Nikudango Amazuan (肉団子甘酢餡) are deep-fried meatballs in a glossy sweet-and-sour sauce. Nikudango literally means “meatball,” and Amazuan refers to the sweet-and-sour glaze in Japanese. This dish is another example of Chinese cuisine that has been adapted to suit Japanese tastes, becoming a beloved staple of Japanese-style Chinese food. You’ll find it on the menu at many Chinese restaurants in Japan, but it’s also a popular home-cooked dish—easy enough for a weeknight dinner and always satisfying.
