The Original Changhua Rice Ball Shop – A Fourth-Generation Delicacy with Seventy Years of Heritage

Text & Photos /Orange Dog Loves Candy

Rice balls are an indispensable part of Taiwan’s street food culture, also originating from the Japanese colonial era. In those more frugal and challenging times, there weren’t as many snacks available as there are today. With limited daily necessities, sweet potato-based products became a popular treat to satisfy cravings.

The outer skin of the rice ball is made from sweet potato starch, prepared by steaming or boiling. The low-temperature frying method gives the skin a firmer texture. For those who labor all day, it’s also more filling. Over time... it has evolved into a regional specialty found all over Taiwan. This article introduces what is arguably the first and oldest rice ball shop in Changhua !


One afternoon not long ago, when I had nothing much to do, I accidentally watched *You Are the Apple of My Eye* for the fourth time. On a whim, I decided to take a train to Changhua for some rice balls—after all, Rice Ball Street is really close to the train station.

That day, I only managed to try two shops on foot: the famous Ah Zhang’s and Bei Men Kou. That’s when I spotted this place, 【Zheng 'Changhua Rice Ball】, but it happened to be closed that day. When I looked it up at home, I found out it’s actually the real old-school shop !


Then, half a year later on another afternoon, a colleague suggested casually, “Let’s go to Changhua for rice balls since we’re free.” We ended up back on that same street, and Zheng 'Changhua Rice Ball was open, so we decided to give this historic spot a try.


It’s been in business since 1940, though it started as just a street-side stall. That’s how most street foods began back then, through hard work. Eventually, they saved enough money to open this storefront. Seventy years, four generations of legacy...


But the original old-shop look is no longer visible—the space has probably been renovated to offer customers a more comfortable environment. Now it’s bright, clean, and fully air-conditioned.


There are also quite a few photos on the walls of the owner’s two beautiful daughters appearing on TV shows and interviews ! Though this also means many people (including me) didn’t recognize it as an old shop at first glance.


But I think the floor might still retain some of the original vintage charm?


Since it’s a rice ball shop, the main focus here is, of course, the rice balls ! (No kidding XD)
They offer three types: mushroom rice ball, mushroom & salted egg yolk rice ball, and mushroom & scallop rice ball.


The last one, mushroom & scallop, uses higher-end ingredients, which is relatively rare among Changhua rice ball shops, hence the slightly higher price. The soup served alongside is a simple bamboo shoot soup—nothing overly elaborate. Unlike Taichung-style rice balls that often come with Four-Gods Soup, each place really does have its own unique style !


This is my favorite [Special Salted Egg Yolk Rice Ball / 35 TWD]. It’s not common to find rice balls with salted egg yolks, but I love them in zongzi, so I was thrilled to see them here !


A light yellow sauce is drizzled on top. Cilantro and chili aren’t added by default, but you can help yourself to them on the side. The chili is absolutely essential—it’s super tasty !

The sauce is actually a peanut butter-based mix prepared by the shop. It’s not very obvious unless you taste it carefully, but if you let it linger on your tongue for a few seconds, you’ll notice a subtle peanut aroma wafting through.


It’s not overly sweet, and the dipping sauce is made from pure soybean-infused base oil. The seasoning is well-balanced, and the aroma naturally complements the dish.

The rice ball skin is firmer and chewier due to the low-temperature frying. Compared to the two other places I’ve tried—Ah Zhang’s and Bei Men Kou—I’d say Ah Zhang’s is softer, Bei Men Kou is very Q (chewy and firm), while Changhua Rice Ball’s texture is right in the middle.


The pork filling uses hind leg meat, with whole chunks of pork inside, giving it a firm, bouncy texture. As you chew, you can detect a faint herbal fragrance. The slight numbing spiciness of the chili creates a perfect pairing that dresses up the rice ball beautifully !

Add the crisp texture of diced bamboo shoots... Hmm... if this place had been open last time, I might’ve skipped the one across the street, Ah Zhang’s !


Another option is the [Premium Mushroom & Scallop Rice Ball / 60 TWD]. It’s pricier, but hey, since I came all this way, why not give it a try ! XD For that price, you could buy two salted egg yolk ones. Aside from the ingredients, I feel like the portion might be slightly bigger too (or maybe it just feels that way?). Without the salted egg yolk, you get mushroom and scallop instead.


The scallops are diced, so at first glance, they might be mistaken for bamboo shoots—but their size is slightly different. Cut open the rice ball skin, and you’re greeted by the rich aroma of steamed mushrooms, along with the distinct textures and flavors of the bamboo shoots and scallops.


Add the springy pork filling, and the overall mouthfeel becomes incredibly rich. It’s like a deluxe version of the rice ball. I think both are definitely worth trying ! They also have a regular mushroom rice ball for just 35 TWD, which is a more common variety in Changhua. But since it’s quite similar to the others, I didn’t include a photo.

Oh yeah !! Here’s a Changhua rice ball specialty : shops usually have a big pot of pork bone broth placed outside. Don’t forget to scoop yourself a bowl after eating the rice balls—the leftover sauce goes perfectly in the broth. It’s like the nostalgic feeling of drinking the soup after eating oden as a kid !


Next up is the [Mixed Soup / 20 TWD], which comes with bamboo slices, pork skin, and meatballs. The highlight is the broth itself—it’s simmered with pork bones, mushroom stems, bamboo shoot soup, and clams. It’s wonderfully sweet, especially the distinct sweetness of the bamboo shoots without any overpowering aftertaste. It’s a small bowl, but it goes down really smoothly—definitely worth a try !


When we were about to leave, my classmate got a takeout box XD because they have a “buy 10, get 1 free” deal ! The owner said you can cook them at home too, and they’re delicious ! Rice balls are a deeply rooted local snack in Changhua—not just for tourists, but locals love them too.

The best part is how close they all are to the train station—you can easily walk to any of them. After I published my previous food review comparing [Bei Men Kou vs Ah Zhang’s], the responses I got showed me that locals in Changhua are fiercely loyal to their favorite rice ball shops, and some get pretty passionate about it XDD

But based on my experience having tried three so far, while each has its strengths, if we’re talking about the two right across the street from each other, I would definitely recommend Changhua Rice Balls over A-Zhang... Even though the former has the boost of being featured in a movie, in terms of the actual texture of the rice ball skin, the sauce, and the flavor of the filling, I personally prefer Changhua Rice Balls. I’ll have to come back to Changhua when I have time to complete my rice ball map—Up!!




【Changhua Rice Balls – The Real Deal】
Address:No. 203, Chenleng Road, Changhua City, Changhua County
Business Hours:10:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Service Phone:04-7227868
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