10 Best Fishballs in the Philippines 2025 | Buying Guide Reviewed by Nutritionist-Dietitian
Fishball has always been a favorite street food for many Filipinos. If you miss eating tusok-tusok style when there's a fishball cart nearby, you can now relish that experience at home with frozen fishballs you can buy online. These fishballs are quick and convenient, as they're easy to prepare for merienda, snack time, or even as ulam.
To help you get a good pack of fishballs, we will share a buying guide, fact-checked by nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, enumerating the factors you need to consider. Further down, we also prepared a list of recommendations to help you get the best one. We made sure to include various types, so no worries whether you want the type you can use for hotpot.
Quick List - Top Fishballs
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
How to Choose Fishball – Buying Guide
Fishballs come in many flavors and styles, making it tricky to choose the right one. Whether you prefer deep-fried or mixed with your soups, the right kind of variation can make all the difference. Here’s a quick guide to help you find the best fishballs for your taste and needs!
For Deep-Frying or for Soups: Take Your Pick
There are two main methods of cooking fishballs. More often than not, we associate a certain type or shape of fishball based on how we want to prepare it. Read on to know more about fishballs that are deep-fried and those that are used in soups.
Flat Fishballs for Deep-Frying
In the Philippines, fishballs are often deep-fried and then served along with a special dipping sauce. For this, we often go for the flat version that has a yellowish shade once cooked. It is made of pounded cuttlefish or pollock, smoothening it out to get its flattened shape.
Order this type of fish ball if you're after the Pinoy-style of tusok-tusok fishball that we enjoy and get from street food vendors. Make your own sauce by mixing flour, brown sugar, soy sauce, garlic, and pepper. Some use ketchup, sweet & sour sauce, or vinegar with some red chili.
Round Fishballs for Shabu-shabu and Soups
The round version is shaped like a meatball in a pale white shade. Often, this type of fishball is served in restaurants in soups, standing out for its fluffy texture. Since it’s also steamed, this may be a healthier option for those who want to watch their food consumption.
When you browse online, some round fishballs are called Singapore fishballs due to their popularity in this island city-state. Aside from restaurants, you can find fishballs that are served in soups in hawker centers and independent kiosks in the city. They can be stuffed too, which we'll talk about more in the next section.
Consider Stuffed Fishballs for Variety
In China, fishballs are called yú wán. One of its prominent examples is the Fuzhou fishball, which is has minced pork an extra filling. It’s identified as a local street food and an additional ingredient when cooking hot pot. Aside from pork meat, you can also find fishballs that are also stuffed with small slices of crab, shrimp, cheese, and taro.
Check the Expiry Details and Net Weight
Buying frozen fishballs and cooking them yourself is an option worth trying since it allows you to be productive in the kitchen, but be wary of the lifespan of the package you buy. The shelf life of fishballs on average is 4 to 18 months, so make sure to double-check the label or ask the seller directly.
Another thing to consider is the amount of fishball that you're buying. You can choose between 500 grams and 1 kilo of fishballs. If it’s only you who will be consuming it, opt for a pack with a longer shelf life. You can also settle for a smaller serving.
Read Customer Reviews to Confirm the Quality
Since ordering frozen food online means you can't check the fishballs yourself, check reviews posted by previous customers. This way, you can confirm the quality of the item. Maybe a friend of yours has tried it before and loved it, perhaps you can request them to share their experience with the shop or online seller as well as the taste and quality of the food.
