Taiwanese Meatball (Ba Wan)
A Taiwanese street food icon! A chewy, translucent wrapper encasing savory marinated pork and bamboo shoots. Steamed, then gently oil-bathed, and smothered in sweet chili sauce.
Prep Time
60 min
Cook Time
20 min
Difficulty
Hard
Servings
4 servings
Allergen Warning
This recipe contains: Soy
Ingredients (10 items)
- Tapioca starch150 g
- Potato starch50 g
- Cold water300 ml
- Ground pork200 g
- Bamboo shoot dice100 g
- Soy sauce1 tbsp
- Five-spice powder0 ½ tsp
- Sweet chili sauce3 tbsp
- Garlic paste1 tbsp
- Cilantro0
Instructions
- 1
Marinate ground pork with soy sauce and five-spice powder for 30 minutes. Mix in bamboo shoot dice.
- 2
Combine tapioca starch and potato starch. Add cold water and mix into a smooth batter.
Stir thoroughly to avoid lumps.
- 3
Take an oiled bowl or saucer. Pour a thin layer of batter, add filling in the center.
- 4
Cover with another layer of batter. Steam over high heat for 15 minutes until translucent.
Steam until the wrapper is completely transparent — that means it's done.
High Heat - 5
Remove and let cool slightly before unmolding.
- 6
Low-temp oil bath: keep oil around 100°C and soak the ba wan for 5 minutes until the skin is slightly crisped.
Oil that's too hot will blister the wrapper.
- 7
Drain, top with sweet chili sauce and garlic paste, and garnish with cilantro.
Voice Guide
Step 1 / 7
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Estimated from ingredient database. Actual values may vary.
Food Safety Reminder
Please check ingredient freshness before cooking. Ensure food is heated to a core temperature of 70°C or above. Use separate cutting boards and knives for raw and cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination. If you have food allergies, please verify all ingredient labels carefully.
FAQ
Can I prepare this dish in advance?▾
Most Taiwanese home dishes can be prepped ahead. Wash and chop ingredients in advance, and pre-mix sauces. Cooking day will be much faster.
Where can I buy the ingredients?▾
Most ingredients are available at Asian supermarkets, H Mart, 99 Ranch, or online. For specialty items, check your local Chinatown or order from retailers like Weee!
Can I make a vegetarian version?▾
Yes! Replace meat with tofu skin, dried shiitake mushrooms, or king oyster mushrooms. Substitute oyster sauce with vegetarian mushroom sauce for great results.
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