Not Being a Top Student Still Can Dine at Taiwan's No. 1 University: National Taiwan University

Written/Photograph by: Bess Lin

National Taiwan University (NTU) is the top-ranked university in Taiwan and a dream institution for many locals. While only outstanding students can enroll, the general public is welcome to visit, explore, take photos, and even enjoy delicious food on campus. The atmosphere at NTU is relaxed and elegant, and the campus is open to everyone.

Content List

Best Cheap Flight Deals

圖說1_台大的英文縮寫是NTU。.jpg — The English abbreviation of National Taiwan University is NTU.

NTU: An Open Campus

NTU, commonly referred to as "Tai Da," has several campuses across Taiwan, but the most famous one is in the Daan District of Taipei, known for its high house prices. The main campus spans multiple city blocks, and walking around its perimeter is a 3.9-kilometer journey!

圖說2_台大校園廣闊，看地圖才不會迷路。.jpg — The NTU campus is vast, so it's helpful to refer to a map to avoid getting lost.

圖說3_日治時代至今的台大圖書館，建築物有百年歷史。.jpg — The NTU library built during the Japanese colonial period, has a history of over a century.

Exploring the Campus with YouBike

The NTU campus is so large that it has its own street names, including the famous Royal Palm Avenue along with other roads like Palm Avenue, Zhoushan Road, Fan Palm Avenue, Golden Rain Avenue, and ChangXing Street. Each of these main roads has smaller side paths as well! Fortunately, there are signs and maps throughout the campus to help visitors navigate. No matter which direction you enter NTU from, remember to read the road signs along the way so as not to get lost.

If you are too lazy to walk, you can rent a YouBike from one of the many stations within the campus using an app for free rentals. Cars are generally not allowed unless you are a staff member or have special permission, so the campus is mainly accessible by foot or bike. Motorcycles, which are the most popular type of vehicles in Taiwan, are not allowed to enter the NTU campus.

圖說4_在台大校園裡面，要留意動物過街。.jpg — Be mindful of animals crossing the streets within the NTU campus.

Duck and Fresh Milk at NTU

Located right in the heart of Taipei, NTU features a sizable farm, along with larger-than-park areas like Drunken Moon Lake and aquaculture sites. The campus is rich in biodiversity, with ducks wandering along the paths unafraid of humans. In the ponds, you can find turtles and various bird species, and it is said that fireflies can be seen glowing in the late spring. Truly, it is a rare urban oasis in Taipei.

圖說5_台大處處是意意，生態池裡頭有烏龜。.jpg — NTU is filled with charm, and the ecological ponds are home to turtles.

圖說6_台大「小福樓」，二樓許多好吃餐廳，三樓有「金興發」生活五金用品。.jpg — At NTU's Xiao Fu Square, the second floor features numerous restaurants, while the third floor houses JSF, a store offering various household and hardware supplies.

I’ve lived in Taipei for many years and frequently visit NTU, not just to see the ducks and enjoy the lake views, but also to grab fresh milk and freshly baked cakes. If you’re late, they might be sold out! It’s delicious and affordable, and it’s one of the rare little joys in life. The NTU Farm Store is a small yet delightful spot that sells a variety of fresh items.

圖說7_台大農產品展售中心，清早7點半營業至晚間8點。.jpg — The NTU Farm Store is open from 7:30am to 8pm.

圖說8_台大農場自製的鮮奶，非常好飲。.jpg — The fresh milk produced by the NTU Farm is exceptionally delicious.

One item you cannot miss is the "NTU Fresh Milk," produced from cattle raised on the university's College of Agriculture farm. Milk is pasteurized and delivered to campus for sale the next day, ensuring it’s extremely fresh. This milk isn’t available in supermarkets, people outside the university often rush to buy it. You should check the official sale times to avoid disappointment.

圖說11＿豆乳布丁燒、黑芝麻布甸都非常好吃。.jpg — The large bottle of NTU fresh milk is priced at 120 NTD, while the small bottle is 38 NTD. The soy milk pudding and black sesame pudding are also incredibly tasty.

