Delectable Taiwanese Delicacy－Pork-stuffed Meatballs: Taiwan Meatballs, Beigang Meatballs, Ancient City Tainan Steam Shrimp Meat Ball Cuisine Collection, Banqiao Black Meatballs

Taiwan Meatballs

136, Roosevelt Rd, Sec 5
(02) 2930-5768
Hours: 11 am-9 pm
Credit cards not accepted.
No service charge.
MRT: XinDian Line, WanLong Station

After receiving first prize in the Taiwanese Meatballs Festival, The Taiwan Meatballs store has relocated to a new location on Roosevelt road and updated to a brightly-lit, classy dining atmosphere. The meatballs here are served in two ways--fried or steamed. Though that seems lacking in variety, the two styles are actual quite different in texture and taste and both are adored by long-term regulars and newbies alike. The first prize winner at the meatball competition was the shop's Assorted Meatball Combo (綜合肉圓NT$45); this two-meatball dish comes with a bamboo-stuffed ball and a ball wrapped in taro. The size of the meatball is perfect--not too big, not too small--and you can taste the quality ingredients inside every bite. And make sure you try out the special dipping sauce, as well; made with chopped garlic, parsley, chili paste, and soy sauce, you can choose the sweet or the extra spicy version. Customers can also enjoy a bowl of Four Chinese Herb Soup (四神湯NT$40) or Squid Ball Soup (花枝丸湯NT$35). --By Kyle Lee, translated by Ann Lee

Beigang Meatballs

Opposite 19, LongQuan St
0936-179-325
Hours: 4 pm-12 am
Credit cards not accepted.
No service charge.
MRT: Taipower Bldg Station #Exit 4

A small street vendor near National Taiwan Normal University on LongQuan Street has been selling steamed and fried meatballs for more than two decades. The offerings at Beigang Meatballs are neither too hard nor too soft, and the pork stuffing is moist and juicy. The meatballs come with a sweet and spicy dipping sauce and parsley--they even taste good cold. Of course, Beigang offers more than just meatballs, they also have other traditional Taiwanese delicacies like Sticky Rice Cakes (NT$35), which are made with mushrooms and dried shrimp. Or try a bowl of Four Chinese Herb Soup (NT$45); besides twenty-something Chinese medicinal ingredients, it is made with pork intestines, barley, and lotus seeds. The owner also recommends their three chili sauces--barbecue, lemon, and broad bean paste. The sauces range in "spiciness" and should please even the most spice tolerant. --By Joan Chang, translated by Ann Lee

Ancient City Tainan Steam Shrimp Meat Ball Cuisine Collection

(02) 2351-9785
5, Lane 13, YongKang St
Hours: 11 am-9:30 pm
Credit cards not accepted.
No service charge.

Ancient City Tainan Steamed Shrimp Meat Ball Cuisine Collection, a well-established Tainan delicacy restaurant on YongKang Street, has a history as long as its name. Tourists from all over the island come to Taipei for the sole purpose of trying these famous meatballs for themselves. Mr. Huang, the owner, relocated the store last year after a twenty year history in Taipei's YongKang Night Market. When he started the business, he only sold Four Chinese Herb Soup and Steamed Meatballs. Currently, the store sells over thirty dishes that reflect the history of dining in Tainan. Give their Shrimp Meatball (招牌蝦仁肉丸NT$40) a try; the ground-rice casing is stuffed with sauteed pork and shrimp. Try it with some wasabi for a kick. The Totat Fish Sticky Soup (土魠魚羹NT$60), another popular dish, is made from daily-delivered fish from Penghu and southern Taiwan. Other tasty specialties include boneless White Mullet Soup (虱目魚肚湯NT$80), crispy Traditional Shrimp Rolls (古早味蝦捲NT$80), and the Tainan Steamed Rice Plate (台南米糕). --By Sunny Chang, translated by Ann Lee

Banqiao Black Meatballs

5, Lane 255, ZhongShan Rd, Sec 2, Banqiao City
(02) 2956-9995
Hours: 5 pm-12 am
Credit cards not accepted.
No service charge.

After twenty years of business, the owner of Banqiao Black Meatballs starts the day in the early evening; as soon as he starts setting up his cart in the alley next to McDonald's on Chongshan Road, bystanders can see people start to line up, waiting to get a taste of Banqiao's famous meatballs. Some regulars even know of the owner's routine, and will sneak into the alley to buy some meatballs before he even sets up the booth. That being said, it's not hard to figure why he can sell 500 to 700 meatballs a day. The Steamed Meatballs (NT$25), the signature food here, isn't served in a bowl. The balls are made fresh and then wrapped in a layer of translucent dough made from ground rice; the inside is full of quality pork and sliced bamboo shoots, which create a wonderful texture. Apart from the meatballs, you can also try their Squid Ball Soup (NT$25), Pork Ball Soup (NT$25), and Pork Liver Soup (NT$25). --By Kyle Lee, translated by Ann Lee, photos by Eric Tsao