I travel for many reasons: curiosity, culture, and especially food. Trying local dishes is one of my favorite ways to understand a place. At the same time, I care deeply about nutrition, energy levels, and long-term health, so I am always looking for ways to enjoy local cuisine without relying too much on fried or heavily oiled foods.
When I arrived in Keelung, I first assumed that dishes like oyster omelette or turnip cake were naturally light because they contain seafood or vegetables. After spending time here, I realized that preparation methods, especially the amount of oil used in stir-frying, make a big difference.
Fortunately, Keelung offers many nourishing alternatives. Because it is a coastal city with a strong tradition of broths and fresh ingredients, it is actually a very easy place to find healthy food in Keelung if you know what to look for.
Night Markets Without the Heavy Feeling
Night markets are an essential part of Taiwanese culture, and for me they are one of the most exciting parts of traveling here. Instead of avoiding them, I learned to navigate them differently.
Amid the fried snacks and richer specialties, lighter options are always available if you look carefully. Steamed siu mai (dim sum), delicate and protein-rich, freshly steamed squid with ginger, and simple vegetable soups are widely available and surprisingly satisfying. These choices allow you to embrace the atmosphere and local flavors without the heaviness that often accompanies deep-fried street food.
When I decide to try something more indulgent, I share it or opt for a smaller portion, then balance it with a clear broth or fresh fruit afterwards. This rhythm makes it possible to enjoy the full sensory experience of the night market while maintaining steady energy and comfort throughout the trip.
For particularly good siu mai, look for the stall located next to 吳記排骨酥.
Soups: The Safest and Most Nourishing Choice
One of the things I appreciate most about Taiwanese cuisine is the culture of soups. Boiled dishes are usually lower in fat, easier to digest, and incredibly satisfying, especially after a long day walking or traveling. In Keelung, soups are everywhere, and many of them are both comforting and nutrient-dense.
Chicken and clam soups are among the most satisfying meals I’ve found. They are rich in protein yet surprisingly light, and the clams add minerals and a natural depth of flavor to the broth. Garlic and herbal broths are also very common and particularly comforting when you feel tired or slightly under the weather. There are even more traditional medicinal soups prepared with ingredients like yam or vegetables such as chayote, which is often simmered until tender and delicate.
Because the seafood here is so fresh, many soups also include fish, squid, or shellfish. Clear fish soups and mixed seafood broths are especially nourishing, providing lean protein and healthy fats while still feeling light. Meals like these leave me energized rather than sleepy, which has become my personal way of recognizing truly balanced food.
Below are two photos of my favorite stalls at the Miaokou Night Market for seafood soup or miso soup with fish. As is common with night markets, these vendors operate from movable stalls, so their exact location may not appear accurately on Google Maps. However, they are situated close to the landmarks indicated in the link.
Fruit: One of the best natural foods in Taiwan
One of the most beautiful discoveries for me in Taiwan has been the fruit. It reminds me of Spain, where fruit is also an essential part of daily life, but here I have found varieties and flavors that feel new and exciting.
Guava has become one of my favorites, crisp and refreshing and incredibly rich in vitamin C. Chirimoya, which I already loved in Spain, appears seasonally and always feels like a small luxury with its creamy texture and natural sweetness. Papaya is everywhere and is known for supporting digestion, which makes it perfect after a large meal. Pineapple is juicy and energizing, and dragon fruit is light, hydrating, and refreshing, especially in warm weather.
Many evenings, instead of choosing a dessert, I simply buy a portion of fresh fruit from a stall and walk along Keelung harbor. It is simple, nourishing, and one of my favorite small rituals while traveling.
Next to the market you have plenty of markets such as Px Mart or if you want a local fruit & vegetables store then 基隆 微笑量販店 義二店 is your place.
When You Want a Change: Japanese Cuisine
Another option that has worked very well for us is Japanese food. In Taiwan, it is often affordable, fresh, and naturally balanced, with an emphasis on fish, rice, soups, and simple preparations.
One place we discovered in Keelung, called 新派壽司料理, became a favorite. The meals are simple, reasonably priced, and feel genuinely nourishing. A combination of sushi, miso soup, and lightly prepared dishes can be a perfect alternative when you want something healthy but slightly different from Taiwanese soups.
Simple Foods That Help Maintain Balance
Sometimes the healthiest choices are also the simplest ones. Convenience stores (7 Eleven or Family Mart) and supermarkets in Taiwan offer surprisingly good options for light meals, including tea eggs, roasted sweet potatoes, yogurt, soy milk, and fresh fruit. These foods are perfect for breakfast or for a light dinner after a richer lunch.
Having these easy alternatives makes it much easier to maintain balance while traveling, without needing to search constantly for specific restaurants.
A Practical Way to Eat Well While Traveling
Over time, I have developed a rhythm that works very naturally. I usually allow one meal each day to be about discovery, where I try local specialties and enjoy the experience without thinking too much. The other meal is more focused on nourishment, often based on soup, vegetables, seafood, or fruit.
This balance helps me feel good physically while still enjoying the full culinary experience of the place I am visiting.
Conclusion
Keelung is often known for indulgent street food, but it is also a city where eating well is surprisingly easy. Its seafood culture, soup traditions, and abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables make it possible to maintain a balanced and nourishing way of eating while still enjoying local flavors.
What I have learned here is that healthy eating while traveling is not about restriction. It is about awareness, small choices, and finding balance. Paying attention to cooking methods, choosing soups regularly, enjoying fresh seafood, and incorporating fruits like guava, chirimoya, and dragon fruit into daily meals can make a remarkable difference in how you feel.
Travel, for me, is about curiosity and pleasure, but also about listening to my body. In Keelung, that balance feels natural, and discovering it has been part of the journey itself.
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