Taro Chips: The Gluten-Free Side You Didn't Know You Needed

You walk into Sweetfin, scan the menu, build your bowl, and then you hit the sides section. Edamame? Sure, classic. Miso soup? Always reliable. But scroll just a little further and there's something new sitting there, quietly waiting to become your new obsession: BBQ Flavored Taro Chips, made fresh in-house every single day.

If you've been sleeping on taro chips, this is your wake-up call. They're crunchy, smoky, visually stunning, and, bonus, completely gluten-free. Here's why they deserve a permanent spot on your order.

What Exactly Are Taro Chips?

Taro is a starchy root vegetable that's been a staple across Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese, and Southeast Asian cuisines for centuries. You've probably encountered it in poi, bubble tea, or taro mochi, but its savory potential is seriously underrated.

When sliced thin and fried, taro transforms into something remarkable: a chip with a slightly earthy, subtly sweet flavor, a satisfying crunch, and a naturally deep purple hue that makes it one of the most visually striking things you can put on a table.

Nutritionally, taro chips made from whole taro root are naturally gluten-free and contain fiber and resistant starch. You need to try them because they taste incredible and they're way more interesting than anything in a crinkle-cut bag.

Why Sweetfin's Are Built Different

A lot of places slap "house-made" on a menu item and call it a day. At Sweetfin, it actually means something.

Our BBQ Flavored Taro Chips are made fresh daily, in-house, not sourced from a supplier, not sitting in a storage bin since last Tuesday. They're hand-sliced thin for that maximally crunchy texture that holds up without going stale, then generously dusted with a bold, smoky BBQ seasoning that's savory, a little punchy, and seriously craveable.

The result? A chip that's indulgent and wholesome at the same time, which, if you know Sweetfin, is kind of our whole thing.

The Best Poke Bowl Side You're Not Ordering Yet

Here's a reframe worth considering: the side at a poke bowl isn't an afterthought. It's the finishing touch that ties the whole table together.

Taro chips do something that most sides don't: they add texture contrast. The tender fish, the creamy sauces, the soft rice or greens in your bowl, and then this sudden, satisfying crunch from a smoky BBQ chip. It elevates the whole eating experience in a way that a soup or a salad just can't.

In terms of pairings, the BBQ chips are exceptional alongside the Gochujang Salmon Bowl, with the smoky seasoning playing against the bold black garlic gochujang sauce and the richness of the salmon underneath. If you're a fan of Japanese-inflected snacks like wasabi furikake seasoning, the depth and umami-forward character of these chips will hit a very similar note: bold, layered, not one-dimensional.

Whether you're building out a full spread for the table or just want something crunchy to snack on while your order comes together, taro chips as a poke bowl side make an embarrassingly strong case for themselves.

A Gluten-Free Snack That Doesn't Make Compromises

If you've spent any time navigating the gluten-free snack space, you know the drill: bland rice cakes, cardboard crackers, or heavily processed "free from" products that trade flavor for a label. It gets old fast.

Taro chips are a genuinely different story. They're gluten-free, not because anything was removed or substituted, but because taro root just is gluten-free, period. There's no wheat-based filler, no mystery binding agent. It's a vegetable, sliced and seasoned.

Sweetfin's in-house preparation means you know exactly what you're getting. No ingredient list that reads like a chemistry exam. Just taro, oil, and a seasoning blend that's been dialed in to actually taste good.

Whether you're fully gluten-free, casually avoiding it, or just someone who wants a snack made from real ingredients, these chips deliver without asking you to lower your standards.

How to Get Your Hands on Them

BBQ Flavored Taro Chips are available as a side at Sweetfin locations and can be added to any order online.

Order the BBQ Flavored Taro Chips 

Our honest recommendation: order them alongside your bowl, not instead of it. The combination is the whole point.