I love this. It also seems like a genuine sense of community in markets when I am in Asia. I've been to markets in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore; and they all seem to have this tightness of community; in common.
I've not been to Taiwan, though it is on my list for sure! I'm not sure how brave I'd be about eating "anything and everything", but I would certainly try a few local delicacies for the first time!