At the table
Use chopsticks or a fork to separate a piece. Take small bites and chew well; the dough is sticky and has no filling to uncover.
Contains peanuts and sesame. Sticky dough can be difficult for some children or people with swallowing difficulties.
Ask whether it is the soft boiled version or the pan-fried version. For vegetarian or vegan diets, check the frying fat and other additions.
GET TO KNOW THE DISH
What goes into it?
Explore some key ingredients below. Preparations may use additional seasonings and ingredients.
The snack is also called 胶罗钱 or 软果 in local usage. A soft boiled-and-coated form and a pan-fried, crisp-edged form are both made. Topping proportions and piece size vary. Despite occasional descriptive English use of 'rice ball', this preparation has no dumpling filling and is distinct from filled soup tangyuan.
Typical ingredients
In some versions
Recipes vary by restaurant.
How does it taste?
Sugar gives the coated bites their sweetness, with roasted peanut and sesame aroma.
- Chili heat
- Texture
- The boiled-and-pounded dough is soft, sticky and elastic. The pan-fried version develops a lightly crisp outside while staying soft within. Texture depends on the serving style.
- How it’s made
- The preparation mixes water into glutinous-rice flour, kneads the dough, boils it until cooked, then repeatedly pounds it until smooth and elastic. The warm dough is portioned and rolled in crushed roasted peanuts, sesame and sugar. Another style pan-fries the cooked dough until the outside turns golden and crisp before cutting and coating it.
The snack is also called 胶罗钱 or 软果 in local usage. A soft boiled-and-coated form and a pan-fried, crisp-edged form are both made. Topping proportions and piece size vary. Despite occasional descriptive English use of 'rice ball', this preparation has no dumpling filling and is distinct from filled soup tangyuan.
A CONNECTION TO PLACE
Origin & regional roots
Associated with Guangdong.
About this regional connection
Guangdong: Chaoshan preparation and Shantou market context.
Ask if they have it first
请问你们有落汤钱吗？
Do you have this item?
A LITTLE SOMETHING TO READ
Story & history
A Chaoshan sweet for sharing
This account describes a tradition or story, rather than an established historical fact.
Luotangqian is a Chaoshan sweet also known as jiaoluoqian or ruanguo. It is made for family celebrations as well as sold as a market snack; its peanut-and-sesame coating contrasts with the sticky rice dough.