I kinda freehand them everytime. But I first take an onion, chop it finely and fry it up a bit. Then I put in together with this cheap dried soy mince which I slightly hydrate and marinate in soy sauce, liquid smoke and a huge amount of different spices (cumin, cloves, herbs, nutmeg, etc, I forget all of it). I mix it with my hands thoroughmy, and also put a spoon of potato starch to make it hold together better, then make the balls and fry them.

I usually cook without oil, but these things need a little oil in the pan to be best