The Secret Taoyuan Airport Food Court That Beats the Lounges
Last Updated on December 12, 2025 by Erin Donahue
Taiwan’s Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) has two main terminals, and while Terminal 1 does have its own food court, there’s one level in Terminal 2 that travelers almost always miss — and it’s my favorite part of the entire airport.
Both terminals have gone through major renovations over the years, but there’s something about Terminal 2’s layout that makes space for quieter, more local moments. That being said, if you only know the airport through the lounges, you’re not getting the real experience. Down one floor from arrivals sits a cluster of local restaurants that serve actual Taiwanese food at normal city prices. It’s my favorite part of the entire airport, and it’s where I always go before every flight out of Taiwan.
Why The Food Court Is Taoyuan Airport’s Hidden Gem
Most airport food courts feel like a last resort. However, the food court in Taiwan’s Taipei Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) feels like the destination. At least, to me.
Downstairs from the Terminal 2 arrivals hall, right next to the Taoyuan Airport MRT entrance, you’ll find a bunch of local Taiwanese chains. My favorite spot here is 小南門豆花 (Xiao Nan Men) — a beloved Taipei chain known for its silky douhua and braised pork rice. If you prefer to get airside quickly, Xiao Nan Men also has another branch on the 2nd floor past security near the Premium Lounge. However, the B1 location has better energy and feels more like a secret you’re in on.
What I Always Order at Xiao Nan Men (小南門豆花)
As my second home, I fly to Taiwan often, and it’s become a ritual that I stop here for one last Taiwanese meal before I return to the States. For whatever reason, leaving Taoyuan International Airport always makes me feel a quiet melancholy. Something I don’t experience anywhere else, even though I travel a lot.
My comfort order is a bowl of douhua (豆花) with peanuts and tapioca balls. The sauce has that old-school flavor I love, and the peanuts have a soft texture that’s unmistakably Taiwanese. The best part is that a bowl only costs 70 NT (under $2.50). It’s simple, warm, and exactly what I want before getting on a fourteen-hour flight.
How to Find the Terminal 2 B1 Food Court in Taoyuan International Airport
The food court is extremely easy to find once you know it exists. You’ll notice a mix of casual dining spots that feel more like a neighborhood food hall than an airport terminal.
- Stay in the public (pre-security) area.
- Take the escalators down toward B1.
- Follow signs marked B1 Food Court.
- Walk past the Taoyuan Airport MRT entrance
A Bit of Context: Why Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) Works So Well
The airport opened in the late 1970s to relieve pressure from Taipei’s Songshan Airport and has expanded steadily alongside Taiwan’s rise as a major international hub. Terminal 1’s original design drew inspiration from Washington D.C.’s Dulles International Airport, while Terminal 2 joined the complex in 2000. Both terminals have since been modernized, with Terminal 1 receiving a major facelift in 2012, followed by Terminal 2’s renovation in 2020.
That long-term investment shows. Taoyuan International Airport consistently appears in Skytrax’s World Airport Awards, earning recognition as one of the strongest international airports. It’s not perfect, but it’s reliable, and that reliability is exactly what allows quieter, overlooked spaces like the B1 level to function so well. Looking ahead, the airport is in the middle of its most ambitious expansion yet. Terminal 3, currently under construction, is expected to open in 2026 and significantly increase overall capacity.
FAQ: Terminal 2 Food Court at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE)
Q: Is the food court in Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2 before or after security?
A: It’s before security, one level below the Terminal 2 arrivals hall.
Q: Does Terminal 1 have food too?
A: Yes. Terminal 1 has its own food options, but this guide focuses on Terminal 2.
Q: Where is the hidden food court in Taoyuan International Airport Terminal 2 located?
A: It’s on level B1 next to the Taoyuan Airport MRT entrance.
Q: Are there fast casual dining options after security?
A: Yes. Shops like Xiao Nan Men (小南門豆花) also have a small location airside on the 2nd floor near the lounges.
