Chaoshan Fish Balls

Brief Introduction

Chaoshan Fish Balls, also known as "water balls," are a traditional delicacy renowned for their careful selection of ingredients and meticulous production process. These fish balls are a beloved dish in Chaoshan cuisine, offering a unique blend of flavors and textures.

Cuisine

Cuisine Type: Minnan Cuisine, Chaoshan Cuisine (a sub-branch of Cantonese Cuisine)

Taste

Flavor: Versatile; can be enjoyed in various flavors such as sour, sweet, spicy, and salty. The natural sweetness and freshness of the fish shine through.

Specialties

Characteristics:

Small and compact in size
Known for their crispiness and tender texture
Often served in soup or as part of a hotpot dish
Symbolizes abundance and family unity due to the homophonic meaning of "fish" (yu) and "surplus" (yu), and "ball" (wan) and "roundness" (yuan) in Chaoshan dialect.

Ingredients

Main Ingredients:

Fresh fish meat (commonly used fish include yellow croaker, mackerel, eel, and small shark)
Starch (for binding)
Egg whites (for added texture and flavor)

Seasonings and Accessories:

Salt
MSG (optional)
Fish sauce
Scallions
Pepper
Sesame oil
Purple laver and lettuce (for garnishing and flavor enhancement)

Authentic Locations

To savor authentic Chaoshan Fish Balls, visit Chaoshan region, particularly the city of Shantou and its Haojiang District. Here, you can find numerous restaurants and street vendors offering this delicacy in its purest and most traditional form. The Da'ao sub-district in Haojiang is particularly famous for its handcrafted fish balls.

Glossary

English	Chinese
Chaoshan Fish Balls	潮汕鱼丸
Minnan Cuisine	闽南菜系
Chaoshan Cuisine	潮菜
Versatile Flavors	口味任意
Crispiness and Tenderness	口感爽脆清淡
Symbolizes Abundance	象征年年有余
Fresh Fish Meat	新鲜鱼肉
Starch	生粉
Egg Whites	鸡蛋
Seasonings	调料
Handcrafted	手打
Haojiang District	濠江区
Da'ao Sub-district	达濠街道