The Difference between Tangyuan(汤圆) and Yuanxiao(元宵) How was your Lantern Festival? Did you have typical foods for celebrating the Lantern Festival like Tangyuan(汤圆) and Yuanxiao(元宵)? These are all shape like a ball, and are all white. So many people thought that it's just the same. So do you know the difference between Tangyuan and Yuanxiao? Ok, now let me tell you the difference. The making process of Tangyuan is like a rolling snow. After making the stuffing, and shape it like a ball. Then put it into the stick rice flour and rolling and rolling around, untill the size like a Ping-Pong Ball. Making Yuanxiao is like a making dumpling. First, knead the dough by adding some waters into stick rice flour. Then make the dough in to a wafer shape, and put stuffing into it. Last step is wrapping it into a ball shape. People eat Tangyuan and Yuanxiao in the Lantern Festival, because it symbolize familly unity and happiness.