Making Fishballs: By Hand & By Machine | CNA Insider
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- Опубліковано 17 лис 2018
- Fishballs are a delicious part of Asian cuisine and are easily available. Both HupKee Fishball and DoDo Fishball started as small family businesses back in the early 1980s.
Fast forward 30 years, DoDo Fishball, with its 150,000-sq-ft factory in Senoko Way, has now evolved to be Singapore’s first and biggest fishball distributor and a household name while HupKee remains as a fishball noodle stall in an Ang Mo Kio coffee shop, preserving the traditional way of making this delicacy by hand.
CNA Insider explores the beauty in both processes and how the businesses continue the passion of perfecting the art of making fishballs.
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the videos that CNA Insider makes are actually so underrated and it's so interesting to find out about many things that we take for graned in Singapore!
cna block out most of the videos comments that is why most of us dont watch it.
Alexandra Lim singapore cost of living too high thats y everytime also need use machine, speed up process/ reduce time and cost.
Granted
I'm African, and this interests me a lo! It's nice to see how others in the world thrive and handle hurdles in their businesses or lives.
I will not take things for *graned* from now on
i think a lot of people are missing the point here, which is the fact that there's beauty in BOTH ways of making fishballs, by hand or machine. while there is the unique character and special attention to each fishball made by hand, there's also a sort of ingenuity and brilliant efficiency behind the streamlined, factory process.
Cara
I agree. But honestly since I learned to cook, I just don't eat frozen meals anymore. It's not I'm a good cook, it's just fresh ingredients and hand made really make a difference.
Of course in term of business, you have to find a balance.
It's all on the consumer's preference, either they prefer fast and efficient or quality and taste. But for a culinary enthusiast I think they'll prefer quality over quantity.
Yeah i agree, it's their choice to pick what they want, and everything is good as long people want it
@@calvinkwok7158 there is NO balance. you either sell out and make mass products, or you stick to your guns and make products that sell out in about 3 hours. there are equipment that can make life easier like efficiently removing the fish meat from the skin, and not compromise quality, but you can't get away from the time consuming blending and smacking the fish paste. you have to break down the proteins and collagen to transform the fish paste into a colloid. just science at work....
Really wish people would be willing to pay a bit more for the quality, and allow a new generation to see a career in our heritage foods. Maybe need to package it a bit more like that Japanese.
Good point. But we wonder how much more they'd be willing to pay - 10%? 20%?50%?
Shiwei Pow agreed. unfortunetly its not our asian culture to embrace the worksmanship like in england, japan or italy. Consumer should expect to pay more for all handmade products, so the tradition and they business can survive..
Carlos Rafael Singapore is not equal to Asia. And Japan is a country of east Asia. As far as I know, people in China, Japan, and Korea all value handmade food and craftsmanship. All those three are East Asia countries.
SongYou Guo Singapore does value the authenticity of hand made food. But the Hawker culture here has not organically developed to a larger scale because of our small size. It is just a fact of life for Singapore business unfortunately
Why would I pay more for fish balls made using a meat grinder? Not truly by hand.
Laughed out loud when the owners of the factory say they believe their factory made fish balls taste the same as handmade. No way.
true kid
I agree w the ‘no way’ part. The machines even make the fishballs look like round tofu!!!
How can frozen processed surimi compare with freshly scraped fish meat?
Those who think they taste comparable have never eaten handmade fishballs.
@Ren The reason why man-made always better is that it doesn't go through the preservation process. When the fish balls come to your table from the factory, it has been through the frozen and preventative process many times. While hand makes fish balls you eat right after they make it, so the texture is more firm and spongy. Any food that gone through frozen process lost it freshness. Beef in Asia they killed the cow in the morning sell the meat in the afternoon. When you eat chicken, you go to the market while the live chicken is there and all you point at the one you want and the butcher will take care of the bird for you. One thing hand makes fish balls is 100% fish while the factor made by increasing the profit they add starch in it.
Well they're not going to say our machine made fish balls are inferior to handmade.
The handmade fish balls run out by noon. Clearly, they taste hella good.
Perhaps he could slightly increase his prices? Advertise the handmade factor as the reason for the price increase?
Also, there's no way the machine made ones taste "just as good" - they don't even use the same type of fish!
