What is Shumai and 10 Best Shumai Recipes
on Nov 292022Updated Nov 192023
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Shumaior siu mai is one of the most popular Chinese dim sum dishes. It’s traditionally made with steamed pork and is a bite-sized treat that’s full of flavor.
Continue reading to learn more about shumai. You’ll also find 10 shumai recipes that you can make at home!
What is Shumai?
Shumai is a traditional type of steamed Chinese dumpling that’s often served for dim sum. Variations of shumai can be found in Japan and other southeast Asian countries.
What Does Shumai Taste Like?
It has a soft texture that’s similar to ground meat and is delicately flavored. Some shumai is adorned with a green pea or a sprinkling of fish eggs. Some restaurants prepare shumai with a hint of gingerwhile others do not.
What is Shumai Made of?
Traditional shumai is made with ground porksmall shrimp that is either left whole or is chopped, Chinese black mushroomgreen onionand ginger. The mixture is seasoned with Chinese rice winechicken stocksesame oiland soy sauce.
Shumai vs Gyoza Dumplings
Shumai and gyoza dumplings are somewhat similar but the filling is different. Traditional shumai is filled with ground pork and shrimpwhile gyoza contains ground meat and veggies. Both types of dumplings are often served with a savory soy and vinegar dipping sauce.
Best Shumai Recipes
Shrimp Shumai
If you’re a seafood loveryou’ll want to give this recipe a try. The shumai is flavored with gingerlemongrasssoy saucerice wine vinegarand sesame oiland then pressed into wonton wrappers. Serve these tasty treats as appetizers at your next party!
Fried Shumai
This version of shumai is deep fried! The dumplings are steamed and then fried until crisp and delicious.
Pork Shumai
This recipe takes you step-by-step on how to make classic shumai dumplingsincluding how to freeze them to enjoy later!
Chinese Steamed Dumplings Siu Mai
Wonton wrappers make easy work of these delicious siu mai dumplings! Watch the video for tips on how to stuff and fold the wrappers.
Cantonese Shumai
You’ll need just 30 minutes to make these juicy dumplings! Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce at your next casual get-together.
Crab and Pork Shumai Recipe
Crab pairs beautifully with ground pork in this dish. They have wonderful flavors and take just 35 minutes to make!
Ultimate Shumai Dim Sum Recipe
Serve these traditional shumai dumplings as a first course at a casual gathering! They’re just the right size to pop in your mouth!
Chinese Chicken Shumai Recipe
If you prefer chicken over porkthis is the recipe for you. The dumplings are made with ground thigh meatand are deliciously tender and juicy!
Low Carb Pork Shumai
This pork shumai is wrapped in cabbage leavesmaking it the perfect low-carb treat! Each serving has just 2 grams of net carbs.
Paleo Dim Sum Shumai
You’ll love the delicate flavor of these paleo and keto-friendly pork shumai dumplings! They’re super-easy to make and each dumpling has 96 calories7 grams of proteinand just 2 grams of carbs.
Best Shumai Recipe
Ingredients
- 13 oz ground pork
- 5 oz shrimppeeleddeveinedand chopped
- 3 dried shiitake mushrooms
- 1 tsp soy sauce
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 2.5 tsp sugar
- 5 tsp cooking wine
- 2 tbsp finely minced green onionsonly the white part
- 25 wonton wrappers
- optional flying fish roe for serving
Instructions
Make the Filling
- Soak the dried mushrooms in boiling water. Then chopped them finely.
- Place porksaltsoy saucecooking wineand sugar into a large bowl. Mix well with a spoon or your hands for about 30 seconds until the mixture becomes pasty.
- Add the mushroomsshrimp and green onionsand gently mix until just combined.
Make the Shumai
- Form an “O” with your forefinger and thumb.
- Place a wonton wrapper over the “O”. Push a heaping teaspoon of the filling into the wrapper.
- Use a butter knife or the back of a spoon to add more filling until it is level with the top of the wrapper.
- Place the filled wrapper on a work surface and push down with your fingers to flatten the base of the dumpling.
Steam the Shumai
- Line a 12″ bamboo steamer (or steamer insert) with parchment that’s been poked to create holes.
- Fill a wok large enough to hold the steamer with about 2 cups of water. Bring to a rapid simmer over medium-high heat.
- Place the dumplings into the steamer. Cover with the lidand place into the wok above the simmering water.
- Steam for about 8 minutesor until the internal temperature of the dumplings reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove the steamer from the wok and place a sprinkling of roe or a single green pea in the middle of each dumpling.
Make the Dipping Sauce
- Make a quick and easy dipping sauce by combining 3 parts soy sauce1 part vinegarand sriracha to taste. Mix well and serve with the dumplings.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
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