🍽️ Fried Tofu Balls

Hollow fried tofu balls with herb chili dip.

Fried Tofu Balls are a traditional snack of Guiyang, Guizhou. Fresh soy-milk curd is crushed by hand, mixed with scallion, minced pork and Sichuan pepper, then rolled into walnut-sized balls and deep-fried until the shell is golden and crisp. Inside, the texture stays soft, airy and full of bean aroma. The Guiyang way is to serve them with a dip of toasted chili, fish-mint (Houttuynia), soy, vinegar and scallion — pungent, sour and hot. Dipped, the balls offer a crisp shell and soft interior in each bite. A common street snack and night-market favourite across Guiyang, they are often paired with a bowl of sour soup or ice jelly for a refreshing, distinctly Guizhou finish.