【Article by LI, HSIN-YU】

Morning Starts the Day, Breakfast Shops Start the City

The dense concentration of breakfast shops lining Taiwan’s streets is a unique feature. These bustling eateries capture the daily rhythm and flavor of Taiwanese life. Along a short stretch of NCCU’s Zhinan Road, more than ten are ready to fuel early risers.

The morning air is wafted with the scent of sizzling egg pancake rolls and the faint haze of cooking oil drifting from under the arcades. The sharp clatter of spatulas striking against hot griddles punctuates the rush. Students eat their breakfast on the go or gather in small groups at crowded tables.

This scene repeats itself in alleyways across the island. Each day in Taiwan begins at the first light of dawn, with nearly 20,000 breakfast shops rising early to greet it.
While sharing breakfast is a common way for local students at NCCU to socialize, it was an entirely new experience for Korean exchange student Park Eun-bin.

Cross-Cultural Encounter: A Breakfast Date with an Exchange Student

During his year in Taiwan as an exchange student, Park Eun-bin explored night markets, sampled tropical fruit, and tried local delicacies. However, he found that eating out for breakfast was the most notable difference from Korean culinary culture.

Park observed, “Here, eating out for breakfast is just part of life. People are used to it.”

Taiwan’s breakfast shops are more than places to eat, they’re neighborhood hubs. From early morning, owners warmly greet regulars: “Good morning! Thick toast with egg and less ice in your milk tea as usual?” Though most shops are small, they’re always busy with friends chatting over a quick meal.

Park explained that Koreans usually eat breakfast at home or grab something quick, rarely socializing over breakfast. "Being invited out for breakfast was a refreshing surprise," he said. 
Hung Yi-cheng, a third-year journalism student at NCCU and a self-proclaimed breakfast lover, was one of the first to invite Park on a “breakfast date.” Hung often enjoys going to breakfast shops with friends and believes that breakfast shops are spaces that warm not just the stomach but also the heart.

“Lunch and dinner often feel rushed; you need reservations or you’re stuck waiting. Breakfast shops, on the other hand, are casual. You can just walk in without planning, which makes it relaxing and low-pressure,” he explained.

The Variety of Taiwan’s Breakfast:   A Fresh Experience for Korean Students

Breakfast shops are a rare sight in Korea. As Park explains, traditionally, families prepare breakfast at home, usually including rice, soup, kimchi, and eggs. Yet, as lifestyles speed up, more young Koreans grab a quick rice ball or bread and an iced Americano from a convenience store on their way out the door.

In contrast, Park was impressed by the abundance of breakfast stalls in Taiwan. Menus range from Chinese staples like shaobing and youtiao to Western-style burgers and sandwiches, offering a diverse and affordable selection. Park’s favorite was the Taiwanese danbing, or egg pancake roll.

“I’d never eaten anything like it in Korea. And with all the sauces they offer, dipping it in chili sauce was amazing!” he said with a grin.

An Egg Pancake Roll and a Sense of Belonging

When asked to recommend a breakfast spot for fellow international students, Park didn’t hesitate: Zao Dian Jia Xin (早點加薪), near NCCU. “Their egg pancakes are delicious, and the owners are so friendly!” It was also the first place he sat with friends to enjoy breakfast. Hung recommended it too: “It’s a very representative Taiwanese breakfast place, run by a mom-and-dad couple. It feels like home, filled with warmth.”

For Park, breakfast in Taiwan is not just a meal but a window into local culture, providing meaningful friendships and a sense of belonging. This experience captures the communal spirit and warmth unique to Taiwanese breakfast culture, leaving a lasting impression beyond his exchange year.