Living in Taiwan now for 3 full years, I have realized after visiting a night market event near our neighborhood... wow the Covid pandemic feels like its truly over. Hellz yea!!~~ Seeing people in the night market all enjoying small little things like snacks and simple carnival games together felt the inner belonging we all have in humanity.
In Taiwan and also many other Asian countries as well have these night market event usually during a specific date, in this night market its every Tuesdays and Thursdays at night. Every city has it's own dates and times. This one in particular was closed during the entire time of Covid and today was a brand new reopening day. It felt like everyone in the neighborhood literally came to check it out. It was packed!
A lot of the games I see looked like it has not changed since probably for more than 50 years. I even remember similar if not the same type of games I used to play when even when I was a child.
This in my opinion I wish never will change because it brings back nostalgic memories. Being in my mid 40's Nostalgia is a word I can fully understand now. Still... I am sure there is plenty more awaiting in the future if I am lucky. hehehe.
Some common games I see culturally even in the US and I am sure other countries as well are "ring toss" games and "shoot the balloons" games. The rules are pretty straight forward for both games.
The Ring Toss Game
Buy a bucketful of rings and throw them at whatever prize you want. If your ring lands on the prize... well you win the prize. hehehe. The easier stuff is in the front which also are pretty small and probably dirt cheap.
The more attractive prizes and expensive ones are far in the back... which no matter how much I tried just can't get it!!! The funny thing is that because the rings are made out of wood, even when it does land on the prize it tends to bounce right out. lolz! Smart trick... :)
As I observe the prizes it for sure made for everyone, for all ages. The booze is all the way in the back side for adults whoever wants some alcohol drinks and the toys are in the front for the kids. In the middle are a bunch of drinks and some "better" toys.
As for eats this is where I enjoy the most. There is so much snacks and munchies to eat at the night market, everything from sweet to salty.
Many of them are made at the spot so the food is fresh and you can either eat while your walking around or sit at a table to eat as you wish.
I always like to start with something salty like Taiwanese fried chicken, dry noodles with meat sauce, squid balls, and then move to sweet stuff like candy coated fresh strawberries, sweet butter buns, and wash it all down with OG Taiwanese bubble tea.
It's really so hard to resist when you see the food in person. hahahahaha.
It seems like such a great place for family and friends just to hang out and enjoy food and games at a very affordable price. Everything is cheap individually, however as you keep on eating and playing games it for sure can build up too.
We all try to share food together as we walk around the path which looks like how we move around at Costco or IKEA.
What I think is so beautiful in Taiwan is that the people here are so nice as a community. It's hard to explain but I feel very safe here where ever I travel in Taiwan.
The vibe and hospitality of the people are very different than what I have experienced in other parts of the world. and THIS really makes me think and feel that "maybe its not a bad idea to think about settling here..." Its just a thought as of now, however it has been slowly growing inside me.
A birds eye view of the night market scene... I also created a giff to show it in action Jackson. :)
What are night markets like in other countries? Feel free to share your comments or ask any questions. I only been around at night markets in Asia so it would be interesting to know what its like out there. The world is such a large and beautiful place... so much to explore... and eat. :)
Thanks you all for viewing my post today. Step by step life blogging. Getting back in da game slowly but surely. More expat life experiences and inspirations coming up soon folks!
It's Time to set da Tone!!!
Cheers!
That looks a lot of fun. Those games are very expensive to play in our fairs here, which is a shame as if they were cheaper, people would play more often instead they stand often empty.
I like the look of the food options there too. It is often quite unhealthy and with lots of fat here! Sausages, fried potatoes etc..
It is good to hear you feel safe there, living with crime and people who have antisocial behavior is not so nice.
All the best Whangster! Take it ez man!
