Insider's tip only locals know: Wang Family’s handmade fish balls in Hsinchu

Text and photos by /San Gao Eats Chinese

As early as two or three years ago, someone left a comment on my forum page suggesting I try Wang Family’s fish balls, so I quietly jotted it down — because I already had a mental list of places to visit (most of which aren’t even in Hsinchu). Then, not long ago, another friend mentioned it on Facebook, so I decided to swing by one weekend morning. Yet again, it was one of those small shops that close after lunch.

Wang Family is tucked away in a residential area off the alley beside Section 1, Yanping Road. Before heading out, I double-checked the location on Google Maps. There aren’t many food options nearby. The busiest eatery in the morning is probably Xinyuan Xiaolongbao across from Factory No. 3 Market — haven’t been there in ages. Chengdu Sichuan Cuisine near Lingyun Street is also said to be pretty good, another spot I’ve had on my radar for a while. That’s how indecisive two people can be when picking a place to eat.

Business at Wang Family around 9 a.m. was booming. It’s an unassuming little eatery right by a residential building, and they even use a numbering system. When you’re eating inside, you’ll almost always end up sharing a table with other customers. Their fish balls are handmade, so we naturally ordered two bowls to start.

These are likely the stuffed variety of Fuzhou-style fish balls. The “Hsinchu style,” no matter which shop originated it, tends to have a similar filling — juicy pork and scallion stuffing with a good bite. It’s different from the dark sauce type of filling. The outer fish paste isn’t thick or soft either; instead, it’s relatively thin with a slightly Q (chewy) and crispy texture.

This hidden gem of a Wang Family really does taste great. As far as I remember, there were no water chestnuts (?), but the filling was rich and substantial. The balance between the sweetness and oiliness in the seasoning was just right. Compared to Shi Family or Jinhua, I prefer Wang Family.

The main carb here is rice vermicelli — smooth and fine, the kind often used in Hsinchu’s duck meat noodle dishes. I’ve always liked this type. A bowl of vermicelli comes with mushrooms and a bit of sweet chili sauce. Doesn’t look like much, but it tastes really good. The butter noodles were more average. Later, someone told me you can also get them dry.

The bone meat dish we got that day was prepared dry as requested — it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say it’s the best in Hsinchu right now. The meat aroma is full and rich, and the cut used is tender and smooth. The soy sauce drizzle has just the right amount of flavor without being overly salty.

It’s the kind of small shop I’d love to come back to, but it’s limited by its operating hours and location. I’ll have to see when I can make it back.

Wang Family Fish Balls
Address: No. 15, Lane 8, Aly. 261, Sec. 1, Yanping Rd., North District, Hsinchu City
Hours: 7:30 AM – 1:30 PM (closes when sold out)

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