Buchi-Buchi (Fried Sesame Rice Balls)
Glutinous rice flour balls with a sweet mung bean or coconut center, rolled in sesame seeds and deep-fried until crisp outside and chewy within. These popular roadside snacks reflect the strong Filipino and Chinese influence on Marianas street food.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 10
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 190 kcal
Equipment
- •Deep pot or wok for frying
- •Slotted spoon
Nutrition
Per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 190 kcal
- fat
- 8
- carbs
- 26
- protein
- 4
- calories
- 190
Instructions
- 1
Mix the rice flour, sugar, and warm water together. Stir until you have a smooth, soft dough.
- 2
Divide the dough into small portions. Flatten each piece into a round disc.
- 3
Put a spoonful of mung bean paste in the center. Seal the dough tightly around it into a smooth ball.
- 4
Roll each ball in sesame seeds. Press gently so the seeds stick.
- 5
Heat oil to 325°F in a deep pot on the stovetop.
- 6
Fry the balls in batches for 6-8 minutes, turning often. Cook until golden, puffed, and the sesame seeds look toasted.
- 7
Drain the balls on paper towels. Let them cool slightly before serving.
Chef's tips
Fry over medium-low heat so the outside does not brown before the inside cooks through.
Storage
Best eaten the day they are fried; store leftovers at room temperature up to 1 day.
Reheating
Reheat briefly in an air fryer or oven to re-crisp; microwaving makes them chewy rather than crisp.
Common mistakes to avoid
- •Frying at too high heat, which browns the outside before the inside cooks
- •Not sealing the dough completely, which makes the filling leak out during frying
Serving suggestions
Cooked Buchi-Buchi (Fried Sesame Rice Balls)?
Sign in to save this recipe to a collection. Bookmarking works without an account — it stays on this device.
Sign in for collectionsSimilar recipes
Dishes with the same spirit, spice level and course.
More from Northern Mariana Islands
Cooking that shares the same kitchen and pantry.
Recipes using similar ingredients
Use what you already bought for this recipe.
