Xiansha Fish Balls

Xiansha Fish Balls

　　Xiansha Fish Balls

　　Xiansha Fish Balls are an authentic dish from Dongguan’s water towns. Fish balls are a traditional delicacy of Dongguan, but those from Xiansha Village in Gaobu Town are especially famous—these are the Xiansha Fish Balls. The fish used for Xiansha Fish Balls must be fresh mud carp, and no ducks or geese can be raised in the ponds to maintain the purity of the fish flavor. Moreover, among the many foods in Dongguan, Xiansha Fish Balls are arguably one of the most time-consuming and labor-intensive dishes to prepare. After deboning and extracting the meat from the mud carp, it is beaten with two iron rods for over six hours to release the gelatin, or protein, from the fish. The meat is then shaped into fish balls. This method results in fish balls that are rich in gelatin, have great chewiness, and can even bounce several feet high when thrown on the ground like a ping-pong ball. They also offer a satisfying bite.

　　Xiansha Fish Balls truly do have a satisfying chew, and they are delicious. One was even tossed to the ground, and it bounced over a meter high—truly living up to its reputation.