Ye's Large Tapioca Pearls Introduction
Ye Family Old Shop has been passed down to the fourth generation. The owner, who has been in charge for fifteen years, is a native of Hsinchu. The shop is famous for its taro paste and tapioca balls. In traditional cuisine, the Minbei style of taro paste is made with sesame or peanuts, while the Minnan style uses fried scallions. The owner mentioned that taro paste is a sweet dish, so adding scallions can help balance the flavors and avoid upsetting the stomach. The taro paste in the shop is served only hot and is available from the Mid-Autumn Festival until the Dragon Boat Festival of the following year, as it needs to be served hot to truly showcase its flavor, and the taro, which grows for nine months, tastes the best during this period. Another unique feature of the shop is the handmade tapioca balls, which are large, chewy, and firm. The owner insists on not adding coloring or gelatin, adhering to the principles of health and natural ingredients. The tapioca balls, made from sweet potato flour, are not rolled by hand like glutinous rice balls; they need to be soaked in syrup before boiling to prevent falling apart, which gives them a pleasant sweetness. Since the shop is located on Zhongshan Road near the Chenghuang Temple, parking can be challenging. It is recommended to walk a bit further, where there are several alleys, or to park on Ximen Street for more convenience. Also, since taro paste tastes best when hot, it is not advised to take away, as the flavor will deteriorate when it cools down.
