Meizhou, · Guangdong · Province · — · Hakka · Heartland Techniques

Unusual Hakka dish of taro and tapioca starch dumplings shaped like abacus beads (small torus shapes), stir-fried with pork mince, mushrooms, dried shrimp, and preserved vegetables. The texture is uniquely chewy and slippery with a distinctive taro earthiness. Associated with Hakka New Year traditions.

Hakka preservation technique of packing pork belly or whole pork cuts in coarse salt with aromatics, curing several days in cool conditions. The resulting meat is firm, deeply savoury, and can be steamed, stir-fried with vegetables, or used as a flavouring agent in rice dishes. Core to Hakka frugal preservation tradition.