Stewed Meatball with Brown Sauce (Hóng Shāo Sī Xiē Zi)

These are not ordinary meatballs. “Sixi” refers to the four-pleasure meaning, and these are larger, often made from a mixture of pork and seafood, and are meticulously shaped. The key step is deep-frying to form a crispy exterior before they are gently stewed in a rich, dark brown sauce (红烧, hóng shāo) made from soy sauce, sugar, spices, and stock. The long stewing allows the flavors to penetrate deep into the meatball while keeping the inside juicy and tender. The sauce reduces to a thick, glossy, slightly sweet and savory coating. They are a more elaborate version of the standard meatball, often containing surprises like a core of a quail’s egg or a piece of shrimp, symbolizing surprise and delight.