Description
A Waishengren-derived feast where fist-sized giant pork meatballs (Lion's Head) are deep-fried, then simmered gooey in a sweet/spicy soy-based broth with massive cabbage and wood ear.
Restaurants serving Braised Lion's Head Meatballs
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Minced pork
- Napa cabbage
- Wood ear
- Soy sauce
- Star anise
- Egg
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe]
- [Making Lion's Head] Add minced scallions, ginger, soy sauce, wine, sesame oil, egg, and potato starch to minced pork; knead vigorously in one direction until sticky (some shops mix water chestnuts or tofu for fluffiness).
- Roll into fist-sized giant balls.
- Drop into 170°C oil, fry until surface sets golden to seal in umami.
- [Braising (Hongshao)] Line a clay pot (or deep pot) heavily with roughly chopped cabbage.
- Place the fried Lion's Heads and rehydrated wood ear on top.
- Pour soy sauce, sugar, wine, star anise, and pork broth (or water).
- Cover and simmer slowly on low for ~
- hr until cabbage melts and meatballs soften enough to break with a spoon.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Sweet、rich aroma of Star anise and soy sauce
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Store-bought large meatballs or hamburger patties
Pairing
White Rice(Pour braising liquid over rice)
Trivia
[For Everyone] Originally from Yangzhou, China, but crossed to Taiwan with the KMT, now completely established as Taiwanese home cooking and bento mains. 'Lion's Head' comes from its massive size and the surrounding cabbage looking like a mane. Meat is amazingly fluffy, similar to Japanese sweet/savory braised hamburgers; a taste making everyone smile.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Break the giant meatball with a spoon, place it over white rice along with the 'gooey cabbage' that absorbed the pork umami, making a rice bowl to shovel down!
Allergen
Pork, Egg, Soy, Wheat (from soy sauce)