Shrimp Shumai is a delicate and flavorful dim sum favorite made with succulent shrimp wrapped in tender wonton wrappers. These bite-sized dumplings are steamed to perfection, creating a juicy filling and soft exterior that’s perfect for dipping in soy sauce or chili oil.
What is Shrimp Shumai?
Shrimp Shumai is a type of steamed dumpling that originates from Cantonese cuisine. Traditionally, shumai is made with a filling of pork and shrimp, wrapped in a thin wheat flour wrapper, and steamed until tender.
Tips and Tricks for Perfect Shrimp Shumai
- Chop the shrimp finely: You want the shrimp to be finely chopped but not turned into a paste. This gives the shumai filling a nice texture.
- Don’t overfill the wrappers: When filling your shumai, less is more. Overfilling can cause them to burst open during steaming.
- Use fresh ingredients: Since the flavor of shrimp is the star here, fresh shrimp will give you the best results. If using frozen shrimp, ensure they are fully thawed and dried before chopping.
- Steam in batches: Avoid overcrowding the steamer, as this can affect the even cooking of your shumai.
Variations of Shrimp Shumai
Shrimp Shumai is highly versatile, and you can tweak the recipe to suit your preferences or dietary needs:
Vegetarian Shumai: If you’re looking for a meat-free option, replace the shrimp with finely chopped mushrooms, tofu, and vegetables.
Shrimp and Pork Shumai: Add ground pork to the shrimp mixture for a more traditional Cantonese shumai.
Shrimp and Scallop Shumai: For a luxurious twist, add finely chopped scallops to the filling.
Spicy Shrimp Shumai: Mix a teaspoon of chili paste or Sriracha into the shrimp mixture for a spicy kick.
How to Serve Shrimp Shumai
Shrimp Shumai is perfect as an appetizer, snack, or part of a larger dim sum spread. Here are some ideas on how to serve them:
- With Dipping Sauces: Serve with soy sauce, chili oil, or a ginger-soy dipping sauce. For a tangy twist, mix soy sauce with rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar.
- As Part of a Dim Sum Feast: Pair your shrimp shumai with other dim sum favorites like BBQ pork buns, egg tarts, and spring rolls.
- In a Bento Box: Shrimp shumai makes a great addition to a homemade bento box. Pair it with rice, pickled vegetables, and a side of miso soup for a balanced meal.
How to Store and Reheat Shrimp Shumai
Shrimp shumai can be made ahead and stored for later enjoyment:
In the Freezer: As mentioned earlier, shumai freezes well. After freezing, they can be steamed directly from frozen, adding a couple of minutes to the steaming time.
In the Refrigerator: Store any leftover shumai in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, steam them for 3-4 minutes or until heated through.
Recipe FAQs
Can I freeze Shrimp Shumai?
Yes! Shrimp shumai freezes beautifully. After assembling the dumplings, place them on a parchment-lined tray and freeze them until solid. Then, transfer them to a zip-top bag or airtight container. You can steam them directly from frozen; just add a couple of extra minutes to the steaming time.
What if I don’t have Shaoxing wine?
If you don’t have Shaoxing wine on hand, you can substitute it with dry sherry or mirin. Just reduce the amount of mirin slightly, as it’s sweeter.
Can I use pre-cooked shrimp?
Fresh, raw shrimp works best for this recipe, as pre-cooked shrimp can become rubbery when steamed a second time. Stick with raw shrimp for a juicy and tender filling.
How can I prevent my shumai from sticking to the steamer?
Line your steamer with parchment paper or cabbage leaves. Alternatively, you can lightly oil the bottom of the steamer. This ensures the shumai remain intact when you remove them after steaming.
Shrimp Shumai
Shrimp Shumai is a delicate and flavorful dim sum favorite made with succulent shrimp wrapped in tender wonton wrappers. These bite-sized dumplings are steamed to perfection, creating a juicy filling and soft exterior that's perfect for dipping in soy sauce or chili oil.
Ingredients
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- ½ teaspoon sesame oil
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ pound shrimp, peeled, cleaned, and deveined
- 1 teaspoon soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon rice wine vinegar
- ½ inch fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
- ½ inch lemongrass, chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon white pepper
- 24 square wonton wrappers
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse garlic, ginger, and lemongrass 6-8 times until finely chopped. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is well combined.
- Dice the shrimp. Add half of the shrimp to the food processor along with the aromatics, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and white pepper. Blend until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Transfer to a mixing bowl and fold in the remaining diced shrimp for added texture.
- Place about ½ tablespoon of the filling in the center of each wonton wrapper. Wet the edges with a little water and bring the sides toward the center, pressing down gently to seal, while leaving the top exposed. Flatten the top slightly, and place each shumai on a baking sheet. Garnish with a slice of green onion on top.
- Line a steamer with lettuce leaves and place the shumai on top, about 1 inch apart. Steam over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, or until the shrimp filling is cooked through and opaque.
- Enjoy your shrimp shumai hot with ponzu sauce or a mixture of soy sauce and sesame oil for dipping.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
1Amount Per Serving Calories 154Total Fat 2gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 1gCholesterol 83mgSodium 679mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 1gSugar 0gProtein 12g
Easy Shrimp Recipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Shrimp Shumai is one of those dishes that brings restaurant-quality dim sum right to your kitchen. It’s quick to make, incredibly flavorful, and highly customizable. Whether you’re serving them as a snack, appetizer, or part of a dim sum spread, shrimp shumai is bound to impress. Now that you know how to make these tasty little dumplings at home, you’ll never have to wait for your next dim sum outing to enjoy them again!
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