Fish ball, also spelled as Fishball, is one of the most common and popular foods in Southern China as well as among the overseas Chinese communities. The dish is basically an edible, ball-shaped patty made from Surimi or pulverized fish. These fish meatballs are mostly white or yellow in color and are about an inch or two in diameter.

A staple of the Chinese cooking and cuisine, Fish Ball is used in a variety of dishes and is also consumed as a main meal, appetizer or part of a meal.

Origin of Fish Ball Recipe

Fish Ball, as a food, has been around for a very long time and is an integral part of the Chinese cuisine. Although the exact origin of the dish is not known, it is known for a fact that it is a Chinese invention. There are many theories about how and why the preparation came into being and different people believe and retell different theories. In actuality, the origin of Fish Ball is quite hazy and whatever little information is available is quite sketchy.

Ingredients of Fish Ball Recipe

Surimi or pulverized fish is the most important Fish Ball ingredient and other ingredients and additions, essentially the filling or stuffing, differ based on where the dish is being prepared and what individual preferences are. Parsley, onion, celery, pork, shrimp, tuna, cheese, lemon, garlic, egg, pepper and cod are some of the ingredients used to prepare stuffing or filling for the Fish Balls.

One variety of the dish has bananas as the main filling ingredient.

Preparation of Fish Ball

While it is true that there are many variants of the Fish Ball recipe and various ingredients can be used to make the dish, preparation method is pretty simple and straightforward. A stuffed Fish Ball will either be fried or steamed, more-or-less like dumplings.

Serving and Eating the Preparation

Depending upon where the dish is being prepared, the local customs and individual preferences and the Fish Ball recipe being followed, there are various ways to serve and eat Fish Balls. In Hong Kong, people generally differentiate between two types of the dish. One is eaten with noodles while the other is sold and consumed in strings or on skewers.

The food is sold skewered on bamboo sticks in the Philippines and people enjoy it with various sauces. The deep fried variety is also very popular and enjoyed as a snack.

In Singapore and Malaysia, Fish Ball is found is soups, noodles and served with rice, The preparation is also sold as street food.

The preparation can be served and consumed as a snack, an appetizer or a part of the major lunch or dinner meal.

Fish Ball Trivia

Fish Balls filled with pork are mainly prepared and consumed in Singapore and Malaysia. This version of the food is known as Fuzhou. Sometimes, Fuzhou is made from eel, a rare and unique Fish Ball recipe.

There are also various non-Asian types of Fish Ball. In Jewish cooking, more specifically in the Ashkenazi Jewish community, the preparation is popular as Gefilte fish.