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Night Market Cashless Revolution
More Taiwan night market stalls now accept mobile payment, changing a famously cash-only culture. Older vendors resist while younger customers expect QR codes everywhere.
Lesson preview
How Do You Pay?
5 MIN- When you go to a night market, do you usually bring a lot of cash, or do you prefer using your phone?
- Have you ever wanted to buy something at a night market but couldn't because they only accepted cash?
- Do you think night markets will completely stop using cash in the future?
The QR Code Revolution
8 MINTaiwan's night markets are famous for delicious street food and vibrant energy. For decades, they were strictly cash-only. Visitors had to carry heavy pockets of coins to buy sweet potato balls or stinky tofu. However, a cashless revolution is quietly changing these traditional spaces.
Today, more and more young customers expect to pay with their phones. They prefer scanning a QR code to searching for coins. Many young stall owners love this change because they do not have to touch dirty money while handling food. It is also faster during busy weekend rushes.
Still, some older vendors are resisting. They used to count paper money by hand, and they find smartphone apps confusing. They also worry about internet connection problems or transaction fees. Despite their worries, the market is shifting. To survive, everyone is slowly getting used to the digital world.
Essential Market Talk
8 MINTaiwan's Digital Wallet Culture
3 MIN- 街口支付 / LINE Pay → mobile payment apps / digital walletsWhile 'mobile payment' is the general category, local apps like LINE Pay and JKOPAY are the most common in Taiwan.
- 攤位 → food stall / food standUse 'stall' or 'stand' for night market businesses. 'Store' or 'shop' is usually for physical buildings.
- 行動支付 → mobile paymentPronounced with a long 'o' in mobile (US: moh-buhl · UK: moh-byle).
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Sources：https://www.cna.com.tw/
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