10 Best Fishballs to Buy Online
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shape | Best For | Net Weight | Stuffed or With Filling | Shelf Life / Expiry Date | |||||
1 | Fat & Thin Cuttle Fish Ball | | Rich Umami Taste in Every Bite | Round | Shabu-Shabu, Soups | 500g | None | 1 Year | |
2 | San Jose Fish Ball | | Enjoy A Filipino Street Food Favorite At Home | Flat | Deep-Frying | 1000g | None | 1 Month | |
3 | Li Chuan Singapore Fish Balls | | Enjoy These Fish Balls in Shabu-Shabu, Soups, or Noodle Dishes | Round | Shabu-Shabu, Soups | 500g | None | unknown | |
4 | LI-AN Hotpot Singapore Fish Ball | | Hotpot-Ready Fish Balls That Soak Up Flavors | Round | Shabu-Shabu, Soups | 500g | None | unknown | |
5 | Wei Wei Special Fish Ball | | Enjoy Bite-Sized Fish Balls in Seafood, Taro, or Mushroom Varieties | Round | Shabu-Shabu, Soups, Variety | 500g | Seafood, Taro, Mushroom, Meat | unknown | |
6 | Nikudo Taro Fish Ball | | A Wholesome and Tasty Option That's Stuffed With Taro | Round | Variety | 500g | Meat, Taro | unknown | |
7 | CB Fish Ball With Cheese & Shrimp | | Protein-Packed Fish Balls Oozing with Cheese and Shrimp | Round | Variety | 500g | Cheese, Shrimp | unknown | |
8 | Cold Storage Seafood Frozen Fish Balls | | Fish Balls That Keep Their Shape, Even After Deep-Frying | Round | Shabu-Shabu, Deep-Frying, Soups | 500g | None | unknown | |
9 | DoDo Fish Ball | | Guilt-Free and Halal-Certified Fish Balls | Round | Shabu-Shabu, Soups | 200g | None | unknown | |
10 | Nikudo Vege Fish Ball | | Savor Nutritious Bites Packed with Veggies | Round | Shabu-Shabu, Soups, Variety | 500g | Fish Meat, Vegetables | unknown | |
Rich Umami Taste in Every Bite
Easy to prepare, they’re perfect for busy families looking for a quick and tasty snack. Add them to stir-fries, mix them with vegetables, or deep-fry them for a crispy treat. With their premium taste and convenience, these cuttlefish balls make home-cooked meals effortless yet flavorful.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Shabu-Shabu, Soups |
| Net Weight | 500g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | None |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | 1 Year |
Enjoy A Filipino Street Food Favorite At Home
For an authentic experience, pair them with a tangy sweet sauce, something spicy for a bit of a kick, or enjoy it with classic fish ball sauce. Ideal for a hearty merienda, these fish balls offer a delightful crunch, making them the perfect treat to enjoy with family and friends.
| Shape | Flat |
|---|---|
| Best For | Deep-Frying |
| Net Weight | 1000g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | None |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | 1 Month |
Enjoy These Fish Balls in Shabu-Shabu, Soups, or Noodle Dishes
Made in Singapore, these fish balls are made from high-quality surimi, delivering a bouncy texture and fresh, savory taste that enhances any dish. Perfect for a warm bowl of laksa, a flavorful shabu-shabu, or a comforting noodle soup, they add that satisfying bite that will elevate your meal.
Infused with the spirit of Singapore’s beloved hawker cuisine, these fish balls bring authenticity and deliciousness straight to your table. Whether you're craving a quick snack or a full meal, these versatile fish balls are sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Shabu-Shabu, Soups |
| Net Weight | 500g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | None |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | unknown |
Hotpot-Ready Fish Balls That Soak Up Flavors
Whether you boil them in a rich broth or dip them in your favorite sauce, they absorb flavors beautifully, giving you a smooth yet firm bite every time. Quick to cook and bursting with flavor, these fish balls offer delicious seafood goodness at an affordable price.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Shabu-Shabu, Soups |
| Net Weight | 500g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | None |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | unknown |
Enjoy Bite-Sized Fish Balls in Seafood, Taro, or Mushroom Varieties
What sets this apart is its range of delicious fillings—ranging from classic seafood flavors to unique options like taro and mushroom. With a perfect balance of texture and flavor, these fish balls are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a quick, filling meal.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Shabu-Shabu, Soups, Variety |
| Net Weight | 500g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | Seafood, Taro, Mushroom, Meat |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | unknown |
A Wholesome and Tasty Option That's Stuffed With Taro
Nikudo Taro Fish Balls offer a unique twist on traditional fish balls, blending premium fish meat with real taro for a flavorful and satisfying bite. Made with all-natural ingredients, they contain no preservatives or artificial coloring, ensuring a wholesome taste.
