Taipei, Aug. 18 (CNA) The Keelung Miaokou Night Market in northern Taiwan was recently named as one of the world's top 20 food markets by lifestyle magazine Tatler, an honor the city's mayor described as a timely morale boost.
According to the British magazine's article on Aug. 11, the market "is a vibrant celebration of Taiwan's diverse cuisine and is popular amongst both locals and tourists."
"With over 200 food stalls to choose from, the market features both traditional Taiwanese delicacies and newer, more mainstream dishes," the magazine said of the market, the only one Taiwan venue to make it onto the list.
The fact that the market stays open well past midnight is a bonus, as it is perfect for a post-bar feast, the magazine said.
Keelung Mayor Lin Yu-chang (林右昌) said Tuesday that the recognition was great news, coming soon after the market reopened in late July following a two-month suspension of operations.
Night markets across Taiwan were closed in mid-May after a major COVID-19 outbreak that saw cases jump to over 100 per day for the first time since the global pandemic began in early 2020.
Lin said he hoped that the report will help promote the Keelung Miaokou Night Market to the world and attract more international tourists once the pandemic is brought under better control.
Though Taiwan's daily domestically transmitted case numbers have fallen to single digits, it has not opened up to tourism and its border controls remain strict.
Foreign tourists are not allowed to visit, and all arriving passengers, whether Taiwanese nationals or foreign residents, must go into quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.
Other famous tourist spots included in the Tatler list were Pike Place Market in Seattle, Tsukiji Fish Market in Tokyo and Amphawa Floating Market in Samut Songkhram, Thailand.
