Home-Style Dishes
Shrimp and Herb Mashed-Potato Balls
A savory, satisfying afternoon-tea bite
Why people make this dish
Bro Niu first tasted a plate of crispy potato-and-salt-cod balls (bacalhau balls) at a restaurant in Macau and loved them so much that he wanted to recreate them at home. Without salt cod on hand, he improvised — once with a mild salted-fish, and here with fresh shrimp and a little chopped herb. The result is a warm, fragrant, family-friendly afternoon-tea bite that comes together from pantry basics.
Who it suits / who should be cautious
- A nice shared snack for the whole family on a relaxed weekend afternoon.
- Anyone with a shellfish allergy should skip the shrimp (or swap in flaked white fish).
Why these ingredients (the food-therapy logic)
- Potato (shu zai): a gentle, filling starch that gives the balls their soft interior.
- Shrimp (xia ren): adds savory protein and a natural sweetness in place of salt cod.
- Onion and garlic (yang cong, suan rong): build warmth and aroma.
- Herbs (xiang cao): lift the flavor and keep the bite from tasting plain.
Ingredients (1 plate, 3–4 servings)
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Potatoes | 3–4 | Boil in skins, then peel and mash |
| Fresh shrimp meat | ~150 g (4 liang) | Rinsed, patted dry, chopped to a paste |
| Onion | 1/2 | Finely diced |
| Minced garlic | 2 tsp | |
| Minced herbs | 1 tsp | |
| Eggs | 2 | Add only after the mash has cooled |
| White pepper, salt, cooking wine | to taste | |
| Oil | for frying |
Method
- Wash the potatoes, halve them, and boil in their skins until fully tender. Drain, peel, and mash (or work them smooth by hand).
- Rinse the shrimp, pat dry, then flatten with the back of a knife and chop to a sticky paste. Peel and finely dice the onion.
- Mix the shrimp paste, onion, garlic, minced herbs, white pepper, salt and a little oil into the mashed potato; knead smooth. Once the mash has cooled, stir in the beaten eggs.
- Spoon the mixture, one spoonful at a time, into hot oil and fry over medium-low heat until golden. Lift out and plate (serve with cucumber or lettuce).
Bro Niu’s tips
Add the egg only after the potato has cooled — drop it into a hot mash and it sets into egg threads. If you used too little egg the color comes out paler; a touch more deepens the gold. If you like heat, a pinch of chili powder makes it even more moreish.
Community questions answered (selected)
- Q (Pigchi): Are cherry tomatoes “damp-heat” (shap yiht)? Bro Niu: Tomatoes aren’t damp-heat, but compounds in them can bind with stomach acid and hinder digestion, so don’t eat them on an empty stomach. Cherry tomatoes are very wholesome; just wash them well — worm eggs can cling to the skin — and ideally soak them in lightly salted water for half an hour first.
- Q (miss mak): Can I drink ginger tea while my period has come? Bro Niu: Yes, you can drink ginger tea during your period.
Published December 27, 2010 · Adapted and translated for Nourilo from a traditional home-kitchen recipe. Approx. 2 min read.
