Har Gow
Har gow is one of the most popular Cantonese dim sum.
There is nothing not to love about these translucent skin shrimp dumplings, with plump and juicy shrimp wrapped inside the clear dumpling skin.
Originated from Guangzhou, China, these dainty shrimp dumplings have won the world over and become a staple Chinese food in Chinatown.
Har gau dumpling can also be found in many Chinese-Cantonese dim sum restaurants in Hong Kong, Vancouver, Toronto, Singapore, Malaysia, Sydney, London and more!
Without har gow, a dim sum meal is incomplete, no matter how many char siu bao or shu mai you have.
Har Gow Recipe
It’s very easy to make this Cantonese delicacy at home and I have the best har gow recipe for you.
This recipe is homemade. I learn how to make har gao by watching legendary Cantonese dim sum chefs making these shrimp dumplings from scratch.
Fillings of Har Gow Shrimp Dumplings
For authentic Cantonese har gow, there are two types of shrimp fillings:
- A lump of shrimp, cut into pieces, with mince-size pieces of bamboo shoots.
- A lump of shrimp, mince-size pieces of pork fat, bamboo shoots, and sometimes with sliced gailan stems.
The first filling is the most common and the ingredients are halal, so even Muslims can enjoy them.
Cook’s Tips
For the best results, please follow the tips below:
- Use a traditional bamboo steamer to steam the har gow dumplings.
- If you don’t have a bamboo steamer, you may use a regular steamer. Just line the steamer with a plate, a piece of parchment paper, or a leave of napa cabbage.
- For the best shrimp texture that is both crunchy and crisp, check out “How to Make Shrimp Crunchy” before making the shrimp filling.
- Steam the dumplings on demand, or whenever you want to serve or eat them. These shrimp dumplings are best served hot-off-the-steamer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Har Gau Halal?
This recipe is halal but other recipes might have pork lard in it.
Can I Freeze the Dumplings?
You may make the dumplings ahead of time and freeze them in the refrigerator.
Just make sure that you place the dumplings on a single layer in a plastic bag before freezing.
To cook, just thaw the dumplings at room temperature and steam for 8 minutes before serving.
How Many Calories per Serving?
This recipe is only 172 calories per serving.
What to Serve with This Recipe?
Serve this shrimp dim sum with other Cantonese recipes such as wonton soup or Chinese roast pork.
For an authentic Cantonese dim sum meal at home, I recommend the following recipes.
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Shrimp Dumplings (Har Gow)
Har Gow (虾饺 ) is a popular Cantonese dim sum. The shrimp dumpling is made of shrimp and wrapped with a translucent wrapper. This recipe is easy and the best!
Ingredients
Shrimp Filling:
- 1 lb. 0.4 kg peeled and deveined shrimp cut into big chunks
- 2 tablespoons bamboo shoots minced
- 1/2 teaspoon chicken bouillon powder
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine
- 2 teaspoons
- sesame oil
- 4 teaspoons corn starch
- 3 dashes ground white pepper
Dumpling Wrapper:
- 1 ½ cups wheat starch plus extra for kneading
- 2 tablespoon tapioca starch
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tablespoon oil
Directions
Shrimp Filling:
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1Mix the shrimp and the rest of the ingredients together. Stir to combine well or until the filling becomes sticky. Chill in the refrigerator.
Dumpling Wrapper:
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1On a clean, dry and flat working surface, combine the wheat starch and the tapioca starch together. Make a well in the center and add the hot water.
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2Add the oil and knead until you get a smooth dough. You may dust some wheat starch on the working surface while kneading.
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3Divide the dough into 3 portions and form each into a cylinder, about 1-inch diameter. Cover it with a damp towel, let it rest for 15 minutes.
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4Cut the cylinder into rounds, about a quarter inch thick each. Roll each round out using a rolling pin to form a round dumpling wrapper. (You may make the wrapper 1 hour in advance. Just remember to cover them with a damp towel.)
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5To wrap the dumplings, place 1 teaspoon of the Shrimp Filling on the center of the wrapper. Fold up to form a half moon shape and start pleating and folding the dumpling from one end. Traditionally, har gow should have at least seven pleats on each dumpling but preferably they will have ten or more pleats.
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6Press and seal tight by pinching with your fingers. You may also use a bit of water to seal the dumpling. Repeat the steps above until all dumplings are wrapped.
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7To steam the dumplings, line the bamboo steamer or regular steamer with parchment paper. Place the dumplings on the lined steamer and steam for 8 minutes.
Recipe Notes
Instead of making the dumpling wrapper from scratch, you may use Har Gow wrapper flour. You can find it at Chinese food stores.
Gayatri
Hi!
I tried to make Har Gow. Mine are sticking to the oiled parchment paper when I steam them.
Please help
Rasa Malaysia
You can lay it on top of a cabbage leaf.
C
How about sub wheat starch like steamed rice rolls flour or tapioca starch? Ty lmk what u recommend
Rasa Malaysia
You can try but I can’t guarantee results if you change ingredients.
B
Have No wheat starch what you recommend ? Ty ! Others websites recommend substitutes Xanthan gum ? What you can think?
Rasa Malaysia
I don’t recommend Xanthan gum.
Rex
Hello. How do I prepare the pork fat. Does it need to be cooked before mixing with shrimp? How much fat do I use?
Rasa Malaysia
Just cut into small pieces. No need to fry. It will get “cooked” when you steam the har gow.
Mary Bostow
Definitely going to try these! Hoping my kids might like them. They look delicious and I love that the recipe is so simple.
L
Don’t have bamboo and needs what do you suggest? Recommend ty
Rasa Malaysia
Skip.
L
Would it make difference in taste or not ? Ty
Rasa Malaysia
It’s ok.
Ainsley
I halved the recipe and made it for my partner and I. It was a big success, super yummy!
moni
Hi what can i use to substitute wheat starch.
Rasa Malaysia
You can use wonton wrapper which is wheat based but it’s not really har gow without wheat starch.
Shanna
I am trying corn starch instead of wheat starch, which a friend told me she had used
E
Super market wonton wrappers no good? What u say? Ty