A-Ba's Taro Ball (Lehua)

Review

A-Ba's Taro Ball on Lane 18 of Baoping Road sits right by the entrance to Lehua Night Market in Yonghe. This is the brand's original shop, and it later opened branches in Ximending and Q Square. It made the Bib Gourmand list when MICHELIN first covered New Taipei in 2025 and is still in the 2026 edition, and Supertaste often ends its Lehua Night Market roundups with it as the dessert stop.

The signature taro paste sugarcane flake ice comes topped with taro paste, little taro paste balls, handmade taro balls, glutinous rice balls, tapioca and pearl barley, so nearly every bite has taro in it. The ice underneath is made by grilling sugarcane, pressing and boiling the juice, then freezing it into flakes; it is crisp, slow to melt and not very sweet, quite unlike ordinary shaved ice. The bowl is large, and both media and diners suggest sharing between two. In winter there are hot desserts such as red bean soup.

Praise focuses on the strong taro flavor of the chewy, not-too-sweet taro balls and the unusual aroma of the grilled sugarcane ice; many say taro lovers must come. Critics feel the taro paste lacks a strong taro flavor and that so many toppings mask it. Others find it pricey and say it is tasty but not Bib Gourmand level, so opinions are split.

MICHELIN and online listings give hours of 3:30 to 11 p.m. daily, and it takes cash only. The busiest time is after dinner when night market crowds arrive, so expect a short wait for takeaway or dine-in, though food comes out quickly. The shop is at a lane entrance by the night market and parking nearby is hard; take the MRT to Dingxi and walk about 10 minutes, or work your way through Lehua Night Market first.

It suits taro lovers and anyone wanting ice after a Lehua Night Market stroll. On a first visit, share the signature taro paste sugarcane flake ice between two. For a purer taro taste, pick the taro ball version with fewer toppings. On cold days switch to hot red bean soup, and most desserts let you add extra toppings.