In addition to their delicious flavor, taro is packed with essential vitamins like C, B6, and E, making these fish balls a nutritious option. Ready to cook and incredibly versatile, these fish balls are a great way to support your immune system while enjoying a tasty meal.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Variety |
| Net Weight | 500g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | Meat, Taro |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | unknown |
Protein-Packed Fish Balls Oozing with Cheese and Shrimp
CB Frozen Food’s fish balls stand out with a delicious twist—stuffed with a savory blend of cheese and shrimp. These offer a unique, flavorful filling that is not only incredibly tasty but also provides a boost of energy in each serving.
Made by CB, a trusted brand from Malaysia, these 8-piece fish balls are packed with protein and contain no preservatives. Ready in minutes, they’re great for adding a burst of cheesy goodness to a variety of dishes.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Variety |
| Net Weight | 500g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | Cheese, Shrimp |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | unknown |
Fish Balls That Keep Their Shape, Even After Deep-Frying
Selling these as street food can be a great way to start your own business. With their unique texture and shape, they’ll catch the eye of customers, and when paired with a tasty dipping sauce, they’ll become a go-to favorite that keeps people coming back.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Shabu-Shabu, Deep-Frying, Soups |
| Net Weight | 500g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | None |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | unknown |
Guilt-Free and Halal-Certified Fish Balls
For those who prioritize their health, these guilt-free fishballs from Dodo offer a tasty and worry-free option. Each Halal-certified serving is packed with protein and low in cholesterol, allowing you to indulge minus the guilt.
Many people hesitate to choose healthy food, thinking it lacks flavor. But that’s not the case here! Dodo fish balls contain minimal starch, giving them a bouncy texture and a natural sweetness in every bite. Whether you enjoy them as a meal or snack, these will definitely leave you wanting more.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Shabu-Shabu, Soups |
| Net Weight | 200g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | None |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | unknown |
Savor Nutritious Bites Packed with Veggies
Keep in mind that these fish balls do contain fish, egg whites, and soy, so they may not be suitable for all dietary restrictions. However, these tasty snacks are HACCP and Halal-certified, guaranteeing high standards of safety, quality, and freshness.
| Shape | Round |
|---|---|
| Best For | Shabu-Shabu, Soups, Variety |
| Net Weight | 500g |
| Stuffed or With Filling | Fish Meat, Vegetables |
| Shelf Life / Expiry Date | unknown |
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
How To Cook Fish Balls?
While you can simmer and microwave fishballs in a bowl of water, the most common way to cook them is by frying. Simply stir fry them for about 3-5 minutes over medium heat.
Are Fish Balls Good for Diet?
Based on DOST-FNRI's street food nutrition guide, ten pieces of fishballs can have about 146 calories. This number is lower than the 200-calorie content of an 80g bowl of rice. But since fishballs are not as filling, it's easy to eat more than one stick and consume more than you intend.
Indulge in More Local Treats
Now we're done breaking down everything about fishball and where to buy them, it shouldn't stop your hunt for more food, especially local desserts like kakanin, leche flan, and ube cake! We've also got a list of recommendations for the best lechon in the country. Order these delectable treats and continue enjoying the greatness of Filipino cuisine
How We Chose and Ranked Our Product Recommendations
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
Top 5 Fishballs
No. 1: Fat & Thin｜Cuttle Fish Ball
No. 2: San Jose｜Fish Ball
No. 3: Li Chuan Singapore｜Fish Balls
No. 4: LI-AN｜Hotpot Singapore Fish Ball
No. 5: Wei Wei｜Special Fish Ball
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Most ViewedFeatured Rankings Similar to Fishballs
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