Old Friend Taro Balls Introduction
Laoyouhao Taro Balls was established in 1990. The first-generation owners, Lin Rongji and Xia Amei, hoped that this shop would become a good friend to everyone, hence the name "Laoyouhao" (Old Friend). Owner Xia Amei is skilled in making snacks, including cookies, steamed buns, cakes, taro balls, turnip cakes, and grass cakes, which have garnered rave reviews from neighbors in Jiufen. Encouraged by the neighbors and the rise of the Jiufen business district, the original rice store was closed in 1990 to establish the taro ball shop. Initially, besides selling taro balls and sweet potato balls, they also offered xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) and other snacks. However, as the taro ball business flourished, they could no longer produce other snacks, thus becoming a specialized taro ball shop focusing primarily on taro balls and sweet potato balls.
