9 Muslim-Friendly Taiwanese Snacks That’ll Make Perfect Souvenirs

Taiwan is associated with breathtaking natural sceneries, affordable shopping, vibrant culture - and of course delicious snacks and souvenirs! We've previously covered 9 Muslim-friendly Taiwanese eateries in Taipei as well as Muslim-friendly Taiwanese street food to enjoy at their iconic night markets but what can you get to bring home to share with your loved ones? If you want to share your Taiwanese foodie adventures with your friends and family, this list of 9 Muslim-friendly souvenirs is just what you need to get started!

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General tips for souvenir shopping

Fortunately, there are many local snacks that have been halal-certified by local authorities. You can find these snacks in local supermarkets like Carrefour which has a dedicated halal section or head to the respective stores listed in the Taiwan Halal Center List of Halal Products. It’s also useful to keep a lookout for these halal signs and certificates when you’re shopping for local snacks! Do note that there are multiple halal icons that are accepted in Taiwan, and you might even spot international certificates issued by MUIS, JAKIM or MUI!

1. Pineapple Cake

Credit: @coco_ainyan on Instagram

You’re probably familiar with pineapple tarts but Taiwan brings it up a notch with its pineapple cakes! This traditional snack is a very popular food souvenir to bring home. The snack is usually square-shaped with a buttery, chewy, and flaky pastry on the outside with sweet pineapple filling on the inside. Some pastries even come with pineapple chunks mixed into the filling for an added touch of sourness to really bring it up a notch. The combination of pastry and pineapple is heavenly and you'll fall in love with them from first bite! Here are some brands that sell halal-certified pineapple cakes:

• Vigor Kobo
  Halal status: Halal-certified by Taiwan Halal Integrity Development Association (THIDA) Find out more about their outlets, contact numbers and opening hours on their website.
• Kuo Yuan Ye
  Halal status: Halal-certified by THIDA Find out more about their outlets, contact numbers and opening hours on their website.
• Sunny Hills Halal status: Halal-certified by THIDA
  Opening hours: Daily; 1oAM - 6PM
  Address: No. 1號, Alley 4, Lane 36, Section 5, Minsheng East Road, Songshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan 105 (105台灣台北市松山區民生東路五段36巷4弄1號)
  Directions: Take the subway to Nanjing Fuxing Station, then take bus 672 or 652 and alight at Jie Shou Junior High School. Walk for 2 minutes to the store.
  Contact Number: +886 2 2760 0508
  Website
• Shu Shin Bou Wagashi Museum
  Halal status: Halal-certified by Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation
  Opening hours: Daily; 8.30AM - 7PM
  Address: No. 55號, Guoji Road, Tucheng District, New Taipei City, Taiwan 236 (新北市土城區國際路55號)
  Directions: Take the high-speed rail from Taipei Main Station to Banqiao Station. Then, take bus 657 and alight at Shouxinfang Cultural Center and walk for 5 minutes.
  Contact Number: +886 2 8262 0506
  Website

Disclaimer: Do note that not all the products from these stores have been halal-certified, but their pineapple cakes are confirmed to have received halal certification. We advise you to dine at your own discretion and to check for the appropriate halal certification logo before purchasing.

2. Mochi

Credit: @agnieszkakalinowska on Instagram

Although mochi is typically known as a Japanese snack, it's hugely popular in Taiwan too! Taiwanese food is full of chewy 'QQ' textures, and that's definitely one reason why this glutinous rice treat is such a favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Most mochi in Taiwan come with delicious fillings such as red bean, matcha, mung bean, fruits, and more. The mochi skin is usually soft and stretchy, making it a fun treat that's suitable for the whole family. Here are the 4 most popular Taiwanese brands that sell halal-certified mochi (you can find them in souvenir shops or at the addresses listed below!):

• Royal Family Halal status: Halal-certified by THIDA
  Where to get their products: Taiwan Mochi Museum
  Opening Hours: 9AM - 5PM (Mon - Fri), 9AM - 6PM (Sat - Sun)
  Address: No. 3, Ziqiang 3rd Road, Nantou City, Nantou County, Taiwan 540 (540南投縣南投市自強三路3號)
  Directions: Take the high-speed rail to Taichung Station. Then, take the Nantou passenger shuttle to Nantou Main Station. From there, you're advised to take a taxi directly to the Museum as it is difficult to reach via public transport.
  Contact: 886-49-2255991
  Website
• Yuki & Love
  Halal status: Halal-certified by Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation
  Where to get their products: Souvenir shops
  Website
• San Shu Gong
  Halal status: Halal-certified by Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation
  Where to get their products: Jason Marketplace, Shu Shin Bou Wagashi Museum
• Vigor Kobo
  Halal status: Halal-certified by THIDA
  Where to get their products:Vigor Kobo outlets
  Website

Disclaimer: Do note that not all the products from these stores have been halal-certified, but their mochi are confirmed to have received halal certification. We advise you to dine at your own discretion and to check for the appropriate halal certification logo before purchasing.

3. Milk Sun Cake

Milk Sun Cake (also known as 太阳饼 Tai Yang Bing in Chinese) is a popular snack originated in Taichung City. It's known for its round shape (resembling the sun!) and has a flaky crust. Within that flaky crust however is a sweet, gooey filling made from condensed malt sugar! As the filling is quite sweet, Milk Sun Cake is often accompanied with a cup of Chinese tea as the bitterness of the tea will balance out the sweetness. The only brand currently selling a halal-certified version is Vigor Kobo, and you can find them at any of Vigor Kobo's outlets around Taiwan.

