depending on what you grab. But most snacks fall between NTD 50–100.

Hearty bowls of beef noodle soup and freshly steamed xiao long bao — perfect after a night market stroll.

How Much Does Food Cost at Liuhe Night Market?

Here’s a quick breakdown based on our trip (and backed up by TripAdvisor and blog references):

Sample Price Ranges:

🦐 Seafood platters or skewers – NTD 250 and up

🧋 Milk tea and drinks – NTD 30–65

🥟 Xiao Long Bao & noodles – NTD 50–100

🎯 Games or novelty booths – NTD 90+

🧥 Clothing/accessories – NTD 50 and up

🍖 Exotic meat skewers (innards, intestines) – NTD 30+

For the full experience, bring around NTD 500–700 per person in cash. You’ll be full, happy, and maybe even take home a trinket or two.

And, by the way, (this is totally random. LOL!) if you love plants as much as you love dumplings, check out my Watermelon Peperomia care guide. It’s easier than you think to keep them alive (promise).

One of Liuhe’s highlights: flame-grilled beef cubes cooked right in front of you.

Beyond Food: What Else Can You Buy?

While the food is definitely the star, Liuhe Night Market isn’t just a snack-fest. There are plenty of stalls selling clothing, quirky accessories, and small souvenirs. Think bucket hats, canvas totes, and bargain t-shirts—all with that “I bought this in Taiwan” charm. It gave us the same fun-meets-local energy we felt while visiting Ocean Park in Hong Kong, where food, play, and atmosphere blend in a way that’s hard to forget.

If you’re in a playful mood (or traveling with kids), there are entertainment booths too—from UFO catcher machines to simple betting games. It’s a nostalgic arcade-meets-street-fair vibe that makes the whole experience feel a bit more festive.

Price snapshot:

👚 Clothes & accessories – NTD 50+

🎮 Game booths – NTD 90 and up

🎁 Souvenirs – NTD 100 and below, usually cash only

Tourist faves like stinky tofu, crispy chicken, beef noodle soup, xiao long bao, and blow-torched beef also rank high on Ms. Travel Solo’s guide to Kaohsiung night markets.

A seafood lover’s dream — freshly prepared lobsters, oysters, and more, beautifully chilled and ready to grill at Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Hidden Highlights Tourists Often Miss

Here’s something we didn’t expect: some stalls have indoor seating.

At one point, we ordered food from a street cart thinking we’d eat standing up. But the vendor smiled and pointed behind the booth. A side door led us into a small, air-conditioned seating area, complete with tables, chairs, and napkins—rare luxuries in a night market.

Another thing many tourists overlook? The stalls with no English signs. They might look intimidating, but they often serve incredible food at better prices. Watch where the locals line up—if there’s a queue, there’s probably a good reason.

These subtle experiences, from “secret” seating to authentic local finds, make Liuhe a lot more than just a casual tourist stop.

A vibrant evening at Liuhe Night Market in Kaohsiung, Taiwan — packed with street food, neon signs, and local energy.

Is Liuhe Tourist-Friendly for First-Timers?

Absolutely.

One of the best things about Liuhe is how welcoming it is to non-Mandarin speakers. Many vendors speak basic English or at least have English/Chinese signs and menus—SkyTicket highlights Liuhe as one of the most welcoming markets for foreign tourists. Some even display QR codes for quick scans, making ordering a breeze.

You’ll also find that the market is well-lit, clean, and not overly loud or crowded (especially compared to Taipei’s busier night markets). It’s an easy entry point for travelers who want to experience Taiwanese street food without feeling overwhelmed.

This friendliness is part of why SkyTicket and other travel platforms highlight Liuhe as one of the top choices for international visitors in Kaohsiung.

A playful moment between a young boy and a Turkish ice cream vendor at Liuhe Night Market.

Travel Tips for Visiting Liuhe Night Market

✅ Go early (6:00–7:00 PM) – if you want fewer people and fresh picks

✅ Bring cash – most stalls don’t accept cards, and there are no money changers nearby

✅ Wear comfy shoes – it’s a walking market, not a sit-down one

✅ Don’t overeat too fast – try small portions and save room for new flavors

✅ Bring a fan or umbrella – it gets humid fast

✅ Be mindful – dispose of trash properly, and avoid blocking walkways

✅ Trust the locals – follow the queues to the best stalls

These practical tips can make or break your night market experience, especially in a city where every block offers something delicious. If you’re traveling with pets or juggling remote work, here’s what a day in my life looks like—yes, even with a clingy dog and a full inbox.

FAQ: Liuhe Night Market Kaohsiung Taiwan

➡️ What time does it open?

Around 6:00 PM. Vendors usually stay open until 11:00 PM or later.

➡️ How do I get there?

Take MRT Red or Orange Line to Formosa Blvd. Exit 11.

➡️ Is it tourist-friendly?

Yes! English-friendly stalls and a clean, organized setup.

➡️ What food is it known for?

Papaya milk, blowtorched beef, xiao long bao, and seafood skewers.

➡️ Is it cheap or expensive?

Very affordable. Most snacks cost between NTD 30–100.

➡️ Can I pay with card?

No. It’s cash-only. Bring small bills.

➡️ How long should I stay?

1–2 hours is enough for food, shopping, and a bit of wandering.

Would We Go Back to Liuhe Night Market?

Yes!

It wasn’t the flashiest night market we’ve visited, but it was one of the easiest to love. Great food, welcoming locals, and just enough variety to keep things interesting without being overwhelming.

We walked in hungry and curious. We walked out full, satisfied, and already planning what we’d try next time—because yes, there will be a next time.

If you like honest, budget-level travel breakdowns like this, don’t miss our full Bali trip story with real prices and recommendations.