Hey bro~ Taiwan living cost is relatively cheap compared to other countries at the same time earnings are also relatively low as well. So I guess there are pro and cons which we need to decide whats best for the family. :)
The cost of the ring game per bucket is $3 USD. There is a super large bucket which almost looks like x4 of the regular one which is $10 USD, however to be honest the regular bucket is more than enough.
Crime is very low in Taiwan which I noticed recently. Shops display the good in a way if it were in the US I tell my wife “I guarantee if it was US that shop merchandise would be stolen.”
I heard in Cali where I am from crime rates went up significantly higher than how it was before. Is it really true????
Hope all is well with you and your family. Thanks for visiting
Long time no see!
I hope all is well Whangster, we don't have this kind of night market culture in our country but I wish we did. It looks very nice and fun. I'm sure there's a strategy to that ring game. You know, everything looks so simple when the guy selling the game shows it to you lol.
When you mentioned the pandemic times, I realized that a period of my life is missing. I can't find a few years. HELP!
Hey man~ Nice to see ya stop by. :) Yea the ring game is totally easier said than done. Looks like a no brainer, however the damn rings keep bouncing back out. lolz
The strategy I heard was to flick the ring so it spins and it will prevent it from bouncing. Yet I am not sure if it’s just a myth or if it makes sense.
Pandemic was one hell of a crazy time which when I think about it… maybe it was a bit overkill. We worried too much~ well past is the past and let there be light!!!!
That look a nice lively and crowded night market.
the prize for the ring toss seems quite rewarding, do you win some at that game? maybe some liquor? !LOLZ
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Thanks~ and yes I tried so many times to get that booze but so far no luck. Lolz :) The ones in the front are more for kids so pretty useless for me. In the end my kids get the toys and I end up with nothing. hahHhahh
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Wow, I don't think I have ever seen a ring game quite that big. The food looks pretty awesome too!
Right? For sure it attracts the kids. At the same time when adults see the booze up there they also want to chip in the fun. As a results both kids and adults play to win what they want. win win game. hehehe
Do people actually win or is it rigged like most carnival games?
People do win since the prizes are extremely cheap toys. Especially for the kids the stuff in the front is very easy to win and the cost to play probably already covers the cheap front row toys for the carnival owners. So I don’t think it’s rigged.
What I do think is rigged is those damn roulette in Las Vegas. I swear they are rigged!!!! lolz!
Roulette is the worst! I love playing it, but it has the worst odds of any table game. Especially in the US with that dang double zero. I have since started playing craps when I hit the tables.
Dude thats a straight up BOSS adventure, looks like it would be a fun night out there!
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What amazes me was how bright and colorful everything was due to the use of new LED lamp technology. The food, drinks, games~ the entire atmosphere didn’t feel like “night” at all.
and yes, there was lots of beer going around too. hehehhe. Thanks for visiting man!!
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That's really cool man. Looks like a carnival.
Hah that's awesome you can just buy a shot if you want.
Yo Solo!!~ Yea it’s like a small carnival going on at night. Seems like it has been a culture here for a long time. They sell shots and I wish they sell some joints too~ hehehehe.
Hah that would be badass. Well I guess you got to come to the US for that kind of fun.
I love in the pictures of the parking lot the scooters outnumber the cars.. haha
Scooters bro~ Its the most convenient thing ever! Anywhere you go, you just park and head to your destination. At the same time your always in the front at a traffic stop. Best purchase ever!!!! lolz! :)
For some of dat ganja~ I would love to stop by your place homie... the way it should be. hehehehe.
This place looks very nice. I would certainly spend hours walking around.
👣
You're back!!! I jut got a vote in on time for your post and great post it was. I loved the markets when I spent time backpacking around South East Asia in my twenties. The sights, the smells, the people, the buzz. Your photos capture it well, good riddance Covid!!
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Hsinchu Night Market looks like a vibrant and delicious adventure! Your vivid descriptions and photos really capture the market's lively atmosphere and tempting street food. A must-visit spot in Taiwan! hopefully one day i will explore.