Luk Chin Ping
Thai Grilled Meatballs
Luk Chin Ping are popular Thai street food skewers featuring grilled fish or pork meatballs, often brushed with a sweet glaze while cooking and served with a vibrant sweet chili sauce for dipping. They are quick to prepare and incredibly satisfying.
🧂 Ingredients
- 24 Fish balls or pork balls(Look for pre-cooked, firm meatballs at Asian markets. If using larger meatballs, you may need to halve or quarter them to fit the skewers and ensure even cooking.)
- 12 Wooden skewers(Soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes prior to use to prevent them from burning on the grill.)
- 1 cup Sweet chili sauce(Store-bought is convenient, or you can make your own for a fresher taste. This will be used for brushing and dipping.)
- for brushing Optional glaze ingredients(To enhance the glaze, you can mix 1/4 cup of the sweet chili sauce with 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the skewers: If you haven't already, soak the wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes. This prevents them from burning on the grill. Drain them thoroughly before use.
⏱️ 30 minutes (soaking) - 2
Thread the meatballs: Carefully thread 2 meatballs onto each of the 12 soaked wooden skewers. Ensure they are snug but not overly compressed.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Preheat your grill: Prepare your grill for medium-high heat. This can be a charcoal grill (preferred for authentic flavor) or a gas grill. Aim for a temperature of approximately 200-230°C (400-450°F).
⏱️ 5-10 minutes - 4
Grill the meatballs: Place the skewered meatballs onto the preheated grill. Grill for about 3-4 minutes per side, turning regularly, until they are heated through and have nice grill marks. You are looking for a light charring for flavor.
⏱️ 8-10 minutes - 5
Glaze the meatballs: During the last 2-3 minutes of grilling, brush the meatballs generously with the sweet chili sauce or the optional glaze mixture. Continue grilling, turning once, until the glaze is slightly caramelized and sticky. Be careful not to burn the glaze.
⏱️ 2-3 minutes - 6
Serve: Remove the Luk Chin Ping from the grill. Arrange them on a serving platter and serve immediately with additional sweet chili sauce on the side for dipping.
⏱️ 1 minute
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For the most authentic street food flavor, grilling over charcoal is highly recommended.
- ✓Ensure your grill is clean before cooking to prevent sticking and off-flavors.
- ✓The sweet chili sauce is essential for the signature sweet and tangy flavor profile of this dish.
- ✓Don't overcook the meatballs, as they are already pre-cooked and you just need to heat them through and caramelize the glaze.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Use beef meatballs or even small chicken meatballs for a different protein.
- Experiment with different dipping sauces, such as a spicy peanut sauce or a lime-chili vinaigrette.
- Add a few pieces of pineapple or bell pepper between the meatballs on the skewers for added color and flavor.