Liu Yu Zi Taro Balls

Review

Liu Yu Zi is stall No. 091 at Ningxia Night Market. Supertaste reports that it has been around for more than forty years, and the menu has only two items: egg-yolk taro cakes and crispy taro balls. It was a Michelin Bib Gourmand pick for several years in a row, although some diners note it has dropped off the list recently; sources differ on whether it is still included, but the queues have not shrunk.

The egg-yolk taro cake wraps black-pork floss and half a salted duck yolk in taro paste before frying, giving a crisp shell and a sweet-savory filling. The crispy taro ball is pure taro paste, with a thin crunchy crust and a dense, fragrant interior. Reports say the stall uses Jiaxian taro and makes everything by hand each day. A 2019 report listed the balls at NT$25 and the cakes at NT$30; prices have shifted a little since, so go by the sign on site.

Diners most often praise the crisp-outside, soft-inside texture straight from the fryer, the strong yolk aroma and the low price. Some find the plain taro ball dry once it cools and think the yolk version has more depth. Complaints are mostly about the wait, which can reach half an hour on weekends, and a few people say staff speak sharply when busy, especially to anyone taking photos or blocking the way in line.

Hours are roughly 17:30 to midnight, extended to 00:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. There is no record of a fixed day off, but night-market stalls sometimes close without notice. An older report mentioned a two-piece minimum. It is takeaway only with no seating, so eat them hot. Weekday evenings right after opening are quietest; on weekend nights the line often wraps around the corner.

It suits taro lovers and anyone who wants a snack to eat while walking the market. On a first visit, get one of each to compare: start with the yolk cake, then the plain taro ball, for the clearest contrast between savory and sweet. In a group, send one person to queue while the others buy mains, then share them hot.