Puli Taiwanese meatballs are a signature traditional snack of Puli, Nantou, famous for their "two-way" eating method: first the springy skin and filling, then the leftover scraps poured into bone broth to make a soup. On a Puli street corner in the early morning, the steamer lid lifts to reveal glistening, plump meatballs — the outer skin translucent and springy, the filling dense inside; one meatball, two ways to enjoy it.
The signature feature of Puli meatballs is the "two-way" eating method: first the chewy skin and filling, then bone broth poured in to make a soup. The established Ju Meatballs shop has been in operation for nearly 30 years, with roughly 3,000 to 3,600 Google reviews and a rating of about 4.4 stars; because everything is made fresh in limited quantities, it often sells out within one to two hours of opening.
What are Puli Taiwanese Meatballs?
Puli Taiwanese meatballs are the area's signature traditional snack, and their defining feature is the "two-way" eating method: first eat the springy, chewy outer skin and the filling inside; then, toward the end, pour the remaining bits of skin and filling into the bone broth provided by the shop — and you have a meatball soup. One snack, two flavours.
One of the well-known longstanding shops in town is Ju Meatballs, which has been in operation for over 30 years, with approximately 3,000+ Google reviews and a rating of around 4.4 stars. Because everything is made fresh and quantities are limited, the shop often sells out within one to two hours of opening. Arrive early if you want any. A Kai Meatballs nearby can serve as a backup option.
How to eat it the authentic way
Local knowledge
Verified facts (sponsored content excluded)
- The signature feature of Puli meatballs is the "two-way" eating method: eat the chewy skin first, then pour remaining scraps into bone broth to make meatball soup.
- The established Ju Meatballs has accumulated approximately 3,000+ Google reviews with a rating of around 4.4 stars and has been in operation for over 30 years.
- Because everything is made fresh and quantities are limited, Ju Meatballs often sells out within one to two hours of opening — a testament to its popularity.
Visitor tips
- If you want to eat at Ju Meatballs, arrive early — it often sells out, so keep A Kai Meatballs in mind as a backup.
- The broth is the key to the two-way method. Don't eat all the skin and filling in one go — save a little to pour into that final bowl of soup.
- Operating hours and available quantities may vary by day. It's worth checking before you go to avoid a wasted trip.
Information compiled from the Nantou County Government tourism resources and local township farmers' associations. Sponsored content has been excluded. Photos will be replaced after on-site photography.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Puli Taiwanese meatballs?
Puli meatballs are the area's signature traditional snack, known for the "two-way" method: eat the chewy skin first, then turn the leftovers into soup.
What is the "two-way" eating method?
You first enjoy the skin and filling on their own, then pour bone broth over the remaining scraps to make a bowl of meatball soup.
How popular is Ju Meatballs?
Ju Meatballs has around 3,000+ Google reviews and about 4.4 stars, and often sells out within one to two hours of opening because everything is made fresh.
What should you know before visiting Ju Meatballs?
Arrive early — it often sells out — and keep A Kai Meatballs nearby as a backup option.
Sources
- 埔里美食報導《菊肉圓，埔里超過30年肉圓小吃店推薦》 — 經營約30年、Google評論與星等
- 埔里美食報導《菊肉圓｜開店不到三小時肉圓就賣完的埔里在地30年小吃美食》 — Google評論則數與完售速度交叉驗證