Chinese Steamed Dumplings

Chinese Steamed Dumplings are a beautiful and symbolic dish often served during holidays and family gatherings. This type of dumpling is known in Chinese as “sì xǐ jiǎozi” (四喜饺子) or Four Happiness Dumplings. Each one is filled with juicy shrimp and topped with four colorful vegetables representing luck, fortune, longevity, and joy. They are not only a joy to eat, but also a meaningful way to share love and good wishes at the table.

Recipe

Serving: 12
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes

For the filling:
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 large egg
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon oyster sauce
¼ teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon sesame oil

For the toppings:
1 cup carrots, cut into small pieces
1 cup corn kernels
1 cup green beans, cut into small pieces
1 cup shiitake mushrooms, cut into small pieces
Pinches of salt, separated

For the dumplings:
12 dumpling wrappers
1 cup water, for sealing

For the dipping sauce:
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons red vinegar (or other types of vinegar)
1 tablespoon chili oil

Instructions

1. Prepare the filling and toppings:

• In a food processor, blend the shrimp into a paste. Alternatively, finely mince with a knife. Transfer to a bowl and mix in the egg, soy sauce, oyster sauce, white pepper, and sesame oil until well combined.
• Individually season the carrots, corn kernels, green beans, and shiitake mushrooms with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil for the dipping sauce.

2. Assemble the dumplings:

• Prepare a small bowl of water for sealing the wrappers.
• Place a dumpling wrapper flat on your work surface. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of filling into the center.
• Lightly wet one edge with water, and pinch it together. Repeat with the other two edges, bringing all points to the center. Then pinch the adjacent sides to form four open pockets.
• Fill each pocket with one topping: carrot, corn, green bean, and mushroom. Repeat for the remaining dumplings.
• Place dumplings in a bamboo steamer or on a heat-safe plate lined with parchment.

3. Steam and serve:

• In a large steamer over high heat, bring water to a boil. Place the dumplings inside, cover, and steam for 10 minutes until fully cooked.
• Carefully remove and serve warm with the prepared dipping sauce.

Tips & notes

• Symbolism: These dumplings represent joy, fortune, longevity, and luck—making them a perfect Lunar New Year or celebratory dish.
• Filling texture: A food processor makes a smoother shrimp filling, but hand-mincing also works well for a more rustic bite.
• Colorful presentation: Use vibrant vegetables to give your dumplings eye-catching color and make each “pocket” stand out visually.
• Steaming setup: If you don’t have a bamboo steamer, a plate in a large pot with a lid works just as well.