Sesame Balls (Jin Deui)

Jin Deui, or sesame balls, are a classic Chinese fried dessert with origins dating back to the Tang Dynasty. These golden, crispy orbs are made from glutinous rice flour dough that is filled with sweet lotus seed paste, red bean paste, or black sesame paste, then rolled in white sesame seeds and deep-fried until puffed and golden. The frying process causes the sesame balls to expand dramatically, resulting in a hollow interior surrounded by a thin, crispy, chewy shell encrusted with toasted sesame seeds. The contrast between the crunchy sesame exterior, the chewy glutinous rice shell, and the smooth sweet filling creates a multi-textural experience unlike any other dessert. Sesame balls are best eaten fresh and warm, when the exterior is still crisp and the filling is soft and fragrant. They are a beloved Lunar New Year treat symbolizing completeness and prosperity.