We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What Are the Best Tips for Making Fish Balls?

By Amanda R. Bell
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

Fish balls, a popular part of Asian cuisine, come in a variety of different styles, from quick street food to high-end restaurant fare. No matter what style you are making, ensure that the fish that you use is finely flaked or even crushed into a paste so that it mixes well with the other ingredients and holds together. Prior to cooking the balls, let them rest in the refrigerator for at least an hour so that they hold their shape. When cooking in liquid, make sure that the stock does not go above a high simmer, as a boil can cause the fish balls to fall apart, and, as with most fish dishes, try not to overcook anything.

Despite the fact that large chunks of fish may look prettier before you mix them with other ingredients, big pieces can make forming the balls almost impossible, and they will likely fall apart during the cooking process. Before you add other ingredients, make sure that you thoroughly flake the fish apart so it is in very small pieces. In some cases, you can grind the fish into a paste so that it holds together even better; however, some do not prefer this texture, and it may not work for all recipes.

Naturally delicate, fish balls tend to fall apart easily if not mixed, handled, or cooked properly. To prevent this problem, let them sit in the refrigerator for at least one to two hours prior to cooking them. This allows all of the ingredients to set and solidify slightly, which will help them to hold together better during the cooking process. Doing so also makes fish balls an ideal prepare-ahead appetizer: simply mix the ingredients and form the balls earlier in the day, and keep them in the refrigerator until you’re ready to cook them.

In many recipes, these balls are cooked as part of a soup or simmered in a flavorful stock before being removed and served alone. Although this is a popular method for cooking this type of recipe, it can also be the most problematic when it comes to the balls staying together. Boiling water or stock is a sure way to turn them into mush. To prevent this problem, never let the liquid reach above a simmer, as boiling is simply too harsh for delicate fish balls.

When making this dish, it can be easy to overcook the fish. Even though there are several other ingredients in many seafood balls, they are still primarily made from fish, which is often cooked before it is ever formed into a ball. Whether you are simmering, steaming, grilling, or frying this dish, make sure that you only cook the balls until they are set and heated through to a safe temperature. Cooking even longer can dry the fish balls out and ruin their texture, just as overcooking a single fish fillet will do the same.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Related Articles

Discussion Comments

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.