Ying Ming Lin's Meatball Introduction
With nearly a hundred years of history, this old shop can be considered a representative of Hsinchu meatballs. Located next to the entrance of the Chenghuang Temple, the wall beside the seating area is painted with large red letters spelling "Lin Family Meatballs," and it features signatures and messages from many famous celebrities. The Lin Family Meatballs has been operating in the food stalls at Chenghuang Temple for several decades, currently managed by the fourth generation. Although each brother operates independently with their stalls, they all use the recipe handed down through generations. The specialty is the filling made from lean meat marinated with red yeast for half a day to a day, with the outer skin made from sweet potato starch and rice flour. The product is steamed and then deep-fried, making it fragrant and chewy! The red appearance differs from meatballs in Changhua and other places. In addition to the traditional scallion and meat flavor, they now offer varieties like bamboo shoots and chestnut, providing a diverse selection that has become a highlight of the food stalls at Chenghuang Temple. Besides meatballs, they also serve soups such as Four Gods Soup and the well-known Hsinchu Gōng Wán Soup. The Four Gods Soup is so tender it melts in your mouth, making it a perfect match for the meatballs. On weekends, a single stall can sell two to three thousand meatballs, and many people wholesale meatballs from them on weekdays. The authentic flavors of Lin Family Meatballs have attracted numerous interviews and reports from famous food programs and magazines. Adhering to tradition while innovating at the right time is the key to their enduring presence among the many food stalls at Chenghuang Temple.
