Taipei Vendors

Written by Rita Chu, this article was originally published by Topics, a publication of the American Chamber of Commerce in Taipei, in May 1996. The article provides an excellent illustration of Taipei's vendors. For example, their operations are a family affair in which everyone contributes time and effort. They are happy to be their own bosses, but their lives are full of exhausting physical labor. More imortantly, Taipei's vendors provide a great variety of fresh food almost 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The market for vendor food is booming, and anyone interested can pick up a vendor cart with a small budget and get started right away.

The article begins with the following observation:

"Perhaps the city's most prevalent entrepreneurs, Taipei's food vendors are prospering in a booming market."

"Scattered throughout the streets and alleys of Taipei City are a myriad of food vendors. Their metal carts equipped with propane tanks and fold-up tables and stools are a common sight for locals and visitors alike. These mini mobile restaurants can be found throughout Taipei, round the clock, with their cuisine changing in accordance to the time of day..."