Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of forcemeat ball: "chả viên" refers to a small, round-shaped food item made from finely minced or ground meat (typically fish, pork, or chicken) that is seasoned, often mixed with starch, and then boiled, steamed, or fried.
   • A quenelle: This is the direct French culinary equivalent, referring to a seasoned, poached dumpling made from a forcemeat mixture.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Món canh chua này sẽ ngon hơn nếu có thêm vài viên chả viên cá. (This sour soup will be more delicious with a few fish forcemeat balls.)
  • Chả viên heo chiên là món ăn vặt phổ biến. (Fried pork forcemeat balls are a popular snack.)

Advanced Usage

• "chả viên" in culinary contexts: The term is specific to Vietnamese cuisine but corresponds to the French "quenelle" or the general concept of a "forcemeat ball" in Western culinary terminology. It is a prepared food item, not an ingredient in its raw state.
  • Kỹ thuật làm chả viên mịn đòi hỏi phải đánh thịt thật kỹ. (The technique for making smooth forcemeat balls requires beating the meat thoroughly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chả (n): A general term for Vietnamese sausage, meatloaf, or patty, which can be steamed, fried, or grilled. "Chả viên" is a ball-shaped variety of "chả".
• Giò (n): Another term for a type of Vietnamese pork sausage or cold cut, which is typically cylindrical. It is related but has a different shape and preparation method compared to "chả viên".
• Quenelle (n): The French loanword and direct equivalent, often used in bilingual or high-end culinary contexts.

Synonyms

• Forcemeat ball: The general English term for a ball made from seasoned, ground meat.
• Meatball: A more common but less precise synonym, as "meatball" can refer to a wider variety of styles (e.g., Italian, Swedish) not necessarily made from a fine forcemeat.

Related Phrases

• Viên (n): This word means "pill", "pellet", or "small round object". In "chả viên", "viên" specifies the round, ball-like shape of the "chả".
• Làm chả viên: The process of making forcemeat balls.
  • Bà tôi biết cách làm chả viên cá ngon. (My grandmother knows how to make delicious fish forcemeat balls.)

1. Quenelle forcemeat ball