Wang Ji Taro Balls

Review

Wang Ji Taro Balls is at No. 50 Minsheng Road, the stretch everyone walks from the old street to Lukang's Tianhou Temple. Supertaste says the shop describes itself as four generations and nearly a century old, with the title of the originator of taro balls. There are two taro ball shops on this road, and this is the one locals recommend; it often appears in roundups of Lukang food and souvenirs, and it also runs a blog and a fan page.

The taro balls have a shell made of shredded taro, with three fillings: fresh pork, dried scallop and vegetarian, so vegetarians can buy them too. Articles say the taro shreds are generous and firm, with taro fragrance in every bite, and the pork filling is well balanced and tasty even without sauce. One article suggests steaming them again at home for a creamier texture, which makes them handy as a souvenir.

Existing reviews are mostly positive, focusing on honest ingredients, a clear taro aroma and a well-balanced filling. However, articles say little about finer texture details and none list prices, so check the board before buying. It is takeaway only with no seating, so if you want to sit down you will need somewhere else. Lukang also has other well-known taro ball shops such as Lao Su Zhu, Yang Zhou and Yang San, each with its own fans in taste and price, so taro ball lovers may want to compare a few.

Opening hours differ slightly between sources: weekdays from about 8:00 or 8:30 a.m. to between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., and weekends and holidays until 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., so confirm before going. Takeaway comes with dipping sauce, making it easy to eat while walking; when it is busy, just wait briefly by the roadside.

It suits anyone who wants a small snack before or after visiting Tianhou Temple, is looking for vegetarian street food, or wants a souvenir to take home. Buy one of each flavor to compare, eat one on the spot and steam the rest at home.