Lieyu Taro Balls are a handmade dessert made from in-season taro grown on Lieyu (Little Kinmen), known for their fluffy texture and pronounced fragrance as a seasonal autumn-winter treat, now reachable by driving straight across the Kinmen Bridge rather than by ferry.
Lieyu Township holds an annual "Taro Festival" around mid-October, featuring taro-digging experiences and farmers' markets; the taro harvest is concentrated from after the Mid-Autumn Festival through December, and the taro is known for being fragrant, fluffy, and soft, a quality attributed to the area's mineral-rich reddish clay soil. The Kinmen Bridge opened on October 30, 2022, connecting the main island of Kinmen with Lieyu with a roughly 5-minute drive; the former passenger ferry between Shueitou Pier and Jiugong Pier was discontinued in March 2024, and the crossing is now made via the bridge or Bus Route 15 between Jiugong Pier and Jincheng Bus Station.
What are Lieyu Taro Balls
After the Lieyu taro harvest, the bulbs are steamed and mashed, then mixed with sweet potato starch or tapioca starch and kneaded into dough; the dough is rolled into logs and cut into small rounds, then boiled until they float. The texture is chewy outside and soft inside, with a clear fluffy-taro fragrance that sets them apart from the purely springy feel of starch-only products. They are typically served with shaved ice or hot sweet soup (taro congee, ginger soup); in the cool autumn and winter weather on Lieyu, a bowl of hot taro ball soup is the most common local way to eat them. In summer, shaved ice is the default.
The Lieyu Township Farmers' Association actively promotes Lieyu taro as a local agricultural brand; derivative products including taro balls, taro ice, and taro cookies are all available, with some available for home delivery. The taro harvest concentrates between September and December each year, when stalls on the island sell freshly made balls and the flavor is most vivid. From after Lunar New Year through summer, taro ball supply drops noticeably — the timing of your visit significantly affects the experience.
How to eat them the local way
Local knowledge
Verified endorsements
- The Lieyu Township Farmers' Association officially promotes Lieyu taro as a local specialty agricultural product; taro balls are one of the main derivative food items, with a physical retail point at the association.
- Lieyu (Little Kinmen) is the main taro-producing area of Kinmen County; the soil composition and climate conditions produce a variety that is fragrant and fluffy in texture.
Visitor tips
- Taro ball supply is strictly seasonal; from after Lunar New Year through August, stalls may not have freshly made taro balls. Contact the farmers' association or local stalls before heading out.
- The Lieyu ferry has a last-sailing time; plan your stay carefully and do not let waiting for taro balls cause you to miss the boat back.
- Some stalls make to order; a 20–30 minute wait during peak season is normal and not a quality issue.
Source: Lieyu Township Farmers' Association promotion materials, Kinmen County Agriculture Bureau agricultural product information. Photos will be replaced after Dio's on-site shoot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still take a ferry to Lieyu for taro balls?
The former ferry between Shueitou Pier and Jiugong Pier was discontinued in March 2024; the crossing is now made via the Kinmen Bridge, about a 5-minute drive, or by bus between the two islands.
Are Lieyu taro balls available year-round?
The taro harvest is concentrated from after the Mid-Autumn Festival through December, and taro balls made with fresh in-season taro taste best then; supply drops noticeably in the off-season.
What is the Lieyu Taro Festival?
Lieyu Township holds an annual Taro Festival around mid-October, with taro-digging experiences and farmers' markets — a good opportunity to learn about the local taro industry.
Sources
- 111年烈嶼鄉芋頭季10月22登場 — 烈嶼芋頭季官方活動資訊
- 2024烈嶼鄉芋頭季活動 — 烈嶼芋頭產季與活動說明
- 金門大橋通車：5公里車程等了30年，一文看懂工法、沿革與大事記 — 金門大橋通車日期與交通船停駛背景