Vietnamese meatballs stand out among various Asian meatballs recipes due to their perfect blend of sweet and savory flavors. They are a highly popular culinary delight in Vietnamese cuisine, often featured in dishes like pho and bun cha thanks to their delicious versatility.

On your Vietnam travel journey, don't miss the delight of Vietnamese meatballs, a favorite Vietnamese food. This savory treat captures the essence of Vietnam's diverse gastronomic scene. Read on to explore the authentic Vietnamese meatball recipe and its variations in the rich tapestry of Vietnamese cuisine.

1. What are Vietnamese meatballs xiu mai?

Meatballs, also known as xiu mai or su mai, are a dish originating from China. It is considered a type of dim sum, commonly enjoyed as a light snack paired with tea. Thanks to its delicious aroma, the Asian meatballs recipe has spread to various countries in Asia. It underwent slight modifications upon entering Southeast Asian countries, becoming a part of the local cuisine.

In Vietnam, Vietnamese meatballs are commonly made with minced pork, spring onions, and onions. These ingredients are formed into small balls and steamed, maintaining the fragrant taste of the meat. They are then topped with a flavorful tomato sauce, creating an enticing flavor. Additionally, Vietnamese meatballs have been transformed into various variations such as braised meatballs, Vietnamese grilled meatballs, Da Lat meatballs, quail egg with meatballs, and salted egg with meatballs, all of which are greatly loved by the people of Vietnam.

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2. How to make Vietnamese meatballs in tomato sauce?

The basic Vietnamese meatball recipe with tomato sauce is incredibly aromatic. This dish is relatively simple to prepare, so let's explore!

2.1. Ingredients for Vietnamese meatballs xiu mai

The ingredients for this dish include minced pork, bread, tomatoes, onions, yam beans, purple onions, spring onions, cilantro, cooking oil, and common spices (salt, pepper, sugar, fish sauce).

2.2. Instructions for cooking Vietnamese meatballs

Step 1: Cleanse the vegetables. Cut half of the onion into small cubes and the other half into thin slices. Cut the tomatoes and yam beans into small cubes. Finely chop the purple onions, spring onions, and cilantro.
Step 2: Crush the bread into crumbs and mix it in a bowl with minced pork, diced onions, yam beans, half of the chopped purple onions, spring onions, cilantro, and seasonings to taste.
Step 3: Marinate the meat for about 30 minutes to let it absorb the flavors. Take a suitable amount of meat onto the palm of your hand, shape it into round balls, and repeat until finished.
Step 4: Place a pan on the stove, heat the cooking oil, and gently fry the meatballs until they turn golden brown. Turn off the heat.
Step 5: Make the tomato sauce for Vietnamese meatballs by adding a tablespoon of cooking oil and the remaining chopped purple onions into a pot. Sauté until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and stir-fry until they soften. Add water, salt, sugar, and bring to a boil.
Step 6: Place the fried meatballs into the pot of tomato sauce, simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes, then add the sliced onions. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Simmer for an additional 3 minutes then turn off the heat.
Step 7: Scoop the Vietnamese meatballs and a bit of tomato sauce into a bowl, sprinkle with some ground pepper, garnish with cilantro, and enjoy.

3. What are Vietnamese meatballs served with?

These delicious meatballs with tomato sauce can be served as Asian meatballs with rice or Asian meatballs and noodles. In Vietnam, they are usually served with Vietnamese bun and Vietnamese bread. Specifically, Vietnamese meatballs banh mi is a dish loved by many people. The locals often enjoy this dish for a nutritious breakfast or as a main course during meals.

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4. Other types of Vietnamese meatballs other than xiu mai

In addition to the traditional xiu mai cooked with tomato sauce, Vietnamese cuisine has a wide range of other meatball variations. Vietnamese pork and shrimp meatballs or beef balls are often used in Vietnamese hot pot or Vietnamese noodles such as Vietnamese meatballs for pho, hu tieu, etc. Bun cha Vietnamese meatballs are made from minced pork and mixed with seasonings like fish sauce, oyster sauce, dried shallots, pepper, etc.

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In the realm of Vietnamese cuisine, Vietnamese meatballs reign supreme, offering a delectable fusion of flavors. These savory delights will elevate your culinary experience, whether enjoyed in traditional Vietnamese dishes or as a versatile ingredient in your Asian meatballs recipes. From Vietnamese meatballs for pho to Vietnamese pork meatballs soup, these culinary gems embody the rich gastronomic tapestry that defines Vietnamese food culture.

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