Tender yet not greasy — 3 popular Changhua-style rice balls in Taipei

Reported by Huang Shiyuan / Taipei

Recently, a popular Changhua rice ball shop, “Beikoumen Rice Balls,” stirred up quite a controversy after raising its prices by 25%, with large rice balls costing NT$100 each. This made “rice balls” a hot search keyword. Changhua rice balls are made with a wrapper of glutinous rice flour mixed with tapioca starch, stuffed with meat filling, steamed, and then deep-fried. Their signature feature is the soft and chewy exterior. But delicious Changhua rice balls aren’t only found in Changhua — there are three wildly popular ones right here in Taipei, and if you want to try them, be prepared to queue up.


▲ Anton Street Changhua Rice Balls. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

Anton Street Changhua Rice Balls
Located right next to the temple on Anton Street in the Eastern District, this tiny shop has just a “Changhua Rice Balls” sign — no official shop name. But starting at 3:30 PM when it opens, a line quickly forms, with over half the customers getting takeout. At just NT$35 per piece, the price is a steal in the Eastern District. Many buy five or even ten at a time. Since both dine-in and takeaway customers queue together, the lines get even crazier on weekends.

Address: No. 1, Lane 35, Anton St., Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2752-1428


▲ A-Cai Changhua Rice Balls is tucked away in an alley. (Photo / Huang Shiyuan)

A-Cai Changhua Rice Balls
A-Cai Changhua Rice Balls is located in an alley near Liaoning Night Market. Though the shop looks unassuming, it’s actually a hugely popular spot for Changhua rice balls. By noon, long queues often form, and aside from eat-in customers, many get theirs to go. The shop is open from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM, but may close early if someone orders dozens of rice balls at once.

Address: No. 13, Lane 21, Longjiang Rd., Zhongshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2751-7426


▲ Nanjing Airport Changhua Rice Balls was once featured by CNN as one of 30 different stuffed delicacies from around the world. (Photo / Screenshot from CNNGo)

Nanjing Airport Changhua Rice Balls
CNN GO once introduced 30 different types of stuffed delicacies from around the globe, and Taipei’s Nanjing Airport Night Market Changhua rice balls were among them, earning a spot in international media. This 30-year-old shop in Taipei’s Nanjing Airport Night Market uses pork hind leg meat paired with tender black bamboo shoots, resulting in a chewy yet soft wrapper, big and juicy filling, sweet taste, and not greasy at all. It’s been famous for over a decade, with customers often willing to wait a long time just to buy the daily limited batch of 300 rice balls.

Address: No. 20, Lane 313, Section 2, Zhonghua Rd., Wanhua District, Taipei City