Chen Ji Gu Sao Fish Balls

Review

Chen Ji Gu Sao Fish Balls is at Xingda Port's tourist fish market in Qieding, where a stretch of stalls is nicknamed fish ball street, and Chen Ji is the name mentioned most often. A media report says it was rated among the nation's top 100 shops in 2019 and carries nearly twenty products, from snacks to eat on the spot to gifts, making it a common souvenir for visitors to the market.

The signature is milkfish balls with bits of garlic, offering garlic aroma and the sweetness of fish paste; the squid balls have real chunks of squid, and shiitake pork balls and assorted fish cakes are also popular. Most recommended is the squid-shrimp patty made from squid paste with a whole shrimp inside, the market's star item; reviewers also single out the swordfish and squid patties. Gift boxes appear before Lunar New Year, and customizable family packs are offered.

Positive reviews focus on fresh-made frying, springy fresh texture and being able to taste one on the spot; crowds pack the stall on weekends, a sign of its popularity. Negative reviews mention finding mixed items in a bag after getting home, and some were unsure about the total when buying by portion, so confirm unit prices and quantities when ordering. It remains Xingda Port's most representative fish ball stall.

Online listings show roughly noon to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekends, but check on site. Prices vary by item and weight, so go by the board and double-check before paying. There are paid parking lots around Xingda Port; weekend afternoons are busiest, so come on a weekday or earlier to browse calmly.

It suits visitors to the Xingda fish market wanting seafood souvenirs and families who love fish paste products. Buy some fried items first, a bit of squid-shrimp patty and swordfish patty to eat as you stroll, then pick milkfish balls and squid balls to keep chilled for soup at home; for gifts, go straight for a gift box.