Dong Dong Taro Ball
東東芋圓
Address
Leye Rd, East District, Taichung City, 401
City
TaichungA Taichung institution for traditional Taiwanese desserts, Dong Dong specializes in taro balls (yu yuan) and other QQ-textured treats served in various combinations with shaved ice, hot sweet soups, or as toppings. The taro balls here are handmade daily, resulting in that perfect chewy texture that's bouncy without being gummy. They offer multiple flavors beyond just taro - sweet potato, matcha, sesame, and seasonal variations. The shop has a casual, no-frills atmosphere where locals come for a cooling dessert on hot days or a warming sweet soup in winter. Popular orders include the signature taro ball with mix-in toppings over shaved ice, or the hot taro ball soup with peanuts and sweet potato. The portions are generous and prices reasonable, making it a favorite among students and families. What makes Dong Dong stand out in a city with many dessert options is their consistency - they've been making taro balls the same careful way for years, never cutting corners on quality or preparation time. It's the kind of neighborhood spot that tourists might walk past without noticing, but locals know it's where to go for authentic Taiwanese desserts done right.
Foods Available Here
Taro Ball Dessert
A popular Taiwanese dessert featuring colorful handmade balls made from taro, sweet potato, and other starches, served in sweet soup or over shaved ice. The taro balls have a uniquely chewy, QQ texture and come in various colors representing different flavors. Often topped with red beans, grass jelly, or fresh fruit, this refreshing treat is especially beloved in mountain areas.
Shaved Ice
To create the dessert, a large mound of ice shavings are first placed on a plate. In the past, ice shavings were created by hand, either by using a large mallet to crush ice into fine pieces, using a large freehand blade to shave off ice, or turning a hand-cranked machine to do the same. In modern times, a special machine is used, resulting in ice-shavings that are much finer and thinner than those in the past. Some establishments may still produce their ice by hand, and thus the texture varies. A variety of toppings are then added. Traditionally, sugarcane juice or syrup was added to give it a mildly sweet taste, like that of drinking sugarcane juice with ice cubes, but other options include various kinds of syrups or condensed milk, or both. Examples of toppings include fruit, taro, azuki beans, mung beans, sweet potato chunks, peanuts, almond junket, and grass jelly. Various pre-set combinations exist, but customers can often choose individual toppings as they desire.