Disclaimer: Do note that not all Vigor Kobo products have been halal-certified, but their milk sun cakes have received halal certification. We advise you to dine at your own discretion and to check for the appropriate halal certification logo before purchasing.

4. Alishan Tea

Tea (both in traditional and more modern milk tea forms) is a popular drink across Taiwan, but Alishan Tea is a particularly famous variety. Grown on Alishan Mountain in Chiayi country, this high-quality oolong tea is a tourist attraction on its own as you can even visit or have a homestay at the tea plantations!

Alishan Tea is so highly prized as its harvested only twice a year due to its slow growth and being grown at 1000 to 2300 metres above sea level results in a deep and fragrant flavour (with a hint of floral sweetness) that will warm you up from the inside with every sip. Alishan Tea can be found at any Taiwanese tea store in major cities, supermarkets, airports and even tourist centres, but 2 of the most well-known brands are Wang Tea and Wistaria Tea.

Disclaimer: While there may not be a visible halal certification logo on these products, the ingredients typically consist of just the tea leaves and occasionally additional floral scents or flowers to add extra flavour. We advise you to use an app such as Google Translate to double-check the ingredients list at your own discretion.

5. Rice Crackers

Rice crackers are always a great find for 2 simple reasons - you can snack on them while you're still overseas, and you can bring them home as a souvenir too! Not only are they tasty and conveniently packaged, but they're great for any occasion and come in a variety of flavours. One brand known for their rice crackers is Want-Want. Their halal-certified rice crackers have all sorts of flavours from the original (lightly salted) to cheese, corn cheese, seaweed, green pea and more. Their products are often sold all over supermarkets and convenience stores in Taiwan so do keep a lookout!

Disclaimer: Do note that not all the products from Want-Want are halal-certified but some of their rice crackers have received halal certification by THIDA.

6. Crispy Egg Roll

You might also recognize this next snack - egg rolls! Locally you might only see them around during the Chinese New Year period, but they are a pretty popular snack in Taiwan too. These crispy thin wafers are rolled to look like a tube, and their simple appearance belies their rich and buttery taste! Consisting mainly of flour, eggs, butter, and sugar, they are well-loved by locals and visitors and can be commonly found in supermarkets or souvenir shops. One brand to look out for is Royal Family, whose egg rolls have been halal-certified by THIDA. Whether you want the original flavour or want to try other flavours like milk, chocolate or sesame, you know you’re in for a treat!

Disclaimer: Do note that not all the products from Royal Family are halal-certified but some of the egg roll products have received halal certification.

7. Fruit Jelly

With a soft and chewy texture and fragrant taste, Taiwanese fruit jellies are perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth! The jelly is made from the konjac plant rather than gelatin, resulting in a firmer texture that's also vegetarian-friendly. Fruit jellies are usually individually-packed and come in practically every flavour you could think of - mango, plum, strawberry, kiwi, lychee, peach, and more! Most are suitable for vegans and don’t contain any animal derivatives or alcohol but it’s always best to check for any gelatine or emulsifiers in the ingredient list. One brand that sells halal-certified fruit jellies is Yuki & Love and you can look out for them at souvenir shops or supermarkets.

Disclaimer: Do note that not all the products from Yuki & Love are halal-certified but some of their jelly products have received halal certification by the Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation. Fruit jellies are also commonly sold at Taiwan's iconic night markets, but do note that we are unable to confirm the ingredients of these as there are many brands available. We advise you to dine at your own discretion and to double-check the ingredients on your own if you are unsure.

8. Nougat

Credit: Vigor Kobo

Nougat is another Taiwanese treat you can find just about anywhere! Typically made from cow's milk and various fillings such as nuts, pumpkin, or jujube, Taiwanese nougat is typically more firm yet chewy. Peanut is one of the most popular flavours as the slight saltiness of the nuts balances out the sweet milkiness of the nougat! Two of the most popular brands selling halal-certified nougat are Yuki & Love and Vigor Kobo (Peanut, and Jujube and Walnut flavours) and they can commonly be found in souvenir shops, supermarkets, or the brand's own stores.

Disclaimer: Do note that not all the products from Yuki & Love and Vigor Kobo are halal-certified but some of their nougat products have received halal certification. For Vigor Kobo the Peanut, Jujube and Walnut flavours are marked with the certification icon, but for Yuki & Love we were unable to confirm specific flavours and encourage you to check for the logo before purchasing. Nougat is typically made from vegetarian-friendly ingredients, but we advise you to dine at your own discretion and to double-check the ingredients on your own if you are unsure.

9. Salted Egg Yolk Biscuits

Credit: 47Shopper on Facebook

When someone says 'biscuits' we might tend to think of a sweet snack - but with this salted egg yolk-flavoured biscuit you'll get a delicious mix of sweet and salty! The biscuits are rich and crumbly, complete with a layer of salted egg yolk filling that's both flavourful and fragrant. The T.K brand produces a halal-certified version of this flavour, as well as 3 other sweet and savoury flavours to choose from (Black Sesame, Purple Sweet Potato, and Black Pepper Salted Egg Yolk) to fit every palate!

Disclaimer: Do note that not all of the products from T.K have received halal certification, but these 4 biscuit flavours have been certified by the Taipei Grand Mosque Foundation. Whether you’re looking to savour some delectable Muslim-friendly street snacks at Taiwan’s night markets or bring home some local food souvenirs, this article has got you covered!