Fish meat balls in Rugao
Fish meat balls filled with crab roe are a traditional dish in Rugao, a county-level city in Nantong, East China's Jiangsu province.
Mainly produced in Baipu ancient town, the dish is traditionally eaten by locals during the Spring Festival. It symbolizes good fortune and family unity.
The food requires dozens of ingredients, including black carp, crab roe, and egg whites, and it is complicated to make. It has been listed as a Nantong intangible cultural heritage item.
The dish is made by cleaning the fish and smashing its meat. The meat is then formed into balls and filled with crab roe. It is then boiled until the balls float to the surface.
Rugao fish meat balls filled with crab roe [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]
A worker prepares the filling for fish meat balls at a workshop in Rugao. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]
Workers make fish meat balls at a workshop in Rugao. [Photo/WeChat account: rugaofabu]
