Miaodong Water Caltrop Fritters

Review

Miaodong Water Caltrop Fritters (some articles call it Miaodong Chuandai) is the first stall on the left at the entrance to Fengyuan's Miaodong Night Market, and Supertaste dubs it the market's gatekeeper. Recent press and local roundups say it has been trading for more than 50 years; many Fengyuan residents grew up on it, and visitors often make it their first stop.

The fritters are battered and dropped into the oil one by one only after you order. The shell comes out golden and crisp with a slight chew, and inside is soft, fluffy water caltrop with its own natural sweetness, with little greasiness overall. Reports say the owner is fussy about choosing only soft caltrops. Portions are sold by count: articles from 2018–2019 list 13 for NT$50 and 27 for NT$100, recent coverage lists 11 for NT$50, and one diner wrote 10, so check the board on site.

Feedback is overwhelmingly positive; some people rejoin the queue for a second round, and one writer rated it above versions at other night markets. The complaints are about waiting: it runs on numbered tickets, diners report 40–50 minute waits on Saturday evenings, and if you miss your number by too much you must take a new one. The fritters also go soft as they cool, so takeaway suffers.

Opening hours vary slightly by source, roughly noon to 11 or 11:30 pm with possible weekend extensions, so check before you go. The best approach is to grab a number as soon as you arrive, browse other stalls, come back when called and eat them hot on the spot; if you must take some home, re-crisp them in an air fryer. The lanes are narrow and weekend parking is hard, so the train to Fengyuan Station and a short walk is easiest.

Ideal for first-time Miaodong visitors who want to start with its most iconic snack. A NT$50 bag is about right for two people to share, leaving room for other stalls.