Hainan Fried Glutinous Rice Balls

Hainan Fried Glutinous Rice Balls

　　Hainan offers many distinctive local snacks, among which "fried glutinous rice balls" are quite unique. In Haikou, they are also called "zhen dai" (both are transliterations of Hainan dialect), a type of deep-fried rice snack. They are golden in color, round and hollow in shape, with a fragrant, crispy texture and a puffed, perfectly round form. The outer crust is thin, crisp, and fragrant, yet soft and sticky, while the filling is sweet and delicious. When eating them, one must cut them into small pieces with scissors or break them apart by hand.

　　Fried glutinous rice balls have a unique flavor and require meticulous preparation. First, fresh glutinous rice is carefully selected and soaked in water for about five hours. It is then ground into a powder-like consistency using a stone mill, and the finest portion is sifted out. The fine powder is mixed with water to form a dough, which is then boiled in a pot. Next, it is combined with the remaining glutinous rice flour and kneaded by hand until uniformly mixed. The mixture is then shaped into fist-sized hollow rice balls, which are filled with various stuffings.

　　The fillings may include peanut candy, shredded coconut, red bean paste, winter melon candy, coconut shreds, sesame seeds, diced meat, and winter melon candy, among others. Then, sesame seeds are sprinkled on the surface of the balls, which are subsequently deep-fried in oil — preferably coconut oil or peanut oil. During frying, the balls must be constantly turned to ensure even thickness and a perfectly round shape. After a few minutes, they are taken out, allowed to cool slightly, and then fried again. This process is repeated three or four times until the surface turns a brilliant golden color.

　　In Hainan, fried glutinous rice balls are an essential treat during the Lantern Festival for praying to the gods, celebrating elders’ birthdays, house-building roof-raising ceremonies, or hosting guests during a baby’s full moon celebration. Overseas Chinese who return to their hometown after a long absence also never miss the chance to enjoy this delicacy. The fried glutinous rice balls sold in markets are usually no bigger than a small fist, but during the Junpo Festival on the 15th day of the second lunar month, they are made exceptionally large — some as big as basketballs. According to elders, in ancient times, the fried glutinous rice balls used in the Junpo Festival rituals were even larger, as it was believed that smaller ones would anger the deities.