Must-have list for sweet potato lovers!

▲ Sweet potatoes are often used in desserts, and their natural sweetness has won over many fans. (Photo / Screenshot fromKeelung Lianzhen Cake Shopofficial website)

By Travel Center / Compiled report

Sweet potatoes have a soft and fluffy texture, making them suitable for both desserts and savory dishes. Many businesses have used their creativity by combining them with other ingredients to create many mouthwatering dishes. The food search websiteOpenRice has compiled a list of five popular "sweet potato series" dishes in northern Taiwan,which sweet potato lovers should definitely check out!

▲ Purple sweet potato ice bricks are a super popular nostalgic snack. Their smooth texture and sweet taste have earned praise from netizens. In the picture, the light purple dessert is the purple sweet potato ice brick.

1. Purple Sweet Potato Ice Brick
Though it looks like a pastry, once you take a bite, you’ll feel a refreshing chill. The purple sweet potato ice brick has a smooth texture and lets you taste the pure sweetness of sweet potatoes. It’s a very nostalgic-style dessert, and as it melts in your mouth, the aroma of milk also comes through. Netizens say it's like eating sweet potato milk ice — its sweet flavor is unforgettable.

Sanfeng Purple Sweet Potato Ice Store
Address: No. 15, Minzu Rd., Banqiao District, New Taipei City
Business hours: After 12:30 PM


▲ Authentic Liu Yuzai Salted Egg Purple Sweet Potato Cakes, with ingredients stacked on display at the stall.


▲ Purple sweet potato balls are filled with thick, fluffy purple sweet potato mash, whole salted egg yolks, and meat floss. (Photo /Mika)

2. Salted Egg Yolk Purple Sweet Potato Balls
This popular street food stall is located inside Taipei’s Ningxia Night Market. The vendor uses Jiaxian purple sweet potatoes to make rich and fluffy purple sweet potato mash, then stuffs it with a whole salted egg yolk and some meat floss before deep-frying it. Under the golden, crispy exterior lies a filling packed with quality ingredients. The sweet flavor of the sweet potato mash perfectly complements the savory filling, making it so popular that sweet potato fans will even queue up to buy one. It’s sparked a huge craze for purple sweet potato balls.

Liu Yuzai Salted Egg Purple Sweet Potato Cakes
Address: Mid-section of Ningxia Rd., Datong District, Taipei City (Ningxia Night Market)
Business hours: 5:00 PM – 1:00 AM

▲ Lianzhen Purple Sweet Potato Mash Balls are a super popular souvenir in Keelung and are considered a must-try sweet potato dessert by local fans. (Photo / Screenshot fromKeelung Lianzhen Cake Shopofficial website)

3. Lianzhen Purple Sweet Potato Mash Balls
These unassuming light purple mash balls are actually star-level sweet potato treats that have even appeared on the big screen. The vendor steams the sweet potatoes and shapes them into balls, using no artificial flavorings. Their authentic taste and dense, smooth texture have won high praise from netizens. They’re not overly sweet either, making it easy to eat one after another. Locals even recommend them as a must-buy Keelung souvenir.

Lianzhen Cake Shop
Address: No. 42, Ai 2nd Rd., Ren’ai District, Keelung City
Phone: 02-2422-3676


▲The rich taro rib soup base infuses all ingredients with the sweet aroma of taro, making it a hit among taro lovers.

4. Taro Rib Soup Base
This hot pot restaurant in Da’an District combines taro with ribs to create an unexpectedly delicious flavor. The broth is sweet and savory yet bursting with a strong taro aroma. Though the pale white soup may seem simple, it offers a rich layering of tastes, coating the ingredients in the sweet taste of taro—making it a top hot pot choice for taro enthusiasts.

Black Warrior Spicy Hot Pot
Address: No. 65, Dongfeng Street, Da’an District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2706-9350


▲%Combining black pepper and a variety of spices, the richly flavored broth pairs perfectly with tender meat, offering a numbing and spicy experience that excites the taste buds. The unique taste has made it a beloved hot pot spot for many foodies.


5. Taro Paste Crispy Duck
With a crispy fried exterior, this dish is filled with thick taro paste and tender, juicy duck meat. The sweet-and-salty flavors intertwine to delight the palates of taro fans. It’s a creative dish that has impressed many and become one of the restaurant’s signature offerings. Additionally, the eatery serves a special house sauce—some online reviewers say the taro paste crispy duck tastes even better with the sauce, making it extremely tasty when served with rice.

Drunken Maple Garden
Address: No. 5, Lane 8, Section 3, Bade Road, Songshan District, Taipei City
Phone: 02-2577-9528