That would be great, if people were willing to pay more for handmade! However, as he mentions, his problem isn't poor business (far from it), it's the limit to how many fishballs he can churn out doing things the old-school way. Dilemma!
And also there are a huge amount of fishballs stalls there, increasing the prices would make the stall uncompetitive compared to the others.
Michael Loreantz I disagree Singaporean and many would pay more for a higher quality food.
I don’t know if they taste much better then factory made ones I haven’t been there to try but you can clearly tell the color is different. Using fish meat scrap off the fish and a process “fish meat” clearly is 2 different kind of raw material.
PriusRaj or maybe he can hire someone else or two to make more :) the customers will keep coming back and he may eventually gain more.
Love their hearts and so amazed by the amount of hard work they put in just to serve their customers with handmade fish balls. Keep doing what you both are doing and hope that people will continue supporting them
You cannot eat "hearts"
Even if the the textures are the same, I will choose the hand-made fishball everytime. Sentimental? Yes, anytime over a faceless corporation.
I will choose not because sentimental things is just logic.... homemade use by real food and no chemical added ... when factory u know how going in there they want to low cost u will be surprise when they even not using real fish but fish essence with paste 😂😂😂😂 they lying our tongue and brain 😂😂😂
Tbh no the company is lying. The handmade one will always taste better. Plus you know it's healthier cos you are eating just pure fish, water, salt, pepper. The factory one you never really know what preservatives or additives they put in it
If the guy would sell his handmade fishballs I would choose it over Dodo
Everthing handmade are worth the price...
They use different kind of fishes to begin with,
One is hand made from top quality fresh fish, the other use machined paste from Vietnam, most likely came from farmed cat fish., and likely bleached.
There is no comparison.
go india luh u love it there everything make by hand lol
Not if they lie about it. Guy already lied about it being handmade. Ha, only the scraping and the slapping process is by hand. Everything else is by machine.
I’ve never been a fan of fishball until i tried Hup Kee and fell in love. Their fishball noodle is simply fantastic!
The hand made fishball look so good too me, idk maybe its made from heart...
It is not the same. The shop owner just uses fish and water with fish stock, the factory mixes a lot of stuff. I dont live in Singapore, but if one day I have the opportunity to know it, for sure I am going to his shop. 😀
true. i can see the manufacture fish ball coated with flour and its shape firmer than the handmade. I laughed when the woman said their fishballs taste same like handmade. it doesn't taste fishy like handmade means the taste is not same. it taste like flour.
I won't. He's a liar. Not truly by hand. He uses a machine for half the process
AlphineWolf his fish balls tastes hella good compared to the factory one as they sell it by noon
@@OVOkameron its still half factory made. Only difference is he adds no fish powder. And he slaps it to give it air.
AlphineWolf at least it is not completely made by a factory
Noticed a lot of comments about increasing the price and expanding business.
People like them with traditional values and mindset won’t increase their price just to make money. For them making just enough and selling everything for the day is already good enough, it’s more about being satisfied at heart for the product they sold, knowing the customers are happy and something to continue to work for throughout their lifetime. Hiring and teaching new people would view as troublesome to them.
I really enjoy the handmade fishball i can feel the bounciness of the fishball and authentic taste
It's bouncy because it's fresh. The factory has been frozen
I love to see people doing business. I like fresh fishballs!! The chinese love doing business and i like the mind set in many ways but honesty is best in business😍👍🏼
Lol the handmade is way better tbh. And the way he made the fishballs is gently and not rush at all♥️ ugh the dedication
How he makes each fishball with hardwork... its inspiring
It's basically a comparison of an artisan product and a industrial one. Pros and Cons on each items
No. More a comparison of a cottage industry version vs a factory veteran
Why not give the store address of the handmade fish balls? I would love to go eat there and support them!
Uh you do realize the guy is actually lying about it being handmade? Only the beginning and the last thing he does is by hand
AlphineWolf The beginning (scrapping of fish meat) and end steps (shaping) are the crucial steps in making fish balls. Yes he used a blender and mincer but the fish balls are still hand made in essence, something most hawkers don’t do these days. Can’t blame them, it’s too exhausting. Give credit where credit is due, the guy is not lying.
