Tang yuan (sweet rice balls) are served at wedding banquets in the north, but according to a Tainan chef, in the south, they're considered a dessert.

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A simple round dumpling ball is stirring up a surprisingly lively debate in Taiwan. Tang yuan (湯圓), glutinous rice balls symbolizing unity and good fortune, are a staple at traditional Taiwanese banquets, but whether they count as a dish or a snack depends on where you're sitting.

In northern Taiwan, deep-fried tang yuan filled with sesame paste and dusted with powdered sugar and peanut flour are commonly served as a standalone course. In the south, the same treat has traditionally appeared as a pre-meal snack, or in a sweet soup form known as "eight-treasure tang yuan."

A Tainan banquet chef explained that the regional difference has faded over time. "There are so many choices now, pudding, ice cream, guests have plenty of options, so tang yuan has gradually been treated more as a small side," he said.

A hotel executive chef echoed the shift, noting that the north-south distinction has largely dissolved. What remains consistent, locals say, is the meaning behind the name, "hua hao yue yuan," wishing couples a beautiful and complete life together.