Pieces of chicken in a light, puffy batter, fried golden and served with our bright sweet and sour sauce. It is the plate that gets every generation at the table to agree, and it has been a Chinese-Canadian standard in Winnipeg for as long as anyone can remember.
The batter is the whole trick. Ours is mixed light so it puffs in the fryer and stays crisp rather than turning dense and bready. Inside, the chicken is cut into proper bite-size pieces so you get real meat in every ball instead of a mouthful of coating.
The sweet and sour sauce is balanced towards tangy, with enough acidity to cut the frying. We serve it on the side by default so you can dip rather than drown, though we will happily toss the whole order in sauce if that is how your family likes it.
Chicken is portioned and battered fresh at the start of your order. The fryer is held steady so the batter sets quickly and seals, giving that hollow, crisp shell. Each ball is drained and packed immediately with the sauce in a separate container. If you are eating in, we bring the sauce hot to the table so it stays glossy.
Chicken balls need something savoury beside them. Order them with chicken fried rice and chicken chow mein, add chicken chop suey for vegetables, or start the meal with a bowl of wonton soup.
Ordering, delivery, portions and hours for Sweet and Sour Chicken Balls at Dragon Palace, 3060 Portage Ave in west Winnipeg.
Call (204) 831-7727Dragon Palace makes them fresh at 3060 Portage Ave in west Winnipeg, for takeout, delivery, dine-in and catering.
No. They are sweet and tangy with no heat at all, which makes them one of the most popular choices for children.
We pack the sweet and sour sauce separately by default so the batter stays crisp. Ask us if you prefer it tossed through.
Portions are generous and sized for sharing. Single orders suit one or two people, and family sizes are available for larger tables.
We are open until 8:30 PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday, and until 9:00 PM on Friday and Saturday. We are closed Tuesday.
Mixed thin and fried hot so the shell stays crisp and hollow instead of heavy and doughy.
Proper bite-size pieces of chicken, so every ball has something to chew on.
Bright and tangy enough to cut the fry, rather than pure sugar.
Dragon Palace is at 3060 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB R3K 0Y1 in west Winnipeg, with dine-in seating, takeout, delivery and catering. Use the map for directions or order ahead and pick up.
Dine-in · Takeout · Delivery · Catering