Xia Jiao
Har Gow (Shrimp Dumplings) are translucent, crescent-shaped steamed dumplings filled with succulent fresh shrimp. They are considered the benchmark of a dim sum chef's skill — the wrapper must be thin enough to see the pink shrimp inside, yet strong enough not to break.
Ingredients
- Shrimp 500 g
- Cooking oil to taste
- Salt to taste
- Soy sauce 1 tbsp
- Scallions, ginger and garlic to taste
- Cooking wine 1 tbsp
Instructions
- 1. Marinate the shrimp dumplings with cooking wine and a little starch for 10 minutes
- 2. Heat oil in the pan, slide in the shrimp dumplings and stir-fry quickly until they change color and serve.
- 3. Leave the oil in the pot and sauté the minced garlic and ginger until fragrant.
- 4. Add shrimp, onion, ginger and garlic and stir-fry until cooked through
- 5. Pour back the shrimp dumplings, add oyster sauce and light soy sauce and stir-fry quickly evenly
- 6. Thinly thicken the gravy, take it out of the pan and serve on a plate
Cultural Notes
Har Gow is often called the 'king of dim sum.' Creating the perfect translucent wrapper requires exceptional technique — it must be thin, smooth, and strong enough to hold the filling without tearing. A skilled dim sum chef is often judged by the number and uniformity of their har gow pleats, with 13 or more pleats considered master level.