When you think of Taiwan, you might think of famous delicacies like xiaolongbao (soup dumplings), beef noodle soup, braised pork rice, or bubble milk tea. But there’s actually a much deeper food culture to explore. A prime example is Taiwan’s “exotic cuisine.” This time, I took on the challenge of trying “snake cuisine,” a particularly unusual delicacy at the Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market in Taipei.
To be honest, I was hesitant at first, but embracing the philosophy of “when in Rome, do as the Romans do,” I decided to taste not just snake meat, but also its blood, liver, and even venom. What did it taste like? And what were my thoughts after the experience? It was quite a nerve-wracking adventure, but I hope you’ll stay with me until the end.
Hunting for Exotic Foods at Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market
This food report comes to you from the night market
As night fell in Taipei, I arrived at the Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market. This market is known for its distinctive atmosphere, even among Taipei’s many night markets. As soon as I stepped through the entrance, I was hit by unique smells and the bustling noise of the crowd.
Food stalls were packed tightly together, selling everything from shrimp and seafood to ingredients I’d never seen before. I began walking through the market in search of my goal: “exotic cuisine.” Looking around, I noticed there were quite a few tourists, but also many locals, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
As I walked deeper into the market, I felt increasingly removed from my usual world. It was as if I had stepped into a completely different reality. Then suddenly, a sign caught my eye: “Snake Specialty Shop.”
A specialty shop with mysterious liquids lined up – I wasn’t even sure if they were beverages
Visiting the Asia Turtle & Snake Specialty Shop
As I was passing by the shop, I was suddenly greeted in Japanese: “Welcome! How about some snake cuisine?”
Following the invitation of a friendly shop owner, I entered the store
I turned to find a friendly woman with a welcoming smile. The shop sign read “亞洲鱉蛇專賣店” (Asia Turtle & Snake Specialty Shop). Feeling somewhat reassured by the shop owner’s fluent Japanese, I stepped inside.
The interior was brighter and cleaner than I expected, with many photos decorating the walls. Looking closer, I realized they were commemorative photos with tourists who had visited before.
The shop owner told me in fluent Japanese, “Japanese customers come here often. Everyone is scared at first, but after tasting, they say it’s delicious.” Somewhat encouraged by her words, I went with the flow and ordered the chef’s special set.
Tasting Various Snake Extracts
The chef’s special set featuring four types of snake extracts
After a while, the chef’s special set arrived. The poisonous-looking colors made me wonder if it was really safe to eat. The shop owner began explaining the mysterious liquids on the tray. First, pointing to a clear soup in a large white bowl, she said, “This is snake soup.” Then, showing me a glass with red liquid, she explained, “This is snake blood!” Next, pointing to a green liquid, she said, “This is snake liver,” and finally, indicating a small white liquid, she explained, “This is snake venom.”
The colors are incredibly vivid but completely natural
The thought crossed my mind: “Wait, snake venom? Is it really safe to drink?” But the shop owner reassured me, “Don’t worry, it’s safe. The venom has been specially processed.” At this point, there was no turning back. I steeled myself and decided to try them in order.
Impressions and Health Benefits
I started with the snake soup. It looked like an ordinary Chinese soup. Nervously bringing the spoon to my mouth… surprisingly, it had a light, clean taste! It was similar to chicken broth but with a more complex flavor.
According to the shop owner, snake soup has warming properties for the body. It’s especially good for maintaining health in winter and is also beneficial for beauty.
Next was the snake blood. It had the color of fresh blood and a somewhat fishy smell. Drinking it in one go, I tasted a strong iron flavor with a slight bitterness. I couldn’t help but grimace at the taste, which was certainly not what I’d call delicious.
However, snake blood has long been known as a tonic. It supposedly promotes blood circulation and helps with fatigue recovery. The shop owner also mentioned that it’s rich in iron, making it recommended for those with anemia.
Then came the snake liver. The green liquid looked bitter just from its appearance. Sure enough, when I put it in my mouth, an intense bitterness spread. It felt like drinking traditional Chinese medicine. Snake liver is said to have detoxifying properties. It strengthens liver function and helps break down alcohol, making it effective for preventing and recovering from hangovers. This was perfect for us after a day of drinking. However, due to its distinctive bitterness, mental preparation is needed before drinking it.
Finally, the snake venom. To be honest, by this point, I no longer felt fear. I boldly drank it all at once. Surprisingly, the snake venom was almost tasteless and odorless. I could barely detect a slight bitterness, with no particularly strong flavor. I even felt a bit let down, thinking, “Is that all?”
Successfully completed tasting all three types of snake extracts
The benefits of snake venom are apparently diverse. First, it has tonic effects that help increase physical strength and alleviate fatigue. It also has pain-relieving properties and is used to ease joint and muscle pain. Furthermore, snake venom is said to have blood-thinning effects, which is good for preventing cardiovascular diseases. Surprisingly, some snake venoms are even used in cancer treatment research (is this really true?).
According to the shop owner, the snake venom they serve has been safely processed. They use traditional techniques to remove the toxicity while preserving the beneficial components.
Indeed, after drinking it, I felt a warming sensation in my body. It might have been psychological, but I felt somewhat energized.
Summary
The snake soup was genuinely tasty. I thoroughly enjoyed even the tender meat
My snake cuisine experience at Huaxi Street Tourist Night Market truly became an unforgettable memory. Though I was scared at first, actually tasting it revealed surprisingly normal flavors – some even delicious – continuously challenging my preconceptions.
Through this experience, I learned about the diversity of food cultures and the importance of challenging the unknown. If you have the chance to visit Taiwan, I encourage you to muster your courage and give it a try. It will undoubtedly become an unforgettable memory.
