Teriyaki Balls
By Ian MacAllen on Monday, July 16th, 2012 at 6:28 am
I often seek out the oddest foods. Sometimes the results are marvelous.
Smorgasburg is a food lovers paradise on the East River waterfront in Williamsburg. Venders from across the six boroughs and beyond descend. The weekly event is a lot like Googa Mooga, but with less music, more food and a regular schedule.
The Mimi and Coco food stand stood all alone while pasty, chunkers lined up for burgers or tacos or other more recognizable foods. I spent a minute watching as a woman, presumably Mimi or Coco, sat turning over small balls in an iron dumpling griddle. Yes, obviously I would have to try these things.
Six balls plopped down on the cardboard plate and then topped with various garnishes. The most striking thing when Mimi or Coco handed me the plate was how stunningly colorful the little balls were.
I quick snapped a few photos eager to wrap my teeth around these things that now smell delicious. The sauces topping the balls are sweet and spicy. The ball’s exterior crispy with soft dough on the interior followed up with the savory sausage. These balls hit all right notes for Asian influenced cuisine: balanced flavors and textures. But they also had the sort of flavor profile that appeals to the American flavor palette.
In short, stop lining up for over priced cheeseburgers and local sprouted tacos, all of which I’m sure are very good, and get some Teriyaki balls.