Sesame Soft Ball

Sesame Soft Ball Explained:

What it is:

Sesame soft balls, also known as Hei La Moon (Hei La Moon is Chinese for "oil-fried mooncake fragments"), are a popular Taiwanese street food most commonly found in Chinese and Taiwanese restaurants in the United States. They are small, chewy balls made from glutinous rice flour, tapioca flour, and sesame seeds, deep-fried until golden brown and served warm with sweet or savory dipping sauces.

Flavor and Texture:

The soft balls themselves have a neutral flavor, but the sesame seeds provide a nutty, slightly bitter flavor. When bitten into, they have a satisfyingly chewy texture, slightly sticky due to the glutinous rice flour.

Popularity and Origin:

Sesame soft balls originated in Taiwan, but they have become popular in many Chinese communities around the world. Their sweet and chewy texture, combined with the savory dipping sauces, make them a delicious and popular snack or appetizer.

Dipping Sauces:

The traditional dipping sauce for sesame soft balls is hoisin sauce, a sweet and savory sauce made from soybeans, sugar, garlic, ginger, and chili peppers. Other popular dipping sauces include:

Where to Find Them:

Sesame soft balls are commonly found in:

Additional Information: