Jian Dui (Hollow Sesame Balls)
The inside is empty!? A magical giant sesame dumpling that inflates like a balloon
Description
Japanese frozen sesame balls are densely packed with red bean paste. Authentic sesame balls (Jian Dui) made by top-tier Chinese Dim Sum chefs are expanded to their absolute limit in oil. The inside becomes 'almost completely hollow like a balloon', creating an artistic dessert focused entirely on the shattering crunch and chewy mochi skin.
Restaurants serving Jian Dui (Hollow Sesame Balls)
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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
- Glutinous rice flour
- Sugar
- Boiling water
- White sesame
- Red bean paste(or Lotus seed paste)
- Frying oil
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe & Differences]
- Knead glutinous rice flour with massive sugar and 'boiling water'. The hot water gelatinizes the starch, providing the power to expand massively later.
- Form tiny dough balls, placing 'only a tiny dab' of red bean (or lotus seed) paste inside (too much filling makes it heavy and prevents expansion).
- Wet the surface and completely coat with raw white sesame.
- [The Magic Technique]: Drop into very low-temp oil (120°C/250°F).
- As they float slightly, use the back of a skimmer to 'forcefully press the balls down against the bottom of the wok repeatedly'.
- With every press, the air inside thermally expands, magically inflating the ball from ping-pong size to tennis ball or even softball-sized 'giant balloons'.
- Raise heat at the end to crisp the shell, and drain.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Roasted white sesame aroma、Caramelized sugar sweetness
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Japanese store-bought sesame balls (but they are dense and heavy)
Pairing
Hot Chinese Tea(Pu'er etc.)
Trivia
[Trivia] An auspicious food. A proverb says 'When Jian Dui rolls, gold and silver fill the house'. Expanding massively symbolizes 'growing wealth', making it mandatory for Lunar New Year.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Poke the giant balloon-like ball with chopsticks; it shatters with a 'crack', releasing hot steam and sesame aroma from the hollow inside. You are eating purely to enjoy the texture of the paper-thin, chewy mochi shell itself.
Allergen
Sesame