Sure, we know all about the gut-healthy benefits of kimchi. The fermented napa cabbage is full of vitamins A and B, as well as calcium and iron. But when we’re downing Xinji Noodle Bar’s golf ball-sized kimchi balls ($4 each), we’re not thinking about our stomach’s well-being (or counting calories). We’re there for our taste buds’ happiness — for the delight of a crispy outer shell that gives way to a warm, tangy interior of funky kimchi fried rice with a dash of gochujang (a Korean fermented chili paste). But there’s even more of a surprise that makes these gluttonous fried globes addictive. “Inside we have a little cube of mozzarella cheese,” says chef and owner Shuxin Liu. “Then we just bread that and fry it.” Drizzled with a house-made chili aioli — a mix of kimchi and mayonnaise — the appetizer is a yin yang that leaves your whole soul satisfied. 4211 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, 216-465-2439, xinjinoodle.com
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Best Of Cleveland: Kimchi Balls
Xinji Noodle Bar's deep-fried fermented cabbage are nothing short of delightful.
