http://travel.cnn.com/explorations/eat/40-taiwanese-food-296093

40 Taiwanese foods we can't live without

Small eats are the big thing in Taiwan where the philosophy is eat often and eat well.

Sure, there's the internationally accepted three-meals-a-day format of dining, but why be so limited when you can make like the Taiwanese and do some gourmet snacking at any time of the day, all day, every day? 

The capital Taipei has around 20 streets dedicated to snacking.

Every time you think you've found the best streetside bao, the most incredible stinky tofu stand or mind-blowing beef noodle soup, there's always another Taiwanese food shop that surpasses it. 

Taiwanese food is a mash-up of the cuisines of Min Nan, Teochew and Hokkien Chinese communities, as well as Japanese cuisine.

The results of these culinary marriages are diversely delicious.

When we asked some friends about the best Taiwanese food on their island, the argument that ensued  almost broke up life-long friendships.

"We almost had a war -- we just have too many good eats," was the typical reply.

Food: it's serious, it's respected, it's all excellent in Taiwan.