@@TheYixinlee then he should have said half hand made and told the truth. I dont see him slamming down a meat cleaver over and over again, mashing the fish into a paste. The guy cheated using technology. You can never get the true taste of hand made fish balls if you cheat. Note how he slaps it at the end to try to make up for the part he cheated with. That's because he's trying to slap the air pockets back in that is missing when you cheat. Its what separates hand made and machine made.
@@AlphineWolf fishball police 😅
@@AlphineWolf You know handmade sausages are also like that they mince the meat and mix it with a machine.
I can tell the huge difference in consistency and color. The first ones definitely look like they are made out of fish. I would definitely pay more for the hand made ones even if they are sold at a stall!
Here in the philippines they sell fishballs, squidballs etc on carts with a built-it stove and ppl buy from them and we call it “tusok-tusok”
And sadly it's always the frozen variety & is mostly starch. I've never bought a "fresh fishball" here. Hay.
@@wordsandtricks there used to be a guy that sold handmade fishball haha, in cubao, qc
@@sorbandfelisimp7513 Ah talaga? Any idea kung anong sahog? I want to try to make a vegan version haha
This man here is a legend. He's so hardworking and perseveres for the people who eat at his stall. Everyone should be like him, he's such a good example to others.🙂
I hope he does not give up his business. Special foods can never be replicated by machines. That's why they remain unique. Also, it is great to eat foods with no chemicals.
Hop Kee guys deserve to make it big. They are true grinders and always provide the best food to their customers. Hope more people eat there so they can hire more staff and expand.
I am proud of your hard work and success .
Wishing all the luck and good health.😀😀😀
Hand made fish balls-it's truly a labour of love.
合计鱼圆，I sincerely hope they don’t give up on the business. The fish balls that they make looks so good!
Truly nothing can replace the watchful eye of an expert and his gentle touch.
The passion they put to make the best fish balls is just amazing
here in the philippines fishball are cymbal shape and commonly cooked fried and sell on small stalls.
I can tell from the way it look, The Ang Mo Kio fish ball is more Perfectly the BEST
Oh.Such a hard working and caring man
What a dedication...salute!
Really, ive tasted their fishballs. Its sooooo good and squishy🤤🤤
Handmade is really different from the machine. You can feel the bounce in the handmade fishball when you bite it.
Yup!
Would love to try the Hup kees fishball. They look amazing!
You sirs, are inspirational. Tq for your gift.
Liked because of the HANDMADE... SIR you are THE BEST!!
This video is insightful and has great production quality!
Thanks! :)
Anna tqvm for speedy reply.
All the best.
wow pure fishball. A great man.
Nothing beats hand-made stuffs hands down.
CNA insiders are still my fav
I can show this to my crush how does fishball made he will be shooked or happy how this people give their energy just make them
Labor of love. Salute!
I would love to try those handmade fishballs.
This is a delicious traditional food 😍
There is love in handmade product
Minutes 1:58... Sincerely work hard to give the best to his customers..do support him
Awesome editing skills there
i feel customers should be willing to pay more for handmade stuff, they dun see the hardwork behind all that effort.
Sure love the taste of singaporean fish ball
I believe we need both. Traditional for the skills and social aspects and factory for business and economy growth
I want to try this !
I appreciate the factory made fishballs so that i can cook it myself at the comfort of my home. But the hand made fishballs are something that i will buy on special occassion. Both methods have its own specialties.
i would like to taste the handmade fish ball, it looks so tempting
I wish that his son/daughter will succeed his skill and business.
One is loyal to quality. The other is loyal to profit. There's a time and place for everything. Not everyone can go to Singapore to eat Meng's fishballs, but It's a blessing for us that Meng is still there and making fish balls by hand so should support him whenever possible.
Just 1 question, surely they can hire more people to scrap the fish and make fish balls by hand? It's scraping fish, not coding. It's going to be expensive, but any good artisan or time honoured products have people waiting to pay top dollar for ?
The one man guy is PEWDS and the factory is T-SERIES😂
Handmade fishball is the best , in Malaysia many restaurant made their own fishball also .
Random Fact:Here in the Philippines,we eat fishballs in a sweet sauce.They can be found even in a street corner without a stall most of the time and the only time we can get them in a soup is through Chinese or Vietnamese restaurants
Are they still in business, the handmade one? I really want to try once I have chance to visit Singapore again!
i salute and respect mr. tan chee meng. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you.
