admin There’s no better way to spend a leisurely weekend morning than by heading to your local dim sum restaurant and stuff yourself with dumplings. Who can resist when the servers roll the carts of delicious food by your table? For many, dim sum is a tradition, but if you’re new to dim sum, you might not be familiar with everything on the menu.
Are you ready to explore the world of Chinese dumplings, but don’t know what you might like to eat? Read on to learn about everything from xiao long bao to wontons!
- Xiao Long Bao
Xiao long bao is probably the most famous and most popular Chinese dumpling on the scene right now, and for good reason. They are savory, juicy, and absolutely delicious.
Xiao long bao came out of the Nanxiang suburb of Shanghai, and are now known as one of Shanghai’s signature dishes. It typically consists of a mixture of ground pork and spices, along with a generous serving of broth in a thin, steamed wrapper.
The best way to eat it is to poke a hole in the wrapper and pour the soup into a spoon. You then dip the dumpling in a mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, and ginger, and eat it along with the soup!
If you can’t find a restaurant with xiao long bao in your area, that doesn’t mean you have to go without or try to craft these delicious dumplings on your own. Some restaurants make and freeze xiao long bao and ship them out across the country. Check out https://thexcj.com/ for both pork and shrimp and pork xiao long bao!
- Har Gow
There’s more than one type of dim sum style, and har gow is proof of that.
Har gow is a dumpling you’ll find in a traditional Cantonese dim sum restaurant. Each dumpling is filled with succulent shrimp and then folded into a clam shape.
Just like xiao long bao, the process of making har gow is an art. Each wrapper should be thin and translucent, and they must contain between seven and ten pleats at the top. If you want to prove your chops as a dim sum chef, then you must master the art of har gow!
- Shao Mai
Are you interested in something a little more hearty to fill you up? Then you definitely need to try shao mai!
Shao mai is another dim sum star. It is filled with ground pork and shrimp together with green onion and mushrooms. The wrapper is not a simple flour wrapper, instead is a little thicker and made with lye water dough.
Shao mai look like little purses and the wrapper is not fully closed. You’ll see a little orange dot on top of each dumpling. The dot typically consists of crab roe or it may be a small piece of carrot. Regardless of what’s on top, you’re sure to enjoy this dim sum favorite.
- Egg Dumplings
Want to shake things up with your dumpling flavors?
Egg dumplings are a tender and delicious addition to your dim sum meal. They resemble an omelet, but taste like a dumpling!
The chef cracks an egg into a small pan and cooks it until it is almost done. Then the chef fills it with ground meat and veggies and gently folds the egg in half. The dumpling is then boiled in water and served up.
Many people choose to eat egg dumplings as part of a hot pot meal or with malatang.
- Jiao Zi
If you want to start out your journey into Chinese dumplings on the easy side, then you should opt for some simple steamed jiao zi.
Jiao zi is a generic form of Chinese dumpling. It consists of a mixture of ground meat and veggies that is gently tucked into a thin wrapper that is crimped at the top and then steamed. If you like things a little crispy, then you can also fry them!
Jiao zi is super popular around Chinese New Year, so if you’re having a hard time finding them, then you might be able to find them at a local celebration.
- Wontons
Wontons are another super common Chinese dumpling, and you can find them at almost any restaurant.
They are served differently depending upon the region from which they came. For example, in Shaghai, wontons are stuffed with bok choy and minced pork. Sichuan style wontons pack more heat thanks to the sesame paste and chili oil they’re served with.
The most common wonton you’ll find is in Cantonese cuisine. If you’re at a Cantonese restaurant, then they’re probably filled with both pork and shrimp and served up in a noodle soup.
With all of these different types of wontons out there, you need to try them all to determine which one is your favorite!
- Bao Zi
Bao zi is a must-have item when it comes to dim sum.
Unlike the thin wrappers you find with most dumplings, bao zi are encased in a light, fluffy dough that makes it look more like a bun than a dumpling. In fact, the most common form of bao zi, char siu bao, is known as pork buns!
Bao zi is stuffed with many different things, from barbecue pork to red bean paste. Some even have savory broth like xiao long bao!
Are You Feeling Hungry Now?
There are so many delicious Chinese dumplings, and they all belong on your plate. From the sumptuous xiao long bao to the tasty shao mai, there’s a whole world of food out there just waiting to be explored and savored. Call your friends and make plans for the weekend, because it’s time to dive into the world of Chinese dumplings!
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