NTU Fresh Milk has a smooth, natural flavour without excessive processing, making it refreshing compared to some store-bought options which has a thick milk flavor. There are also dairy products like cheese, yogurt and ice cream available—too many options that could lead to decision fatigue!

The Foam Type Cake is quite popular as well. It doesn’t contain fresh milk and is made from flour, sugar, eggs, orange juice and oil. This traditional "old-fashioned" flavour is favoured by many Taiwanese, offering a soft and moist texture. It's freshly baked for a limited time only, so it's definitely worth a try!

圖說12_一出爐就被秒殺的台大清蛋糕。.jpg — The Foam Type Cake from NTU is so popular that it sells out almost immediately after freshly baked.

NTU Farm Store

NTU Fresh Milk Limited Supply Times:

Monday to Friday: 8am & 3pm, Saturday: 9am

Foam Type Cake Limited Supply Times:

Monday to Friday: 11am

圖說13_台大第一學生活動中心。.jpg — NTU 1st Student Activity Center.

Unveiling the Secrets: Taipei People Personal NTU Route

National Taiwan University’s campus features many snack stalls and restaurants that cater to students and staff, but are also open to the general public. While the prices are a bit higher, they are still very reasonable. For example, Xiao Xiao Fu sells Taiwanese breakfast and rice balls starting at 7am. Xiao Fu Square is a three-storey building: the first floor has a post office and convenience store, the second floor is a food court, and the third floor has a store for daily necessities. You can find everything you need on campus!

圖說14_台大校園的自助餐是秤重量的。.jpg — National Taiwan University's cafeteria operates on a weight-based pricing system for its buffet.

I think the most economical option is the food court in the 1st Student Activity Center. It offers various choices, including McDonald's, Taiwanese potstickers, vegetarian options, and more. I highly recommend the YuXi Buffet, which is priced by weight: it's 20 NTD per 100 grams for outsiders, and rice is 5 NTD . The selection is rich and well-cooked, and you can serve yourself. The prices are very favorable, often better than most bento shops outside. During meal times, you should expect to spend some time queuing to choose your dishes and check out.

圖說15＿滿滿兩盤自助餐，有肉有菜不到台幣160元，超抵食！.jpg — A full two plates of buffet, with meat and vegetables, costs less than 160 NTD—such great value!

Buffet on National Taiwan University Campus

Opening Hours: Daily from 10:30am to 2:30pm, and 4:30pm to 8pm.

圖說16_台大地標之一「醉月湖」。.jpg — One of the landmarks of National Taiwan University is Drunken Moon Lake.

圖說17_台大校區處處有美食小站，此為「小木屋鬆餅」。.jpg — The National Taiwan University campus is filled with food stalls, and here is Shine Mood Waffle.

圖說18_選購Made in Taiwan的農產品做為手信。.jpg — Choose "Made in Taiwan" agricultural products as souvenirs.

My Ideal Half-Day Itinerary at NTU

Enter through the main gate around 10am and stroll along Royal Palm Avenue.
Rush to the NTU Farm Store to grab the freshly baked Foam Type Cake at 11am.
Visit Drunken Moon Lake to watch the ducks.
Have lunch at food court in the 1st Student Activity Center.
Take a post-lunch walk to the NTU ecological pond – Liu Gong Jun Pool to admire the turtles and fish.
Return to the NTU Farm Store for the limited fresh milk available at 3pm and pick up some local specialties eg. dried fruits, sesame sauce, sweet potato candy as souvenirs.

For those who have visited Taiwan several times or want a deeper understanding of life in Taipei, consider taking some time to explore NTU. It’s a great place to walk around and enjoy some delicious food!

National Taiwan University
Address: No. 1, Section 4, Roosevelt Road, Daan District, Taipei
Transportation: Take the Taipei MRT Green Line to Gongguan" Station, Exit 3

Book Now