Passionate
omg the way the fishball pops out of his hand
That ‘fish odor’ is what makes fish balls taste good
Proud of Malaysia..
factory mass produced fish balls are definitely way inferior to handmade ones with minimal processing in terms of taste and texture.... as mentioned in the video, most factory made fish balls add many other additives like preservatives that allow them to be stockpiled and starch which reduces the cost price (given most industrially made fish balls are made by profit driven companies) so the quality and taste are obviously compromised. handmade fish balls also achieve springiness that most machines can’t replicate and i would much rather pay a little more for handmade fish balls with quality ingredient composition and texture rather than factory made fish balls (many of which either taste bland or plain odd anyway). woman be telling lies to get you to eat dodo fish balls.
You don’t become that fat from eating fish balls. It’s kfc
Boopady Doop The One To Beat
aww he loves his fish so much lol
Knew a chap that used to sell fishballs in the wet market. He adviced me not to eat too many of those so often as now a days they use machines to debone the fish and sometimes lose fish bones got mix with the meat. Instead of going thru the meat to remove them they use a chemical to melt and dissolve them.
Guys for him it’s probably not all about the money or the help any at all. He did say that he makes every single fish ball by hands so that he could be sure about the quality of what he puts out and continues his father’s wonderful business. Hiring more or raising the price more may preserves this business longer but the taste the flavor may never be the same anymore just like what happened to the case of the cooperation, it became all about profits. And ain’t we loving his small shop for being so authentic just the way it is? What we could do best is to live simple, slow down and appreciate more.
Sorry if I am being too emotional 😭
Hand make fish ball is the best👌
Fish ball are awesome
Anybody knows where exactly in Ang Mo Kio is this stall?
Google hup kee fishball. It's in Malaysia.
@@cafezo87934 Ah, okay. Thanks. it's at 158 Ang Mo Kio Ave 4 #01-590
@@anthtan Pretty sure Ang Mo Kio is in Singapore!
Remember these quotes.
"By hand, by machine , both are great. However, it is obvious which is better"
"People want to head back in time. However, why can't we bring the past to the future?"
"Retreat back. To advance forward."(if we retreat back to the "original" Era, we can advance forward to grasp greater things.)
hand made the best...old fashion way the best
How does one get in touch with those fish ball machine manufacturer??🤔
Hand made fishballs are silky smooth in texture.
How that stay consistency... Without strach.
Sadly fish not from inside
after seeing this video, see the korean hawker fish cake master.. u gonna be mesmerizing...😵
The machine one can never be fresh as the hand-made one
Yes but I don’t have to worry about the machine washing his hands
The thing is that the guy who makes his fishballs runs out of them in 5 hours or 4 if people are really hungry for fishballs but seriously you can not compare handmade to factory produced everything handmade is worth it I hope more people get the handmade fishballs and some people now want to learn about making fishballs by hand i wish the best for the man and his son😊
Also I’m not saying that the Lims are selfish
Wow!!! I have goosebumps after looking at the pictures when they started as small entrepreneur and became as what they are now!! So inspiring!!
I feel that even though handmade and machine made taste the same, handmade ones are always more worth to buy and taste nicer, since feelings are put into the process of making it through handmaking which is an ingredient that machine made don't have.
amazing
Pride!!! Hawkers FTW!!!
where in amk is the fish ball shop at?? the fish cakes look sooooo good!!!!
Block 158 AMK Ave 4 - g.co/kgs/Qygv3i
Block 158 Ang Mo Kio Avenue 4
Just realized I'm only 5 mins away lol
@@monochrom1870 try and let us know
@@suziewan115 later during lunch lah
i want to try that fishball
What fish are you using sir?
Anyone knows the name of the place that makes handmade fishballs? Would definitely drop by on my trip to Singapore
Google hup kee fishball Malaysia.
I want some 😀
well, i know where i'll be heading to in singapore
fast forward 3 years later with a cna story about what's in the factory ones lol
You can feel love when it’s handmade
You can’t feel love when it’s made from machines
Handmade fishballs are much better than the other ones
Thanks
Actual Authentic Fish Ball.
It only shows that heart hardwork and dedication is not enough to make one financially successful. One should have the vision smarts and innovation to accomplish that
In the Philippines We do not pair it with other food with soup we pair it with sauce😛