Dim Sum Siu Mai

Dim sum siu mai (燒賣) is a classic Cantonese cuisine. When we go to yum cha, Chinese restaurant for dim sum (breakfast/ lunch), this shumai is a must-have item on our table. This siu mai recipe has detailed instructions and video to show you how to make shumai at home easily! 

Love dim sum items? Check out these steamed custard buns, cheung fun, lo mai gai, lo bak go, soy sauce noodles and congee recipes.

What is shumai (燒賣) ? 

Shumai is a type of traditional Chinese dumpling. In Cantonese cuisine, it often serves as a dim sum item or snack. In Mandarin Chinese it is called shāomài  (燒賣) and Cantonese in sīumáai. There are different ways to spell it such as sho mai, shui mai, shu mai, sui mai, shui mei and siu mai. Various regions make dim sum siu mai slightly differently. 

What are the ingredients for dim sum siu mai (燒賣) ? 

Dim sum siu mai often wraps in thin yellow dumpling wrappers. The standard filling is ground pork, small whole or chopped shrimp and Chinese black mushrooms. The top is usually decorated with orange dots that are made of crab roe. 

In this siu mai recipe, I used diced carrot to decorate instead of crab roe because it is hard to find crab roe in my area. Also, I like to use thin yellow circle dumpling wrappers. 

Cooking tips for how to make shumai:

• The best is to use thin yellow dumpling wrappers. I tried to use square one, but the corners will come out and need to dip some water to stick it. 
• Use a spoon or a knife to put the filling on the wrapper and slightly use your hand to squeeze it. And, use the spoon or knife to flatten the top. See the video for details. 
• Cut some holes on the parchment paper and put into the bamboo steamer.
• When water is boiling, steam raw siu mai for 8-10 minutes. If frozen siu mai, steam them in a bamboo steamer for 15-20minutes.
• Brush or spray some oil on the parchment paper, so the wrapper won't stick on the paper.

FAQs:

Can I cook shumai without a steamer? 

Yes, you can use a rack with parchment paper and steam in a pot, wok and instant pot pressure cooker. The best to poke or cut some holes on the parchment paper. Besides, you can also use an instant pot pressure cooke to cook them without a bamboo steamer just look like this picture below. 

What kind of wrappers do you use? 

I like to use thin yellow circle dumpling wrappers. There are few different brands of dumpling wrappers in the states, but so far I like this Twin Marquis (真味) brand, Hong Kong style dumpling wrapper for siu mai. 

What can I do with extra shumai? 

This dim sum siu mai recipe yields around 30-35 pieces. Normally, I make a big batch and freeze them. 

How to cook frozen siu mai? 

Traditionally, we steam frozen siu mai in a bamboo steamer for 15-20minutes. However, sometimes I use instant pot pressure cooker to cook them. Add a cup of water, then push the manual button to adjust time for 2 minutes at high pressure and natural release. Or, you can use a steam function for 10 minutes at normal pressure and natural release. 

Instructions for how to make dim sum siu mai: 

Preparation:

1. Put 14 small black Chinese mushrooms into a bowl. 

2. Wash and soak dried Chinese mushrooms for 4-6 hours. (Normally, I soak it the night before I use them.)

3. After that, drain and squeeze the water. Then, put the soaked mushrooms into a chopper. 

4. Run the chopper for a few seconds until the mushrooms are chopped into small pieces. (Don't need to be fine, little chunks are ok. )

5. Next, wash, peel off carrot skin and cut it into 3 pieces. 

6. The following, put the carrot into the chopper and run it for a few seconds, until it's small pieces. 

7. After, put 25 large sized raw shrimp on the chopping board. Roughly chop them into chunks. 

8. Put 1 pound of ground pork into a mixing bowl.

9. Add roughly chopped raw shrimp. 

10. The next step, add the chopped mushrooms into the mixing bowl. 

11. Afterwards, add ¼ teaspoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of oyster sauce, 1 tablespoon of sesame oil, 1 teaspoon of sugar, ½ teaspoon of garlic powder and ¼ teaspoon of white pepper. 

12. Mix the ingredients very well. 

Wrapping:

13. Put a yellow circle dumpling wrapper on a hand. 

14. Scoop a teaspoon of filling onto the wrapper. 

15. Slightly use the hand to squeeze the middle/bottom of siu mai. Then, use a spoon or knife to flatten the top. 

16. Repeat steps 13-15 and wrap until the filling is gone. 

17. Put some of the finely chopped carrot on top of the siu mai. (Freeze the extra one.)

Cooking:

18. Cut some holes on the parchment paper and brush some oil on it. 

19. Lay siu mai on the parchment paper in a bamboo steamer

20. When the water is boiling, steam them for 8-10 minutes. 

Enjoy this delicious dim sum siu mai recipe! Also, check out these authentic Asian recipes: red bean ice drink, almond jello and pan fried dumplings. 

You May Also Like These Recipes: 

• ZUCCHINI MUSHROOM CHICKEN
• STEAMED SPARERIBS WITH BLACK BEAN SAUCE
• STEAM SHRIMP WITH GARLIC
• HOW TO BAKE A WHOLE CHICKEN

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