
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung director shares family’s night market favorites
Neil Gibson, head of the American Institute in Taiwan’s Kaohsiung branch, has reached the end of his three-year tenure. Before leaving for his next post in Tokyo, Gibson invited FTV to tag along as he visits his favorite place in town: Ruifeng Night Market. In an unexpected twist, it turns out that his family’s favorite night market food is none other than stinky tofu!
- Hello everyone, I’m thrilled to have the chance to show you what I consider to be the best night market in all of Taiwan: Ruifeng Night Market.
We followed Neil, outgoing chief of the AIT’s Kaohsiung branch, to his favorite stomping ground during his three-year posting.
The first stop is for a cup of taro sago. The fresh taro blended into a velvety puree is certainly a Taiwanese classic. In a blink, he’s already finished most of it.
Neil Gibson
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung head
I forget who first told me about it, but my son and I both love it. I’m almost finished!
Continuing on, Neil next stops for some diced steak.
Big chunks of beef sizzle on the griddle before they’re seared to perfection with a hand torch. The scent already has Neil’s son impatient to dig in.
Neil Gibson
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung head
This is American beef, but made the Taiwanese way. It symbolizes how the US and Taiwan are good friends. Best friends!
Hearing that Neil was headed to the night market, the whole family put in their orders.
Neil Gibson
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung head
Since Ruifeng Night Market always has new vendors, you can wander around and take your time. When my family heard I was coming, I got a huge list on Line of things to order.
This next stall is his wife’s go-to Taiwanese food.
Neil and the owner are good friends. They start chatting away as soon as he walks up.
Stinky tofu stall owner
Surprised by Gibson’s Mandarin
At first, before he started talking, I didn’t know his Mandarin was so good. He’s been here many times with his wife. They’ve brought their kids, too.
By ordering stinky tofu and asking for extra chili sauce, Neil breaks the stereotype that foreigners can’t stand the pungent dish.
Neil Gibson
Outgoing AIT Kaohsiung head
Cheese is made from fermented milk, right? It’s the same concept. I went to Shenkeng once and bought raw stinky tofu to surprise my wife. I brought it home, got a pot of oil, heat it up boiling hot, and put the raw Shenkeng tofu in. Immediately, my wife shouted, “What are you doing!” Our carpet, couch, clothes, everything smelled so bad.
Time really does fly. By fully immersing himself in daily life here, this outgoing foreign officer forged lasting bonds with the people of Taiwan.
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2026-06-04