Ha Gao (Cantonese Shrimp Dumplings)
I don't use flour skins! Crystal dumplings with transparent contents
Description
Japanese dumplings use white wheat flour wrappers. 'Ha Gao', the flagship Dim Sum of Hong Kong/Guangdong, uses 'Wheat Starch' (Cheng Fen) to create a translucent, crystal-clear, incredibly chewy wrapper that reveals the bouncy pink shrimp stuffed inside.
Restaurants serving Ha Gao (Cantonese Shrimp Dumplings)
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On this site you can check dictionary details and, later, places to buy or eat related items.
The Recipe section below is a general reference, not a recipe from the listed shops.
Recipe
Ingredients
- Wheat starch(Cheng Fen)
- Potato starch
- Peeled shrimp
- Bamboo shoots
- Pork back fat
- Sesame oil
- Boiling water
Instructions
- [Authentic Recipe & Differences]
- (Filling) No pork meat is used. Smash large shrimp with the flat of a cleaver, then chop coarsely. Mix with minced bamboo shoots, salt, sugar, white pepper, sesame oil, and a touch of 'pork back fat'. Knead violently until sticky.
- (Wrappers) Do not use wheat flour. Blend 'Cheng Fen' (wheat starch) and potato starch, pour in [BOILING water], and knead rapidly (this gelatinization is the secret to transparency).
- Cut the dough small and use the flat of an oiled cleaver to smear it into a paper-thin, translucent circle (Pai Pi).
- Wrap the shrimp, folding artistic 'half-moon pleats (10-
- pleats is ideal)'.
- Steam on high for just
- minutes. The skin turns crystal clear, letting the bright pink of the shrimp shine through.
Learn more Spice, substitutes, tips
Key spices
Pure shrimp umami、Bamboo shoot crunch
Substitutes at Japanese supermarkets
Japanese Shrimp Boiled Dumplings (lacks the crystal transparency and extreme chew)
Pairing
Oolong Tea / Pu'er Tea
Trivia
[Trivia] The absolute leader of the 'Four Heavenly Kings of Dim Sum' in Cantonese Yam Cha. The fragile wrapper requires extremely advanced skill; it's said you can judge a Dim Sum chef's entire capability just by tasting their Ha Gao.
Eating tips & etiquette
[Unique Eating] Perfectly seasoned inside, so eat it whole without dipping in soy sauce. Following the 'sticky, chewy' texture of the wrapper, the shrimp explodes in your mouth with an 'intensely bouncy' snap.
Allergen
Shrimp, Wheat (Starch component only), Pork (Lard)