Curry Fish Balls (Hong Kong Street Snack)
Local name: 咖喱魚蛋
In short: Bouncy fish balls simmered in a thick, aromatic, mildly spicy curry sauce of onion, garlic and coconut milk, eaten from skewers or paper cups. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 250 kcal
Curry fish balls are Hong Kong's best-known street snack, sold from stalls and eaten on skewers or in small paper cups. Bouncy fish balls simmer in a thick curry sauce that is savory, a little sweet and gently spicy. The sauce is the key: onion and garlic are cooked down, spiced with curry powder and chili, then thickened with a little starch. Buy ready-made fish balls at an Asian market.
Instructions
- Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion for 6 minutes, until soft and golden. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Stir in the curry powder and chili powder and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
- Pour in the stock and simmer for 10 minutes, until slightly reduced.
- Stir in the coconut milk, sugar and fish sauce. Add the fish balls and simmer gently for 5 to 6 minutes, until hot and plump.
- Stir the cornstarch mixture and pour it in. Cook for 1 minute, stirring, until the sauce is thick and glossy.
- Thread the fish balls onto skewers, or serve in small cups with plenty of sauce.
Tips
- Simmer gently. Boiling hard makes the fish balls shrink and turn rubbery. Daikon chunks or fried tofu puffs are common extras and soak up the sauce.
- For a spicier sauce, add a chopped fresh chili or 1 tsp of chili oil. The sauce keeps for 3 days in the fridge, so it can be made ahead.
Questions and answers
Where can I buy fish balls?
Look in the refrigerated or frozen section of Asian supermarkets. Choose firm, bouncy white fish balls. Cuttlefish and beef balls are also sold and work well here.
Is this snack very spicy?
Street stall versions are mild to medium, with a sweet-savory curry flavor. Add chili to taste. The coconut milk softens the heat.
Can I make fish balls from scratch?
Yes. Beat white fish paste with salt and a little starch until sticky and springy, shape into balls and poach. The method is similar to making meatballs, but the texture is bouncier.
How long does it take to make Curry Fish Balls (Hong Kong Street Snack)?
About 35 min in total: 10 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Curry Fish Balls (Hong Kong Street Snack)?
About 250 kcal per serving, with 12 g of protein, 21 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 250 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 12 g |
| Carbohydrates | 21 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1100 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
