Bo Vien (Vietnamese Beef Balls)
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
10 mins
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Total Time
40 mins
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Servings
30 balls
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Calories
63 kcal
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Course
Appetizer
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Cuisine
Asian, Vietnamese
Bo Vien (Vietnamese Beef Balls)
Description
Bo Vien involves partially freezing ground beef before mixing it with a combination of baking powder, fish sauce, potato starch, toasted sesame oil, sugar, and various seasonings. The ice-cold water helps achieve the desired texture as the ingredients are blended mechanically in a stand mixer in stages, progressing from low to high speed until the mixture forms long strands and then a compact, elastic paste with a characteristic bounce. This specialized mixing method is critical for achieving the correct texture.
The seasoned paste is then shaped into beef balls and boiled in water flavored with smashed ginger and green onion pieces. This brief poaching cooks the beef balls evenly while imparting a mild aromatic note. The balls remain tender with a springy bite, making them versatile for use in noodle soups or as an appetizer.
The recipe requires about 10-15 minutes of mechanical mixing depending on the mixer used, a key step to develop the beef balls’ texture properly.
Ingredients
Beef balls:
- 600 g ground beef partially frozen (about 2 hours, ~1 ½ lbs
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder single-acting baking powder, ALSA brand
- 5 tablespoon water ice cold
- 2 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 ½ tablespoon potato starch
- 2 tablespoon sesame oil toasted
- ¼ teaspoon salt sea salt
- 2 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon white pepper or black pepper
- ½ teaspoon sand ginger powder optional
For boiling:
- water ice
- 2 green onions cut into large pieces
- 1 inch piece ginger smashed
Instructions
For key visual step-by-step photos, refer to the body of the blog post.
- Add the partially frozen beef into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a paddle attachment/flat beater.
- Turn the mixer on low and let the meat start to break up.
- In a separate bowl, combine the ALSA baking powder, fish sauce, potato starch, sesame oil, sea salt, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, white pepper, sand ginger powder and water and give it a stir.
- Next, add the seasonings into the beef and continue to mix for another 2-3 minutes.
- Increase the speed to medium and continue to beat until long strands start to form, another 3-4 minutes.
- Note: the meat will work up the sides of the bowl -- stop and scrape the mixture periodically.
- Continue to beat and increase to high speed, until the meat becomes a stiff paste, is light pink and when scraped with a spatula, has an elastic "bounce" to it. (When you gently slap the meat with a spatula, it bounces back and doesn't thud).
- Fill a large pot of water and add ice cubes, green onion/scallions and smashed ginger.
- Use an ice cream scoop to form the beef balls (or take a small portion of the mixture and use your hands to form a ball by squeezing the meat in your fist through the index finger, middle finger and thumb).
- Lightly wet your hands to smoothly form the beef ball and place directly into the ice water.
- Continue with the remainder of the meat mixture.
- Transfer the pot with the beef balls over to the stove and bring it up to a rolling boil.
- Cook the beef balls for 8-10 minutes, until they float are fully cooked.
- Skim off any scum that floats to the surface.
- Drain the beef balls into a colander and rinse them under cold water.
- Transfer the beef balls to an ice bath and let them cool completely.
- Once cool, remove the beef balls and pat dry with paper towel.
- At this point, they're ready to serve, or freeze for later.
Notes
- Partially freeze the beef for about 2 hours before mixing to aid texture development.
- Mix the ingredients using a stand mixer in stages from low to high speed until the mixture reaches a stiff, elastic paste consistency.
- The total mixing time is around 10-15 minutes depending on mixer speed and power.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 30balls
Amount Per Serving
Calories 63 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 63kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 1g | 0% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 5g | 8% |
| Saturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 14mg | 5% |
| Sodium | 151mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 64mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 1IU | 0% |
| Vitamin C | 1mg | 1% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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