Har Gow
Crystal Shrimp Dumplings
Authentic Har Gow, featuring delicate, translucent wheat starch wrappers encasing a succulent filling of chopped and whole shrimp, tender bamboo shoots, and a hint of pork fat for richness. A true dim sum classic.
🧂 Ingredients
- 350 g Shrimp(Peeled, deveined, and patted very dry. Medium-sized shrimp work best. Reserve about 1/3 for a chunkier texture.)
- 60 g Bamboo shoots(Fresh or canned, very finely minced. Ensure they are well-drained if canned.)
- 30 g Pork fat(Finely minced or ground. This adds essential moisture and richness. If unavailable, you can omit, but the texture will be slightly less authentic.)
- 150 g Wheat starch(This is the primary starch for the wrapper. Ensure it's pure wheat starch, not a blend.)
- 50 g Tapioca starch(Adds elasticity and chewiness to the wrapper.)
- 1/2 tsp Salt(For the filling.)
- 1 tsp Sugar(Balances the savory flavors in the filling.)
- 1 tsp Sesame oil(Toasted sesame oil for aroma.)
- 1/4 tsp White pepper(Freshly ground white pepper for a subtle heat.)
- 2 tbsp Vegetable oil(For the wrapper dough, to make it pliable.)
- 120-130 ml Boiling water(For scalding the starch mixture. Start with 120ml and add more if needed.)
- 1 tbsp Water(For the wrapper dough, to adjust consistency if needed.)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the filling: Finely chop about two-thirds of the deveined shrimp. Leave the remaining one-third whole or roughly chopped for texture. In a medium bowl, combine the chopped and whole shrimp with the minced bamboo shoots and minced pork fat. Add salt, sugar, sesame oil, and white pepper. Mix thoroughly until the ingredients are well incorporated and slightly sticky. Cover and refrigerate while you prepare the dough.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 2
Make the wrapper dough: In a heatproof bowl, whisk together the wheat starch and tapioca starch. Carefully pour the boiling water over the starch mixture while stirring vigorously with chopsticks or a heat-resistant spatula. The mixture will quickly form clumps. Continue stirring until it forms a shaggy mass. Let it cool for a minute or two until it's safe to handle but still very warm. Add the vegetable oil and begin to knead the dough. It will be sticky at first. Continue kneading on a lightly floured surface (using a little tapioca starch) for about 8-10 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and pliable. The dough should feel warm and soft. If it becomes too stiff, you can briefly knead in a teaspoon of warm water. Cover the dough with plastic wrap or a damp cloth to prevent it from drying out.
⏱️ 15 minutes - 3
Assemble the dumplings: Divide the dough into 20 equal portions. Roll each portion into a small ball. On a lightly floured surface (or between two sheets of parchment paper), flatten each ball into a disc. Using a small rolling pin, roll each disc into a thin, round wrapper, about 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) in diameter. Aim for the edges to be slightly thinner than the center. Place about 1 tablespoon of the chilled shrimp filling in the center of a wrapper. To pleat, hold the wrapper in your hand, bring one edge up to meet the other, and create small pleats along one side, pressing them together to seal the dumpling. Aim for 10-13 neat pleats for an authentic look. Ensure the dumpling is well-sealed to prevent the filling from leaking during steaming. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling.
⏱️ 45 minutes - 4
Steam the Har Gow: Prepare your steamer by lining it with parchment paper or cabbage leaves to prevent sticking. Arrange the assembled Har Gow in the steamer basket, ensuring they do not touch each other to avoid sticking. Steam over high heat for 8-10 minutes, or until the wrappers become translucent and slightly shiny, and the shrimp filling is cooked through and pink. The exact steaming time may vary depending on the size of your dumplings and the heat of your steamer.
⏱️ 10 minutes - 5
Serve immediately: Carefully remove the steamed Har Gow from the steamer. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce, such as soy sauce, chili oil, or black vinegar.
⏱️ 2 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Dough temperature is crucial: The dough must be kept warm and pliable throughout the assembly process. If it cools and stiffens, it will be difficult to roll and pleat without tearing.
- ✓The 10-13 pleats are a traditional hallmark of expertly made Har Gow. Practice makes perfect!
- ✓For a truly authentic experience, serve Har Gow immediately after steaming while the wrappers are at their most tender and translucent.
- ✓Ensure shrimp are patted very dry to prevent a watery filling.
- ✓If you find the dough too sticky, lightly dust your hands and work surface with tapioca starch, but avoid using too much, as it can make the wrappers tough.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Garnish with a small amount of cooked crab roe or tobiko on top of each dumpling before steaming for added color and a briny flavor.
- For a vegetarian version, replace shrimp with finely chopped shiitake mushrooms and water chestnuts. Ensure the mushrooms are well-seasoned.
- Add a pinch of finely chopped water chestnuts to the filling for extra crunch.