
Hot Dishes
Four Joys Meatballs
timer
60 MIN
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4 servings

About This Recipe
These savory, golden-brown meatballs are a delicious comfort food classic, packed with rich umami flavors and a sticky, tender texture. The secret lies in the technique—stirring the meat filling with egg, scallion, and ginger paste until sticky ensures a juicy bite, while breadcrumbs (or steamed bun crumbs) add the perfect binding. Pan-fried to a crisp exterior, the meatballs are then simmered in a fragrant blend of soy sauce, rock sugar, and bay leaves, creating a glossy, caramelized glaze. The slow stewing process melds the flavors into a deeply satisfying sauce that clings to each bite. Perfect as a main dish or paired with sides, these meatballs deliver a balance of sweetness and savoriness with a hint of aromatic warmth from ginger and bay leaves. A must-try for anyone craving hearty, homestyle cooking!
Instructions
Detailed preparation guide
servings
4
Total Time
60m
shopping_basket Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- meat 500g
- steamed bun 2 pieces (optional substitute for breadcrumbs)
The aromatics
- egg 2 large
- scallion 2 medium (30g)
- ginger 1 tbsp grated (10g)
- breadcrumbs 1/2 cup (50g)
The sauce & seasonings
- oil 3 tbsp
- water 1 cup (200ml)
- soy sauce 2 tbsp
- rock sugar 1 tbsp
- bay leaves 2 pieces
menu_book Directions
1

Step 1
Add egg to the meat filling and stir in one direction with scallion and ginger paste until the meat becomes sticky.
2

Step 2
Add breadcrumbs and continue stirring. (If no breadcrumbs, you can use steamed bun crumbs instead.)
3

Step 3
Shape into balls and pan-fry in oil until golden brown.
4

Step 4
Remove the balls and leave some oil in the pan.
5

Step 5
Add the prepared seasonings, excluding rock sugar and bay leaves, to the pan.
6

Step 6
Add water, balls, soy sauce, rock sugar, and bay leaves, then stew over medium-low heat until the sauce thickens.
7

Step 7
Serve, garnished with some side dishes if desired.
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